BUG: Better Exceptions UI Exception Report can't find broken mod

@LindyIris10 Hey, this is the Apex Legends forums. You'll want The Sims 4's forums.

Here's where you can find the section involving issues with mods and in-game content: https://answers.ea.com/t5/Mods-CC-Issues/bd-p/the-sims-4-game-issues-mods-en which @EA_Mako (or another CM), could you please move this thread over to The Sims 4's "Mods & CC Issues" section?

In the meantime, (since I do play The Sims 4 myself), I'll try to help you sort out the issue.

Breaking down the report log, it says there's a "broken trait mod", but it doesn't say what mod it is or even have one listed. It does say that the mod has an invalid instance ID, which as someone who has coded a little before, this to me means that a function that the mod used to use, no longer works.

Here's two examples of what I'm talking about: "trait.getTrait()" and "sims.getTrait()"

When the mods were working, it had the ability to call, (in this example), "trait.getTrait()" , now since the game was updated, the method called was changed to, (in this example), "sims.getTrait()". Because the game no longer responds to the old method, ("trait.getTrait()"), the mods using it would stop working. 

In your case, it would explain why there's no mods being listed because the mods code still "works", its just outdated.

Now, going through the error report, it mentions it cannot access a property or method of a null object reference.

"Null" means something is invalid. For example, if you were to sign into your EA account and you only typed in your email, the password box would be considered "null", as you didn't type anything into the box. In terms of the error code, this instance of null appears to be saying that the sim's trait is non-existing or not accepted.

The lines running the error are:

In other words, the methods the mod uses to add the traits for your sims no longer works due to the game's update.

Also in the error, it mentions "Error #1009", which I've found this thread talking about that error: https://answers.ea.com/t5/PC/ERROR-1009-PLEASE-HELP/m-p/10048445 although for them, the lines running the error is "at widgets.GameEntry.Launcher.controls::InterstitialMessageDialog/OnEnterFrame()" which has something to do with a text popup or the messages found in the top right of the screen when something happens or an error gets thrown by a mod.

In that post, it does mention moving the mods folder to the desktop and then deleting the "localthumbcache.package" file to test the game in a new save. However, that's only to see if its the game throwing the issue as the error would persist if its from the game itself. (You could try this to see if its game or mod related).

What you need to do is to check where you got your mods from and to make sure the mods are fully updated with the latest version, (and please be careful where you are downloading your mods from). If you're still having issues, let me know. You could reply to this thread or send me a direct message. It might be easier to send a direct message as you could also list what mods you're using in case you're still having issues after updating your mods.

Another thing you can do is to use CurseForge. When you add The Sims 4 to it, it will let you browse for mods to use. Then when there's an update to the game, CurseForge would make it easier for you to update the mods.

Here's an example from my CurseForge launcher:

As you can see, I can update all the mods, only update one mod, and/or delete a mod. In this example, if there's an update for the kitchen or the laundry mod, updating those would be easy.

Summary: Update your mods or use a mod manager, (such as CurseForge), to manage your mods. If you're still having issues, let me know either in this thread or in a direct message.

Thank you for your time and help, I have never used this web site so it's kind of hard searching for the right place to write. So, I already use Sims 4 Mod Manager to update sometimes my mods, and before writing my last message I updated everything. Now I'll try to use Curseforge too (I have it installed). Tomorrow I will try to fix my game by using the method you mentioned earlier (move mods folder and create a new save file). Again, thank you for your service 

@LindyIris10  Alright, let me know if you're still needing help.

Since you're new to the forums, here's two things that's helpful to know:

1) You can click on "quick reply", and it will fill in the text box with an @ then the username of the person of that thread or post. This is useful to direct who you're talking to. It will also notify them, (I would get an email saying, "<user> had mentioned you in <thread>", which would make responding easier). You can also type in the @ symbol, and manually type in the username of the person you wish to tag.

To send someone a direct message, there's two methods. The easiest way would be to click on their username.

Here's a few examples of valid places to click on:

You can also click on their username to the left of their post within a thread.

When you click on their username, their profile would load. On their profile page, click on the letter icon next to their profile picture and below their username:


This will automatically open up to the inbox page, where it will have a "send to" box pre-filled with the user's username.

The other method is to open up your inbox by going to your username in the top right of the page, clicking on the drop-down box, and then clicking on "inbox":



When the page loads, you'll see this:



Click on "compose new message", and then type in the "send to" box the username of the person you're trying to message.

Hi there, sorry for not informing you but yesterday I couldn't try the method you suggested me. I updated every trait mod I could find in my mods folder and I also made a brand new save with no mods, and everything works fine. It still gives me an error tho (photo), I don't know if it is the same one. I deleted my outdated mods, right now I am searching for other broken ones, but as you can see probably nothing changed.

