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Re: My Sims 4 game is reset but all save files are still there

@ScoobyM  Please confirm that your saves are in the correct Sims 4 folder, as in, the one the game is reading.  Here's how to check:

https://sims4.crinrict.com/eng/2018/07/how-to-find-your-user-folder/

If the saves are in fact in the correct folder, please move the entire Sims 4 folder to the desktop, open the game to create a new folder, and move one save from the old folder to the new one.  Let me know whether that save shows up.  If it does, you can move a few other saves over and test those too.

If the save doesn't show up in the new folder, please take a screenshot of the contents of the old saves folder so I can see what your save files look like, in particular how they're named.

The other Sims 4 folder you've found contains the game's program files, as in, the data Origin installs and that runs the game.  Inside that folder, each pack you install has its own folder, named by type and release order.  Kits are organized like stuff packs, so SP31 contains the data for the newest kit.  You definitely shouldn't mess with these files, although if you did, repairing the game in Origin would probably fix any issues.

This folder is handled separately from the Sims 4 user folder, the one that contains your saves and other user data.  The location of one has no bearing on where the game looks for the other.

6 Replies

  • ScoobyM's avatar
    ScoobyM
    Seasoned Newcomer
    4 years ago

    Hi, thanks for the response!

    I confirmed my save files are all in the correct folder:  C:\Users\<MyName>\Documents\Electronic Arts\The Sims 4\saves

    I moved the entire Sims 4 folder out to a separate drive, then launched the game and tried to create a new save, and realized I have another issue. There are no worlds available for me to choose to place a new household.  After finishing in create a sim, the game took me to the screen to select the season to begin with, I selected "spring" and then it took me to the screen to select a world/neighborhood to begin playing and there is just nothing there.  No images or worlds at all to choose from.  

    I will try Googling that issue because I haven't heard of it before, but if you have any additional suggestions please let me know.  Thank you!

  • ScoobyM's avatar
    ScoobyM
    Seasoned Newcomer
    4 years ago

    One other comment I want to add, I purchased and installed the Decor to the Max Kit and I think it is possible that the installation was corrupted due to loss of internet in the middle of it.  My game shows that it is installed but when I launched the game after moving my old folder out, I got some kind of message that said something about the uninstalled pack being redownloaded and I'd be notified when it is done.  It also didn't give me the initial splash screen for that one pack when I started the new game up.  If you think that might be part of the problem, is there a way for me to uninstall just that kit and then try it again?  I've repaired my game once already but I'm trying it again with this fresh start up.  Thanks!

  • puzzlezaddict's avatar
    puzzlezaddict
    Hero+
    4 years ago

    @ScoobyM  Did you move the Sims 4 folder in Documents\Electronic Arts, or the Sims 4 folder that contains the game's program files?  The latter would explain the message from Origin about a pack being redownloaded.

    Regardless, the next step is to clear Origin's cache and repair the game.  That should address the missing worlds, which is a known issue.

    https://help.ea.com/en/help/faq/clear-cache-to-fix-problems-with-your-games/

    It should also fix any other corruption with the program files.  Hopefully.

    Point is, let me know whether that helps at all, and we can go from there.

  • ScoobyM's avatar
    ScoobyM
    Seasoned Newcomer
    4 years ago

    I moved the entire The Sims 4 folder that was in the Documents folder - the one where my save files, Mods, etc. are.  I moved it to a different drive.

    I did the steps in that article to clear the Origin cache, and I have run repair multiple times.  One thing I consistently see is that when running Repair it only updates 49 items;  I own 49 DLC items but it is only updating 48 plus the soundtrack;  the Decor to the Max kit is not being repaired even though Origin says I have it installed.  I think that when I was downloading that kit, my wifi was interrupted and it never correctly installed.

    I am thinking that my only option may be to do a complete uninstall then a complete fresh reinstall of the game and all my packs.  If I do that, I should be able to place my saves and Mods back into the fresh install and use them, correct?

  • puzzlezaddict's avatar
    puzzlezaddict
    Hero+
    4 years ago

    @ScoobyM  Yes, you could put your saves and mods back after an uninstall and reinstall and they should work fine.  You could also just delete the folder for the new kit, as in, SP31 that's within the Sims 4 program files, clear Origin's cache again, and redownload the kit.  I'd start there, since it's so much easier, and if it doesn't work, go ahead and uninstall.

  • ScoobyM's avatar
    ScoobyM
    Seasoned Newcomer
    4 years ago

    Darn, I wish I'd been more patient and waited for your answer!  I went ahead and uninstalled the game, which left the SP31 folder still lingering.  I tried to delete it and got an error message saying it was corrupted/unreadable and I had to go through a lengthy chkdsk process to get rid of it finally!  So I'm feeling very confident that the interrupted install is what caused all this.

    I am about to start reinstalling everything now, so thank you SO much for your help on this!!  I really appreciate it!!

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