Already running issue [ Edited ]

[ineshi93]

I'm unable to play my game. I bought ALL THE EXPANSIONS/ACCESORIES PACKS/WHATEVER and I can't play.

The error is something like I'm already running the game when I never did. I read all the threads, follow every step and NOTHING. I don't know if the problem is origin or windows or both

Edit: I posted a screenshot with the problem. I installed the game in french because I wanna practice (I speak spanish, in case some wonder why I installed it on a foreign language lol)

[ineshi93 · Accepted solution]

GOOD NEWS! I FINALLY FOUND THE PROBLEM! I'm euphoric, sorry loooool, I was putting the wrong file on the windows defender exceptions!!!! With the new update of my windows 10 I got a button to see which apps the WD blocked automatically and IT WAS THERE!

I'm so happy I could scream right now.

THANK U TO ALL OF YOU for your support and, as always, MICROSOFT is to blame. How weird! ¬¬ 

Also sorry for my english (spanish speaker here), I understand it well but I write and speak very baaad, and it's worse when I'm excited lol

[172e3cda00349872]

@ineshi93

If you've already tried the usual steps of restarting the computer, repair game. [In-Origin click Games Library tab, select Sims 4, then Repair game.] and checking that your anti-virus software isn't blocking Origin and Sims 4 (Do a web search on how to do this for your specific anti-virus software. As there are many different anti-virus programs.)

You might try resetting your Sims 4 folder.

You can reset your user folder by renaming it or moving it to the desktop and playing the game so it makes a new Sims 4 folder. Here's a how-to:

Rename your Sims 4 folder to Sims 4_Backup. The game will create a new folder next time you play. - Renaming it or moving it to the desktop will help you have a backup and keep your Sims 4 files safe.

Try launching the game, play a new save. If it's not working, don't save. However, if everything is playing okay then start putting the files back. (list of files and folders below).

- Options.ini (User game settings)
- Tray Folder (Sims/Houses/Commercial lots and rooms)
- Screenshots/Videos/Custom music
- Rest of the save games, if any.
(leave out slot_00000001.save which is the autosave. It is not used anymore.)
- Custom content like clothing, hair, skins, and makeup
- Mods (Put these back one by one to make sure they all still work)

Custom content can become outdated with most new game patches. If the game works when the Mods folder is removed, then one or more of the mods and/or custom content has become outdated and will need to be removed or replaced. EA/Maxis aren't responsible for broken mods/cc. It's up to the creators to fix.

Try the 50/50 method:

1. Move all the mods and cc out into a temporary folder on the desktop.
2. Move a few files back at a time. Load the game to make sure it loads and everything is good.
3. Delete the localthumbcache.package from the Sims 4 folder.
4. Repeat steps 1 - 3 till there is no more files to check.

** While your testing, don't save the game. If you find any problems, delete the mod or custom content file.

How To Find Problem Mods and CC - http://simswiki.info/wiki.php?title=Game_Help:TS4_Finding_Problem_Custom_Content

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More information - Resetting the game to factory settings without reinstalling - https://answers.ea.com/t5/Technical-Issues-PC/READ-FIRST-Troubleshooting-your-Game/m-p/3621199#Reset...

If you move or rename the Sims 4 folder, the game will no longer be able to find it. When you go to play the game it will create a new folder.

[ineshi93]

Thank you for your response! I just installed the game, so I don't have any files and I don't use mods or anything like that.

[172e3cda00349872]

@ineshi93

I mentioned this tip before, but wanted to ask if you've already tried it? -- Checking that your anti-virus software isn't blocking Origin and Sims 4 (Do a web search on how to do this for your specific anti-virus software. As there are many different anti-virus programs.)

As this is one of the tips that has been reported to work. If you haven't done it, go ahead and try it. If you have please post back and I'll check my notes to see if there's any other tips to try.

[ineshi93]

Yeah I tried and nothing! I guess the problem comes from Origin and I hope they can answer the ticket I submitted.

Thank u for your suggestions though !

[172e3cda00349872]

@ineshi93

Thank you for noting you've tried checking your anti-virus.

From what I understand it's that windows or possibly origin that flags Sims 4 as already open/running, when in reality it's not. Here are some other tips I have put together for this issue.

1. Fully exit out of the game and Origin. - If exiting Origin isn't working, open Task manager (Ctrl-Shift-Esc) search for a file called ts4.exe. Click on it and select end process.

2. Fully shut down your computer, and turn it back on and try launching the game again.

3. Clear Origin Cache - https://help.ea.com/en-us/help/faq/clear-cache-to-fix-problems-with-your-games/

4. Try uninstalling/reinstalling Origin. - https://help.ea.com/en-us/help/origin/origin/manually-uninstalling-origin/

You won't loose any Sims 4 user files, as the game install files as well as Origin install files get placed into their own install folder, separate from the documents folder. However, if concerned about this, copy the Sims 4 folder from the Documents folder to the desktop or USB key.

Installing Origin - https://help.ea.com/en-us/help/origin/origin/install-origin/

5. Run Ccleaner and it's registry cleaner to clear up any temporary, internet cache and other files that are left behind that are not being used.

Ccleaner - Free version works well for this. https://www.piriform.com/ccleaner/download

How to use CCleaner to fix PC issues - https://help.ea.com/en-us/help/pc/how-to-use-ccleaner-to-fix-pc-issues/

6. Make sure that Origin does not automatically open when starting Windows. - In Origin - Application Settings - Start-up options - turn this off. It's on by default and can cause issues, like Origin thinking games are open when they aren't.

7. Make sure Origin is Running as Administrator - Right-click on the Origin desktop icon and select Run as Administrator.

More tips can be found in this thread linked below:

Sims 4 Error: Already Running - https://answers.ea.com/t5/Technical-Issues-PC/Sims-4-Error-Already-Running/td-p/4630221

You mentioned opening a trouble ticket, good idea. If you get a different tip that works, please post about it? It seems different tips work for different players.

[ineshi93]

I did some of those things, like restarting, reinstalling but I'll try the cache thing because I haven't tried  that yet.

Thank u!

[ineshi93]

Nothing happened

[172e3cda00349872]

@ineshi93

I'm sorry that nothing on the list helped. Did you check the tips in the thread I linked to, to see if any of the suggestions help?

Sims 4 Error: Already Running - https://answers.ea.com/t5/Technical-Issues-PC/Sims-4-Error-Already-Running/td-p/4630221

Have you heard back on your trouble ticket?

[ineshi93]

I contacted with ea today, I hope they can help me, because I did everything that was posted here!

If I have any news I'll post it and let u and the community know thank u for all your help!