Hey everyone! I was wondering if anyone else has the same issue as me since the newest sims update (21-7-2026). Basically what is happening for me is that I can no longer launch the game. I played the day before the update and had no issue whatsoever. Whenever I try to launch the game, I get a notification in the EA app, saying: "Failed to launch game. An error on our end caused the launch to fail. Try again a little later." With that I also get a notification from Windows Security saying: "Part of this app has been blocked. Some features of EA may not work because we can't confirm who published TS4_Launcher_x64.exe that the app tried to load." I looked at the properties of the sims, and the digital signature is gone. I tried repairing the game, which didn't work, and reinstalling both EA and the Sims in its entirety. Both did not fix my problem. I went on to check in powershell to see if the game truly wasn't signed, and indeed it wasn't. I could turn off my smart app control, to see if that would allow me to launch the game, but I'd rather not do that for obvious reasons. If there is anyone else who also has this issue, or may knows how to fix it, please let me know! Edit By crinrict: Adjusted Title

I updated my game today, and went to play after the update. A prompt came up saying there was an issue and to try again in a little bit. I tried again a few minutes later, and another prompt appeared stating my game files were corrupted and needed to be repaired. I repaired it, and got the same prompts. I repaired again. Same issue. I restarted my computer, it prompted me to repair the game again. I did. I do not play with mods or CC outside of the added marketplace items that are currently free. I have all packs, kits, and expansions. I played two days ago with no issues.

I have this issue as well now and it says the TS4Launcher contains a virus and is blocking it from starting the game Trojan:Win32/Phonzy.A!ml , I also tried repairing etc etc and do not want to start the game up with my anti virus turned off as i am likely to forget to turn it back on afterwards

Hi all, We're currently investigating into this issue and will be sharing updates on this here as we receive them. Thank you for all the reports on this so far!

I am also having the same issue. Tried uninstalling and reinstalling. clearing the cache, and repairing. Nothing works. The threat is from the launcher it seems, but it's not reasonable to ask players to open themselves up to risk by disabling antivirus for this game. Hopefully EA will sort this out quickly because this is ridiculous.

The Sims 4 – Microsoft Defender detecting TS4_Launcher_x64.exe (Phonzy.B!ml) causing endless repair loopI’m posting this in case anyone else is experiencing the same issue after today’s update.After updating The Sims 4, Microsoft Defender detected Trojan:Win32/Phonzy.B!ml in:C:\Program Files\EA Games\The Sims 4\Game\Bin\TS4_Launcher_x64.exeDefender automatically quarantines the launcher every time it’s installed.What happens:I click Play in the EA App.The EA App immediately says “Repairs needed - Some of your files are corrupted.”I run the repair.The repair completes successfully.Defender quarantines TS4_Launcher_x64.exe again.The EA App goes straight back to asking for another repair.This creates an endless repair loop.Troubleshooting I’ve already completed:✅ Completely uninstalled and reinstalled The Sims 4.✅ Repaired the game multiple times.✅ Updated Microsoft Defender to the latest Security Intelligence version (1.455.271.0).✅ Confirmed Windows Security is fully up to date.✅ No mods or custom content installed.✅ Laptop is only used for playing The Sims 4.✅ Verified that TS4_x64.exe is present in the Game\Bin folder.✅ Confirmed that TS4_Launcher_x64.exe is missing after Defender quarantines it.✅ Protection History shows multiple detections of Trojan:Win32/Phonzy.B!ml today, all affecting TS4_Launcher_x64.exe.At this point, every reinstall results in Defender quarantining the launcher again, leaving the EA App unable to detect a complete installation.

Game failing to launch. Windows flagging TS4_Launcher_x64.exe as Trojan

98 Replies

EA_mplsnow
Community Manager
13 seconds ago
CuteEmmy_Plays01 Thanks for the update! It sounds like what you're seeing might also be related to that Windows Security flag. I'll merge this conversation with the main thread for this issue in the meantime, as that's where we'll be updating folks.
PupSiiik
Newcomer
3 minutes ago
Thank you. I have followed all the hints, unfortunately without success :-( Google Gimini says to delete the windowser defender protection history, but I have already tried/ it does not work. Hopefully there will be an update from EA soon.
AmyeBryan87
Newcomer
4 minutes ago
cd94950e-6807-4a16-9670-5bfea6a408c8
CuteEmmy_Plays01
Newcomer
7 minutes ago
I do not get Windows Security flagging TS4_Launcher_x64.exe but I get 'failed to launch error' and am told a simple repair should fix the issue
KissMeProper
Seasoned Newcomer
8 minutes ago
Same exact issue.
EA_mplsnow
Community Manager
12 minutes ago
Hey Blanchland1165 and GaliKata,

Just to confirm, are either of you seeing a message from Windows Security flagging TS4_Launcher_x64.exe also pop up following the 'Failed to Launch' error? If so, that's an issue we're currently investigating, and if not, let us know as well. Thanks!
CuteEmmy_Plays01
Newcomer
13 minutes ago
It tells me I have corrupted files and that a repair should fix the issue, I try to repair and it does nothing and gives me the same pop up.
I thought it was a mod corruption and went through them, found nothing, so I got rid of all my mods and it still gave the pop up I have corrupted files. I have even completely uninstalled both the EA and the Sims 4 launcher and it still gives the same response, extremely frustrating.
bluespecter
Rising Novice
14 minutes ago
Cleaning your folder, reinstalling, repairing etc. will not help in this situation, because your antivirus will just flag the launcher again. You need to open Windows Security/Microsoft Defender and restore the launcher from quarantine. (On Windows 10: open Windows Security > Virus & threat protection > Protection history > find the entry regarding TS4_Launcher_x64.exe, click to expand it, and click Restore. I don't have Windows 11, so can't provide guidance for that, but Microsoft probably has instructions on their help website.)
I was having this issue, and after restoring the file, I was able to launch the game with no problems.
atu27
Seasoned Adventurer
14 minutes ago
same trouble
kittyspal75
New Rookie
16 minutes ago
I received this as well after updating,
for the techs: initially happened after I removed mods to update, as I always do to update game. After update it failed to load and received the message issue with the 64.exe message.
i did a full repair, in case any MOD cache was mucking it up anywhere. still received the failed to launch with above message.
since the message stated something about an issue on recognizing the 64.exe I made sure that "my documents" was set to not auto save files on my One Drive" just in case it was the back up save issue on onedrive. I also did a complete uninstall game restarted laptop and then reinstalled game.
tried again received different message on files corrupt do a repair. did that same thing
After this repair I received the attached message.
i will check on whitelisting on Windows defender just in case as a fellow simmer recommended, will follow up if works or not.