Sims 4 - Game License Invalid

So first I had an issue with my app even loading, it said I had no games in my library, I needed to buy EA Play which I haven't had in years with no issue, and wouldn't even show Sims 4 anywhere. Contacted the support chat, not sure if she fixed it or if I did because I found a way to clear my cache while waiting on her response which started working like normal once it relaunched.

Then it just said I needed to download the game, which I have downloaded along with every pack (minus kits) downloaded as well, I did NOT want to have to redownload all of that, so I checked it a different way and it pulled up that I just needed to update.

I updated the game and now it says my Game License is Invalid, always something right? The person in the chat couldn't help me, she just told me to post on here and she would report it on her end but that was it. Just like most people who enjoy Sims 4 I have 2500 hours in this game, a lot of money in it, and the game is a FREE game so how is my license invalid?

I have clicked the repair button under MANAGE, and it repaired the base game along with all my add ons but I am still having the issue.

I wish we would go back to Origins, I don't remember there be any issues with playing Sims 3 and it seems the EA app has issues too often. I just want to play my game and relax after a long day at work and can't.

puzzlezaddict
10 months ago
@Paramorame93 The EA App may be the issue here, not Sims 4. So try force-updating it. Go here:

C:\Program Files\Electronic Arts\EA Desktop\EA Desktop

and launch the EAUpdater.exe. Let me know both whether this fixes the Sims 4 error and whether the App now loads normally.

12 Replies

puzzlezaddict
Hero+
10 months ago
@Paramorame93 The EA App may be the issue here, not Sims 4. So try force-updating it. Go here:

C:\Program Files\Electronic Arts\EA Desktop\EA Desktop

and launch the EAUpdater.exe. Let me know both whether this fixes the Sims 4 error and whether the App now loads normally.
Paramorame93
10 months ago
Hey!

Thanks for the response! I meant to update this after I fixed it but got distracted. It was the app. I uninstalled it and then reinstalled, worked like a charm thankfully! I don’t know what I’d do if I had to start over pack wise. I don’t mind losing saves cause I’m always starting something new but having to rebuy all those packs 😅😅 No thank you.
z7d2fjvcwz7k
6 months ago
@puzzlezaddict This doesn’t work for me
mudita08sri
Seasoned Rookie
5 months ago
Same after the recent update I cannot launch the game . It repeatedly shows game license invalid . Don't know what to do.
Gizmo86
5 months ago
Yes I am in the same boat ever since the latest update, I have tried uninstalling it a number of times, clearing the cache but nothing is working 😔
MsMalfie
5 months ago
I'm not getting the message game license invalid. I'm getting the message your game license has expired and now cannot launch the game offline. This suddenly happened after the latest patch to fix the reaper awards event. Have cleared the app cache, repaired the game, nothing gets rid of the message. I can however launch the game online but it's annoying.
puzzlezaddict
Hero+
5 months ago
@Gizmo86 Please make sure that the EA App is closed, and Steam too if you use it for Sims 4. Open the Task Manager and close anything from either app in the background processes list. Click Windows key-R and enter %programdata% in the run box, then open Electronic Arts > EA Services, and move the License folder to the desktop. Then try again to play Sims 4. The EA App will need to be online and properly loaded, so check that before launching the game.

@MsMalfie Please use this master thread:

https://answers.ea.com/t5/Bug-Reports/Error-Code-204-Game-License-Expired-when-trying-to-play-offline/td-p/14126582
Gizmo86
5 months ago
@puzzlezaddict just tried what you suggested but unfortunately this still does not work
puzzlezaddict
Hero+
5 months ago
@Gizmo86 After you removed the License folder, was a new one created when you tried to launch Sims 4? If so, is there a new file inside, or is the folder empty?

Do you have any other EA games installed, and if so, can you play them, and does trying to launch them create a new License folder and/or a file inside?

If you don't own another EA game, Apex Legends is free to play. It's a bit of a large download, but it would be a useful test if your download speeds are reasonable and your computer has the space to install it.
Gizmo86
5 months ago
@puzzlezaddict the folder was empty, I have sims 3 and sim city and they are working fine.. It just seems to be sims 4.. When I moved the license folder the same thing came up with sims 3 but then I moved the folder back and it worked.
Unfortunately I don't think I will have the space so I won't be able to try that but I'd be keen to see if someone else with the same issues maybe can