Sims 3 keeps crashing every 10-15 minutes.

[DeadofWinter321]

I am using a Windows 11 Dell gaming laptop.  I don't use any custom content, either.  I could play this games for HOURS with no issues..until about a week ago.  Now I can't even play the game for more than 15 minutes without it freezing for 3-5 seconds then it takes me back to my desktop and the game stopped.  What have I done wrong?  I'm so confused and want to play this game so bad because it has a lot more stuff on it I like over Sims 4.

[puzzlezaddict]

@DeadofWinter321  Does this happen in a new save too?  Please test, in Sunset Valley, for comparison's sake.

Please also run a dxdiag and attach it to your reply.

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

[DeadofWinter321]

It did do it in Sunset Valley, as well.  My family is currently in Adventureland.  See attachment.

[puzzlezaddict]

@DeadofWinter321  A couple of the crashes in your dxdiag point to component of DirectX 9, which Sims 3 uses.  While DX9 can't be completely corrupt (or the game wouldn't start), it's worth reinstalling it anyway, as described here:

https://answers.ea.com/t5/Technical-Issues-PC/Sims-3-launcher-won-t-open/m-p/10711778#M247861

Two of the crashes point to the EA App's in-game overlay, so please disable that too.  It's under Settings > Application.  If that doesn't help, uninstall the EA App and reinstall it.

If that doesn't help either, please try playing with your computer offline.  You can sign into the EA App and put it in offline mode, then disable wifi and/or disconnect the ethernet cable before pressing Play.

You can keep playing in Adventureland if you like.  It's just as stable since it's the same Sunset Valley map except without all the premade households.

[DeadofWinter321]

Thank you.  I will update you within the next 24-48 hours!

[DeadofWinter321]

Something worked, somewhere.  I haven't had the problem pop up, since!

[puzzlezaddict]

@DeadofWinter321  Great, thanks for letting me know.  Please do come back if you run into further issues.

[DeadofWinter321]

My game just crashed on me..again...  I attached another dxdiag report 

[puzzlezaddict]

@DeadofWinter321  The newest Sims 3 crash also points to a component of DirectX 9, but DX9 itself may not be corrupt.  The issue could be the graphics driver instead.  However, the fact that you're getting BlueScreens means there's a system issue that needs to be addressed, whether it's related to the Sims 3 crashes or not.  In case you're not aware they're happening (they could trigger at shutdown, in which case you might miss them), your new dxdiag lists two of them, and they point to a memory management issue.

So please let me know whether you're actually noticing the BSODs, and if so, in what context they show up.  Please also let me know whether you've added memory to this laptop or replaced the existing modules.

Please run a couple of basic checks of your Windows system files as well:

• Hit Windows key-X
• Choose either “PowerShell (Administrator)” or “Windows Terminal (Administrator),” whichever option is offered
• Inside the window that appears, copy and paste “DISM.exe /Online /Cleanup-image /Restorehealth” without quotes, and enter
• The system will start validating soon. If it throws an error, please list it here
• After it reaches 100%, hit Windows key-X again
• Again, choose “PowerShell (Administrator)” or “Windows Terminal (Administrator)”
• Inside the window, copy and paste “sfc /scannow” without quotes, and enter
• Post the message you receive here

Restart your computer, hit Windows key-i, select Update & Security, and click the box to check for updates.  If any install, restart again afterwards.

Next, go to the driver download page for your laptop:

https://www.dell.com/support/product-details/en-ie/product/g-series-16-7620-laptop/drivers

Click This Device, enter your service tag, and let the site check for outdated drivers.  If it installs any, restart yet again.  Then try to play Sims 3.

[DeadofWinter321]

Ok, so far I have not seen any BSODs pop up, at all but hearing (reading) that they're happening is rather alarming.  The laptop is only 7 years old (but maybe that's considered "old" nowadays?).  I'll try the other methods tomorrow and report back then or in 48 hours.  Thank you