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tiffy_is_here's avatar
tiffy_is_here
New Rookie
2 days ago

sims initialization error at startup since july 2025

i've been having this issue ever since there has been a new Sims update, however in the past my game would automatically fix itself once I installed a Windows update (I am on windows 10). I have already tried reinstalling and uninstalling the game, I have also repaired the game multiple times, I also disabled my windows firewall and still get the same error. My Mods folder has been taken out during all of these trials. I have also tried getting the game to create a new The Sims 4 folder. I would drag The Sims 4 folder onto my desktop, repair the game, and a new folder would not be created. And when i try to launch the game without the folder in documents, i would get the "sims is already running" error instead. I have also made a different windows account and i would also get the "sims is already running" error on that new windows account. I feel like i have tried almost all solutions without completely resetting my entire PC, which I would not like to do since I would have to manually uninstall and reinstall all of my Sims 3 CDs (I have the entire collection), and purchase a huge external hard drive to keep all of my personal files. this is very upsetting when i would like to participate in the nature's calling event before it ends.

3 Replies

  • tiffy_is_here​  The initialization error is typically antivirus-related, and the firewall is not the same as the antvirus.  So please set exceptions in your AV for TS4_x64, TS4_DX9_x64, and TS4_Launcher_x64, or the Bin folder they're in.  Set an exception for EADesktop.exe too while you're there.

    You may need to repair the game (again) as well.

    The "already running" error has a master thread here, if you can't get past it:

    [CURRENT ISSUE] Sims 4 already running | EA Forums - 11818313

    The Sims 4 folder in Documents > Electronic Arts doesn't spawn again until the game starts to load, and both of these errors happen before that, so it's no surprise that you're not seeing a new folder.

  • tiffy_is_here's avatar
    tiffy_is_here
    New Rookie
    24 hours ago

    the only antivirus software i have installed on my PC is malwarebytes and CCleaner. I don't see an option to have the sims as an exception on those apps. when I try to look in my windows settings for an anti-virus software, there isn't any setting showing up for it (shown in first screenshot). i also tried searching for the virus & threat protection setting on my computer, and it gave me this popup shown in the second screenshot, but this is my personal computer that i built myself back in 2020. i don't know why this is happening.

  • tiffy_is_here​  There should be a "Virus & threat protection" section of the Windows Security settings.  The fact that it's not there and the other screenshot make me think you're not signed into an admin account.  Is that true?  You can check under Windows Settings > Accounts > Your info.  If you see "standard user," that's not an admin account, and you'd need to use one to access certain settings.