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budgetmia's avatar
budgetmia
8 years ago

I am having the same issue. But, I know it's Sims 4 Cats And Dogs that is causing it. When I uninstalled Origin and my Game, it downloaded most of the packs, and I went into the game just fine. However, as it tried to download Sims 4 Cats and Dogs, it said on screen "Download Failed" and wouldn't let me open the Sims 4. 

It'd come up with an error message: "Unable to start: Cannot start because required game data is missing or damaged. Please repair or reinstall the game via origin." 

However, I already Repaired and Uninstalled the Game. If there is anything anyone can do, I'd appreciate it.

Thanks 😳

CMeki's avatar
CMeki
Hero (Retired)
8 years ago

@budgetmia

And you don't have any mods?

Try resetting your files to factory settings.

  • Make a backup; copy your The Sims 4-folder from C:\Users\Username\Documents\Electronic Arts to an external drive or somewhere else on your computer, for example your desktop.
  • Rename the The Sims 4-folder in C:\Users\Username\Documents\Electronic Arts to The Sims 4_backup
  • Start the game, make a new save, and see if the error is gone. 
    (The game will have created a new The Sims 4-folder in your documents, this is supposed to happen)

      • If yes, continue
      • If no, post a reply telling us the error is still there
  • Start putting folders back in the new The Sims 4-folder. Observe! After every file/folder, start the game and make sure it still works, before putting in the next one.
    • Options.ini - your game settings
    • Saves - your old saves. The sub-folders are not needed. If putting these back causes problem, try putting one back at a time.
    • Screenshots
    • Custom music - if you have any
    • Tray - your library objects; like lots, rooms and sims
    • Mods - your mods and cc, might cause problems when putting back

If putting back one of the folders was problematic and you did not work it out, please post a reply and we'll see if we can find what your problem is!

Source: https://help.ea.com/en-us/help/the-sims/the-sims-4/backing-up-and-resetting-the-sims-4/

Good Luck! 🙂



  • budgetmia's avatar
    budgetmia
    8 years ago

    I took my Mods folder from my Sims 4 folder, and did what you said to do, but it won't let me open the game even if I put one folder back in. It comes up with the same error message.

    I hope you can help me 😛

    • CMeki's avatar
      CMeki
      Hero (Retired)
      8 years ago

      @budgetmia

      So it works without the folders?
      Does it matter which one you put in?

      Like, only the tray folder, or only the saves-folder?

      Or which folders are you talking about? Mods? 🙂

      • budgetmia's avatar
        budgetmia
        8 years ago

        I mean, it dosen't work with OR without the folder, the error still comes up all the time. 

        Sorry if I was't clear enough! 🥳

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