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puzzlezaddict's avatar
puzzlezaddict
Hero+
2 years ago

[CURRENT ISSUE] Sims 4 Unable to Start, Game Data Missing or Damaged

Overview jump to:  Workarounds Unable to start: Cannot start because game data is missing or damaged. If you have Mods installed please remove them and try again. If not, please repair or reinst...
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crashing
guides
launching
pc
Pandorally's avatar
Pandorally
Seasoned Newcomer
5 months ago

I can't start up The Sims 4 through the EA app or clicking on the shortcut on my PC.

I have tried repairing it on the EA app, I have uninstalled everything regarding the game from my computer and reinstalled it. Tried repairing it again. Uninstalled everything, shut off my computer, turned it back on, redownloaded, and it still wont start. I have been trying, with no luck, for almost a month now. I'm at my wit's end...

I don't have any mods or CC, I never have. I only have the add-ons sold on the EA store. I've never had any issues with it in the last almost 10 years of owning the game. 

  • Justinred2424's avatar
    Justinred2424
    Newcomer
    5 months ago

    I’m having the same issue currently, but I do not get an error code. Whenever I try to start through steam, it opens EA launcher, then EA launcher tries to start the game and the whole application enters a crash loop. 

    edit: I have verified the integrity of game files, uninstalled and reinstalled multiple times, still no good. 

  • puzzlezaddict's avatar
    puzzlezaddict
    Hero+
    5 months ago

    Justinred2424  Do you have Steam family sharing enabled, or a similar feature?  If so, disable it.

    Otherwise, please try playing in a clean user folder.  Move the entire Sims 4 folder out of Documents > Electronic Arts and onto your desktop.  When you launch the game, if it launches, a clean folder will spawn with no content.  (Your saves and other content will be intact in the folder you've moved but temporarily unread by the game.)  Don't add anything to the new folder yet; just start a new save and see how it runs.

    If you still can't play, please provide a dxdiag.  Click Windows key-R, enter dxdiag in the run box, wait for the scan to finish, click "Save all information," and save the file to your desktop.  From there, you can attach it to a reply using the paper clip (Attachment) icon included with the other formatting buttons.

  • Pandorally's avatar
    Pandorally
    Seasoned Newcomer
    5 months ago

    puzzlezaddictSorry for not responding. I forgot about this for a bit.. But this helped! I had to create a new user folder. Thank you very much!

About The Sims 4 Technical Issues - PC

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