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Seasoned Newcomer

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

After updating The Sims 4 to version 1.126.58.1030 through Steam, I can no longer launch
the game.
System Platform: Steam
EA App linked to Steam
Windows Defender (Microsoft Defender) as the antivirus
No third-party antivirus installed

Plataforma del sistema: La aplicación EA de Steam
Windows Defender (Microsoft Defender) como antivirus
No hay antivirus de terceros instalado

When I launch the game from Steam, the EA App opens but the game never starts.
Microsoft Defender immediately detects: Trojan/Phonzy.A!ml
The affected file is:
C:\Program Files\Steam\steamapps\common\The Sims 4\Game\Bin\TS4_Launcher_x64.exe
Defender quarantines the file. When I verify the game files through Steam, Steam reports
that 1 file could not be validated and will be reacquired. Steam downloads
TS4_Launcher_x64.exe again, but Defender immediately detects it again, creating an
endless loop.
File information
File name: TS4_Launcher_x64.exe
Product: The Sims 4
Copyright: ©2014 Electronic Arts Inc.
File version: 1.126.58.1030
Original filename: TS4_Launcher_x64.exe
File size: approximately 1.02 MB
Created after the latest game update
The main game executable (TS4_x64.exe) appears normal.

The game worked normally before the July 21 update.
The issue started immediately after installing the latest patch.

Troubleshooting already performed
Verified game files multiple times through Steam.
Removed and restored the quarantined file.
Restarted the PC.
Ran Microsoft Defender full scan.
Removed unrelated old malware detections found elsewhere on the system.
The issue persists only with TS4_Launcher_x64.exe.
Has anyone else experienced the same issue after updating to version 1.126.58.1030? Can
EA confirm whether this is a known false positive or whether a new launcher build is being
investigated?

1 Reply

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Sunny_Days_Art
Seasoned Newcomer
7 days ago
I'm having the same exact issue!! I took all the same actions but nothing is seeming to work. I'm at a loss beacuse I know next to nothing about computer security. At least i'm not the only one with this issue. Just found a post, the sims direct says
"Hey there, we're aware of a digital signature issue preventing The Sims 4 from launching for some PC players, and our team is currently working hard to turn around a fix in the coming days. As this fix will only update the launcher, the game version won't change and will have no impact on any installed mods.
Stay tuned here for more information as we get it, and thank you so much for your patience while we get this sorted out!"