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puzzlezaddict's avatar
puzzlezaddict
Hero+
5 years ago

Re: [PC/Origin] The Sims 4 Freezes when I Tab Out.

@DapperPaperBagSF  The Sims 4 errors in your dxdiag are most likely related to the driver for your graphics card.  However, the dxdiag crashed four separate times while running, which suggests there are some significant system issues that need to be addressed.  So it's best to start with a couple of basic checks of your Windows system files.  Here's how:

  • Hit Windows key-X
  • Choose either “PowerShell (Administrator)” or “Command prompt (Administrator),” whichever option is offered
  • Inside the window that appears, copy and paste “DISM.exe /Online /Cleanup-image /Restorehealth” without quotes into the window, and enter
  • The system will start validating soon. If it throws an error, please list it here
  • After it reaches 100%, hit Windows key-X again
  • Again, choose “PowerShell (Administrator)” or “Command prompt (Administrator)”
  • Inside the window, copy and paste “sfc /scannow” without quotes into the window, and enter
  • Post the message you receive here

Restart your computer, and run another dxdiag and attach it.  (You can attach the new one to a reply, rather than the first post; that will make it easier for me to compare the two.)  The first dxdiag didn't even list your current Windows build, among other things, and I'd rather see all the relevant information before suggesting anything else.

@Psychotps  While the game might not respond well to an alt-tab in fullscreen mode, it shouldn't consistently freeze.  And it should never freeze from an alt-tab out of windowed fullscreen.  That's kind of what that setting is for.

9 Replies

  • DapperPaperBagS's avatar
    DapperPaperBagS
    5 years ago

    Sorry I took a while to get back to you, 

    (DISM.exe /Online /Cleanup-image /Restorehealth) This scan mentioned something about Error 85.
    This usually appears when trying to connect to a networked drive without Admin I think? The only thing I could think that might be affecting that is either my bad internet (which has started over the past 2 weeks) or Hamachi (before I did a clean install, I was using Hamachi to play TS4 Multiplayer mod with my boyfriend. However, hamachi is offline.

    (sfc /scannow) (image attached)




  • puzzlezaddict's avatar
    puzzlezaddict
    Hero+
    5 years ago

    @DapperPaperBagSF  Yes, Error 85 has to do with network drives, but if you're not using one, that would be a strange error to see.  I'd be interested to know whether DISM worked if you ran it again, and if it threw another error, exactly what it said.

    The issue with Sims 4 is likely related to the driver for your graphics card though.  There's a slightly newer driver available from Nvidia, so try installing that:

    https://www.nvidia.com/Download/driverResults.aspx/164741/en-us

    If it doesn't help, the next step would be to do a clean uninstall and reinstall of the driver.  Download Display Driver Uninstaller from here:

    https://www.wagnardsoft.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=5&t=3282

    Next, take your computer completely offline—disable wifi and/or pull the ethernet cord—and double-click the DDU.exe.  Take note of where the file will land, and click Extract.  If it's easier, you can copy the path and then paste it into the address bar in a File Explorer window.  Open the folder and then launch Display Driver Uninstaller.exe, and you'll get a message that you're not in Safe Mode.  Click OK, then go to Options and enable Safe Mode dialog.  Here's a screenshot of what your options should look like; make sure the box in red is checked:


    Close options, and the DDU, and then open the DDU.exe again.  For launch options, choose "Safe Mode (Recommended)," and then click Reboot to Safe Mode (you'll need your password, so find it before rebooting).  Once you login, you'll see this:



    In the blue box, choose GPU, then Nvidia if it's not already showing.  Then click Clean and Restart (red box).

    Once your computer has rebooted, now back in normal mode, run the driver install .exe in custom mode.  Select "perform a clean installation" and install ONLY the GPU driver and the PHYSX software.

    Reboot again, go back online, and see whether the game works normally.  If not, let me know.

  • DapperPaperBagS's avatar
    DapperPaperBagS
    5 years ago
    @puzzlezaddict I just checked NVidia. I think they released the update, the day after I updated my driver -.-

    They didn't even notify me either, I will try once TS4 is finished reinstalling on to my PC. Origin is a CPU hog when reinstalling...
  • DapperPaperBagS's avatar
    DapperPaperBagS
    5 years ago

    I also use a different driver installer. I use Driver Booster, it was pretty much the first thing I tried.

  • DapperPaperBagS's avatar
    DapperPaperBagS
    5 years ago

    I think I have found the solution to my problem.

    I did the following:

    - Updated My Graphics Driver.
    - Repaired the Game.

    - Updated the Game.

    - Reoptimised and Started the game using Nvidea Experience instead of Origin.

    I suspect that the crashes could be an Origin issue.

    I will keep the thread posted if anything changes. So far, my game has been running for nearly an hour.

    However, I do want to thank those who tried to help me! I appreciate the support!

  • DapperPaperBagS's avatar
    DapperPaperBagS
    5 years ago

    - Additional Steps after update:

    - Uninstalled The Sims and Origin.
    - Deleted at TS4 Folders.
    - Reinstalled Origin and TS4 Based Game.
    - Right clicked on the TS4 Icon and ran the compatibility troubleshooter.
    - Tested the game and it seemed to work fine for an hour or so.

    - Now adding in DLC and plan to run a final compatibility test.

    (Will keep thread updated on what happens.)

  • DapperPaperBagS's avatar
    DapperPaperBagS
    5 years ago
    @puzzlezaddict I tried what you said and it still crashed. At this point, I have tried everything and nothing is fixing the game...

    The Sims 4 is the only game I am having issues on. It's really starting to make me angry. I've spent £500 on the game... I should be able to play the damn thing.
  • puzzlezaddict's avatar
    puzzlezaddict
    Hero+
    5 years ago

    @DapperPaperBagSF  How long were you able to play without issues before the crashing started again?  Does it matter whether you play online or offline, as in, Origin in offline mode and your computer disconnected from the internet?  What other apps are open when the crashes happen?

    I'd like to see a crash dump.  Here's how to get one:

    • Hit the Windows key, type "command prompt" in the box, right-click on Command Prompt in the search results, and select Run as Administrator
    • In the window, paste "reg add "HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Windows\Windows Error Reporting\LocalDumps\devenv.exe" /v DumpType /d 2 /t REG_DWORD" without the outside quotes into the box, and enter
    • Launch Sims 4, let it run for a few minutes (use windowed fullscreen or windowed mode, not regular fullscreen), then alt-tab to cause a crash
    • After it crashes, wait for any crash dialogs to finish, or if you have to hard reset, wait a couple minutes first
    • Then hit Windows key-R and paste "%LOCALAPPDATA%\CrashDumps" without quotes into the box, and enter
    • Upload the last .dmp file to a free filesharing site and link it here
    • When you want to undo the auto crash log dumps, open Command Prompt as before, paste "reg delete "HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Windows\Windows Error Reporting\LocalDumps" /f" without the outside quotes, and enter.

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