[CURRENT ISSUE] Sims 4 already running
Overview
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This is a common error that is usually caused when Sims 4 cannot access the user folder in Documents > Electronic Arts. It can also be triggered by outdat...
Forum Discussion
Hey puzzleaddict Hero,
Thanks for your response. I have looked into Trend. for the exceptions to ensure that The Sims games are noted as executables and they are noted. Still no change to the loading option. I actually never use OneDrive! I can see the OneDrive but this doesn't have any of the Sims games noted.
I will keep trying each day as I have been.
Thanks again for your help.
@GreenJasmyn The important thing to check with OneDrive is whether the Documents directory is stored there, not whether you see any files inside OneDrive. When you can't launch the game, no user folder is created, so checking for a Sims 4 folder wouldn't be definitive, especially if you've changed your settings (or Windows changed them for you) recently. So please double-check the location of Documents anyway.
If you're not seeing the file path through Properties, you can open Command Prompt (run a Windows search for it) and enter this command, which will output the location of Documents:
reg query "HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Shell Folders" /v "Personal"
If Documents is stored in OneDrive, let me know. Otherwise, try playing in a new admin Windows account. Make it a local account, as in, don't link it to your Microsoft account, and don't sync with any other services you normally use. Just open the EA App and try to launch Sims 4.
So looing further as suggested and using the prompt command, I can see Documents
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Shell Folders
Personal REG_SZ C:\Users\bunkf\OneDrive\Documents are located in the OneDrive folder even though I never set it up.Cheers
@GreenJasmyn Do you want OneDrive to keep syncing your files, or not, or do you want to disable it entirely? Pick whichever option works best for you, then follow the instructions in that section of this guide:
If you do want to keep using OneDrive, make sure it's not already full (look at "I want OneDrive to keep syncing my files"), which would explain the problem. It may also help to pause syncing before you start playing. You can see the option by right-clicking the OneDrive icon in the lower-right corner of the screen and selecting "Pause syncing."
@puzzlezaddict I want to say thank you for all you time and help.
I tried your last suggestion, still no success. I looked back on afew of the older thread and saw the create a new account suggestion, that was the only other suggestion that I hadn't tried fully.
I have managed to play The Sims 4 on my Windows 11 machine!
The only way it worked for me on my Windows 11 machine was to create a new "other user" account - "add a user without a Microsoft account" then "I don't have this persons sign in information". A quick update then loaded with my basic apps and programs, Tren security, The Sims 4, The Sims Medieval, EA app and a couple more that was it. I have not synchronized anything!!!
I pressed on the EA app and this had a message that it was already running checking in Task Manager I could see the EA app, ended task and tried again, after the third attempt I uninstall the EA app and install it again, then was able to login as normal and then I pressed play, The Sims 4 base game loaded with no issue!!! No packs or add-ons though...logged out of game and repaired The Sims 4 base game it repaired the base game (through the EA app) first then all my other packs (68 + base game) repaired!!!!!! After that I pressed play and it loaded, my saved games were gone, I didn't care. I am still able to access all the gallery and all my creations were there.
I pressed play on the other EA games that had the same original error " The Sims 4 is already running go ahead and start playing. It's a good one." The Sims Medieval and SimCity 2000. All loaded with no issue and all if any saved games were there they were gone, but they worked.
I am unsure if this will help anyone else but it worked for me!
I am still unable to load it on my main account where I am logged in in through Microsoft. To be honest I actually don't care as long as I can play.
Again @puzzlezaddict you are still fantastic, and I see you help so many people through this thread and I bet other's. You ROCK!!!! :-)
@GreenJasmyn That's great to hear. If you want to use your saves (I know you said you don't care, but still), you can load your old user account again, then copy anything you'd like to keep into C:\Users\Public, which is accessible from any account on your computer. Then retrieve the files once back in the new account, and move them to the relevant locations. Sims 4 and Sims Medieval both store user files in Documents > Electronic Arts; I don't know about SimCity 2000, but again, I can find out.
