[INFORMATION] How does this forum work ? [ Edited ]

[crinrict]

Introduction

This forum is for bug reports on the Sims 4. It's main purpose is to report bugs which the devs need to fix, not to troubleshoot your game.

If you need help in other form, please use the forums below.

• For technical issues, please use this forum: The Sims 4

• For any gameplay issue you're not sure if they are bugs or that you need troubleshooting with, please use this forum: The Sims 4

• If your game is crashing, please post in the general Sims forum: The Sims 4 and post your DxDiag. There's very few crashing issues that belong in here. I'll be moving threads.

• Feedback for stuff you want changed goes either here: The Sims 4 IDEAS CORNER or here: The Sims 4 Feedback. You can also use the the Sims 4 Game Information for these

• If you want to talk with your fellow Simmers or ask questions about the gameplay, you can use the Sims 4 Game Information.
• There's also help available in several languages like German, Spanish, French and more. Just pick the appropriate language from the language picker on top of the page.

Please do not report just anything as a bug. It simply might be a misunderstanding. Bugs are only things that are NOT working as intended. Some stuff is random and some stuff is simply working a bit different than you might think. Read instructions carefully. If unsure, discuss with fellow simmers at your favorite forum and if you all come to the conclusion that it's a bug, report it here. Gives the devs and me less work and the ability to concentrate on the real bugs.

Also if you feel, I misunderstood you or you have wrongfully been moved or merged, please do step up but don't be rude about it. Just say that you think I misunderstood you and explain why. English is not my mother tongue (I'm Swiss German) and I do sometimes have issues understanding. Some times are more stressful then others, so please bear with me if you think my answers are too short or not very friendly. They are not meant to be rude in any way, they're just sometimes kept to the bare necessitates to save time and not drown in threads.

Keep in mind that I'm in a different time zone than most of you guys. Be patient, 

