Sims 3 - "There is a problem connecting to the server..." installa

[fons_garmo]

Hey @EA_Mai I've been trying it but apparently there's no beta version for Mac or my app is not detecting it!

[EA_Mai]

Thanks for your answer, @fons_garmo! We will keep investigating this

[Bluebellflora]

Completely uninstalled then reinstalled just the base game, same thing happening to me on High Sierra 10.13.6. Here are the logs from Console from when I pressed play in the Launcher to when the error window appeared. It took 1 minute and 10 seconds:

Spoiler

default 17:08:18.812559 +0100 cider Task <E8054C12-339E-4180-9051-845A96409E0A>.<0> now using Connection 43
default 17:08:18.812963 +0100 cider Task <E8054C12-339E-4180-9051-845A96409E0A>.<0> sent request, body N
default 17:08:19.010518 +0100 cider Task <E8054C12-339E-4180-9051-845A96409E0A>.<0> received response, status 200 content K
default 17:08:19.010769 +0100 cider Task <E8054C12-339E-4180-9051-845A96409E0A>.<0> response ended
error 17:08:27.469022 +0100 cider nw_path_close_fd Failed to close guarded necp fd 7 [9: Bad file descriptor]
default 17:08:27.544881 +0100 cider /BuildRoot/Library/Caches/com.apple.xbs/Sources/AppleFSCompression/AppleFSCompression-96.60.1/Common/ChunkCompression.cpp:49: Error: unsupported compressor 8
default 17:08:27.544917 +0100 cider /BuildRoot/Library/Caches/com.apple.xbs/Sources/AppleFSCompression/AppleFSCompression-96.60.1/Libraries/CompressData/CompressData.c:353: Error: Unknown compression scheme encountered for file '/System/Library/CoreServices/CoreTypes.bundle/Contents/Resources/Exceptions.plist'
default 17:08:27.546220 +0100 cider /BuildRoot/Library/Caches/com.apple.xbs/Sources/AppleFSCompression/AppleFSCompression-96.60.1/Common/ChunkCompression.cpp:49: Error: unsupported compressor 8
default 17:08:27.546253 +0100 cider /BuildRoot/Library/Caches/com.apple.xbs/Sources/AppleFSCompression/AppleFSCompression-96.60.1/Libraries/CompressData/CompressData.c:353: Error: Unknown compression scheme encountered for file '/System/Library/CoreServices/CoreTypes.bundle/Contents/Library/AppExceptions.bundle/Exceptions.plist'
error 17:08:27.573405 +0100 cider Scheduling the NSURLDownload loader is no longer supported.
default 17:08:27.591540 +0100 cider Faulting in NSHTTPCookieStorage singleton
default 17:08:27.591568 +0100 cider Faulting in CFHTTPCookieStorage singleton
default 17:08:27.591586 +0100 cider Creating default cookie storage with process/bundle identifier
default 17:08:27.593636 +0100 cider TIC TCP Conn Start [1:0x70736aa0]
default 17:08:27.594046 +0100 cider Task <C7AAB33E-49F4-44CF-8039-761DC41F3E97>.<0> setting up Connection 1
default 17:08:27.594069 +0100 cider [1 <private> <private>] start
default 17:08:27.642270 +0100 cider TIC TCP Conn Connected [1:0x70736aa0]: Err(16)
default 17:08:27.642480 +0100 cider TIC TCP Conn Event [1:0x70736aa0]: 1
default 17:08:27.643840 +0100 cider Task <C7AAB33E-49F4-44CF-8039-761DC41F3E97>.<0> now using Connection 1
default 17:08:27.643970 +0100 cider Task <C7AAB33E-49F4-44CF-8039-761DC41F3E97>.<0> sent request, body N
default 17:08:27.810390 +0100 cider Task <C7AAB33E-49F4-44CF-8039-761DC41F3E97>.<0> received response, status 404 content K
default 17:08:27.810632 +0100 cider Task <C7AAB33E-49F4-44CF-8039-761DC41F3E97>.<0> response ended
