why won't my addon install

[puzzlezaddict]

@EMPShielded  Do you have the discs anywhere, or more specifically the boxes?  If so, you might be able to find the codes inside and register them, that is if you haven't already added them to your account.  If you have registered the codes, you can download them from the EA App, no disc required.

Alternately, if you have access to an old computer where the packs were installed via disc, you may be able to find your product codes in the registry:

https://sims3.crinrict.com/en/2013/09/how-to-find-your-serial-number.html

[EMPShielded]

I FOUND THEM!! they were in my room. tysm for your help! I got them working with the uninstall - reinstall advice. 

[brittney0939]

Unfortunately this didn’t work for me. I keep getting an error from origin that I am not connected to the internet even though I am. 
extremely frustrating this is even an issue, EA needs to sort this out. 

[puzzlezaddict]

@brittney0939  It's fine for Origin to think you're not connected to the internet.  The question is whether your packs download in the background with Origin open.  If this workaround isn't viable anymore, then unfortunately, there's nothing else you can do except wait for EA to fix the underlying issue.

[banansplitter01]

I'm happy I found this thread, been trying to get a download working for a few hours while not tearing my hair off... At least I can stop trying now and just wait for EA to fix this -.-'

[Asilee]

Into the Future will not install. It's an expansion pack from the Sims 3. It will show prepare and after 15-20 minutes or so it'll display an error message. All of the other expansions and stuff packs installed just fine. Into the Future isn't installing, it's stalling. Selecting "repair" does nothing. With it being a fresh install, and the DLC not installing at all, "repairing" a DLC that isn't installed isn't going to work. Before I "updated" the game launcher from this new one (EA app) from Origin, my games worked fine. I never seen an issue like this before. Is there anything I can do on my end? I'm assuming not seeing as everything else installed just fine.

[puzzlezaddict]

@Asilee  Please clear the EA App's cache:

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

And make sure there isn't already a folder for Into the Future within the game's program files.  The folder would be labeled EP11, and unless you changed the default install location, the folder would be here:

Program Files\EA Games\The Sims 3

If you do find an EP11 folder, delete it while the App is NOT open.  If you get an error, open the Task Manager and kill the EABackgroundService as well; it would be under background processes.

Run a repair on Sims 3 anyway, then try again to download the pack.

If this doesn't work, repeat the above, but before trying to start the download again, disable your antivirus, that is if you use a third-party tool.

[Asilee]

@puzzlezaddict Thanks. I did everything suggested. I even went as far as uninstalling the game, ep's and packs. I reinstalled onto a different drive and selected to only download the sims 3 game and into the future ep. No dice. It's still refusing to install. 

[puzzlezaddict]

@Asilee  Based on your description, your issue sounds a bit different than the one affecting a number of other Sims 3 players:

https://answers.ea.com/t5/Technical-Issues-PC/Troubles-adding-new-stuff-packs-The-Sims-3/m-p/1237275...

But it might have the same root cause.  You could try the Origin workaround described on page one.  But if that doesn't work, then unfortunately you'll be stuck waiting for EA to fix it along with everyone else.  You can subscribe to that thread for updates if you want.

[Bummer_Bunny]

I recently got a new PC setup and as one does, instantly started redownloading all of my games onto it. Everything has gone smoothly...UNTIL I started trying to install The Sims 3. For context, I have all of the expansions other than Into the Future and Supernatural; I don't own any of the stuff packs or buyable worlds. 

When I first started downloading The Sims 3 everything was going as it usually would, but when I was only two expansions away from being done with all the downloads the EA App got stuck on "Preparing." The two expansions that are stuck on "Preparing" are Island Paradise and Pets. After this I clicked the help link in the EA App and followed the instructions from the webpage for clearing the apps cache. 

                                                         This did not work for me. 

After trying that, I tried manually clearing the EA Apps cache - STILL DIDN'T WORK! I then uninstalled everything, reinstalled, and the same issue is happening on the same two expansions mentioned earlier. I am at a loss. I don't know what to do.. Please let me know if you have/had this same issue, and if you were able to find a solution for it.

Many thanks