"Serious error" when loading Sims 3 save [ Edited ]

[sexualkfc]

Playing on windows and the graphics setting in game were low. When I changed them to high (changed it at main menu then saved and quit) and relaunched the game I cannot enter a world I get this error “A serious error has occurred while loading ‘sunset valley.world’. It is strongly recommended that you restart the application”. This happens with every world I have, it’s definitely related to changing the graphics setting in game because when I regenerate a new ‘The Sims 3’ file it can load but the graphics return to the lowest setting. I know my computer is capable of running high graphics but I’m at a loss for what to do. I thought maybe it wasn’t recognising my graphics card? But I’m unsure about that, I checked device config and it says for my graphics card found 0 matched 1, i dont know what that means. I have no mods or cc just a few ep’s. Any help would be appreciated!

edited title for visibility.  -puzzlezaddict

[ImaLatte98]

So, I got a new PC. It’s windows 11, and a serious upgrade to my old one. I’ve reinstalled the EA app and got sims 3 downloaded and installed. It gets to the main menu just fine but trying to load into a new world gave me the “serious error” pop up. 

i ended up following another instruction where I take the Sims 3 folder out and rename it, leave it on the desktop and start the game again (to make a whole new folder). It had worked and I made a little family, played a little then I saved and went to bed. 

I went to get back on this morning and now I can’t get into the save. I tried the same as I did yesterday by taking the Sims 3 folder out, restarting the app, was able to get into a world, exited without saving and put the family into the new folder. But then it popped up again. 

did my save file corrupt? There is no back up file as it was a brand new save. Please help. All my specs are above what should be needed (I don’t know the exact numbers but I can find out so someone can double check me). Is it because it’s windows 11 running an older game? Any advice is welcome. 

[puzzlezaddict]

@ImaLatte98  This error has two causes: a corrupt save (unlikely when the save is new), and something blocking Sims 3 from accessing the user folder in Documents.  Is OneDrive running on this computer?  If so, it could be interfering with the game even if you never deliberately use it.  The test is to pause syncing before you play.  Right-click the cloud icon in the lower-right corner of your screen, or hidden in the Tray (^ icon), to see the option.

If that's not the issue, what antivirus do you use?  Try setting exceptions for EADesktop.exe and TS3.exe, or disabling the antivirus (temporarily) to see whether it helps.  As long as you don't do anything else at the same time, your computer should be safe, and you can reenable the AV when you have your answer.

[Charnly9]

“a serious error has occurred able loading ‘’. It is recommended that you restart the application.” 
I am getting this error code when trying to create a new world. I just installed the game 12 hours ago. I’ve already uninstalled it and reinstalled it using steam and EA separate times to see if that was the issue. Put my computer on airplane mode so it didn’t sync online. There are no saved households on the game yet. What can I do? 

[puzzlezaddict]

@sexualkfc  Is OneDrive running on your computer?  Whether you use it or not, it can get in the way of loading data from the user folder, or anything in Documents.  So can an overly protective antivirus, so please let me know which one you use.

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

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

[puzzlezaddict]

@Charnly9  Try moving the Electronic Arts folder out of Documents.  And please let me know whether this folder is in Users > your username > Documents or somewhere else, for example in the OneDrive folder.

Using airplane mode was a good idea, one that I suggest sometimes too.  But it doesn't help if the game can't write to the user folder for other reasons.  So in addition to the location of the folder, please let me know what antivirus you use.

[sexualkfc]

Hi, yes the sims 3 file is located on one drive. Will I need to move it to my C drive? 

[fantab50]

I just did that exact same thing.. including steps requested and still got the same thing "serious error occured when opening whatever the map is. still said "It is strongly recommended that you restart the application."

[sexualkfc]

Update: I uninstalled the game and turned off one drive. I reinstalled the game, this time it installed to my C drive but I’m still having the same issue, when I try to go into a world I get the same error again but now I can’t access the game even if the graphics settings are the lowest. I’m not sure where to go from here. 

[fantab50]

Unlike the last person I just installed all of my expansions and since then I had this issue