default 17:08:27.852981 +0100 kernel AGC:: [cider pid:5097 mux-aware] starting, non-mux-aware app count 1 WS-ready 1 switch-state 0 IG FBs 0 EG FBs 1:1f power-state 0 3D busy HDA idle system-state 1 power-level 20:20 connect-change 0
default 17:08:27.853059 +0100 kernel AGC:: [cider pid:5097 non-mux-aware] starting, non-mux-aware app count 2 WS-ready 1 switch-state 0 IG FBs 0 EG FBs 1:1f power-state 0 3D busy HDA idle system-state 1 power-level 20:20 connect-change 0
default 17:08:27.981529 +0100 cider pid(5097)/euid(501) is calling TIS/TSM in non-main thread environment, ERROR : This is NOT allowed. Please call TIS/TSM in main thread!!!
default 17:08:27.994491 +0100 cider pid(5097)/euid(501) is calling TIS/TSM in non-main thread environment, ERROR : This is NOT allowed. Please call TIS/TSM in main thread!!!
default 17:08:27.994539 +0100 cider pid(5097)/euid(501) is calling TIS/TSM in non-main thread environment, ERROR : This is NOT allowed. Please call TIS/TSM in main thread!!!
default 17:08:27.994576 +0100 cider pid(5097)/euid(501) is calling TIS/TSM in non-main thread environment, ERROR : This is NOT allowed. Please call TIS/TSM in main thread!!!
default 17:08:27.994619 +0100 cider pid(5097)/euid(501) is calling TIS/TSM in non-main thread environment, ERROR : This is NOT allowed. Please call TIS/TSM in main thread!!!
default 17:08:27.994659 +0100 cider pid(5097)/euid(501) is calling TIS/TSM in non-main thread environment, ERROR : This is NOT allowed. Please call TIS/TSM in main thread!!!
default 17:08:27.994690 +0100 cider pid(5097)/euid(501) is calling TIS/TSM in non-main thread environment, ERROR : This is NOT allowed. Please call TIS/TSM in main thread!!!
default 17:08:27.994731 +0100 cider pid(5097)/euid(501) is calling TIS/TSM in non-main thread environment, ERROR : This is NOT allowed. Please call TIS/TSM in main thread!!!
default 17:08:27.994771 +0100 cider pid(5097)/euid(501) is calling TIS/TSM in non-main thread environment, ERROR : This is NOT allowed. Please call TIS/TSM in main thread!!!
default 17:08:27.994802 +0100 cider pid(5097)/euid(501) is calling TIS/TSM in non-main thread environment, ERROR : This is NOT allowed. Please call TIS/TSM in main thread!!!
default 17:08:27.994840 +0100 cider pid(5097)/euid(501) is calling TIS/TSM in non-main thread environment, ERROR : This is NOT allowed. Please call TIS/TSM in main thread!!!
default 17:08:27.994875 +0100 cider pid(5097)/euid(501) is calling TIS/TSM in non-main thread environment, ERROR : This is NOT allowed. Please call TIS/TSM in main thread!!!
default 17:08:27.994906 +0100 cider pid(5097)/euid(501) is calling TIS/TSM in non-main thread environment, ERROR : This is NOT allowed. Please call TIS/TSM in main thread!!!
default 17:08:27.994957 +0100 cider pid(5097)/euid(501) is calling TIS/TSM in non-main thread environment, ERROR : This is NOT allowed. Please call TIS/TSM in main thread!!!
default 17:08:27.994991 +0100 cider pid(5097)/euid(501) is calling TIS/TSM in non-main thread environment, ERROR : This is NOT allowed. Please call TIS/TSM in main thread!!!
default 17:08:27.995020 +0100 cider pid(5097)/euid(501) is calling TIS/TSM in non-main thread environment, ERROR : This is NOT allowed. Please call TIS/TSM in main thread!!!
default 17:08:27.995056 +0100 cider pid(5097)/euid(501) is calling TIS/TSM in non-main thread environment, ERROR : This is NOT allowed. Please call TIS/TSM in main thread!!!
