Game stops responding when using the gallery
Since one of the recent updates (not sure exactly which, but I was able to play without issue 2-3 weeks ago), my game freezes and stops responding when I try to use the gallery, and I have to force quit from task manager. Out of dozens of tests, it most often happens within 10 seconds of scrolling down (when searching the gallery, my favorites, or my library) but also occasionally when selecting an item to view and looking at the second or third image. I'm not super tech savvy, but I've tried every suggestion I can find suggested when googling the problem. I also find it a little odd that my computer does not freeze on the multiple pop-ups I get on launching the game (for all the packs when I freshly re-installed, the delivery content, special events, etc), but it seems to be just the gallery specifically that causes the game to stop responding.
I've completely uninstalled and reinstalled the game, so I am currently testing on a fresh game folder with no mods or CC installed. I uninstalled and reinstalled my graphics drivers. I have disabled my antivirus before launching the game and run multiple full virus scans. Checked for and installed windows updates over the past week and scanned my windows drive for errors. I've tested using both Dx9 and Dx11 modes, and using fullscreen or windowed mode. I saw a suggestion in another thread to change the graphic display settings specifically for Sims 4 between either high performance or power saving, and neither option makes a difference. Does anyone have any additional suggestions? I'm super disappointed that I've spent so much money on packs and seemingly may not be able to play my game anymore. Thanks in advance for any guidance you can offer.
From the reliability monitor:
Description
A problem caused this program to stop interacting with Windows.
Faulting Application Path: C:\Program Files\EA Games\The Sims 4\Game\Bin\TS4_x64.exe
Problem signature
Problem Event Name: AppHangB1
Application Name: TS4_x64.exe
Application Version: 1.112.519.1020
Application Timestamp: 67903d17
Hang Signature: 135b
Hang Type: 134217728
OS Version: 10.0.22631.2.0.0.768.101
Locale ID: 1033
Additional Hang Signature 1: 135bb5b8a747b0069a0bf076b930596d
Additional Hang Signature 2: e6e3
Additional Hang Signature 3: e6e354b64f3d7da9d0796b69ddc5a917
Additional Hang Signature 4: 135b
Additional Hang Signature 5: 135bb5b8a747b0069a0bf076b930596d
Additional Hang Signature 6: e6e3
Additional Hang Signature 7: e6e354b64f3d7da9d0796b69ddc5a917
Extra information about the problem
Bucket ID: afaa8cabe8fa2f8729ed0ad822c75f76 (1868161343841329014)
