Re: How to Use Mods and CC
by luthienrisingOriginal Post
Installing Mods and CC
Index
1. Install the Right Files: Creator Instructions
Location of Installation
Most mods don’t come with special instructions for where to install them. For those mods, follow the general instructions above. But some mods come with special instructions about where in the Mods folder its parts should go. Check if yours do.
NOTE: Are you trying to use a non-default location for the whole Mods folder? Support is available at the Sims 4 PC Tech Support and Sims 4 Mac Tech Support.
Picking and Choosing Files
- Some mods have instructions to choose between certain files, not install both “flavors” of them. Leaving both options in will produce errors.
- Some mods have instructions to remove files for packs you don’t own. Leaving those files in will produce errors.
Dependencies
Some mods need other mods to make them work. Instructions for this will always be on the mod’s main page. These are typical gameplay mod dependencies:
- XML Injector and Other Injector Mods. Injector mods sit between a mod and the game code. They’re typically written by someone other than the mod creator. They make modding and your Mods folder more efficient. Injector mods rarely are broken by game updates. The injector mod you’ll see required the most is XML Injector by Scumbumbo (updated by Triplis). The updated version of XML Injector is available only on the Scumbumbo memorial website; the version on Mod the Sims is outdated.
- “Core” Mods. These also contain code a mod relies on to make it work. Some, like Lot 51’s Core Mod, are used by many creators. Others are created by individual creators just for their own mods. Core mods, like injector mods, make both modding and your Mods folder more efficient.
If you’re testing your gameplay mods and put one in the Mods folder without its dependencies, you aren’t really testing that mod at all. You’ve only partly installed it, so you can’t tell if it’s broken or working.
If you remove an injector or core mod and the game now “works,” it doesn’t mean that that dependency was broken; it means that one of the mods that relies on it was broken.
Meshes are dependencies for some CC. They provide the shape or form for the CC. If you’re missing a mesh, you will generally end up with weird blocky shapes or invisible body parts because there’s nothing to “hang” the CC code on. Sometimes CC is relying on old meshes that are no longer available, unfortunately, and you simply can’t use that CC.
2. Install the Right Files: Handling Download Formats
Mods are downloaded either as individual .package files or as compressed folders (most often Zip files, but also .rar or .7z files). Individual .package files can go straight into Mods or a subfolder. Don’t put Zip, .rar, and .7z files in the Mods folder. Instead, extract the files from them and put the extracted files in the Mods folder, then delete the compressed file.
3. Install in the Right Place: The Mods Folder
NOTE: Having trouble finding your Mods folder? Has it disappeared on your? Are you trying to use a non-default location? For support, head to the Sims 4 PC Tech Support or Sims 4 Mac Tech Support.
The location for all mod and CC files is Documents > Electronic Arts > The Sims 4 > Mods. This is the only place the game will see your mods or custom content.
To create the Mods folder, start the game and then exit. Don’t create the folder yourself.
On a PC, the default path is This PC > C: > Documents etc.. Below, the installation drive was specified as F: when the game was installed. (For how to move the location of “The Sims 4” and its subfolders, see the links in the first post. Just moving the folder will not work.) NOTE: This folder should not be inside a OneDrive folder. OneDrive causes problems for Sims.
The Mods folder includes a file called resource.cfg. This files is created by the game but can be safely deleted. The game will recreate it. When the game was launched back in 2014, you had to edit the file if you wanted to use subfolders in the Mods folder, and you can still find that advice on the internet; this is no longer the case. Just leave that file alone.
Common folder issues we see from users include:
- Not being able to find the Mods folder. You can use this method to find where the game is storing files. For more support with game installation issues, especially if you’ve been moving installation locations, please go to the Technical Issues forum for PC or Mac.
- Not having a Mods folder in the right place. Just start the game and exit. The folder will now be there, in Documents > Electronic Arts > The Sims 4.
- Creating your own folder in the game’s program folder. Only use the folder the game creates in Documents > Electronic Arts > The Sims 4.
- Syncing software, such as OneDrive, creating a second folder that the game can’t see. For this and other OneDrive (and related) problems, plus how to make OneDrive stop messing with The Sims, see this thread.
- Using the wrong folder inside The Sims 4. There's a folder called "content," but it's not for your custom content.
A Note on Tray Files
These file types come with Sims or lots that you save to your Library, download from the Gallery, or download from places other than the Gallery. They go in the Tray folder, not Mods:
- .blueprint
- .bpi
- .hhi
- .householdbinary
- .rmi
- .room
- .sgi
- .trayitem
Often, custom Sims or lots that aren’t on the Gallery will come with CC .package files. Those go in Mods, but test them on a new save first! They might have been on the internet a long time and not be compatible with the game anymore.
