[CURRENT ISSUE] Sims 4 doesn't start - No Error Message (Patch 1.68.154)

There's been lots of folks having issues starting their games.

What happens is that Origin acts as if it starts the game but then nothing happens. No Error Messages, no nothing. The button goes back to play

Main Cause

There have been a lot if issues with Antivirus programs stopping the game from opening and flagging it as a virus.Antivirus Software is getting more and more aggressive and you need to explicitly allow files to do their stuff.

Please try to add the following files as exceptions to your Antivirus software. There might be multiple places, depending on the software you're using. Some have extra Ransomware protection, others have all kinds of protection. 

It's best to do it for both the 32 bit Version (TS4.exe) as well as TS4_64.exe). Also add the Origin.exe file. Both Sims files can be found in the folder

<Installation folder>\Game\Bin and \Game\Bin_LE (Default: c:\programs(x86)\Origin_Games)

The Origin file can be found in the folder you installed Origin in (Default: c:\programs(x86)\Origin)

If you are unsure where things need to be added, please refer to the manual of your security software or search the Internet.

As a temporary solution you can also turn off your Security Software and try without. This way you can at least find out if it is in fact the culprit. If not, try other suggestions below.

Please be aware that if you have a laptop or pre-build desktop computer, they often come with Security Software trials pre-installed. Search your computer if that's the case and uninstall them if you don't plan on using them.

If you need help, feel free to post in here. Please provide information which Security Software you are using.

If you have determined it's not your Security Software, please try these things before posting:

Start the Game as Administrator

1. Close Origin
2. Right-Click on the Origin Shortcut and choose: Run as Administrator
3. Start the Game from Origin and see if it now runs

or

1. Run Origin
2. Right-click on the Short-cut of The Sims 4 (or the exe as outlined above in the Security software part) and choose: Run as administrator

Turn Off Origin In Game

Instructions can be found here: https://crinrict.com/blog/2014/09/origin-deactivate-origin-in-game.html

User Folder Reset (aka factory reset) 

Try resetting your user files as described in the factory reset described in this post: http://answers.ea.com/t5/The-Sims-4/FAQ-Troubleshooting-Steps-amp-Known-Issues/m-p/3621199

You won't loose anything. Just make sure to not delete any files  and make a backup.

After renaming, repair your game by right clicking on the game in Origin.

Try on a new game with nothing added back first (start new game). If it works, put back your save game and try again. If it still works, you can start putting stuff back.

• Options.ini (or just re-set all your settings manually)
• Tray Folder
• Screenshots/Videos/Custom music
• Rest of the save games (leave out slot_00000001.save which is the autosave and no longer needed - if you still have it)
• Custom content like clothing, hair, skins, make up ....
• ConfigOverride, if you have your own configuration files.
• Mods (one by one, making sure they all still work)

Clean Boot

Instructions here:  https://help.ea.com/en/help/faq/how-to-clean-boot-your-pc/

If it works in that mode, then it's a background program interfering and you will need to find out which one.

Create a new Windows Admin Account

1. Create a new user account with admin rights
2. It's fine to create a local one so you don't need another email account (create user without microsoft account)
3. Login with the new user account
4. Start the game

Other Common Troubleshooting Steps

• Update your drivers and Windows
• Do a Windows System Check/Repair

Solutions for specific Antivirus Programs

• Sophos: See this post: https://answers.ea.com/t5/Technical-Issues-PC/CURRENT-ISSUE-Sims-4-doesn-t-start-No-Error-Message-Patch-1-68/m-p/9739288#M195729 or this: https://answers.ea.com/t5/Technical-Issues-PC/Fresh-Install-wont-boot-game/m-p/9778889
• Avast/AVG: https://crinrict.com/blog/2020/10/add-exceptions-to-anti-virus-programs.html
• Windows Defender: https://crinrict.com/blog/2019/03/windows-10-defender-controlled-folder-access.html
• Hitman Pro: https://answers.ea.com/t5/Technical-Issues-PC/CURRENT-ISSUE-Sims-4-doesn-t-start-No-Error-Message-Patch-1-68/m-p/10164110#M210699