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puzzlezaddict's avatar
puzzlezaddict
Hero+
7 days ago

[CURRENT ISSUE] Sims 4 Unable to Start, Initialization Error

Overview This error is almost always related to permissions: the game cannot access or create the Sims 4 folder in Documents > Electronic Arts.  This, in turn, is typically due to an overprote...
crashing
guides
launching
lorelei5's avatar
lorelei5
2 years ago

Hi,

Thanks again for your help. I never use OneDrive to install programs, so I doubt that might be the problem. The result to posting that command in Command Prompt is below:

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Shell Folders
Personal REG_SZ C:\Users\USERNAME\Documents

I did update all my Dell drivers etc. That was so far the least problem so far trying to get Sims 4 to run.

puzzlezaddict's avatar
puzzlezaddict
Hero+
2 years ago

@lorelei5  Let's find out whether your user account is the problem here.  Please create a new admin Windows account, specifically a local one, as in, don't link it to your Microsoft account.  Try to play there and let me know what happens.  If you get another crash, or the game won't open at all, please post a new dxdiag.

  • lorelei5's avatar
    lorelei5
    2 years ago

    Hi!

    Looks like creating another Windows account fixed it. I managed to get the game running just fine with all expansions present and no repairs required!

  • lorelei5's avatar
    lorelei5
    2 years ago

    Spoke too soon. Just went back to the new account to play some more and got an error message: 

    • puzzlezaddict's avatar
      puzzlezaddict
      Hero+
      2 years ago

      @lorelei5  I would suggest running a malware scan.  I'm not saying your computer definitely has a virus, only that it's a reasonable possibility when a new Windows account works at first and then doesn't.  And it's best to find out either way.  Please download Malwarebytes (the free trial is fine) from here:

      https://www.malwarebytes.com/mwb-download

      Open it, click Scan > Custom Scan > Configure Scan, check all the boxes both for all scan types and for all your drives, and let it do its job.  This could take anywhere from a few minutes to several hours, depending on the amount of data and whether the scan finds anything., so you may want to set it to run while you're doing something else.  Please attach its report so I can take a look.

      Whatever Malwarebytes finds, please run a couple of basic checks of your Windows system files next.

      • Hit Windows key-X
      • Choose either “PowerShell (Administrator)” or “Windows Terminal (Administrator),” whichever option is offered
      • Inside the window that appears, copy and paste “DISM.exe /Online /Cleanup-image /Restorehealth” without quotes, and enter
      • The system will start validating soon. If it throws an error, please list it here
      • After it reaches 100%, hit Windows key-X again
      • Again, choose “PowerShell (Administrator)” or “Windows Terminal (Administrator)”
      • Inside the window, copy and paste “sfc /scannow” without quotes, and enter
      • Post the message you receive here

      Restart your computer, hit Windows key-i, select Update & Security, and click the box to check for updates.  If any install, restart again afterwards.

      • lorelei5's avatar
        lorelei5
        2 years ago

        Beginning verification phase of system scan.
        Verification 100% complete.

        Windows Resource Protection did not find any integrity violations.
        PS C:\Users\katem>

About The Sims 4 Technical Issues - PC

PC players get help with their technical issues in The Sims 4 here.52,781 PostsLatest Activity: 6 minutes ago