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Re: Sims are invisible and game won’t load/save

Hi @zhanghaobinz. Are you playing with mods or CC in your Mods folder? There's a good chance that what you're seeing is the result of outdated content there. Here's how to check if that's the issue:

After exiting Sims 4, drag your Mods folder to your desktop. Then delete the file called localthumbcache from Document > Electronic Arts > The Sims 4. If you think you might accidentally forget to exit without saving after testing, copy your Saves folder to your desktop too, to back it up. Now open Sims 4 and see if you still have the problem. If you don't, you can start the process of figuring out what from your Mods folder was causing it. If you still see the problem, exit to the Main Menu and test on a new save, to check if a mod issue corrupted your regular save. If it does turn out to have been a mod, you can start figuring out which one.

8 Replies

  • elijaahs's avatar
    elijaahs
    New Novice
    2 years ago

    This has been happening to me too since the horse ranch pack, I’ve taken out all my mods, got a new ssd, ram, all of that and it happens all the same. 

  • luthienrising's avatar
    luthienrising
    Hero+
    2 years ago

    Hi @elijaahs . When you removed all mods, did you also delete the file called localthumbcache? I would suggest that you also try a clean folder: Exit Sims 4 then drag your whole Sims 4 folder from Document > Electronic Arts to your desktop. Launch Sims 4 and reset your Options. Now see if a new save will load. If it does, exit and copy a save file into the new Saves folder and test that.

  • elijaahs's avatar
    elijaahs
    New Novice
    2 years ago

    Hi! thanks for getting back so quickly. I delete the cache everytime i open the sims, including when I took out my mods. I’ve done the method you mentioned before as well to no results. With mods in I’ve done the 50/50 method, without mods in did a fresh installation of the sims and all my packs. I will note that taking out my mods on my previous ssd did work, but I’ve completely reworked my mods folder since then ☹️

  • elijaahs's avatar
    elijaahs
    New Novice
    2 years ago

    Sorry, I just saw this! I've done both, but after I update my game next I'll try again.

  • elijaahs's avatar
    elijaahs
    New Novice
    2 years ago

    Coming back a few months later to say I thought I resolved the issue but it's back with a vengeance. I've tried everything but for now it seems the game is unplayable for me.

  • luthienrising's avatar
    luthienrising
    Hero+
    2 years ago

    Hi @elijaahs . Please try this clean folder sequence:

    1. Exit Sims 4 then drag your whole Sims 4 folder from Document > Electronic Arts to your desktop.
    2. Launch Sims 4 and reset your Options.
    3. Start with New to test if your issue recurs.

    If that works and you don't have invisible Sims and you can load and save:

    1. Exit and copy files out of your old Saves folder into the new Saves folder. Important: Don't just copy the old folder! You want to use the newly created folders.
    2. Launch Sims 4 and use Load to select an older save to test. If a save ended up corrupted, you might be able to still load a previous version of it.

    If that works:

    1. Copy your old Tray files (this is your Library), Screenshots and Videos files.
    2. Before starting to add mods/CC back, check for Broken/Updated Mods . Because there were a lot for 1.103, also consider the Updated list in the previous Broken/Updated Mods list .
    3. Add mod/CC files into the new Mods folder in batches. This is a good time to look for duplicates and to organize your folder, but put each batch in its own subfolder or the main Mods folder to start, so you can tell where your problems are each time you open to test. Start with "core" and "injector" mods so that you have those in for the mods that rely on them. After a batch, check if you have the problem back; if you do, remove part of the batch and delete the localthumbcache file.


    For some people, this is actually a good time to just restart fresh, though. I did this last year -- completely new save, complete restart on my Mods folder.

  • Did you repair it?? I have the same issue and don’t know what to do….😭

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