default 17:08:27.995090 +0100 cider pid(5097)/euid(501) is calling TIS/TSM in non-main thread environment, ERROR : This is NOT allowed. Please call TIS/TSM in main thread!!!
default 17:08:27.995656 +0100 cider pid(5097)/euid(501) is calling TIS/TSM in non-main thread environment, ERROR : This is NOT allowed. Please call TIS/TSM in main thread!!!
default 17:08:27.995707 +0100 cider pid(5097)/euid(501) is calling TIS/TSM in non-main thread environment, ERROR : This is NOT allowed. Please call TIS/TSM in main thread!!!
default 17:08:27.995745 +0100 cider pid(5097)/euid(501) is calling TIS/TSM in non-main thread environment, ERROR : This is NOT allowed. Please call TIS/TSM in main thread!!!
default 17:08:27.995778 +0100 cider pid(5097)/euid(501) is calling TIS/TSM in non-main thread environment, ERROR : This is NOT allowed. Please call TIS/TSM in main thread!!!
error 17:08:28.049411 +0100 cider HALC_ShellObject.cpp:212:HasProperty: HALC_ShellObject::HasProperty: initial inner method call failed, Error: 560947818 (!obj)
error 17:08:28.051211 +0100 cider HALC_ShellObject.cpp:212:HasProperty: HALC_ShellObject::HasProperty: initial inner method call failed, Error: 560947818 (!obj)
default 17:08:28.056071 +0100 cider CoreAnimation: warning, deleted thread with uncommitted CATransaction; set CA_DEBUG_TRANSACTIONS=1 in environment to log backtraces, or set CA_ASSERT_MAIN_THREAD_TRANSACTIONS=1 to abort when an implicit transaction isn't created on a main thread.
default 17:08:28.060770 +0100 kernel AGC:: [cider pid 5079 mux-aware] exiting, non-mux-aware app count 2, runtime: 0:02:18.737
default 17:08:28.061457 +0100 kernel AGC:: [cider pid 5079 non-mux-aware] exiting, non-mux-aware app count 1, runtime: 0:02:18.738
error 17:08:28.578328 +0100 cider nw_path_close_fd Failed to close guarded necp fd 7 [9: Bad file descriptor]
default 17:08:28.652195 +0100 cider /BuildRoot/Library/Caches/com.apple.xbs/Sources/AppleFSCompression/AppleFSCompression-96.60.1/Common/ChunkCompression.cpp:49: Error: unsupported compressor 8
default 17:08:28.652237 +0100 cider /BuildRoot/Library/Caches/com.apple.xbs/Sources/AppleFSCompression/AppleFSCompression-96.60.1/Libraries/CompressData/CompressData.c:353: Error: Unknown compression scheme encountered for file '/System/Library/CoreServices/CoreTypes.bundle/Contents/Resources/Exceptions.plist'
default 17:08:28.653649 +0100 cider /BuildRoot/Library/Caches/com.apple.xbs/Sources/AppleFSCompression/AppleFSCompression-96.60.1/Common/ChunkCompression.cpp:49: Error: unsupported compressor 8
default 17:08:28.653685 +0100 cider /BuildRoot/Library/Caches/com.apple.xbs/Sources/AppleFSCompression/AppleFSCompression-96.60.1/Libraries/CompressData/CompressData.c:353: Error: Unknown compression scheme encountered for file '/System/Library/CoreServices/CoreTypes.bundle/Contents/Library/AppExceptions.bundle/Exceptions.plist'
error 17:08:28.683656 +0100 cider Scheduling the NSURLDownload loader is no longer supported.
default 17:08:28.703124 +0100 cider Faulting in NSHTTPCookieStorage singleton
default 17:08:28.703153 +0100 cider Faulting in CFHTTPCookieStorage singleton
default 17:08:28.703172 +0100 cider Creating default cookie storage with process/bundle identifier
default 17:08:28.705055 +0100 cider TIC TCP Conn Start [1:0x70408fa0]
