Auto update disabled, updates game anyways

Question

I knew today was patch day, clicked on Sims 4's desktop icon, EA App opens and instantly begins Sims 4's update. I have auto updates disabled. Click the 3 bars to go offline but because the game had 2% already downloaded, I cannot play offline. Double checked that Auto Update is disabled, it is. Now being forced to update because it decided to ignore the option entirely. I had zero intention of updating because of it breaking mods, its why I disabled it in the first place. Just because I clicked on the Sims 4 desktop icon to open the game shouldn't mean it triggers the update to start, it should ASK to update.

Tried posting this in the EA APP bug report but 2 required options didn't let me enter anything.

puzzlezaddict · Answer

@JWWeise&nbsp; The problem may be that you launched the game from the desktop shortcut rather than from within the EA App.&nbsp; It may not help this time, but the next time there's an update, try that.

For now, please clear the EA App's cache:

https://help.ea.com/en-us/help/faq/clear-cache-to-fix-problems-with-your-games/

restart your computer, open the App, put it in offline mode, and see whether you can launch Sims 4.

jwweise · Answer

Will try next time, sadly it's fully updated and crashing like others have said. Mods are broken so guess I'm not playing on my day off.

planetjubiez · Answer

The exact same thing just happened to me, right down to the 2% issue. I swear there’s usually an option to hover over the button and stop it from updating but there wasn’t this time almost as if the game didn’t want to give me an option.

I did however manage to clear the EA apps cache before it went too far and it fixed the problem! Really sorry about your game breaking :/ But for next time if the same thing happens, clearing out the cache and going online will fix it!

planetjubiez · Answer

@puzzlezaddict You saved my games life ♡

puzzlezaddict · Answer

@planetjubiez&nbsp; I'm glad that worked for you at least, if not for the original poster.&nbsp; Thanks for the feedback.

Forum Discussion

Auto update disabled, updates game anyways

5 Replies

About The Sims 4 Technical Issues - PC

Community Highlights

[READ FIRST] Important Threads and Known Issues

DirectX 11 (DX11) for The Sims 4 - A Step-by-Step Guide

DirectX 11 Technical Issues and Feedback Thread

Recent Discussions

Error Code 13

Knitting can't add to wardrobe

Apothecary Item Crashing Game

game not launching now and going to ea app

sims initialization error at startup since july 2025