4. Install in the Right Place: Script Files and Your Folder Structure
The Mods folder can have up to five levels of subfolders inside it. These levels of subfolders are what we talk about when we talk about how “deep” you can put a mod. You can create these subfolders yourself; the game will not create them for you.
- Script mods — mods that include a .ts4script file — must be no more than one folder deep. For example, a script mod’s files can go in Mods or it can go in Mods > TwistedMexi, but it can’t go in Mods > TwistedMexi > BE. That’s too many folders deep.
- Non-script mods — mods that are only package files — can go up to five folders deep, but no more. This is useful for organizing your Mods folder.
In the folder structure shown below, script mods cannot go in the subfolders “Hair” and lower. They can only go in the first level, such as the folder “LittleMsSam,” which is also shown here, with a complete (two-file) script mod highlighted. That script mod can’t go in a subfolder of Mods > LittleMsSam.
TIP: Make sure not to have a folder named "Mods" inside your Mods folder.
By default, mods and CC are disabled in Options. To enable the game to see your mods and CC, from the Main Menu, go to Game Options > Other and select “Enable Custom Content and Mods”. If you also want to enable script mods (which are typically more complex), you must also tick “Script Mods Allowed”.
One issue we sometimes see is the mod settings turning themselves back off. This can be caused by antivirus/security settings. For more on this, see the topic Anti-Virus blocking User Folder.
NOTE: For support with mods not staying enabled, head to the Sims 4 PC Tech Support or Sims 4 Mac Tech Support.
Best Practices: Backups and Testing
Before enabling mods/CC, consider making a backup of your Saves folder. The game itself keeps five backups for you, but if the way your game has broken becomes apparent to you after you’ve saved that many times, you might be really happy that you have an outside backup that’s older than that. And very occasionally but tragically, save file corruption can actually spread to your whole Saves folder. Back up your Saves.
Things are very wrong? You can’t load a household/lot? Your Sims are missing their hair? it’s okay to exit without saving! If you accidentally save without mods and CC, you can load an older save file by selecting Load Game, clicking on the disk symbol with a back arrow on it, and selecting Recover on an earlier save point. Another method involves renaming files in the Saves folder.
Enabling a Specific Mod
Some mods have specific things you need to do to make the mod active in game. If you don’t do these things, you won’t “see” the mod. For example, Deaderpool’s MC Command Center mod has default settings that are very close to (but not the same as!) the game settings, and you need to do things in the game to change those settings. Toggle-style mods usually default the game setting and have a way to turn them “on” in-game.
Special Issues with Default Replacements and Translations
Some mods need to have priority loading to work right. For the average Mods folder, this doesn't pose a major issue. For people with large folder, though, it can. In those cases, one option is to force the game to see those files.
There are two ways to do this. BUT both these methods can cause problems. I advise doing this only if a particular mod/CC is working perfectly well when you test it alone (including dependencies) and the mod instructions don't tell you to not touch the name or installation location and you're very careful about how what you download, how you update, etc., given the cautions below each method. Some players may end up more comfortable in the end managing smaller collections of mods and CC instead.
Method 1: Rename the file to start with !
CAUTION: Changing filenames can cause problems in at least three cases:
- You don't delete the old !-starting version when you update. You will end up with both old and new versions installed.
- You download that CC or mod again, forgetting you already have it. You will end up with duplicates.
- You change the name of a mod that other mods refer to using the filename and they can't see it anymore. Those other mods now won't work.
Method 2: For Mac users, the first method can fail. Simmer mekelley25 has written up a set of instructions on how to use a subfolders and an edited resource.cfg file as an alternative. For support, head to the Sims 4 Mac Tech Support.
CAUTION: If you refresh your Mods folder or Sims 4 folder, the original resource.cfg will be regenerated by the game and you'll need to replace it again.
Organizing Your Mods Folder
When it comes time to find the files you need to remove or replace, having an organized Mods folder really helps.
Keeping an organized Mods folder also helps prevent duplicate mods. If you put peacemaker’s files only in a folder called “peacemaker” or put coffee table files only in a folder called “living room furniture” — not sometimes one, sometimes the other — you’re much less likely to end up with two copies of peacemaker’s coffee tables. Duplicate files can cause errors and lag.
There are many ways to organize your Mods folder. I use a lot more gameplay mods than CC, so my mods folder is organized with a subfolder called “Build Buy” for Build/Buy mode CC, a subfolder called “CAS” for CAS CC, and many subfolders named for gameplay modders. If you use a lot of CC, you might want to organize that by function or creator. Just be consistent in your structure.
I temporarily removed a whole lot for this screencap and then cut off the bottom anyway, but you get the idea!