default 17:08:28.705198 +0100 cider Task <6E8922D0-5E79-410B-9317-9A87BF0C4CD0>.<0> setting up Connection 1
default 17:08:28.705222 +0100 cider [1 <private> <private>] start
default 17:08:28.730780 +0100 cider TIC TCP Conn Connected [1:0x70408fa0]: Err(16)
default 17:08:28.730890 +0100 cider TIC TCP Conn Event [1:0x70408fa0]: 1
default 17:08:28.731937 +0100 cider Task <6E8922D0-5E79-410B-9317-9A87BF0C4CD0>.<0> now using Connection 1
default 17:08:28.732010 +0100 cider Task <6E8922D0-5E79-410B-9317-9A87BF0C4CD0>.<0> sent request, body N
default 17:08:29.186486 +0100 cider Task <6E8922D0-5E79-410B-9317-9A87BF0C4CD0>.<0> received response, status 404 content K
default 17:08:29.186706 +0100 cider Task <6E8922D0-5E79-410B-9317-9A87BF0C4CD0>.<0> response ended
default 17:08:29.465303 +0100 kernel AGC:: [cider pid:5099 mux-aware] starting, non-mux-aware app count 1 WS-ready 1 switch-state 0 IG FBs 0 EG FBs 1:1f power-state 0 3D busy HDA idle system-state 1 power-level 20:20 connect-change 0
default 17:08:29.465378 +0100 kernel AGC:: [cider pid:5099 non-mux-aware] starting, non-mux-aware app count 2 WS-ready 1 switch-state 0 IG FBs 0 EG FBs 1:1f power-state 0 3D busy HDA idle system-state 1 power-level 20:20 connect-change 0
default 17:08:29.573478 +0100 cider pid(5099)/euid(501) is calling TIS/TSM in non-main thread environment, ERROR : This is NOT allowed. Please call TIS/TSM in main thread!!!
default 17:08:29.586553 +0100 cider pid(5099)/euid(501) is calling TIS/TSM in non-main thread environment, ERROR : This is NOT allowed. Please call TIS/TSM in main thread!!!
default 17:08:29.586598 +0100 cider pid(5099)/euid(501) is calling TIS/TSM in non-main thread environment, ERROR : This is NOT allowed. Please call TIS/TSM in main thread!!!
default 17:08:29.586632 +0100 cider pid(5099)/euid(501) is calling TIS/TSM in non-main thread environment, ERROR : This is NOT allowed. Please call TIS/TSM in main thread!!!
default 17:08:29.586677 +0100 cider pid(5099)/euid(501) is calling TIS/TSM in non-main thread environment, ERROR : This is NOT allowed. Please call TIS/TSM in main thread!!!
default 17:08:29.586716 +0100 cider pid(5099)/euid(501) is calling TIS/TSM in non-main thread environment, ERROR : This is NOT allowed. Please call TIS/TSM in main thread!!!
default 17:08:29.586749 +0100 cider pid(5099)/euid(501) is calling TIS/TSM in non-main thread environment, ERROR : This is NOT allowed. Please call TIS/TSM in main thread!!!
default 17:08:29.586791 +0100 cider pid(5099)/euid(501) is calling TIS/TSM in non-main thread environment, ERROR : This is NOT allowed. Please call TIS/TSM in main thread!!!
default 17:08:29.586833 +0100 cider pid(5099)/euid(501) is calling TIS/TSM in non-main thread environment, ERROR : This is NOT allowed. Please call TIS/TSM in main thread!!!
default 17:08:29.586866 +0100 cider pid(5099)/euid(501) is calling TIS/TSM in non-main thread environment, ERROR : This is NOT allowed. Please call TIS/TSM in main thread!!!
default 17:08:29.586905 +0100 cider pid(5099)/euid(501) is calling TIS/TSM in non-main thread environment, ERROR : This is NOT allowed. Please call TIS/TSM in main thread!!!
default 17:08:29.586947 +0100 cider pid(5099)/euid(501) is calling TIS/TSM in non-main thread environment, ERROR : This is NOT allowed. Please call TIS/TSM in main thread!!!