@LindyIris10  If you didn't move the mod folder with the mods out, (or didn't disabled the use of mods/scripts in the game's settings), then when you had created a new save, it was still loading the mods, (which would explain why you're having the same error).

1) What mods are you using?

2) Is the game letting you play?

3) If you're able to play, is there any issues you can see? (Such as broken buttons, missing textures, Sims acting in unintended ways, etc.)

4) Have you backed up your saves yet?

The game's save files, (and mods), are stored in your documents folder.

If the documents folder is synced with OneDrive, the file path is:
- "C:\Users\<YOUR-USER>\OneDrive\Other\Electronic Arts\The Sims 4"

("other" is what my OneDrive calls the documents folder).

If the documents folder is not synced with OneDrive, the file path is:
- "C:\Users\<YOUR-USER>\Documents\Electronic Arts\The Sims 4"

(I've tested this file path as well, and it also took me to the same folder location on my PC for The Sims 4)

5) When updating the mods, were you using any mod managers to update them? Were any of the mods manually installed? (As in, did you put them into the mods folder yourself?) If you did manually installed any mods, did you download them from the correct sources? (Third party sites could pose issues and they don't always have the most updated version of the mods).

I'm asking the last question about how the mods are being updated and installed because some mods have multiple components. If any components is outdated, then it would throw an error.

Chances are your mods are mostly updated, but its one or more components that are not. If it is one of these components, then that would explain why no mods are being listed as the issue. It would also explain why it says there's a "broken traits mod" in the report, as it wouldn't be the mod itself, but one of its components. These components would be the mod's packages and scripts. If the mod has multiple packages and/or scripts, make sure every part of the mod is being updated. (This is also why I had suggested CurseForge, as CurseForge would update all the mod's components).

Packages are the items, textures, etc. that the mod provides, while scripts is the extra code used to run them.

For example, a mod that adds furniture, (like the Kitchen mod I have installed), would only have packages as the game has the code for sitting in chairs, eating at tables, etc. If the game didn't have the code for such actions, then the scripts would be included to add them.

6) If you manually added mods, review your mods folder for any mods that may have any outdated components, and update them.

Ok so I probably explained myself badly: the base game save file works completely fine. I tried using Curseforge but It says that it can't update any mod because I have downloaded them manually. Since sunday I've updated every mod I could, by going to the original sites. Initially the gameplay was also broken, but Tuesday I found out the mod "The one with all the romance" was causing it. I deleted it because it wasn't updated to this patch. Still, the thing that bothers me the most is that I can edit every household I want, except for the one I was playing with (it's the 17th generation I have). I have uploaded to the gallery an old version of it, where one of the children is missing. I looked at the traits and all of them should be working. I even split it in half but I can't edit no matter what I do. Thank you again for your help 🙂

Ok so I probably explained myself badly: the base game save file works completely fine. I tried using Curseforge but It says that it can't update any mod because I have downloaded them manually. Since sunday I've updated every mod I could, by going to the original sites. Initially the gameplay was also broken, but Tuesday I found out the mod "The one with all the romance" was causing it. I deleted it because it wasn't updated to this patch. Still, the thing that bothers me the most is that I can edit every household I want, except for the one I was playing with (it's the 17th generation I have). I have uploaded to the gallery an old version of it, where one of the children is missing. I looked at the traits and all of them should be working. I even split it in half but I can't edit no matter what I do. Thank you again for your help 🙂 As soon as I can I will backup my save files

@LindyIris10 Correct, CurseForge will only manage the mods you had downloaded through its mod manager.

In terms of being unable to edit, do you mean you cannot edit the Sims themselves or their household? If you mean you cannot edit the Sims themselves, (such as their traits, (shown below)), unlocking the option to edit that is very easy.

To unlock full CAS edit mode:

1) Press Ctrl + Shift + C (this will bring up the cheat console)

2) Type "testingcheats true", (without the quotes)

3) Now type "cas.fulleditmode", (again, without the quotes)

4) Hold shift and then click on a Sim, (it can be any Sim)

5) Look for the option bubble that says "Edit in CAS"

After you do that, you'll be taken to the CAS edit menu, where you'll be able to edit any of the Sims in the current household / lot. This full edit mode will allow you to change anything about the Sim as if you were creating the Sim for the first time. (I'm assuming you have empty trait slots, which is why I'm mentioning this).

If its a lot that's unable to be edited, you could try enabling the free building mode cheat, which would be "bb.enablefreebuild" into the cheat console.

When you're done using the cheats, you can just press Ctrl + Shift + C again to close the cheat console. (You don't have to turn off "testingcheats" or anything else. The game seems to do that on its own when the game starts up the next time).

Actually, when I click on the edit button to open CAS the loading screen opens a chrome page with be exceptions and the game doesn't load. It goes like this forever (I stayed waiting for about 1 hour and half) and I can't even close the game with alt+f4