November 2020 - last edited March 2021
There's been lots of folks having issues starting their games.
What happens is that Origin acts as if it starts the game but then nothing happens. No Error Messages, no nothing. The button goes back to play
Main Cause
There have been a lot if issues with Antivirus programs stopping the game from opening and flagging it as a virus.Antivirus Software is getting more and more aggressive and you need to explicitly allow files to do their stuff.
Please try to add the following files as exceptions to your Antivirus software. There might be multiple places, depending on the software you're using. Some have extra Ransomware protection, others have all kinds of protection.
It's best to do it for both the 32 bit Version (TS4.exe) as well as TS4_64.exe). Also add the Origin.exe file. Both Sims files can be found in the folder
<Installation folder>\Game\Bin and \Game\Bin_LE (Default: c:\programs(x86)\Origin_Games)
The Origin file can be found in the folder you installed Origin in (Default: c:\programs(x86)\Origin)
If you are unsure where things need to be added, please refer to the manual of your security software or search the Internet.
As a temporary solution you can also turn off your Security Software and try without. This way you can at least find out if it is in fact the culprit. If not, try other suggestions below.
Please be aware that if you have a laptop or pre-build desktop computer, they often come with Security Software trials pre-installed. Search your computer if that's the case and uninstall them if you don't plan on using them.
If you need help, feel free to post in here. Please provide information which Security Software you are using.
If you have determined it's not your Security Software, please try these things before posting:
Start the Game as Administrator
or
Turn Off Origin In Game
Instructions can be found here: https://crinrict.com/blog/2014/09/origin-deactivate-origin-in-game.html
User Folder Reset (aka factory reset)
Try resetting your user files as described in the factory reset described in this post: http://answers.ea.com/t5/The-Sims-4/FAQ-Troubleshooting-Steps-amp-Known-Issues/m-p/3621199
You won't loose anything. Just make sure to not delete any files and make a backup.
After renaming, repair your game by right clicking on the game in Origin.
Try on a new game with nothing added back first (start new game). If it works, put back your save game and try again. If it still works, you can start putting stuff back.
Clean Boot
Instructions here: https://help.ea.com/en/help/faq/how-to-clean-boot-your-pc/
If it works in that mode, then it's a background program interfering and you will need to find out which one.
Create a new Windows Admin Account
Other Common Troubleshooting Steps
Solutions for specific Antivirus Programs
Good Luck
Crin
I don't work or have any association with EA. I give advice to the best of my knowledge and cannot be held responsible for any damage done to your computer/game.
Please only contact me via PM when asked to do so.
Important Threads
November 2020
Product: The Sims 4
Platform:PC
Which language are you playing the game in? English
How often does the bug occur? Every time (100%)
What is your current game version number? THE CURRENT UPDATE
What expansions, game packs, and stuff packs do you have installed? I have all but the winter expansion pack.
Steps: How can we find the bug ourselves? My problem is that the "bug" happened when I was doing little things.
What happens when the bug occurs? Within about 15 minutes
What do you expect to see? It was slow and now it will not open
Have you installed any customization with the game, e.g. Custom Content or Mods? Yes
Did this issue appear after a specific patch or change you made to your system? Yes
Please describe the patch or change you made. MC Command Center Kijiko 3D eyelashes
Originally the bug was just that it was slow and I don't have many mods attached to my account. I know that adding more mods makes it slower to run. So I only kept the MC Command Center and Kijiko 3D eyelashes. Things were starting to get a little slow but I knew the new update was coming so I was excited. Now however, I have a bigger problem.
My game will not turn on. So I reuploaded my game and also it will not turn on still. I have taken the mods off, I have just left the MC Command Center and also just the Kijiko 3D eyelashes. It will not work any of these ways. Please help.
I was really looking forward to playing with the platforms and now I have wasted my day deleting and reuploading everything.
November 2020
I have had the same problem since November 10th.
November 2020
November 2020
I know a lot of people are having issues, but I haven't seen anyone with my exact issue yet, and nothing anyone's told other people has worked for me, so here I am.
Since the update, my game won't launch. I press the 'play' button to launch it on Origin, the Origin window vanishes, then about 10 seconds later, the Origin window pops back up and the game isn't trying to launch anymore.
I've tried:
Deleting the Sims 4 folder. (It won't generate a new one when I try to play)
Removing all mods and CC (no change)
Launching another game on Origin (Dragon Age: Inquisition works fine)
Updating my graphics drivers (nope)
Repairing the game (nada)
Restarting my computer (repeatedly)
Deep giving all my files and error logs (something's going wrong in the startup process, the bit where it's actually launching)
Googling like a madlad
My computer specifications are:
Intel Core 17
RAM: 16GB
NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2060
It feels to me like the game isn't even...launching. Like, it's just...not starting up. I really want to play again, especially for the new pack, but it seems I'm locked out. Does anyone know how I can fix this?
November 2020
@GasolineCrea Try disabling Origin in-game: hover over your username, select Application Settings, then the Origin in-game header, and disable the option at the top.
If that doesn't help, try disabling your antivirus, just long enough to test. With some programs, it's not enough to set exceptions.
If that doesn't help either, please run a dxdiag and attach it to a post.
https://help.ea.com/en-us/help/pc/how-to-gather-dxdiag-information/
November 2020
Good Luck
Crin
I don't work or have any association with EA. I give advice to the best of my knowledge and cannot be held responsible for any damage done to your computer/game.
Please only contact me via PM when asked to do so.
Important Threads
November 2020
Good Luck
Crin
I don't work or have any association with EA. I give advice to the best of my knowledge and cannot be held responsible for any damage done to your computer/game.
Please only contact me via PM when asked to do so.
Important Threads
November 2020
Just tried everything here but nothing worked xd