June 2021
@AoifePenguin Sophos blocks Sims 4 by default, and adding exceptions for it and Origin isn't always enough. These are the settings you need to change:
https://crinrict.com/blog/2020/10/add-exceptions-to-anti-virus-programs.html/#sophos
June 2021
Thank you so much @puzzlezaddict, this has worked and my game is running smoothly! You have saved me a lot of trouble.