default 17:08:29.586980 +0100 cider pid(5099)/euid(501) is calling TIS/TSM in non-main thread environment, ERROR : This is NOT allowed. Please call TIS/TSM in main thread!!!
default 17:08:29.587019 +0100 cider pid(5099)/euid(501) is calling TIS/TSM in non-main thread environment, ERROR : This is NOT allowed. Please call TIS/TSM in main thread!!!
default 17:08:29.587055 +0100 cider pid(5099)/euid(501) is calling TIS/TSM in non-main thread environment, ERROR : This is NOT allowed. Please call TIS/TSM in main thread!!!
default 17:08:29.587087 +0100 cider pid(5099)/euid(501) is calling TIS/TSM in non-main thread environment, ERROR : This is NOT allowed. Please call TIS/TSM in main thread!!!
default 17:08:29.587126 +0100 cider pid(5099)/euid(501) is calling TIS/TSM in non-main thread environment, ERROR : This is NOT allowed. Please call TIS/TSM in main thread!!!
default 17:08:29.587162 +0100 cider pid(5099)/euid(501) is calling TIS/TSM in non-main thread environment, ERROR : This is NOT allowed. Please call TIS/TSM in main thread!!!
default 17:08:29.587876 +0100 cider pid(5099)/euid(501) is calling TIS/TSM in non-main thread environment, ERROR : This is NOT allowed. Please call TIS/TSM in main thread!!!
default 17:08:29.587921 +0100 cider pid(5099)/euid(501) is calling TIS/TSM in non-main thread environment, ERROR : This is NOT allowed. Please call TIS/TSM in main thread!!!
default 17:08:29.587958 +0100 cider pid(5099)/euid(501) is calling TIS/TSM in non-main thread environment, ERROR : This is NOT allowed. Please call TIS/TSM in main thread!!!
default 17:08:29.587990 +0100 cider pid(5099)/euid(501) is calling TIS/TSM in non-main thread environment, ERROR : This is NOT allowed. Please call TIS/TSM in main thread!!!
default 17:08:37.553861 +0100 cider LSExceptions shared instance invalidated for timeout.
default 17:08:38.662028 +0100 cider LSExceptions shared instance invalidated for timeout.
default 17:08:42.956969 +0100 cider log: conn 0x583c7 token 0x1ffffffffffe85
default 17:08:42.962685 +0100 cider log: Backtrace (at 0):
default 17:08:44.546645 +0100 cider log: conn 0x4f78b token 0x1ffffffffffe85
default 17:08:44.546842 +0100 cider log: Backtrace (at 0):
default 17:09:27.593392 +0100 cider TIC TCP Conn Cancel [1:0x70736aa0]
default 17:09:27.594238 +0100 cider [1 <private> stream, pid: 5097, url: http://llnet.thesims.cdn.ea.com/sims/u/f/sims3/mac/SIM3-Update-009355-1.67.2.024017.md5] cancelled
[1.1 BE35C6A3-C1F9-40C7-A392-9674DA10BB70 <private>.50714<-><private>]
Connected Path: satisfied (Path is satisfied), interface: en0, ipv4, dns
Duration: 60.000s, DNS @0.000s took 0.026s, TCP @0.027s took 0.000s
bytes in/out: 565/278, packets in/out: 1/1, rtt: 0.018s, retransmitted packets: 0, out-of-order packets: 0
default 17:09:29.234285 +0100 cider TIC TCP Conn Cancel [1:0x70408fa0]
default 17:09:29.234747 +0100 cider [1 <private> stream, pid: 5099, url: http://llnet.thesims.cdn.ea.com/sims/u/f/sims3/mac/SIM3-Update-009355-1.67.2.024017.md5] cancelled
[1.1 06BCB4C9-AF5D-4D92-86FA-6AC7342D88CE <private>.50715<-><private>]
Connected Path: satisfied (Path is satisfied), interface: en0, ipv4, dns
Duration: 60.529s, DNS @0.000s took 0.002s, TCP @0.003s took 0.001s
bytes in/out: 565/278, packets in/out: 1/1, rtt: 0.020s, retransmitted packets: 0, out-of-order packets: 0

