[GUIDE] Clean User Folder Approach

Most often when you come to the forums with an issue, you'll be asked to try a clean user folder to see if that solves your issue. This method is used to narrow down whether you have a more general issue or there's a problem in for example your save game. This does not mean you will need to ditch your save game and start over. If you follow the steps given, all your data is safe and can be put back into the game at any time.

The most important point is that you don't delete anything. Deleting means it's gone. Moving or renaming a folder means it's just temporarily somewhere else and the game can't find it.

Please refer to this post if you need pictures: Resetting the game to factory settings without reinstalling

This method can be used for both modded games and vanilla ones. 

1. Make sure the game is closed
2. Make a backup of The Sims 4 folder in Documents > Electronic Arts to different place on your hard drive or to an external or flash drive.
3. Repair the game through the EA app or verify your files through Steam.
4. Open the folder Documents > Electronic Arts
5. Rename the The Sims 4 folder to The Sims 4_Backup
   
6. Start the game
7. A new The Sims 4 folder will be recreated in Documents > Electronic Arts which the game will now use.

8. Test if the error is still present on a new save game.

   • Error is still present: Delete the newly generated The Sims 4 folder and rename The Sims 4_Backup to The Sims 4. This will recover the status from before you started this tutorial. Try other troubleshooting steps or report back in the thread where you were asked to do this. You are done with this tutorial.

   • Error is gone: Start putting all your old data back into the newly-created folder. (See 9-4)

9. Copy the files from The Sims 4_Backup to The Sims 4, one folder at a time as described below.
   1. Start with your save games (saves) and test if the error is also gone for your current save game. The save will be loaded without all your Mods/CC as those are still missing. This means that all your clothing/hair/objects will be removed from your Sims. Because of this, always work on a copy of your save until you find the cause of your error.
   2. If the error ist still present, it's possible that your save game is corrupt or that there's simply a bug that can't be solved from your side. Try an older backup if you have one. Also try other troubleshooting steps or report back in the thread you were asked to do this. Do make sure to continue with this tutorial so you have all your important stuff back.
   3. Now copy the rest folder by folder and file by file. Not all files need copying back. Some of them are cache files that will be recreated and can be the source of the issue.

   4. Test after moving each file or folder. If the game stops working, you know where to look for the cause. Files not mentioned here do not need copying back.

      • Options(.ini): Contains all settings which you chose in Game Options except the ones that are saved per save game (like aging and autonomy). It's better to re-set all options manually, but you can also simply copy back the file. Test if the game still runs.
      • Screenshots: The screenshots you have taken in-game.
      • Custom Music: If you have any custom music, put the files back.
      • Tray: All your houses, Sims and rooms.  If the game starts to act up again, separately put back each set of files, grouped by date modified, and test to see what can be saved.
      • ConfigOverride: if you have your own configuration files. I would suggest redoing the files though if you run into issues.
      • UserSettings.ini: If you disabled some packs/DLC within the game, put this back to prevent issues.
      • Mods: Your custom content or mods. If the game starts to act up again, use the 50/50 method to find the culprit.