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Index

Introduction

How to Post

The Flow of the Bug Forum

Labeling of Posts

The Bug Template/ Info to Provide

Important Tips & Links 

How to Share your Savegame

How to find your Game Version

How to Post

• Please DO NOT VENT in this forum. If you are not happy with the game, post somewhere else. Venting will make me skip your thread. Make your statement as calm and informative as possible. Reports that are overly ranty will be ignored by me. Doesn't mean EA/Maxis won't see them but they will not be added tot he list.
• There's a compiled list of reported bugs here. [READ FIRST] Compiled list of Bugs. Please read it before posting.You'll find links to threads of other users. If you have the same issue, please add your report to that thread. If your issue has not been reported, make a new thread and state your issue
• If you have an issue someone else has posted about but you don't have something to add, please just press the ME TOO button. This will show the Devs, how common the issue really is. Please do make a post if the thread is over 3 month without answers to show that the issue is still current.
• It's important that you remove all custom content and mods before reporting something. A lot of stuff is broken and I only want reports on vanilla games. This is so EA can't dismiss a bug as mod/cc related.
• The bug forum is for reporting bugs. Bugs by nature, don't have solutions other than waiting for EA/Maxis to fix it. Sometimes they are pretty straight forward and there's no reason for me to answer. See this for more details on how things are currently handled ast the change over time: Information/Questions about the bug forum  If you need troubleshooting help and expect an answer, it's better to post in the tech forums (Mac/PC/Console depending on your system)
• Don't post things like: It doesn't work or I got an error message. I don't know how to help you with that. Describe as accurate as possible, what you tried and what your problem is. Post any error messages you receive as you seem them (screen-shots are great)
• The forum now works with a bug template. Please give as much and accurate info as possible. Be aware that you need to fill out something in the comment box for the submit button to show up. This can be three dots if you have nothing further to add. Adding a picture is unfortunately, not enough.
• Please do not report someone else's issues. Ask the person with the issue to post here with all the info they can give.
• Please do not link to another post if you have already posted somewhere else. Copy/Paste your post and add the link as extra info. If I don't have to go consult other threads to what might be your problem, that's a huge relieve.
• Please use proper English and no text language. Also try to use punctuation where applicable and don't put everything in one paragraph. Those are very hard for me to read. I'm German speaking, so that would help me a great deal to understand what you are saying. I do understand that this might not be easy if you are not native English speaking. Just try your best.
• I will not attend to threads containing multiple bugs in one thread. If you're a first time poster, I will probably let you know but if you're a regular, I'm assuming you want to use your way of reporting (which is fine of course) but I'm unable to process them.
• I know it might be a bit tedious to have single thread for every small issue but it's much easier for the devs to track how common an issue is and get information. Collection threads tend to get confusing with many issues mixed up in the same thread. Sometimes it's hard to distinguish if something is a different issue or the same so you're thread might get accidentally merged or you will be asked to make a separate thread eve if it's not necessary.
• If you have extra info to add, please do so. Also let me know if you feel that I have misinterpreted your post.
• If you found a solution to one of the problems listed, please feel free to share those in the threads too. Make sure to tag me in your post so I see it. Reasons for this below.
• If you can't find a thread you made, it got most probably moved. To find your post, click on the little arrow next to your user name and choose HQ Profile. All your posts are listed there and you can just click on them to go there.
• Technical issues/Issues that need further troubleshooting will be moved to the Sims 4 forum so you can get the help you need.
• You can upload and pictures here directly.
• I will try and answer new issues as quickly as possible but I do have other things on my plate. I usually don't answer in established bugs (those with an Open-Tag) unless there is something new to say or I have questions. As per 1.1. 2019, I will also not read those threads anymore on a regular basis. More details on this below.
• There are times where I will take a break. These breaks are communicated in this thread: [PLEASE READ] Information/Questions about the bug forum. During that time, answers are usually limited but the forum is taken care of by CM or QA. I will catch up when I get back.
• You will also see the Sims QA Team answering and trying to get info from you. You can recognize them by the EA Sims Team label.
• Please open multiple threads if you have multiple issues that are NOT connected but check if there's already a similar one even if it's not listed. You can use the search bar for faster finding. 
• If you are reporting for a Game Pack or Expansion Pack, please include the name of the pack in brackets in your title [<name of Pack>] Descriptive Title
• If you found a solution to your issue, please come back, post it and if you are the OP, you can mark the thread as solved.
• Some issues are marked as solved although the issue itself is not fixed. This is to highlight a certain workaround/solution that can help with preventing/fixing the issue. It's still a bug though that need fixing. Fixed issues are tagged as such. Those count as fixed and are off the radar. It's best to create a new thread for these if you still see the issue
• Please use titles that describe your issue as accurate as possible. This lets me just add the thread as it is to save time. I will take the liberty to change thread titles if they contain no indication of what the issue is. I sometimes also need to change them to make them fit to the character limit once tags have been added.
• Once you've reported an issue, please do try to keep up if it's fixed for you and if is, come back and report. Helps a lot with keeping the list current.
• It's not allowed to post links to mods in here. You can name them and give indications where to find but no linking. Please also don't name mods that raise the rating of the game such as certain woohoo mods.
• I have no influence on EA/Maxis decision what bugs they fix and when they get fixed. Tags also give no indication on that. Tags are there to let you know what status a thread has (see below for further explanation on them)
• QA usually does not give any ETA when something will get fixed. 
• Issues aren't added to the list right away. The adding runs are usually done ever other week. I usually do a forum sweep before doing that and your thread might be moved to general info or tech during that sweep if you haven't come back to answer my questions.

