Hardware Specs:GPU: RTX 4090CPU: i9 13900kRAM: 32 GB(further details can be found in the attached DxDiag file)(This issue is specific to Sims 4. Every other game runs perfectly on my system, so I can rule out a hardware problem.)Description: Sims 4 has been consistently crashing shortly after launching. Sometimes it crashes right in the menu, and other times it crashes within 5 minutes of gameplay. This issue was not present last year around this time, and I could play for hours with mods installed without any crashes. Now, even with no mods and no saves, the game crashes frequently.Steps Taken So Far:All drivers are up to date.Repaired the game multiple times using the EA App.Cleared the EA App cache.Deleted the Sims 4 files in "Documents" multiple times.Removed all mods.Deleted all save files.Ran sfc /scannow and dism /online /cleanup-image /restorehealth to repair Windows.Reinstalled the game multiple times.Ran the game in Windows 8 compatibility mode.Disabled the EA App in-game overlay.Set the processor priority to high for Sims 4.Tried running the game with DirectX 11.Attempted to play entirely offline.Deleted and replaced the python37_x64.dll file through repair.Despite these efforts, the game continues to crash. Below is the error message I receive:Error Message: Faulting application name: TS4_DX9_x64.exe, version: 1.108.329.1020, timestamp: 0x66a044f0Faulting module name: python37_x64.dll, version: 3.7.150.1013, timestamp: 0x60905efaException code: 0xc0000005Fault offset: 0x000000000004c371Faulting process ID: 0x0x1568Faulting application start time: 0x0x1DADF9685CE8907Faulting application path: J:\Sims 4\The Sims 4\Game\Bin\TS4_DX9_x64.exeFaulting module path: J:\Sims 4\The Sims 4\Game\Bin\python37_x64.dllReport ID: 89d8f81e-75ea-4f9f-8fc0-6f0aead19418Faulting package full name:Faulting package-relative application ID:I have tried everything I can think of. I would appreciate any assistance in resolving this issue. Thank you!

So, I have now reinstalled Windows 11, but the crashes were still present. I then reset the entire BIOS to default, and Sims 4 has been running continuously for 30 minutes. The following changes were made, in case someone has a very similar problem; one or more of the options listed below caused the issue. Maybe you have an idea what could have caused the problem.SR-IOV Support: [Enabled] -> [Disabled] ARI Forwarding: [Enabled] -> [Disabled] Network stack: [Enabled] -> [Disabled] Internal Graphics: [Auto] -> [Enabled] SATA5 Hot Plug: [Enabled] -> [Disabled] SATA6 Hot Plug: [Enabled] -> [Disabled] SATA7 Hot Plug: [Enabled] -> [Disabled] SATA8 Hot Plug: [Enabled] -> [Disabled] SATAA Hot Plug: [Enabled] -> [Disabled] SATAB Hot Plug: [Enabled] -> [Disabled] IGD Multiple Monitor: [Disabled] -> [Enabled] ErP Ready: [Enabled] -> [Disabled] DRAM Frequency: [3600 G1 (36x100.00x1.00)] -> [Auto] C1E support: [Enabled] -> [Disabled]

Forum Discussion

Jens5345

Seasoned Rookie

1 year ago

Solved

Sims 4 keeps crashing

Hardware Specs:

GPU: RTX 4090
CPU: i9 13900k
RAM: 32 GB
(further details can be found in the attached DxDiag file)

(This issue is specific to Sims 4. Every other game runs perfectly on my system, so I can rule out a hardware problem.)

Description: Sims 4 has been consistently crashing shortly after launching. Sometimes it crashes right in the menu, and other times it crashes within 5 minutes of gameplay. This issue was not present last year around this time, and I could play for hours with mods installed without any crashes. Now, even with no mods and no saves, the game crashes frequently.

Steps Taken So Far:

All drivers are up to date.
Repaired the game multiple times using the EA App.
Cleared the EA App cache.
Deleted the Sims 4 files in "Documents" multiple times.
Removed all mods.
Deleted all save files.
Ran sfc /scannow and dism /online /cleanup-image /restorehealth to repair Windows.
Reinstalled the game multiple times.
Ran the game in Windows 8 compatibility mode.
Disabled the EA App in-game overlay.
Set the processor priority to high for Sims 4.
Tried running the game with DirectX 11.
Attempted to play entirely offline.
Deleted and replaced the python37_x64.dll file through repair.

Despite these efforts, the game continues to crash. Below is the error message I receive:

Error Message: Faulting application name: TS4_DX9_x64.exe, version: 1.108.329.1020, timestamp: 0x66a044f0
Faulting module name: python37_x64.dll, version: 3.7.150.1013, timestamp: 0x60905efa
Exception code: 0xc0000005
Fault offset: 0x000000000004c371
Faulting process ID: 0x0x1568
Faulting application start time: 0x0x1DADF9685CE8907
Faulting application path: J:\Sims 4\The Sims 4\Game\Bin\TS4_DX9_x64.exe
Faulting module path: J:\Sims 4\The Sims 4\Game\Bin\python37_x64.dll
Report ID: 89d8f81e-75ea-4f9f-8fc0-6f0aead19418
Faulting package full name:
Faulting package-relative application ID:

I have tried everything I can think of. I would appreciate any assistance in resolving this issue. Thank you!

