sims 4 won't launch
I've redownloaded the game and removed all CC AND redownloaded origin and it still only reopens origin if i try to launch the game. Before I uninstalled it would only open if there was custom content...
Forum Discussion
@YourMerigold Right, the folder in your screenshot contains the game's program files, not the user files. Leave that folder alone.
The Sims 4 user folder would be in one of these locations:
C:\Users\[your username]\Documents\Electronic Arts
C:\Users\[your username]\OneDrive\Documents\Electronic Arts
However, this folder only appears if you've started the game at least once. So don't be surprised if you don't see the folder in either location. Just have a look and let me know whether you do see that folder.
To make sure you're looking in the correct location, open a File Explorer window, click This PC in the left panel, double-click the C drive, then open Users > your username etc.
Hi @puzzleaddict, sorry for the late response, the app app didn't allow me to log in again for the past 1.5 weeks (but that's a whole other can of worms). I was able to log in now. I had found the folder you described in the username - Documents location and moved it to my desktop. I am still seeing this error though. Do you have any ideas left?
@YourMerigold I have plenty of ideas left, starting with a simple test. Create a new admin Windows account, and make it a local one, as in, don't sign into Microsoft. Don't sync with any other services you normally use either. Try to play in that account. You won't need to reinstall anything, but your saves and other content won't be available. That can be addressed later; the point here is to see whether the game starts at all.
If you can in fact play in the new account, that means the issue is something in your main account, and the question is what. In that case, I'd like to know whether OneDrive is running, even if you never use it, and how full it is. And whether you can play or not, please let me know what antivirus you use.
Hi @puzzlezaddict, I did create the other account and was able to play on that yesterday. I wanted to do a quick test today, but am getting the game already running error in that account now as well. I moved the Sims folder to the desktop there and tried again, but no change.
I do not use OneDrive, and am not signed in there. According to the properties it is empty. Regarding the antivirus I just use whatever came with Windows and keep that updated, as I mostly just use this PC for gaming. I have re-checked the Windows Defender settings and am wondering whether the "public" boxes should also be ticked. Thank you so much for your support!
@YourMerigold The Public setting in Windows Firewall is actually more restrictive: it means you're setting your system as on a public network, and additional protections come into play. So leave that as it is.
For the issue itself, do you have Controlled Folder Access running? If so, please either disable it or set these exceptions for Sims 4:
https://crinrict.com/blog/2019/03/windows-10-defender-controlled-folder-access.html
If you see anything that mentions the EA App, be sure to give it access as well. I know you checked Windows Defender's settings already, but I want to make sure everything gets covered.
If changing the settings doesn't help, try disabling Controlled Folder Access entirely, at least long enough to test.
And please double-check that you do not in fact have an antivirus running in the background. Many computers come with one pre-installed even if the user hasn't paid for any particular service.
Hi
i seem to be having the same issue with the EA App
i usually play on the Origin App but today when i went to play Sims 4 it made me download EA App and now when i try to start the game it comes up as game already running but wont start i have no idea what to do and have looked everywhere but nothing.
- @Golden-Ink28 Hello, I don't know what you've tried, but you've tried something like this: https://help.ea.com/en-us/help/the-sims/the-sims-4/backing-up-and-resetting-the-sims-4
https://help.ea.com/en/help/faq/clear-cache-to-fix-problems-with-your-games/
And I also recommend checking if you have the latest card driver updates, windows... Hi @puzzlezaddict, so I disabled the controlled Folder Access (still same error). I noticed that apparently there are now 6 entries for the Sims in Windows Defender. Is that weird?
I did a bit of digging through my event viewer and came across the attached warning. The warning appears to coincide with my attempts to start the Sims. I went through the steps described here to try and fix this. But it didn't seem to take.
@YourMerigold The Event Viewer error is common and might not be relevant at all here. Almost any Windows machine will get some of these just for running at all.
The Sims 4 Legacy Edition entries would be unsurprising if you had tried to launch the LE, or if it had tried on its own.
For the error itself, please try running the takeown command, as described in this post:
I'd like to know whether you can play after using it, even if it's only once. If it doesn't work in the main account, try it in the new user account just to be thorough. I'm curious whether something is messing with the permissions on your system after the fact.
Hi @puzzlezaddict, I tried the takeown command in both accounts, but still got the game already running error.
However, I also manually updated my graphics card driver, and right now the game is working. I was able to launch and exit a couple of times in a row. If it does not work again tomorrow, I will be back.
If it keeps working, I would like to thank you very very much for taking the time to help me with this issue!!! I really appreciate it. Now I can go and build my silly little houses again in my silly little free time. 🙂
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