[MASTER POST] Common Symptoms of Mod/CC Issues

In This Post

• Malicious Script Mods and Malware
• Mod Access: Folders/Mods Missing or Corrupted
• Loading, Saving, and Crashing
• Errors and Last Exceptions (LEs)

Malicious Script Mods and Malware

• Beginning as early as mid-January 2024, we began seeing Sims 4 script mods with malicious executable .exe code hidden in them. Shortly after that, we saw a case of fake mod updates being used to spread malware indirectly. Please see Malicous Script Mods and Malware for what you need to know about this. See How to Use Mods and CC for tips on safe sourcing of mods and CC.

Mod Access Problems

Unable to locate Mods folder

• common causes: looking in the wrong folder, multiple Mods folders (often caused by OneDrive), folder was deleted or dragged out for testing and you need to relaunch the game to create a new one.

For info on your Mods folder, see How to Use Mods and CC.  For support, please head to Sims 4 PC Tech Support or Sims 4 Mac Tech Support.

Mods/CC not appearing in game

common causes:

• mods/CC not re-enabled
• antivirus interfering with re-enabling mods/CC
• multiple Mods folders —often caused by OneDrive
• mods not installed correctly — wrong folder, too many folders deep, missing parts of the mod or other required mods, etc.
• corrupted resource.cfg — delete it so the game makes a new one
• default replacement mods/CC and translations not being loaded early enough
• folder called "Mods" inside the Mods folder
• corrupted GameVersion.txt file right after a game update — delete it so the game makes a new one.

File corruption

• One possible cause is changing your folder contents while the game is running. Delete the corrupted files and obtain new versions.

Loading, Saving, and Crashing

Sims 4 loading issues

• Sims 4 not loading – can be caused by many outdated/broken mods/CC, by non-Sims 4 package files, and by GShade
• Sims 4 loads very slowly – mod-related issues include large Mods folders; turning off the initial display of a mods list in Options can help to a point, but you might just need to start reducing your CC quantity
• Sims 4 loads only in DX9 mode – causes include non-updated Build/Buy items by simsi45 and several others; see the list in the current pinned Broken/Updated Mods list, or 50-50 your Build/Buy mods. A batch fix is available in Sims 4 Studio.

World loading issues

• Specific World not loading: For Rent, Horse Ranch, Cottage Living – common causes include outdated versions of T.O.O.L Mod (TwistedMexi), Better BuildBuy (TwistedMexi)
• World Map not loading

Lot/Household loading issues

• Lot/household not loading for Live mode – This can be a game bug, but also can have mod-related causes. NOTE: Some causes will permanently corrupt a lot. Rule out mods before assuming it's a game issue; you might also need to load a different household and reload yours as part of testing.
  • Many outdated mods/CC. In this category, causes include some Build/Buy items, noextramoneyonpromotion (Bienchen), outdated versions of Meaningful Stories, SNB-Bills.
  • Specific to Windows: CC that is not updated for Dirext X 11. Remove the CC, check at the creator's site for updates, or run a batch fix in Sims 4 Studio.
  • Removing some CC/mods. In this category,
    • cookbook/recipe mods removed without first deleting plates and food made with that mod (put the mods back and delete the plates/food);
    • CC tied to Milestones - look for a Last Exception file with "developmental_milestone_tracker.py" (either put the CC back or use the bugfix mod Miletone Fixes by Lumpinou)
    • outdated part-time career/freelance/"gig" mods
• Lot/household loading for Live mode only in DX9 mode – causes include nonupdated Build/Buy items; see the list in the current pinned Broken/Updated Mods list, or 50-50 your Build/Buy mods; a batch fix is available in Sims 4 Studio

CAS loading issues

• endless loading of CAS after patch 1.108 – many causes and solutions covered in this post, generally related to Preferences mods

Saving issues

• Game saves only in DX9 mode – causes include outdated Build/Buy items; see the list in the current pinned Broken/Updated Mods list, or 50-50 your Build/Buy mods; a batch fix is available in Sims 4 Studio
• Crash during saving – causes include outdated/broken mods/CC, having over 8 Sims in a household
• Game doesn't save after 1.114 - causes include Child-and-younger sliders and presets

Crashing

• Last Crash report without crashing – likely cause: skeleton earrings by barbieaiden
• Crashing at the Main Menu – can be caused by removing custom tattoos (including CC) that a Mermaid is wearing. NOTE: This heavily impacts Mods folder testing but you can remove the save for testing too.
  
