Troubleshooting
How To Fix Sims 4 Crashing At Startup
Before diving into solutions, it’s helpful to understand the potential causes of Sims 4 startup crashes:
- Outdated or Corrupted Mods/Custom Content (CC): Mods and CC can significantly enhance gameplay, but they can also conflict with game updates or become corrupted, leading to crashes.
- Outdated Graphics Drivers: Incompatible or outdated graphics drivers can cause instability and crashes.
- Corrupted Game Files: Game files can become corrupted due to various reasons, including incomplete updates or hard drive errors.
- Insufficient System Resources: If your computer doesn’t meet the minimum system requirements or is running low on resources, it can struggle to run the game.
- Conflicting Background Applications: Other applications running in the background may interfere with the game.
- Issues with the Origin/EA App Client: Problems with the game launcher can also cause startup issues.
Troubleshooting Steps:
Here’s a step-by-step guide to resolving Sims 4 startup crashes:
1. Update Graphics Drivers:
- Ensure your graphics drivers are up to date.
- Visit the manufacturer’s website (NVIDIA, AMD, or Intel) and download the latest drivers for your graphics card.
- Install the drivers and restart your computer.
2. Repair Game Files:
- If you’re using the EA App:
- Open the EA App.
- Go to your Game Library.
- Right-click on The Sims 4 and select “Repair.”
- If you’re using Origin:
- Open Origin.
- Go to your Game Library.
- Right-click on The Sims 4 and select “Repair Game.”
- Allow the repair process to complete.
3. Remove Mods and Custom Content (CC):
- Mods and CC are often the primary culprits for crashes.
- Move your Mods folder (located in Documents > Electronic Arts > The Sims 4) to your desktop or another location.
- Try launching the game without mods.
- If the game launches successfully, the issue lies with your mods or CC.
- To identify the problematic files:
- Move small batches of mods/CC back into the Mods folder.
- Launch the game after each batch.
- Repeat until you find the conflicting file(s).
- Delete or update the problematic files.
4. Clear the EA App/Origin Cache:
- Clearing the cache can resolve issues with the game launcher.
- For the EA App:
- Click the three horizontal lines in the top left corner.
- Scroll down and select help.
- Select App recovery.
- Select Clear cache.
- For Origin:
- Press Windows key + R, type %appdata%, and press Enter.
- Navigate to Origin and delete the cache folder.
- Press Windows key + R, type %localappdata%, and press Enter.
- Navigate to Origin and delete the cache folder.
5. Update the EA App/Origin Client:
- Ensure your game launcher is up to date.
- The EA App usually updates automatically. If not, look for an update option in the client.
- Origin Usually updates automatically as well, but can be forced to check for updates in the origin menu.
6. Close Background Applications:
- Close unnecessary background applications that may be consuming system resources.
- Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open Task Manager.
- End any non-essential processes.
7. Run the Game as Administrator:
- Right-click on The Sims 4 executable file and select “Run as administrator.”
- Also run the EA App/Origin as administrator.
8. Check System Requirements:
- Ensure your computer meets the minimum system requirements for The Sims 4.
- If your system is borderline, consider upgrading your hardware or lowering the game’s graphics settings.
9. Reinstall The Sims 4:
- If all else fails, consider reinstalling The Sims 4.
- Uninstall the game through the EA App/Origin.
- Delete any remaining game files from your computer.
- Reinstall the game.
10. Check for Windows Updates:
- Make sure your operating system is fully updated.
- Go to settings, then windows update, and check for updates.