Crashes on Mainmenu

I just downloaded the recent update earlier in the day 4/29/25, which I presumed automatically turned off mods though I do play with a few script mods like UI cheats, MCCC, BBB and a UI color mod.

After updating, it crashed upon launching the game from the EA app on my windows laptop. I immediately backed up saves and tried repairing, and rebooted. This led to the game launching and loading a bit, but before it loads into the main menu, it crashes.

I figured it automatically turned off mods, but I deleted the script mods which I assume would've been broken anyway, just to make sure. This had no change and still seems like it's about to load the main menu but then it closes.

I'm inclined to think the update is causing this, but want to know if it's a shared experience or isolated on my part.

Edit By Crinrict: Adjusted Title

Update 25/05/11
Did some testing on this and with the help of ChelleBelle716 save and mods folder (and insight), I think we were able to narrow it down to Custom tattoos (or better the lack of them) on mermaids

So if you use any custom tattoos on your mermaid Sims (the ones you put in your mods folder), make sure you put them back. This issue will also happen if you disable a pack that brings a tattoo that you used on mermaids.

Please let me know if that helps you.

Instructions on how to get your game to work.

Move the following folder to the desktop: Documents > Electronic Arts > The Sims 4 > saves

Start the game.

If you still don't get to the main menu, please post in the tech forum of your platform, posting your specs. You have a different issue.

Start a new save game and see if that works.

If the game still crashes, please post in the tech forum of your platform, posting your specs. You have a different issue.

Go to your options and turn mods/cc back on

Close the game and delete the save game you just created. You won't need it anymore. It was just for testing.

COPY the saves folder from your desktop back to the Sims folder.

Also put your mods back if you removed them, especially custom tattoos. Do make sure they are up-to-date with the current patch version.

Start the game.

If your game still crashes, please post in this thread.

If you do want to disable a pack or remove a custom cc from your game, you will need to remove them from all your mermaids first. You can then safely remove the cc/pack.

90 Comments

crinrict
Hero+
19 days ago
Hi AdeptAmari

~~Could you try moving your saves folder to the desktop and see if it loads with no saves present ? There might be an issue with the preview on the main menu.~~

~~Make sure to save the new game. You can then move your saves back and use the load button to load your old save game.~~

Looks like this doesn't work. A new save game will work if you move the saves folder to the desktop. The issue is with something borking the existing ones. It might be an issue for modded games not having the proper mod but I don't know anthing beyond that and it's all speculation.

EDIT:

Seems some folks are having luck turning their mods back on.

Try the following to do so without starting the game

Make sure the game is closed

Open the file documents\Electronic Arts\The Sims 4\options(.ini) with any text editor

Find this line: modsdisabled = 1 and change it to modsdisabled = 0

If you are using script mods, make sure scriptmodsenabled is also still set to 1

Start the game and see if it works.
crinrict
Hero+
19 days ago
Status changed:
New
to
Troubleshooting
shadesoftracy
Rising Rookie
19 days ago
me too, I have done everything I know to do but it crashes and I havent played since the update .. help ...
crinrict
Hero+
19 days ago
Did you try my suggestion too ?
FallenAngel1326
New Hotshot
19 days ago
that worked for me but how do you get saves in game running, with same issue again is the file corupted and if I put in game with it running will the game read it or next time in close and reopen what's to say it does not crash again
crinrict
Hero+
19 days ago
I can't test myself as I don't have any crashing issues but the theory is that if the save that gives issue is the newest one, and hence appears as resume, there's issues.

Hopefully after you loaded it once and then saved it should work but I can't comment on that as I need to rely on what others say.
FallenAngel1326
New Hotshot
19 days ago
my game loaded with out the save file but my question, is I have 1 save file in my folder with a few resaves of same game plus some mods that save settings how do I get those and or the sim save back in the game or know which is corrupted so this crash does not happen again
crinrict
Hero+
19 days ago
The problem (theory) if the save game shows on the main menu.

So say my game would be crashing instead of loading this

Then if you make a new save, this pic would be overwritten by the new one but I can still access the save it through load once you created a new save game and put ALL your saves back.

I do not know what happens if you play with the save and it's the newest again. Maybe it will crash again and you'll need to do the same again.

Not sure how to explain it better.

If you want, you can send me your whole saves folder and I can test if I can duplicate the crashing and test out the theories.
crinrict
Hero+
19 days ago
Status changed:
Troubleshooting
to
Reviewed
FallenAngel1326
New Hotshot
19 days ago
got it to work but, got it to load with my mod saves in but the update changed all my settings back to default like the weather life styles bust the dust that I had off not just the script mods like normal not a coder but that seems weird I do care my latest save it was just started and the only one game works saves can be restarted. hope the additional finds help. I have never had to put my settings back other than turning script mods back on since 05 when I became a Origin user or when i used CD ROM