• Crashing in CAS – can be caused by:
  • outdated mods/CC, including skeleton earrings by barbieaiden
  • having over 8 Sims in a household
• Crash during saving – causes include oudated/broken mods/CC,
• Crash during loading – causes include:
  • oudated/broken mods/CC
  • last exception files ending in .tmp
• Other game crashing – causes include:
  
  • outdated CC, e.g. Aladdin Fabio Hair. However, there are many possible CC causes. If you get no crashing when testing vanilla (without mods/CC), you can use the 50-50 method to isolate problem mods/CC, or start at the pinned Broken/Updated Mods and CC list. More about how to test your mods and CC is in How to Use Mods and CC.
  • Sims 3 CC
  • over-high graphics settings for your computer
  • old drivers
  • old versions of Mac OS
  • not enough RAM
  • incorrect Gshade/Reshade installation

Error Codes and Last Exceptions (LEs)

Error codes after loading

• 102:122:4809cdd1 – causes of 102 errors generally include wrongly installed mods (recheck installation instructions); wrongly catalogued build/buy CC on households with University-pack Roommates,ky-e/Llama Mama Selective Attraction
• 109:dd2b8c5
• 110:f3cd3c7a

• 111:41812468… – known causes include removing cookbook/recipe mods – reinstall and delete plates/food (if none are in the fridge, you might be able to just use Build mode)

• 135:4924646b
• 135:eaddea49
• 123:20ece5dd – with Restaurants, one possible cause is Starry Eyed Collection Banquet Table (coolspear1)
• 140:645fba83:72c0b567 – often caused by outdated/broken event mods

Last exception (LE) files

If you have a "last exception" file or a similar error report from Better Exceptions or MC Command Center, you can find some info there that might point to mod/CC-caused problems.

• LEs in general – mod-related causes include duplicate files, missing pack requirements, broken/outdated mods. One cause of duplicate files is file-renaming by
• LEs on game loading re. "read only" – this is mod-related (after patch 1.105) but harmless
• LE and Sims in household disappear – Podcaster Career (QuietPriestess); remove this
• buff_Motives_Hunger_Starving_Ghost – known causes include outdated versions of roBurky mod Emotional Inertia (update this!), but also several package files, mostly body presets, that have it merged into them. Some that have been identified have creator names attached: HolisticSimmer, euno, and [AS].

• career_base. py… current_level_tuning – known causes include removing custom school/career mods: put the mods back in or try a “Save As”

• definition_manager.py / _load_definition_and_tuning / final_product - a change after patch 1.116 (July 1, 2025) specifically affecting custom food and woodworking recipe mods by several creators. Parts of the last exception near this text will give you an idea which file is your issue. Check with the creator for mod updates or other instructions, typically about new requirements.
• degree_tracker – this is sometimes mod-related and sometimes a game issue but usually caused by cheats; the linked thread includes instructions on how to use MC Command Center to fix Sims producing this error if it is caused by mods or cheats
• developmental_milestone_tracker – can indicate that a CC object tied to a Milestone was removed: either put the object back in the build or use the bugfix mod Miletone Fixes by Lumpinou
• drama_schedule_service failed, DramaNodeScoringBucket not 97 – causes include having removed freelance custom careers or phone invitation mods; this error rcan generally be fixed with a “Save As”

• fishing_location_component.py – caused by having a mod for a pack you don’t own, including files for Somik & Severinka - Realistic Cooking Mod (EA Override files), Srsly's EA Adjustments (New Prices version)

• guid64 – known causes include outdated career or university mods

• HasTunableReference - a script mod that needs updating for the 1.116 patch (July 1, 2025); this did not affect all script mods, but do check for updates if you're getting this

• holiday_service.py – often caused by removing a custom holiday; try a Save As to clear the error.

• load_from_persistable_sim_career_proto – known issues include removing school mods; try a “save as” in-game or play with the mod again.

• mc_career_dlg – caused by using the MC Command Center legacy version (which is for the game as it was in 2019), not the current version; delete the mod and reinstall the latest version

• min_lod_value – causes include outdated/broken custom traits; wrongly installed Andirz mods

• picker_interaction.py – causes include outdated PandaSama x Ravasheen toy kitchen; Piggy Banks, Oil Diffuser (Ravasheen); some Kritical objects
• restaurant_zone_director.py – mod-related causes include CC furniture in Restaurants

• scumbumbo_snippet – known causes include outdated versions of the SnootySims Camera mod; delete and redownload

• should_refresh_thumbnail – known causes include outdated Occult Hybrid Stabilizer/Unlocker mods or outdated 18+/NSFW mods

• state_py with _do_first_time_state_added_actions – mod-related causes include Custom Music Channels Compatibility Fix by Staberinde (delete this)

• trait_tracker – often caused by outdated custom traits, custom aspirations, and complex mods that include traits
• tunable_model.py, get_model – often caused by having recipes but missing the recipe enabler mod, having an outdated recipe enableer mod, or missing required packs
• tunable_perf (and also often TuningAttrCleanupHelper) – This error is caused by mods that were updated for a problem after Dec. 5, 2023 (1.103) ... and then Maxis fixed it on their end on Feb. 27, 2024 (1.105), so that mod fix now causes an error on game loading. This error is not an indication that there are other reasons the mod is incompatible with 1.105, but there could be other reasons. No error file can point you to which mods are the cause. Any script mods predating Feb. 27, 2024 should be checked for updates.