Index Introduction The Cheat Console doesn't open Introduction Cheats are commonly used in the Sims games and as it's a single player game, you can do so at your heart's content. Some cheats are also used to fix issues. To open the Cheat Console, press CTL-SHIFT-C and then type the required cheat into the text console that appears in the upper left corner. There are a few reasons why the cheat console doesn't open as it should. The tips below are for Windows, if you have issues on other platforms, please use the threads below Console: FAQ - Sims 4 Console Cheats Mac: 🛠️ Opening the Sims 4 cheat console on Mac For help with individual cheats, please use this thread: [FAQ] Common Issues with Cheats ↑ The Cheat Console doesn't open A few tips if you can't get the cheat console to open. Please post in the thread if these don't help. Make sure you use the correct key combination (CTL-SHIFT-C). Make sure that no screenshot or other program is running in the back that uses the same key combination like Gyazo. Especially HP computers tend to have pre-installed software that conflict with the cheat shortcut. Make sure to disable those background programs. If you have an AMD graphics Card, check on the settings to check if something else is assigned to the short-cut Make sure that the game is the active window, especially when playing in windowed mode. Try CTL-Shift--C instead (Windows Only) When in build/buy mode, make sure your cursor is not in the search field Reset all settings. To do so follow these steps: Close the game. Move this file to the desktop: Documents\Electronic Arts\The Sims 4\Options(.ini). Start the game. The file will be recreated. Unfortunately this will reset all your graphics settings and similar as well and you need to re-set them. Test if the console appears. ↑

I had this problem. Used the CTRL+SHIFT+(WindowsStartKey)+C .. that did open up the cheats. Now in case you find that more annoying to use like I did, the other thread had the problem listed in the AMD Relive update where it used the CTRL+SHIFT+C for it. If you go to settings, unbind or change that key combo, the regular cheat combo in Sims 4 will work again. To change it like I did, just right click on your desktop, go to AMD settings. From that window, go to relive and find the culprit keybinding and just change it to something you don't use. After that, problem will be fixed.

Thanks for the helpful thread. I couldn't figure out why the cheat console wouldn't open when I was trying to use moveobjects. AMD was using that binding for another function that I never use anyway. I was able to disable the AMD setting so I can build the way I wanted. I appreciate the information.

@YahKaloni Do you have an AMD graphics card ? If so, please follow instructions here: https://answers.ea.com/t5/Technical-Issues-PC/PLEASE-READ-Issues-with-opening-cheat-console/m-p/8719019#M165639If not, there's some more suggestions on the first post of this thread I've merged your post into.

@thekc On some computers it seems the Windows Key is needed. Not sure why.

Product: The Sims 4Platform:PCWhich language are you playing the game in? EnglishHow often does the bug occur? Every time (100%)What is your current game version number? version 1.65.77. What expansions, game packs, and stuff packs do you have installed? AllSteps: How can we find the bug ourselves? I'm honestly not sure how to get others to experience this bug. I have been searching high and low to see if anyone else experiences it but haven't seen anything. What happens when the bug occurs? Whenever I use the shift + ctrl + c to open the cheat menu it takes screenshots instead. I can't figure out how to change this; I am honestly unsure if its 100% a bug or a settings issue. I have tried to uninstall/repair/and even unplug/replug in my keyboard and still get the same issue. And yes I have tried to recreate this without mods installed and I still get the error. I do not have this issue with Sims 3 on the otherhand.What do you expect to see? Whenever I hit shift cntl c to open the cheat bar the game isntead takes screenshots.Have you installed any customization with the game, e.g. Custom Content or Mods? Not now. I've removed them.Did this issue appear after a specific patch or change you made to your system? YesPlease describe the patch or change you made. After the recent bug patch fix for version 1.65.77. I have uploaded an image of the notification I get when trying to open the cheat command bar

crinrict

Hero+

12 months ago

[READ FIRST] Cheat console doesn't open

Index

Introduction

The Cheat Console doesn't open

Introduction

Cheats are commonly used in the Sims games and as it's a single player game, you can do so at your heart's content. Some cheats are also used to fix issues.

To open the Cheat Console, press CTL-SHIFT-C and then type the required cheat into the text console that appears in the upper left corner.