DxDiag.txt132 KB

Jens5345

1 year ago

So, I have now reinstalled Windows 11, but the crashes were still present. I then reset the entire BIOS to default, and Sims 4 has been running continuously for 30 minutes. The following changes were made, in case someone has a very similar problem; one or more of the options listed below caused the issue. Maybe you have an idea what could have caused the problem.

SR-IOV Support: [Enabled] -> [Disabled]

ARI Forwarding: [Enabled] -> [Disabled]

Network stack: [Enabled] -> [Disabled]

Internal Graphics: [Auto] -> [Enabled]

SATA5 Hot Plug: [Enabled] -> [Disabled]

SATA6 Hot Plug: [Enabled] -> [Disabled]

SATA7 Hot Plug: [Enabled] -> [Disabled]

SATA8 Hot Plug: [Enabled] -> [Disabled]

SATAA Hot Plug: [Enabled] -> [Disabled]

SATAB Hot Plug: [Enabled] -> [Disabled]

IGD Multiple Monitor: [Disabled] -> [Enabled]

ErP Ready: [Enabled] -> [Disabled]

DRAM Frequency: [3600 G1 (36x100.00x1.00)] -> [Auto]

C1E support: [Enabled] -> [Disabled]

7 Replies

puzzlezaddict
Hero+
1 year ago
@Jens5345 These may not have anything to do with Sims 4, but Nord VPN is crashing, and the driver for VB Audio is old and not digitally signed. So I'd suggest disabling/disconnecting both of these just to see whether it helps.

However, the python37_x64 errors may be due to an overclock Sims 4 can't handle: CPU, GPU, even XMP for the RAM. I've seen two recent confirmed cases with these errors where disabling XMP stopped the crashing, so please remove any overclocks you've applied to any component. For the CPU, your motherboard's BIOS may have a setting to save a given overclocking profile, so it would be simple to reset and then reapply the overclock later. XMP is of course a single button in the BIOS.
Jens5345
Seasoned Rookie
1 year ago
I disabled XMP... if it was even enabled in the first place. I noticed that the DRAM frequency in the BIOS was set to 3200, while my RAM is rated for 3600. I fixed that, but it didn't change anything regarding the crashes in Sims 4. Additionally, neither the CPU nor the GPU is overclocked. I uninstalled NordVPN and Virtual Audio Cable... no improvement. On the contrary, now during the few minutes of gameplay I have, I can't do anything; my Sim just stands there and does nothing no matter what action I try to perform. Well, and then the game crashes.
Jens5345
Seasoned Rookie
1 year ago
I have now completely deleted Sims 4 and installed ONLY the base game without any expansions. I was able to play for 15 minutes without it crashing. So, it must be a problem with one of the expansion packs. In-game, it showed me that it is now downloading all the expansions in the background. Is there a way to set it up so that you can download one add-on at a time to test which expansion is causing the problem?
puzzlezaddict
Hero+
1 year ago
@Jens5345 The only way to download one add-on at a time is to cancel ALL the downloads, then manually download each pack you want to test. That would be frustrating even if the EA App were responsive, which it isn't. But there's a faster way:

https://sims4.crinrict.com/eng/2017/03/disable-single-packs/

Rather than trying one at a time, it might be faster to use the 50/50 method, or something similar. Since stuff packs and kits are the least likely to cause problems, you could start by disabling the EPs and GPs only, then reenabling the GPs, then half the EPs, etc.; and disabling half of what you just reenabled if and when you run into the problem again.
Jens5345
Seasoned Rookie
1 year ago
Okay, so as before, if I disable everything and only the base game is active, it runs fine. But as soon as I activate ANY extension, no matter which one, it crashes. I will now try to reinstall Windows. Tests of my hardware also went well. The CPU, GPU, and RAM passed every test without any issues

Jens5345

Seasoned Rookie

1 year ago

SR-IOV Support: [Enabled] -> [Disabled]

ARI Forwarding: [Enabled] -> [Disabled]

Network stack: [Enabled] -> [Disabled]

Internal Graphics: [Auto] -> [Enabled]

SATA5 Hot Plug: [Enabled] -> [Disabled]

SATA6 Hot Plug: [Enabled] -> [Disabled]

SATA7 Hot Plug: [Enabled] -> [Disabled]

SATA8 Hot Plug: [Enabled] -> [Disabled]

SATAA Hot Plug: [Enabled] -> [Disabled]

SATAB Hot Plug: [Enabled] -> [Disabled]

IGD Multiple Monitor: [Disabled] -> [Enabled]

ErP Ready: [Enabled] -> [Disabled]

DRAM Frequency: [3600 G1 (36x100.00x1.00)] -> [Auto]

C1E support: [Enabled] -> [Disabled]

RonnyOlsson
1 year ago
This worked for me. Start Sims 4 with startup parameter "-dx11". I set in Steam Launch Option for the Sims 4 application (under Properties). Don't know for other apps.