Re: My Sims 4 game won't open

@debie_iti

You haven't mentioned what you've already tried to troubleshoot the issue, so please forgive me for any repeat information.

1. Start the game in Windowed mode:
In Origin - Games Library tab, right-click on Sims 4 and select Game Properties - In the Command Line Arguments, add the following text: -w and click Okay.

2. Turn off Origin in game:
In Origin - Application Settings - Origin In-Game. Turn this off. As sometimes it causes issues with the game.

3. Repair Game:
In Origin > Games Library, right-click on Sims 4 and select Repair.

4. Make sure drivers are up to date https://help.ea.com/en-us/help/pc/finding-devices-and-updating-drivers/

5. Start Origin in compatibility mode and run game as administrator. - Right click on the Origin shortcut and select Properties from the menu. Go to the Compatibility tab and check Run this program in compatibility mode. In that same tab, under Settings, check Run this program as administrator.

6. Try a Sims 4 factory reset, new game without mods.

This will rule out problems with your current saved games and mods. If mods are the issue. Go through the mods folder and replace the outdated mods and custom content.

Here's a how-to:

Sims 4 Factory Reset -

Rename your Sims 4 folder to Sims 4_Backup. The game will create a new folder next time you play. - Renaming it or moving it to the desktop will help you have a backup and keep your Sims 4 files safe.

Try launching the game, play a new save. If it's not working, don't save. However, if everything is playing okay then start putting the files back. (list of files and folders below).

- Options.ini (User game settings)
- Tray Folder (Sims/Houses/Commercial lots and rooms)
- Screenshots/Videos/Custom music
- Rest of the save games, if any.
(leave out slot_00000001.save which is the autosave. It is not used anymore.)
- Custom content like clothing, hair, skins, and makeup
- Mods (Put these back one by one to make sure they all still work)

Custom content can become outdated with most new game patches. If the game works when the Mods folder is removed, then one or more of the mods and/or custom content has become outdated and will need to be removed or replaced. EA/Maxis aren't responsible for broken mods/cc. It's up to the creators to fix.

Try the 50/50 method:

1. Move all the mods and cc out into a temporary folder on the desktop.
2. Move a few files back at a time. Load the game to make sure it loads and everything is good.
3. Delete the localthumbcache.package from the Sims 4 folder.
4. Repeat steps 1 - 3 till there is no more files to check.

** While your testing, don't save the game. If you find any problems, delete the mod or custom content file.

How To Find Problem Mods and CC http://simswiki.info/wiki.php?title=Game_Help:TS4_Finding_Problem_Custom_Content

More information - Resetting the game to factory settings without reinstalling https://answers.ea.com/t5/Technical-Issues-PC/READ-FIRST-Troubleshooting-your-Game/m-p/3621199#Resetting

If you move or rename the Sims 4 folder, the game will no longer be able to find it. When you go to play the game it will create a new folder.