It shows in the taskbar that it is running; the game status in the EA app shows that the game in started/playing but the game will not launch. I have tried every listed solution I could find; cleared the cache, deleted all mods and custom items; uninstalled and reinstalled both the EA app and the game multiple times. I don't know what else to do; please help!
CONANkitty Please try reinstalling your 2015 and newer VC++ runtimes. Open Windows Settings > Apps, scroll down to the Microsoft Visual C++ Redistributables, and uninstall everything from 2015 and newer. Don't touch the older versions.
Download the x86 and x64 copies (not the ARM version) of the "latest supported redistributable version":
https://docs.microsoft.com/en-US/cpp/windows/latest-supported-vc-redist?view=msvc-170
Install the runtimes, restart your computer, and try to play.
I'm having the same problem right now too.
Newer lap top, game was working perfectly yesterday. I haven't changed any path ways or have any custom content. I've tried repair through ea app, I've uninstalled and reinstalled and still the same errors over and over.
l1ndaluvr Yes, you can just drag your save files to the new Sims 4 folder. Make sure to transfer only the files, not the entire folder they're in, the game won't recognize saves inside two consecutive saves folders.
Hi, I understand this post was created a year ago but I've been having the same issue with my game, and I used the first method of moving my Sims 4 folder into my desktop. I was wondering if I would be able to just drag my save files into the new 'clean' file or do I have to go about that another way?
lovelyeddy Did you try the suggestions in my previous post? If not, please do now. Since your last reply, there have been two more workarounds posted for this issue as well:
If neither of these works, please post a fresh dxdiag.
I'm back and my game still won't launch. I have tried just about every suggestion I can find on these forums. My issue started about a year ago. Since then, I have spent hours chatting with EA Support, they weren't helpful. I have deleted everything EA and The Sims and reinstalled it all from scratch using the EA app. I purchased expansion and game packs which seem to launch the game on the initial try, but then it freezes on the loading screen. I have to use Task Manager to close the game. After that, it will not load again. I have updated any and all drivers that can be updated on my machine. I have purchased The Sims 3 and that loads and plays fine on the same computer, but the Sims 4 refuses to. I am at my limit and could really use some help...
lovelyeddy Please try the suggestions in these posts:
Game won’t launch | EA Forums - 4992631
Managed to fix my problem where it crashes during launch after update | EA Forums - 4998584
Or put the laptop into night mode before launching the game.
If these steps don't help, I would suggest temporarily disabling your VPN and McAfee, one at a time if you prefer. As long as you don't do anything else while McAfee is disabled, your computer should be safe.
puzzlezaddictThank you for your response. I deleted everything; the sims 4 game, the EA app, and all mods and ccs out of my computer. Re-installed the EA app and then the game but it still won't run. The screen goes black, flashes a couple of times and then a white screen. It then becomes unresponsive and I have to use Task Manager to close it. I have McAfee for antivirus and I also have NordVPN active, if that matters. This is a fairly new laptop and the only thing on here is the game. When I first got the laptop, I was able to play the game with no issues. The issues started on the 12th when I updated the game. I haven't been able to run it at all. Thanks in advance for your help!
lovelyeddy berryclumsy If you haven't already, please try playing in a clean user folder. Move the entire Sims 4 folder out of Documents > Electronic Arts and onto your desktop. When you launch the game, if it launches, a clean folder will spawn with no content. (Your saves and other content will be intact in the folder you've moved but temporarily unread by the game.) Don't add anything to the new folder yet; just start a new save and see how it runs, that is if you can get that far.
berryclumsy If you still can't play, please provide a dxdiag. Click Windows key-R, enter dxdiag in the run box, wait for the scan to finish, click "Save all information," and save the file to your desktop. From there, you can attach it to a reply using the paper clip (Attachment) icon included with the other formatting buttons.
lovelyeddy There's nothing at all on-screen from the game, not a tiny window and not a black or white window? I ask because there's nothing obvious in your dxdiag, but the flashing black/white window has been reported on various HP gaming laptops in the past few months. Please also let me know what antivirus you use.
I'm having the same issue. Repairing my game rn then uninstalling/reinstalling the game but if those don't work I have no idea what to do. I've been trying to figure out whats wrong for the past 4 hours now. Seems like we aren't the only ones having this issue though
