Forum Discussion

Hero+

7 months ago

Unable to start: The Sims 4 is already running - Mac only

If you're experiencing this error message it doesn't mean your game is already running, the actual message itself is incorrect. It means The Sims 4 cannot access the Electronic Arts > The Sims 4 fold...

external drive

launching

Bluebellflora

Hero+

5 years ago

@Sarahtd9

What have you tried to fix it?

Where is your game installed to?

Have you created a symlink to store your Sims 4 folder externally?

Sarahtd9

5 years ago

I tried moving the folder to the desktop so it creates a new folder and that didn't work (no new folder was created). I tried making a new profile on my computer to play from but that is not working because I can't connect it to the wifi (needs to run a program to connect to the wifi at my college and that program keeps crashing). I updated everything and reset the game. I deleted the user data lock file too.

I am playing it on Mac Big Sur.

What is a symlink?

Bluebellflora
Hero+
5 years ago
@Sarahtd9

Which folder did you move to the desktop? When troubleshooting please be really specific so we have all the info to hand 🙂

Where is your game installed to?

It doesn't sound like you have created a symlink to store your Sims 4 folder externally so don't worry about that.
- Sarahtd9
  5 years ago
  I moved the Sims4 folder to my desktop, not the EA one.
  I'm not sure what you mean by where I have it installed to... but my best guess is Origin?
  - Bluebellflora
    Hero+
    5 years ago
    @Sarahtd9
    
    Ok. And did you relaunch the game after moving the folder and that's when the error came up again? If that is the case please try this super repair - https://answers.ea.com/t5/Technical-Issues-Mac/READ-FIRST-Sims-4-Mac-Help-Guides-and-Troubleshooting/m-p/4612394#M815
    
    In Origin > Preferences > Installs & Saves what is the install location of your games library? Origin is a client, not an installation location.
- jaywright77
  4 years ago
  I’m having this same issue (sims 4 is already running). I’ve tried moving the folders to my desktop, but my EA folder is saved to an external hard drive.
  
  I think I remember setting up a sym link.
  
  How can I fix my game?