Sims 4 not recognized by Origin and missing .exe shortcut?

[OceanOfMystery]

Hello, fellow Simmers. I'm really hoping someone can help me out with this situation, please!

The Problem:

Yesterday, my Sims 4 game was working fine as usual, with CC and Mods included. Today, I tried to play The Sims 4 and couldn't when I received a message stating 'The item TS4.exe that this shortcut refers to has been changed or moved, so this shortcut will no longer work properly' and proceeded to ask if I wanted to delete it, which I haven't. I tried opening the game from the start menu and nothing, the regular thumbnail of the Sims 4 icon is a blank picture as well. Note that this was several hours after updating my game to the latest patch and installing the newest game pack. Not sure if therein lies the problem, but just letting you know.

Second thing, Origin is not recognizing Sims 4 as installed, even though it already is and was working fine just yesterday, and the packs aren't showing either. My Electronic Arts folder (along with Mods, Saves, Screenshots, etc.) folder was left intact. My first thought was to repair the download, but obviously this can't be done at the moment.

So far I've tried:

Logging in and logging out of Origin.

Removing mods folder (however, I don't think this is the problem as nothing is outdated or conflicting, but I've backed up everything just in case).

Restarting my PC.

Not sure what went wrong between then and now, but does anyone have an idea? Or a solution? Perhaps try to restore windows to an earlier date? Thanks for taking time to read this.

[kreatora · Accepted solution]

@OceanOfMystery

Check if your Windows is for sure up to date
https://support.microsoft.com/help/4027667/windows-10-update

I suggest uninstalling the game from the add / remove programs option.

If your Origin does not recognize TS4.exe, uninstalling using Origin may not be a good idea. If this shortcut after uninstallation remains on the desktop, remove it manually.
The game during the installation will create a new one, which should already be recognized by Origin.

[kreatora]

@OceanOfMystery 

Just in case, move your mods folder to the desktop.
Clean Origin cache
https://help.ea.com/en-us/help/faq/clear-cache-to-fix-problems-with-your-games/
Try if your game is working now.
I think some outdated mods caused it but we will see.
If it will not work we will try another method later.

I don't work for EA

[OceanOfMystery]

Just finished and it didn't work, Origin is still showing a 'download' icon for the game. The Mods folder was already dragged to desktop before I started.

[kreatora]

@OceanOfMystery

Uninstall the Origin Manually. See instructions here.
https://help.ea.com/en/help/origin/origin/manually-uninstalling-origin/
and install Origin again
http://origin.com/download
Be sure that your antivirus program isn't blocking Origin files.

If it will not work move your Tray and "saves" folders to desktop and try to reinstall the game.
If reinstallation still will be not possible we will need your computer DxDiag.
To gather a DxDiag on your computer, please follow the steps here: https://help.ea.com/en-us/help/pc/how-to-gather-dxdiag-information/
You can attach the txt file to your post directly in option "Reply" - not Quick Reply

I don't work for EA

[OceanOfMystery]

Uninstalling and reinstalling Origin did not work. However, my packs are showing as purchased. Should I reinstall the game itself from Origin, or repair/install the game from Add/Remove programs?

[kreatora]

@OceanOfMystery

Choose the second option. Add/Remove programs

[OceanOfMystery]

Apps & features only gave me the option to Modify or uninstall. Here's the DxDiag file.

[kreatora · Accepted solution]

@OceanOfMystery

Check if your Windows is for sure up to date
https://support.microsoft.com/help/4027667/windows-10-update

I suggest uninstalling the game from the add / remove programs option.

If your Origin does not recognize TS4.exe, uninstalling using Origin may not be a good idea. If this shortcut after uninstallation remains on the desktop, remove it manually.
The game during the installation will create a new one, which should already be recognized by Origin.

[OceanOfMystery]

After the reinstall, the game and shortcut seems to be working correctly now. Thank you for all your patience and help.

[KREKELLEE]

Hello sorry, but is there a way that you can tell me step by step what you did for this problem to be solved ?