About Me

Spoiler

Since there seems to be a lot of misunderstanding of what I do and what I'm capable to do, I want to stress again, that I DO NOT WORK FOR EA. I do have the ability to forward stuff to the AHQ Staff/QA.. I compile lists for everyone here to see what's already reported. It's not in my hands what Maxis chooses to handle what way. I do not have any information when what is going to be fixed. I'm basically merely a collector/messenger should I get some info I can pass on (which is really rare). Do not think it's for naught if you report here. It's not. This forum is being monitored by Maxis and we now even have a few QA guys chipping in. There's a lot of stuff I don't know and I depend on each and everyone of you to help me out and clarify things. There's a lot of sites with info and I can't read them all.

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The bug forum has a certain way it works. New threads are processed every day except when I'm taking a break which is communicated in this thread: [PLEASE READ] Information/Questions about the bug forum.

Below I will try to explain a bit, how the flow currently works.

It does all sound a bit complicated but it's just the way I work. This is purely informational. Adjustments may be made any time depending on issue.

As per July 14th, 2020 a few adjustments were made.  More info can be found here:  [PLEASE READ] Information/Questions about the bug forum

New thread is created

Issue will be read and handled in the following manner:

Buy/Build/texture/lighting issues

I'm trying to handle these the best I can. I'm not a builder and need to check with folks that can help me with those. They can take longer to get answered.

Console

Any bugs that occur on all platforms will be merged with the PC/Mac threads.

Issues that are console only will either be handled by another hero or forwarded to a CM. I personally can't help with them.

Existing Issue

• Post will be merged with the current thread. Depending where you posted and how popular an issue is, I will tag you to say so. Please make sure to click that me too button on the first page cause that is not covered by merging.

New issue

• If troubleshooting is needed, it might be moved to the tech forum to do so. Thread might later be moved back if it turns out to be a bug. 
• If it sounds like a tech issue, it will be moved to the tech forum to better assist you.
• If you state you're using mods and haven't tried without, you will be asked to do so
• If it's a known mod issue, it will be moved to tech
• If further clarification is needed, I will ask questions
• If it seems straightforward enough, I will leave it unanswered and start tagging once it reaches a certain weight. More info on that can be found here: [PLEASE READ] Information/Questions about the bug forum
• If the issue peaks my interested I will try myself or ask for saves. Conversation will go from there.
• If it's a rant and just a collection of things, thread will get ignored by me (doesn't mean QA/CM don't see it). 

Existing thread is bumped

Handling will depend on the tag as follow: 

Needs Input/Open/Workaround

Those are issues that have been handled and added to the compiled list. I will not read or comment on those (exceptions apply) but any new information or voice you want to add is a good thing. It shows EA/Maxis how popular they are and what your concerns are. You can tag me if you think I need to read your post, you have found a workaround or if you find the issue fixed.

Needs Info/Needs Saves/Unsure

QA has asked for saves or more info in these threads. Please make sure to tag the person that asked for saves/info in your answer.

Fixed

I will check your post and let you know if it's best to open a new thread or I will re-open the thread. Rule of thumb is: If the issue was fixed in the current patch but is not, post in the thread, otherwise create a new one.

Mods/CC related/By Design

Will mostly not read. Those are related to mods or by design. Please refer to the solution post. If you feel something is not right, make sure to tag me or create a new thread.

No Tag

I will read those for further info and handle once there's more info/ weight

The Compiled List

On an irregular basis I will add stuff that I have tagged to my list. I will also check the list on a regular basis for threads that can be removed due to low traffic or change tags if needed.

Patch Day

Patch Day is always the most exciting day for the bug forum. I will mark everything as fixed that is on the patch list and remove from the list after a few days of feedback.

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Handled threads in the bug forum have tags (doesn't apply to older post). This post explains what each tag means in detail.

If you have a report for the a stuff pack/game pack or expansion pack please put a abbreviation (see list below) in front in your title. I'll be editing thread titles if that info is missing.

Please be aware that my tag have nothing to do with the status a bug has with QA. It's always good to keep up with your bugs and check if it's still there after patches and let me know if something is fixed or not, especially if it wasn't in the patch notes.

There are a few exceptions where I don't tag threads because they are answered by QA/EA Staff directly. 