 I uninstalled again then reinstalled the base game from a saved disk image I have from over a year ago. No need for Origin at all for this installation, same thing happened.

The download for the base game is at patch level 1.42.130.019017. Tried loading from that build, and after patching to 1.67........ same error.

I opted into Origin beta but there are no updates and beta is not showing in Origin despite logging out and back in and enabling automatic updates.

[puzzlezaddict]

@EA_Mai  When the game originally wouldn't load past the splash screen, I did try launching from Origin (that was my thought too).  It made no difference—the same error message took precisely the same amount of time to appear.  I tried it again just now, launching both from Applications and Origin, and saw no change.

Like fons_garmo and Bluebellflora, I enabled beta in Origin and restarted it, but Origin didn't register any updates.  (And again, I'm running Sierra.)

And of course, this is a fresh install after a clean uninstall, on a computer that happily ran TS3 for months without issue.

[Jocobai]

@EA_Mai  Hi there, can you please make sure that the people investigating this know that it may not be a problem specifically with Sims 3 or Mac OS, or even Origin. I'm getting the same 'There is a problem connecting to the server.' message when trying to authorize a new install of Mass Effect, installed from a disk, on a computer that doesn't have Origin installed. Using Windows 7 64 bit, and I've also tested it on Windows XP with the same error message appearing (when I know 100% that it's worked fine there in the past).

Something that the first Mass Effect and Sims 3 have in common is that they use this old authorization method. It applies to old disk installs of Mass Effect, and also seems to apply to online installs of Sims 3 (I can't test this myself as my copy of Sims 3 is on disk, and it uses that for DRM). I've had a glance through some of the other forums for the games listed for that style of authorization, and there's a thread on the Spore forum where someone has a similar message about not being able to connect to the servers. Considering the timing, I'm guessing there's a chance it's related to this issue? I think it's worth checking to see whether or not these server problems are related anyway, when we're getting similar messages popping up, and the games do have something in common.

[Catie7695]

Hi, I'm having this issue too after manually uninstalling and reinstalling the game due to another error message I'd been receiving. My Mac is running High Sierra, version 10.13.6.

Edit: Also enabled Origin beta per Mai's suggestion, and it sadly didn't change anything. Really hoping this gets resolved - I'd hate to no longer be able to play Sims 3 

[ToriBibble]

MAJOR UPDATE:

So, as I mentioned in my previous post I had just gotten a new laptop and was trying to play sims on it. I thought I would just start fresh with my computer and leave what I put on my now old computer on my old computer (especially since the mac transfer for all of my files was going to take about 5 hours over normal wifi speeds to transfer.)

But, I happened to not be doing anything important on both of those devices and used the Migration Assistant (built in with every apple computer) to do this transfer. Turns out to be the best 5 hours spent ever for a couple of reasons.

1) I didn't have to reinstall any of my mods, CC and expansion packs on to my computer manually.

2) All of my world files are saved (so I can keep playing the same games  

3) I CAN ACTUALLY PLAY THE GAME!

I don't know what is special about transfering data from a Late 2011 MacBook Pro to my most recent purchase, but I was able to load my game with ease and it works like a charm!

I have no idea if this will help anyone but I am no longer getting the "no servers are available" pop-up. 

If I have anymore tid-bits to add, I will surely come back and share!

[puzzlezaddict]

@ToriBibble  That's so interesting that you're able to play with your old game folder in place.  I had the same thought, but my old game folder didn't fix anything.  On the other hand, I uninstalled and reinstalled on the same computer, whereas you have a clean uninstall on a new computer.  I'm guessing you didn't uninstall on your old macbook pro?  The difference might be that your game folder still has a record of this computer's authorization to run the game.  (Just idle speculation.)

@EA_Mai  You might find this interesting too.  (And, for the record, yes, I also tried to launch with Origin running.)  One other note:  I confirmed once again that there are two splash screens, not one—I force-quit the first and then found the second hiding behind my browser windows, where I'd tried to stash it.  Again, this is true whether or not Origin is open.

[vjuris22]

This problem is occurring with my MacBook Pro early 2015 which is running Mojave. The launch appears but once you click play the screen freezes for a bit (about a minute 15) and then the alert comes on the screen. 

I just bought and downloaded the game yesterday and this problem has persisted. I have tried many tips from online but none have worked! 

[mmlad605]

I am having this same issue with my mid 2013 MacBook Air running on High Sierra version 10.13.6. I also tried enabling the origin client beta, but there are no updates and I see the same error message.