Some creators don’t put their names in their mods’ filenames, which can be frustrating when all of that’s creator’s mods are reported broken or no longer supported or when mod has tested as broken and you want to search for an update. If you tend to run into these, consider organizing your folder by creator name and/or renaming files to include the creator name. Don’t rename files if a creator’s instructions specifically say not to!
Package Merging
Don’t merge your CC. For Sims 4, merging CC files does little to improve game performance compared to the issues it creates. What it does do is increase the likelihood that you'll end up with duplicate files (which cause lag... which you were trying to get rid of), both old and updated versions of files, and broken files you can't find anymore.
If you want to reduce how long it takes the game to load, look at Options to exclude the list of mods/CC on startup. If the quantity of CC in your Mods folder is causing lag, look for duplicates and consider removing CC you're not actually using.
Mod Managers
Many Simmers naturally want to hand some of the responsibility of handling their mods to a mod managing program. This has advantages and disadvantages. If you use a mod manager (for example, Curseforge), learn what it does and what it doesn’t do. Most mod managers will work best if you don’t reorganize the files in them.
Game Updates and Your Mods
Index
- Why Mods and CC Break
- Before the Game Updates
- After the Game Updates
- Obsolete, Broken, Updated, Cleared: Using The Broken/Updated Mods List
- “But I can’t play withoutmy mods/CC!”
Mods (game mods and CC) aren’t created by Maxis — they’re created by Simmers, who tie into The Sims 4 game code. When the game is updated, the code that gets updated is going to be the code that some mod out there “talks” to, which means that mod can “break.” A mod that uses code that almost never changes will almost never break. A mod that uses code that gets changed a lot will need updating often. This is nobody’s fault. It’s just how mods and games work together.
So how does this affect you as a player who uses mods? An outdated mod can cause you problems. It might only result in last exception (LE) error files. It might not do anything in your game when it was supposed to. It might make parts of the game inaccessible or really weird looking. It might stop Sims 4 or your game (save) or a World or a household or lot from loading at all. It might even make a save permanently unplayable.*
* Game bugs can also cause all these problems, but if you have mods/CC, we don’t know you have a game bug, not an outdated mod, until you test “vanilla”. Even then, sometimes a mod actually caused the problem but the problem isn’t reversible.
Consider Preventing Auto-Updates
If you need some time to back up your saves or think you’d rather wait a few days before updating the game, so creators can catch up and so you have time to back up your Saves first, consider turning off the game’s auto-update:
Once you’re ready to update mods, you must also update the game. You can’t put a mod made on, say, game version 1.104 into game version 1.101.
Back Up Your Saves
Because some outdated (“broken”) mods can actually corrupt your save file, before you let the EA App/Origin update your game, back up your Saves folder. You might want to also do this before adding newly downloaded mods/CC, in case you found outdated content.
“Backing up” a folder or file means making a copy of it in a different place. You’ll find your save files in Documents > Electronic Arts > The Sims 4 > Saves. (Your Documents folder is likely not on your F: drive! I have a lot of drives…)
You can copy that whole folder to somewhere else — such as your desktop, a different folder you make yourself (mine go in Documents > Sims Backups), or a USB key. (Don't rely on OneDrive etc. to automate this, as they don't behave well with Sims 4.) Now you’ll have a pre-patch or pre-new-mods copy to fall back on in case you run into serious problems.
Even after you’ve decided that you’re ready to play the updated game, keep regular backups. You’ll be grateful for them on that day something goes dreadfully wrong for your favorite save or even your whole folder, and the game’s own restorable files don’t go far enough back or are also corrupted.
Read the Patch Notes
Some game updates (patches) affect very few aspects of the game. Some affect a lot. The patch notes, which you’ll find pinned (when new) in Sims 4 News & Updates, show you what’s affected. Patches that are more likely to “break” more mods and CC
- prepare for a new Expansion Pack or Game Pack,
- introduce a new base game feature, or
- fix a lot of bugs.
Check for Known Broken/Updated Mods
Before launching the game, check for which mods are obsolete, broken, updated, or cleared. That includes CC! Yes, your Sim’s eyelashes or that one pair of jeans can break the whole game! Remove obsolete and broken mods. Update updated mods.
When a mod is listed as “obsolete,” that means the thing it “fixed” in the game is now actually fixed by the game update. When a mod is listed as “unsupported,” that means that the creator is no longer going to be updating it. Eventually, it will break. It’s up to you if you want to remove it now or wait till it breaks. Game update time is often when creators decide they’re supporting a mod for the last time.
