Stuck on "preparing" and doesn't progress at all. Have restarted PC, restarted ea app, cleared cashe, uninstalled and reinstalled the app, changed the location of the download. nothing has worked.
The sims was working fine yesterday, and when trying to open it today, was saying it was "already running" when it wasn't. decided to uninstall and reinstall but now I can't reinstall, even just the base game.
Other games will install, it's just the sims 4 that won't.
@Sm0lPl4nt Please clera the EA App's cache and restart your computer.
https://help.ea.com/en-us/help/faq/clear-cache-to-fix-problems-with-your-games/
Before trying to reinstall Sims 4, run a search for any related files. Open a File Explorer window, click This PC in the left panel, and enter Sims 4 in the search field in the upper-right corner. Let the scan finish, which could take a while, and review the list for any Sims 4 data. The folder in Documents > Electronic Arts can stay, but if you find anything else, please post a screenshot of the search results.
If you only find the Sims 4 folder in Documents > Electronic Arts, you can try installing the game again. If it still gets stuck, clear the App's cache again and restart your computer, then create a new folder on the root level of the drive of your choice. For example, C:\Games is fine, but not C:\Program Files\Games. Direct the EA App to install Sims 4 into this folder, not the default location.
@puzzlezaddict I've tried what you have suggested, and unfortunately it still isn't working. No files on my PC exist for The Sims 4 anymore except for my saves, tray files and mods that have been backed up onto my desktop. everything else has been promptly deleted or uninstalled.
I managed to update and open the sims 4 on my partner's pc (exact same specs) with no issues so I'm unsure why that's the case ☹️ going to try transferring the files from his PC to mine and seeing if I can install it that way instead.
@Sm0lPl4nt Try using a new admin Windows account to install the game. Uninstall the EA App using your current account, then create the new account (make it local, as in, don't sign into Microsoft) and download and install the EA App from there. Make another new folder into which you install Sims 4.
Did you ever fix this? I’m in the same situation, none of these fixes have worked for me 🥲
@AllyisCosy Please describe your exact issue, including posting screenshots of any errors you see when trying to install the game. Please also confirm which troubleshooting steps you've done: I don't want to waste your time with suggestions you've already tried, but I also don't want to skip anything that might help.
that only works for windows bud.
@alconhero Of course it only works for Windows but that's appropriate considering this is the PC tech forum. If you want Mac or console help, post in the relevant forum for that.
https://answers.ea.com/t5/Technical-Issues-Mac/bd-p/The-Sims-Mac
https://answers.ea.com/t5/Technical-Issues-Consoles/bd-p/the-sims-4-technical-issues-consoles-en
Hey, did you manage to get it to work? I'm having the same issue. I have tried everything and it's so frustrating!
@darrenwoodward1 What error do you see when trying to install Sims 4? Please post a screenshot.
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