There are a few reasons why the cheat console doesn't open as it should.

The tips below are for Windows, if you have issues on other platforms, please use the threads below

Console: FAQ - Sims 4 Console Cheats

Mac: 🛠️ Opening the Sims 4 cheat console on Mac

For help with individual cheats, please use this thread: [FAQ] Common Issues with Cheats

↑

The Cheat Console doesn't open

A few tips if you can't get the cheat console to open. Please post in the thread if these don't help.

Make sure you use the correct key combination (CTL-SHIFT-C).
Make sure that no screenshot or other program is running in the back that uses the same key combination like Gyazo. Especially HP computers tend to have pre-installed software that conflict with the cheat shortcut. Make sure to disable those background programs.
If you have an AMD graphics Card, check on the settings to check if something else is assigned to the short-cut
Make sure that the game is the active window, especially when playing in windowed mode.
Try CTL-Shift--C instead (Windows Only)
When in build/buy mode, make sure your cursor is not in the search field
Reset all settings. To do so follow these steps:
- Close the game.
- Move this file to the desktop: Documents\Electronic Arts\The Sims 4\Options(.ini).
- Start the game.
- The file will be recreated.
- Unfortunately this will reset all your graphics settings and similar as well and you need to re-set them.
- Test if the console appears.

↑

209 Replies

Caitlin_beswick
4 months ago
i have the exact same issue at the moment ... did you manage to get it fixed?
Hajo_biene
4 months ago
First, thx so much. But uh what kimd of screen capture system thing and how do I turn that off? Somebody help me
puzzlezaddict
Hero+
4 months ago
@Hajo_biene Check the Task Manager to see what other apps might be running while you play. Look through the background processes list too. If you don't find anything, one common culprit is the AMD graphics software, which you can open by right-clicking the desktop and selecting AMD Adrenalin (or whatever name you see; it might be different for an older PC). Then check the screen capture settings and change the key binding.
ittybittyy
3 months ago
I updated my PC to windows a few months ago to Windows 11, and ever since I haven't been able to open the cheat menu at all. I have tried Ctrl+Shift+C and Ctrl+Shift+Wnds+C and neither work, the both just open the snipping tool. I have also tried uninstalling the snipping tool program all together and it just say to reinstall it. Has anyone found a remedy for this?
puzzlezaddict
Hero+
3 months ago
@ittybittyy I've merged your post with the master thread for issues opening the cheats console. Are you opening the snipping tool or Snip & Sketch? The latter normally opens with Windows key-shift-S, but I suppose that could change.

At any rate, find the tool that's opening in the Start menu, right-click the entry and select "Open file location," right-click the tool in that location and select Properties, and under Shortcut, choose a different key combination.
samanthachio
Newcomer
3 months ago
Product: The Sims 4
Platform: PC
Which language are you playing the game in? English
How often does the bug occur? Every time (100%)
What is your current game version number? fully updated 12.11.2024
What expansions, game packs, and stuff packs do you have installed? All of them
Steps: How can we find the bug ourselves? Go into the game and attempt to use key combination Ctrl+Shift+C
What happens when the bug occurs? I try to open the cheat bar, using the correct combination, but the cheat bar won't open.
What do you expect to see? That it opens.
Have you installed any customization with the game, e.g. Custom Content or Mods? Not now. I've removed them.
Did this issue appear after a specific patch or change you made to your system? no, it was working while playing in the morning, left it then in the afternoon it was not working anymore.
I have repaired, uninstalled/reinstalled, restarted my PC, I do not have any mods or cc, I reset all of the settings in the game, I have tried the ctrl+shift+win+C and that did not work, I have tried using the opposite side of the keyboard.
puzzlezaddict
Hero+
3 months ago
@samanthachio I've merged your post with the master thread for this issue. Please see the first post on page one.

If nothing there helps, please let me know what you do see when you try to open the cheats console, for example the game taking a screenshot; and whether this happens in both fullscreen and windowed modes.
CamyWolfy
Rising Novice
17 days ago
I have the same issue here ! and i tried everything
puzzlezaddict
Hero+
17 days ago
CamyWolfy I've moved your post to the newer master thread for this issue. Please see the first post for suggestions.

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[READ FIRST] Cheat console doesn't open

209 Replies

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