Some creators will have a look at the patch notes and changes in game code to see if their mods are still compatible with the game. If the mods pass the test, those creators will “clear” their mods for the patch. Some creators do this only for major patches, and others not at all. Many Simmers will wait for a creator to clear their mods before re-enabling mods, especially for complex script mods. BUT... Modders are human and fallible, and a cleared mod can still have issues. The "Cleared" list in this forum is selective with a goal to get you going with some of your mods. It is NOT a replacement for backing up your Saves.
Many mods aren’t reported broken, obsolete, updated, or cleared right away. There are many reasons for this, all of them valid! Modders might have full-time jobs or school, families, health issues, or other personal priorities. The mods might be complex to test and update. Tools that modders use for testing and mod creation might themselves need updating. Please be patient. One of the main reasons modders have stated they're leaving modding has been that impatient Simmers asking about mod status add to the already high stress of patch time.
Re-enable Mods
When you’re ready to play with mods again, re-enable mods/CC in game Options, then restart. (Why re-enable? For most patches, as an extra precaution against outdated mods causing problems, Maxis disables the mod/CC settings in Options.) Remember: Even updated and cleared mods can have issues that weren’t previously known. It’s always okay to exit without saving, and always good to have separate backups of your Saves folder.
If you can’t wait to play, you have options for that, too.
Obsolete, Broken, Updated, Cleared: Using the Broken/Updated Mods List
The current AHQ Broken/Updated Mods & CC list list is pinned in Mod/CC Issues. A new list is started for most patches. If a patch doesn’t require a new list, that info will be in the top post.
Previous lists are linked in the Master Post [TO COME], for if you’re coming back to the game after a while or if the prevous list had a lot of updates. If you’ve been away a long time, you might still end up doing a 50-50 on your Mods folder to identify mods/CC needing an update.
The list does not include everything. Reasons for mods/creators not being covered are listed in the list’s first post, but sometimes things aren’t on the list just because they haven’t yet been reported broken or because they broke a long time ago or aren’t enough of an issue or common enough to be on the selective “Previously Broken” list. This is another reason to learn how to do a 50-50 on your mods!
Categories in the Broken/Updated list
- Obsolete – These are bugfix mods that aren’t needed anymore; remove them and delete localthumbcache.
- Broken – These mods/CC must be removed (and localthumbcache deleted), unless there’s a qualification about how their broken that doesn’t apply to your game. If they get updated, they’ll be removed from the list.
- Updated – These replace your old version. Many were broken, even if they were updated before they made it onto the “Broken” mods or CC list. Don’t skip deleting the old version and localthumbcache!
- Core/Injector Mods – These are script mods that other mods rely on. They're listed here so you have their current version numbers, update dates, and download sites.
- Cleared – These are creators who have said that, to the best of their knowledge and testing, their mods are compatible with the game update and can be used. Some modders don’t clear mods; some do it only for major patches. Any creator may have missed an issue. This list is very selective. If you are relying on creator clearings, check creators' social media or mod pages. Even if you rely on this, keep backups of your Saves folder.
- Previously Broken Mods – This is a selection (not a complete list) of mods that are still broken from previous patches. Remove them.
Other News Sources
For adult mods (or other 18+ mods) and others you don’t see covered at AHQ, check creators’ own social media or mod pages. Many gameplay mod creators keep a master post for mod status, which is extra helpful if you’re coming back to Sims after a long break.
Mod Managers
Mod managers work in different ways. If you use one, you should learn what it does and what it doesn’t do. No mod manager can know for certain by itself if a mod is no longer compatible with the game or is obsolete after an update. Any that even try will never find all instances, especially for obsolete bugfixes. Someone has to feed that info to a mod manager that does mod removals, or you have to remove mods yourself. Most mod managers will update your mods for you if an update is available where the mod manager is looking for it. Curseforge will update your mods after the site approves an update.
"But I can’t play without my mods/CC!"
Please, please, please LEAVE MODDERS ALONE. Don’t ask them when they’re going to test their mods or when an update of a broken mod will be released. This is a very big reason for modder burnout. Don’t be like a 5-year-old in the back seat of the car asking their mom “Are we there yet?” Unlike your mom, a mod/CC creator can just quit. And creators who quit have often given pestering from users at game update time as what the last straw was.
If you want to play Sims 4 instead of waiting, here are your options:
- Remove your Mods folder to the desktop (delete localthumbcache too), and play a “vanilla” (unmodded) save for during the wait.
- Choose to play in spite of risk. If you do this, please first make a backup of your Saves folder!
If you want to wait for updates but it’s driving you crazy, please find other things to do. Pick out another game to play, or find a new book to read/show to watch/hobby to engage in. When not playing Sims nags at you anyway (assuming you’re well enough or able to), go for a walk or throw yourself into a necessary chore. Variety in how you spend time is a good thing to pursue!
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