Expansion Packs

• [GTW]: Get To Work

• [GT]: Get Together

• [CL] City Living
• [CD] Cats & Dogs
• [S] Seasons
• [GF] Get Famous
• [IL] Island Living
• [DU] Discover University
• [ECO] Eco Lifestyle
• [SE] Snowy Escape

Game Packs

• [OR]: Outdoor Retreat

• [SD]: Spa Day

• [DO] Dine Out
• [V] Vampires
• [PH] Parenthood
• [JA] Jungle Adventure
• [SV] StrangerVille
• [ROM] Realm of Magic
• [JTB] Star Wars: Journey to Batuu 

Stuff Packs

• [LSP]: Luxury Stuff Pack

• [PPSP]: Perfect Patio Stuff Pack

• [SSP]: Spooky Stuff Pack

• [CKSP] Cool Kitchen Stuff Pack
• [MHSP] Movie Hangout Stuff Pack
• [RGSP] Romantic Garden Stuff Pack
• [KSPS] Kid's Room Stuff Pack
• [BYSP] Back Yard Stuff Pack
• [VGSP] Vintage Glamour Stuff
• [BNSP] Bowling Night Stuff Pack
• [FSP] Fitness Stuff Pack
• [LDSP] Laundry Day Stuff Pack
• [MFPSP] My First Pet Stuff Pack
• [MSP] Moshino Stuff Pack
• [TLSP] Tiny Living Stuff Pack

Console

• [XB1] XBox 1
• [XBX] XB Series X
• [XB] All XB Consoles
• [PS4] PS4
• [PS5] PS5
• [PS] All PS Consoles
• [PS/XB] All Console versions

Please only add the Pack ones yourself as I'll be adding the others. This helps me keep track of what I've checked and the status.

• [INFORMATION], [READ FIRST], [PLEASE READ]: These are important threads you should make sure to read before you post
• [OPEN] : These are bugs that are confirmed to be still in the game.
• [COLLECTION THREAD] Thread to one related issues but concerning different nuances of it. 
• [NEEDS INPUT] Issues that have been reported by few users or didn't have any interested in a long while. If you have this issue and you want it fixed, make sure to click me too and if the thread hasn't had an answer in 3 month, make sure to add your voice by posting in it. Needs Input threads with no interest in 3 month will be dropped from the list.
• [NEEDS INFO] QA has answered in this threads and they either need more information or saves as they have issues duplicating the issue. In rare cases there will be questions from me on these threads as it's an issue that caught my interest. Issues that are possibly fixed also get this tag. If you come across them, please make sure to post and not just hit me too.
• [NEEDS SAVES] (Old: [SAVES NEEDED]): See above
• [WORKAROUND]: These are legit bugs that are listed in the compiled bugs but since they have a workaround, they are marked as solved to highlight the post with the workaround
• [FIXED]: These are Issues that have been fixed. Information by either of these sources: Patch Notes, OP, Trusted Tester. Feel free to post if you still see the issue. Make sure it's the same one though and not just similar. Better to open a new thread if you're unsure. Depending on the issue, I might ask you to make a new one anyways.
• [MODS/CC RELATED]: This issue is related to a mod you're using or custom content. Make sure to remove
• [BY DESIGN]: This is working as intended. If you don't like it, please post in the official forum in the feedback forum
• [UNSURE] (Old: [UNCLEAR]) Totally not sure if it's a bug or by design.
• [ARCHIVED] Old thread that usually have a new one. New ones are linked in the last post.

