My Sims 3 game keeps closing while loading a save. How can I fix it?

[sammycorn1234]

Just as the title says, my Sims 3 game keeps closing while loading a save and I don't know how to fix it. I tried loading a different save and it did the same thing. Please help!

[puzzlezaddict · Accepted solution]

@sammycorn1234  Please try playing in a clean user folder.  Move the entire Sims 3 folder out of Documents > Electronic Arts and onto your desktop, and when you launch the game, a clean folder will spawn with no content.  Don't add anything to it yet; just see whether you can get far enough to load a new save and play in live mode for a bit.

If this works, you can try copying over one of your saves to the new folder, but please don't transfer anything else, at least not yet.  The only exception is if the save you're testing takes place in a Store or custom world, you'll of course need to install that world in order for the save to load; please download and install a fresh copy.

By the way, your computer's graphics driver is older than Windows 11, so it's a good idea to update.  You can get the newest driver from Nvidia:

https://www.nvidia.com/Download/driverResults.aspx/200217/en-us/

Run the installer as an admin: right-click on the download and select "Run as administrator."  Choose the Custom (not Express) install and check the box to perform a clean install.  Restart your computer when you're done.

[puzzlezaddict]

@sammycorn1234  Do you see an error message when the save closes?  If so, please post a screenshot.  And either way, please run a dxdiag and attach it to a post.

https://help.ea.com/en-us/help/pc/how-to-gather-dxdiag-information/

[sammycorn1234]

No error message. Here's the DxDiag: (attached to reply)

[puzzlezaddict · Accepted solution]

@sammycorn1234  Please try playing in a clean user folder.  Move the entire Sims 3 folder out of Documents > Electronic Arts and onto your desktop, and when you launch the game, a clean folder will spawn with no content.  Don't add anything to it yet; just see whether you can get far enough to load a new save and play in live mode for a bit.

If this works, you can try copying over one of your saves to the new folder, but please don't transfer anything else, at least not yet.  The only exception is if the save you're testing takes place in a Store or custom world, you'll of course need to install that world in order for the save to load; please download and install a fresh copy.

By the way, your computer's graphics driver is older than Windows 11, so it's a good idea to update.  You can get the newest driver from Nvidia:

https://www.nvidia.com/Download/driverResults.aspx/200217/en-us/

Run the installer as an admin: right-click on the download and select "Run as administrator."  Choose the Custom (not Express) install and check the box to perform a clean install.  Restart your computer when you're done.

[sammycorn1234]

Hey, I know it's been like 2 months, but I need more help now lol. I did what you said and everything was working fine until I put my old save back in, that's leading me to think it has to do with the save. What do you think I should do? Thanks for the help!

[puzzlezaddict]

@sammycorn1234  Just to be clear, is the game only crashing when you try to load this particular save; or is it crashing when you try to load any save as long as this particular save is present?  Are you currently using any mods, and if so, which ones?  What about custom content?

[sammycorn1234]

At first every save was doing it, but after I did the steps you told me it was only that particular save that was doing it.

[puzzlezaddict]

@sammycorn1234  Alright, does it help to remove mods and custom content before loading this save, that is if you're using any?  You don't need to save your progress; this is just for testing.

If you'd like, I can take a look at the save as well.  In that case, upload the save folder to a free filesharing site (Google Drive, Dropbox, etc.) and either post the link here or PM me.  Please also list the expansion and stuff packs you have installed, the store worlds you've installed, and the world this save takes place in.  If that's a custom world, I'll need that link too.

[sammycorn1234]

I'm not using any mods or CC at the moment. I think I just have to say goodbye to this save and start a new one

[puzzlezaddict]

@sammycorn1234  My offer to look at your save is still on the table.  But if you don't want to share it, that's understandable.