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+

11 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

Mavolyn
5 years ago
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.
meubanks68
5 years ago
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.
thekc
5 years 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? 1.62.67.1020
What expansions, game packs, and stuff packs do you have installed? All except: My First Pet, Moschino and Tiny Living
Steps: How can we find the bug ourselves? Try and open the cheat dialogue box
What happens when the bug occurs? The dialogue box does not open or appear
What do you expect to see? The dialogue box does not open or appear when doing Control, Shift and C.
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? Neutral/Not Sure
‌
Its been a while since I used cheats (or played the game) but every time when I opened the cheat dialogue box (or attempt), it does not appear and I tried it in Live Mode, Build and Buy (with Sims there or not) and nothing seems to be working. My keyboard is fine and I have checked the Mods that I have and even removing them all or ones I have recently downloaded, made no difference.
thekc
5 years ago
It actually works if I add the Windows key to the command, but I am not sure why it does not work as it normally does with the original command. Thank you for the help and for sending me a link to another thread.
crinrict
Hero+
5 years ago
@thekc On some computers it seems the Windows Key is needed. Not sure why.
TeraoXGuro
5 years 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? version 1.65.77.
What expansions, game packs, and stuff packs do you have installed? All
Steps: 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? Yes
Please 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+
5 years ago
@TeraoXGuro Merged your post with the Cheat FAQ Thread

Could you try all the suggestions in the first post.
TeraoXGuro
5 years ago
Yes I HAVE tried all options. This is a bug thats effecting gameplay.
crinrict
Hero+
5 years ago
@TeraoXGuro As screen shots are taken by pressing c it's like the game doesn't recognize the ctl-shift for you and only does what c does.

Usually pressing also the Windows key solves that but since you tried that, I don't know what other suggestions could help.

I assume if you just press c you see get the same message for taking a screenshot ?
TeraoXGuro
5 years ago
Appologies, after doing some digging around in my graphical settings I was finally able to ix the issue. I had gone back to double check all the possible ways to fix the issue with no luck until I saw the post about AMD grapnical settings. I turned off the capture toggle and was able to fix it. (I had just built a new and better pc and was pretty frustrated that after spending so much nothing was working still so of course I was getting pretty mad about it- appologies again and thanks for offering help ;; )