I'm experiencing the "Sims 4 is already running" error on my PC. I have removed all mods, uninstalled and reinstalled the game, and deleted all previous game data to ensure that the system recognizes this as the very first time the game is being run. I've followed all the steps outlined in the initial post, but I'm still encountering the same issue. I have attached my DxDiag for reference.
"I am encountering an issue where 'Sims 4 is already running' on my PC. I have followed all the steps in the thread titled 'Re: Sims 4 Unable to Start Since the October 31, 2024 Update,' but I am still receiving this error. I understand that this error indicates a problem with connecting to the Sims 4 folder in my Documents. I even completely removed the game to make it feel like a first-time installation, but it's still not working. and I stupidly didn't back up the old folder. I got a sims 4 folder from my husbands game which changed the error message to unable to start initialization error.
@Tharazaria Did you in fact create a local admin Windows account and try playing there? I want to make sure because it's easy to create an account that isn't local. The distinction is whether you tie the account to an email address.
If that doesn't or didn't help, please disable Nord VPN and restart your computer, then try again to play. EA games don't always get along with VPNs, and yours is crashing.
@Tharazaria Look in the Task Manager's Details tab. Another way to search is to click Windows key-R, enter msconfig , and look through the list there. Both should be in alphabetical order.
I suppose it's possible that another program you've installed includes some VPN-related process as well.
@tiffy_is_here What antivirus do you use? Have you installed Sims 4 through the EA App or Steam?
I only have CCleaner installed. I used to have McAfee but I uninstalled it. I downloaded the Sims 4 and purchased all packs on the EA App.
@Tharazaria Thanks for letting me know, and I'm sorry it came to that. But the clean install was probably faster than trying to find the cause of the errors.
@roxiekittie I've merged your post with the master thread for the "already running" error. Please see the first post on page one. And if you've set Sims 4 to run as an admin, please remove that setting. More details are here (different error, but still a problem at times):
https://answers.ea.com/t5/PC/the-requested-operation-requires-elevation-of-privileges/m-p/14052541
@tiffy_is_here Please try playing in a clean boot:
The one service to leave enabled is the EABackgroundService, which the EA App needs in order to run. Disable the rest as described.
When you reboot your computer, go through the Task Manager's background processes list shutting down any service that doesn't absolutely need to be running, for example anything from MSI Afterburner to RGB software might still be enabled. If you accidentally kill a critical process and it doesn't restart on its own, just reboot your computer again.
Don't open anything other than Sims 4 and the EA App while testing, not even a browser window.
After the safe boot my sims game was able to start, however when I try to play one of my save files, the select a season screen pops up, as if I am starting a new save. I get a popup that says "The game failed to save. Please exit to the Main Menu and then Click Play to reload the game. Error code: 22" and when I reload, the same select a season pops up. Why is this happening?? I just want my game to work so I can finish the Reapers Rewards.
I have a solution if this hasn't be solved.
This can be caused if you made an mklink and the folder destination changed. It should be the folder with this symbol under it (normally white square with blue arrow)↗️.
For example if I created a mklink so the folder in my C drive would go to my D drive instead, delete the C drive folder and re-establish the link in the cmd prompt.
If this doesn't work then I'm not sure.