The following tags are no longer in use but there might still be old threads with this

• [WORK IN PROGRESS] This is a complex issue that is being looked into and adjusted by EA/MAXIS. Probably multiple issues involved 
• [UNDER INVESTIGATION] A QA Guru has answered in this thread and acknowledge that they are trying to find some info. This does not mean it's an acknowledge bug or that it will get fixed soon. If anyone has further information to provide, that'd be great.
• [NOT BUG]:This is working as intended. If you don't like it, please post in the official forum in the feedback forum
• [FEEDBACK]: Bugs that have been reported a long while ago with not many me too's or echo or need Input to see if other see this as an issue that needs fixing. These are usually removed from the list. Also for formerly widespread issues that seem fixed but never have been in the patch notes. It's great if you post your feedback in these to see how many people still see it/are annoyed by it. --> Now Needs Input
• [TO ADD] [NEEDS INPUT/A] Those have been identified as bug but have not been added to the list yet.
• [TROUBLESHOOT] (OR TS if the title gets to long) Issues that need have troubleshooting steps OP needs to try. Often not forwarded until further info is provided
• [TO TEST] Newly reported issues that need testing before being added to the list. Feel free to jump in on those. Not used commonly anymore.

[crinrict]

The Bug Template

If you can't find the issue you want to report by checking the compiled list or using the search bar, you should create a new post. To do so, click on the New topic button (be aware that it sometimes takes a moment for the button to appear). 

Please make sure you choose English in the top bar or you might have issues picking options.

After that you'll be asked to fill out a template. You need to fill out EVERY field, including the comment field at the bottom. Just adding a picture doesn't help, you need to add actual text. 

One of the fields asks for your Game Version. If you're unsure how to get the info, check out this post: How to find your game version number

Once you fill out everything, a Submit button will appear at the bottom. To get an email if your threads gets an answer, you can also subscribe to it before submitting. This is a good way to keep up with progress on the issue. If the Submit button does not show up although you filled out all the fields, try add some spaces to the comment box, especially if you c/p something to the box.

You can also directly attach images (bit unsure if all ranks have this abilities) or add files to your post (not all extensions are supported).

If you still have issue posting, please either create a new thread here: AHQ Forum or ask in this thread: [PLEASE READ] Information/Questions about the bug forum

Good info to add additionally can be the following

Lagging/Freezing or any other issues of more technical nature

--> Should be posted in your own thread in the technical forum

• Some basic Info about your Computer (please NO DxDiag, they are too long for this thread). Processor, Amount of RAM, Graphic Card and Operating System (Mac with bootcamp/parallel desktop, Win 7, Win XP, …) ?
• Do you have a 32 or 64 bit

Graphical Issues

• Some basic Info about your Computer (please NO DxDiag, they are too long for this thread). Processor, Amount of RAM, Graphic Card and Operating System (Mac, Win 7, Win XP, …), especially your graphic card
• What date has your graphic card driver

Serial Code Issues

DO NOT GO HERE! Contact Customer Support!

Additional Info

In addition there are some additional files/information that may be helpful to provide if you would like to report a bug.

These files will be located in documents\electronicarts\thesims4\

• lastCrash.txt (if it exists. If there is more than one, please include all of them.)
• lastException.txt (if it exists. If there is more than one, please include all of them.)
• lastUIException.txt (if it exists. If there is more than one, please include all of them.)
• Config.log
• the entire saves folder (you will not be able to add your saves folder to the post, please upload to some third party site and send a link)

To share those, please either use googleDrive or OneDrive to upload and share the link or upload them directly to your post. Files need to be < 20 MB to upload.

You can upload most txt files directly to your post as attachments.For any files containing XML/HTML this will not work (lastcrash, lastexception, lastUIException). Please create .rar files for those before uploading

Lastly, if you encounter an Origin issue, please file an Origin Error Report in the Origin client (In Origin > Help > Origin Error Reporter). This can be very helpful in figuring out Origin problems.

[crinrict]

Important Links

• Graphics Card List (by Phantomlover1717)
• Where did my thread go
• [READ FIRST] Compiled list of reported Issues

Origin

Make sure your Origin is up-to-date. It usually gets auto-updated if you have the setting on and I recommend to do that. The download link is here

• PC: https://www.dm.origin.com/download
• Mac: https://www.dm.origin.com/mac/download

Crashing Issues

Crashing issues are mainly technical and don't belong in this forum. Please make your own thread there, posting your DxDiag and info about custom content, when it crashes and other useful stuff.

