Build Mode freezes frequently

For the last six months or so, I have not been able to play in build mode for long periods of time without my game freezing. It also varies. I can play for hours, then it'll freeze. I can play for 20 minutes and it will freeze, and the cycle will rinse and repeat several times until I give up and do something else. I don't know why each session is different, but there was one day I played the sims four about 3 hours and my build mode froze six times.

This can be extremely frustrating because my game will literally sit frozen until I sign out of Windows, or completely restarted my computer (record is about 45 minutes of my game sitting frozen until I did something). I have no idea if this is a game issue or a PC issue, but I was wondering if there were troubleshooting options that my technologically impaired self could try to see if this issue can be resolved. 

I do have mods installed, but the freezing issue does still occur whether or not the mods were installed. That was the first thing I checked. Also, these issues began after a base game update a while ago. I cannot remember which one, but I distinctly remember my game operating fine until a base game update, and then all of a sudden my game will freeze while being in build mode and losing progress if I don't save every 60 seconds. 

Any ideas or suggestions?? 

Thank you!!!