Re: Sims 4: Lost data and game progress

Hi @HawleySims

you should always backup your files in case of hardware failure or other issues. There's so many factors that can have a influence.

I agree with you, that the game should work as intended but that doesn't make backups obsolete.

Did you loose your data ? 

I also have this issue and have found the saves. What do I do now? I tried to open them but it wouldn't let me.

You'll need to copy them back to the saves folder the game uses.

Hi, I moved my files and now when I open the Sims it is as if I've never played before. I moved the file back but it still doesn't work. All my saved files are still there though. How do I find which folder my Sims uses for it's files?

Kind regards.

@aydingozel

If you still have your saved games in your Sims 4\saves folder - [C:\Users\Username\Documents\Electronic Arts\The Sims 4\saves]

It may be the game isn't reading the save files correctly. Have you tried renaming your saved game file?

To rename your save, remove the version number. - .ver0 or .ver1 by deleting the .ver1 on the end.

For example:
Slot_00000002.save.ver1

Rename it to:
Slot_00000002.save

You may want to give it a different number if you already have a save 2 in your folder. The game should then recognize the save file again.

-- If you have an old auto save file (Slot_00000001.save) it's safe to delete as the game doesn't use it anymore.

If the above doesn't help, Crinrict has some very useful tips on saved games disappearing:

Save Games disappearing
https://sims4.crinrict.com/en/2014/09/save-games-disappearing/

----
When I've come across the problem of having a lot of saves in my folder and need to rename them is to move the saves folder to the desktop, and copy back only a few or so, maybe 10 at most at a time, and rename them in a 02.save, 03.save, 04.save, etc. up to 10.save

For example:

Slot_00000002.save
Slot_00000003.save
Slot_00000004.save

Load the game, select a save from the Load Game Menu and take notes of what save is what. To help keep track of the saves better.

I tried this, and I found all my saves, and renamed a couple to the current save, but when I go to "load game", I'm still told that there aren't any save files to use. Any idea what I'm doing wrong?

Hi, 

I´m having same problem. All my progress is gone. I can find saves and slots but can´t figure out how to get the game to load from there. Help!

Candyilona

@Candyilona  The game doesn't use the saves labeled slot_00000000 or slot_00000001 anymore; it starts with 2.  So just delete the .ver0 from the slot_00000002.ver0 file, and see if you can load it.  If not, remove that file and delete the .ver1 from the next save down.

@puzzlezaddictThank you for trying to help. I did that but it did not work. ☹️ I have Macbook Pro. Feeling helpless.

@Candyilona  So you're saying that if you test each save in succession, renaming each one to slot_00000002 (they should always have the same number of zeros they do now), and remove the other saves from your Saves folder, none of the saves will load?

You can try the same thing in a clean game folder to see whether you have any more luck.  Pull the entire Sims 4 folder out of Documents\Electronic Arts; you can put it on your desktop.  Launch the game once to create a new folder.  Then move each save over one at a time, being sure to rename them so the game can read them.  Any that work you can put aside and organize later; any that don't might not be salvageable/