Abbreviations used

CC = Custom Content: cloth, objects, hair, etc from third-parties you add to your game.

Mods = Modifications you put in your game. Changes game play

LE = LastException .. Errors occuring in the game that are written to a file called LastException.txt in your doc folder

LE = Legacy Edition = Version of Sims for for older computers

MTS = ModTheSims: CC Site
TSR = TheSimsResource: A CC Site

QA = Quality Assurance, Maxis Team responsible for fixing bugs

[crinrict]

Please only provide save games when asked to do so by either EA Staff or AHQ Heroes.

I also encourage everyone to PM links instead of putting them at AHQ, especially if you're using a personal account that shows your real name. I will never give your information to anyone else without your permission. I will forward your save links to EA Staff/QA though unless you tell me not to.

This has two purposes: I want to try out on my game if I can reproduce the error and also to forward the save game to EA/Maxis so they can fix this. Be aware that I usually get no feedback from them so forwarding is a one way street. All you can do is hope that they fix it in an upcoming patch.

QA will sometimes ask for saves directly. Please follow their instructions to upload. Please do not PM saves to me if it was QA who asked.

There are no guarantees though that already affected save games can be recovered. Sometimes bugs are fixed but they only prevent the problem from happening again, not fixing old ones.

Instructions for Saves Folder

1. Navigate to this folder: documents\electronicarts\thesims4\
2. Right click on the folder saves you find inside it and choose Send to --> Compressed (zipped) folder
   
   
3. A file will be created in your sims4 folder with the extension zip (if you have known extensions turned off, you will not see the .zip but you can tell by the icon). Rename that file with your user name (right click on the file and choose rename)
   
   
4. Upload the save to a file sharing site like Dropbox, GoogleDrive, OneDrive and PM me the link. Make sure the save is not set to needing permission to read
   
   

Instructions for a specific File

If you have a lot of saves, it's advisable that you only send the one that has the bug. To find out, which save you need to send, open the game and click on load.

Next to the save that has the issue, you will see a little folder. If you hover over this, you can find the path and name of the save file. Follow instructions above but only zip that one file,

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Game Version

The game Version is vital information for QA to know on which build an issue first occurred and also to know if your game is up-to-date or if you might need to update first. Please do not report bugs on outdated game versions.

Since EA/Maxis introduced the Legacy Edition, it also provides information if you have the issue on the standard version or the legacy one.

Please don't put latest or current or something along these lines because:

• For current posts they may seem enough info but if someone checks an older thread and just sees that, it can be anything.
• If you put latest, one needs to check the date of your post and then find out which patch number was current then. If you put the actual number, it makes so much easier.
• If you are still really unsure what you have, post at least: latest as per <current date> .. still extra work but at least it's easier to find when latest was

The game version usually looks like this

PC/Mac

1.xx.yyy.zzzz

• xx = Changes on big patches
• yyy = Changes on big and smaller patches
• zzzz= Indicates if you are on Mac/PC and if you’re running the Standard or the Legacy Edition.
  • 1020 = PC Standard
  • 1220 = Mac Standard
  • 1520 = PC Legacy
  • 1620 = Mac Legacy

Console

1.xx

• xx = Changes on patches

Please always provide the full number.

How can you find your Game Version For PC/Mac ?

There's several ways, the easiest is to either check in your files if you have troubles starting the game or on the main menu

As an alternative, navigate to the following file: Documents\Electronic Arts\The Sims 4\GameVersion.txt and open the file with a text editor. You will find the Version Number inside.

How can you find your Game Version For Console ?

You can also see the information on the Options Screen of the game

• Select the game and press Options (PS4) or Menu (XB1)
• For PS4: Either click on Update History or Information.
• For XB1: Go to Manage Games and you should find the same info.