Sims 3 crashing after launcher

[puzzlezaddict]

@Poppytastic  To go into more detail, in case it helps:  The Alder Lake issue probably happens first, as in, if you haven't applied the workaround, the game crashes immediately and with no error.  If you have applied the workaround, or your computer doesn't need it, then the game checks for whatever is throwing the service initialization error.  And reinstalling the game would remove the Alder Lake patch, so you'd need to apply one of the workarounds again.

At any rate, this could be an issue with Windows rather than Sims 3.  Instead of going incrementally, I'd suggest a repair install, which can fix registry errors as well as a long list of other issues.  Here's how to run one (option two):

https://www.elevenforum.com/t/repair-install-windows-11-with-an-in-place-upgrade.418/#Two

This shouldn't delete any of your data, but if you get to step 14 and are NOT asked to keep personal files and apps, back out and start over.

Once you've done this, repair the game (again) and try to play, with the Task Manager workaround.  If that doesn't help, please do another clean install of Sims 3, in another new folder, but this time, do so in a new admin Windows account.  Make it local, as in, don't link it to your Microsoft account or any email address.  If the game works in the new account, we can try to get it working in the main one too.

[Elizoid]

Hello,

I can't launch the Sims 3 on my computer. The game launcher is opening well and when I press play it crashes and the EA app is opening again.

I have Windows 11. My laptop is a HP pavilion Plus with Intel(R) Core(TM) Ultra 7 155H 3.80 GHz and 32 Go RAM.

I have tried to execute the app as an administrator and it still didn't work.

Thanks for helping in advance,

Best,

[puzzlezaddict]

@Elizoid  That sounds like the Alder Lake issue, which does affect newer Intel processors too.  Please try one of the workarounds in the accepted solution of this thread:

https://answers.ea.com/t5/Technical-Issues-PC/Sims-3-won-t-open-Alder-Lake-Intel-12th-gen-CPU/m-p/11...

If that doesn't help, please run a dxdiag and attach it to your reply.

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

[graveyardgypsy]

My game was having trouble opening (and also installing sims3packs) a few months ago. I managed to fix this with Miaa245's Powershell script. Unfourtunately my game is troubled again and the Powershell script isn't fixing it. What do I do?

[puzzlezaddict]

@graveyardgypsy  Please repair the game in the EA App (Sims 3 > Manage > Repair), then try the Task Manager method listed here instead:

https://answers.ea.com/t5/Technical-Issues-PC/Sims-3-won-t-open-Alder-Lake-Intel-12th-gen-CPU/m-p/11...

If that doesn't work, please run a dxdiag and attach it to your reply.

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

[graveyardgypsy]

@puzzlezaddict Thank you! The task manager method worked.

[Elizoid]

Hello @puzzlezaddict,

I've followed the instructions in this video : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MpUUZUJNGXM. But once I try to execute the file ts3.ps1, it does not open a Poweshell window saying "launch Sims 3". It opens the Powershell window for an instant and I can see something written in red like an error message and it closes instantly.

Could you help me for the next steps to follow ?

Thanks in advance,

Elise

[puzzlezaddict]

@Elizoid  Please try the other approaches in the accepted solution of the post I linked, either the Alder Lake patch or the Task Manager method.  You don't need both, but if the Alder Lake patch doesn't work, please repair the game before trying the Task Manager method.

[StarChildMystic]

hi to anyone following this thread, this has just been patched and fixed today.

https://answers.ea.com/t5/Technical-Issues-PC/Sims-3-patch-Jan-13-2025/m-p/14391219/highlight/false#...

[Elizoid]

The Alder Lake patch solution worked well.

Thank you @puzzlezaddict !