Experiencing difficulties with your Sims 4 game not launching? Rest assured, this is a common issue among Sims 4 players, and there are multiple solutions available to address it. Each fix has its unique approach, so it’s crucial to identify the best method that resolves the problem for your specific situation.
In this article, we will explore six different solutions that have proven effective for many players. The strategies include repairing the game, updating video card drivers and network controller drivers, resetting Sims 4, reinstalling Sims 4 or Origin, and performing a clean boot. By progressing through these solutions, you will undoubtedly discover the one that works best for you and enjoy a seamless gaming experience once again.
Solution 1: Fixing the game with the repair option.
To address the issue when Sims 4 fails to launch or experiences crashes, the first approach to try is repairing the game using Origin. Follow these steps:
- Launch Origin
- Navigate to your Game Library
- Right-click on Sims 4 and choose Repair
- Verify if Sims 4 launches successfully
Solution 2: Update the Video Card Driver
A common cause for Sims 4 crashing at startup is outdated video card drivers. To resolve this issue, updating the video card driver might be the solution.
To update the video card driver manually, visit the PC manufacturer’s website or the video card manufacturer’s website and look for the latest driver to download.
For those who prefer an automatic approach, using a tool like Driver Easy can simplify the process. Driver Easy can automatically detect your system and find the correct drivers, eliminating the need to know your exact system specifications and avoiding the risk of downloading and installing the wrong driver.
With Driver Easy, updating drivers can be done with the free or Pro version. The Pro version offers a 2-click solution, along with full support and a 30-day money-back guarantee. Here are the steps to update the video card driver using Driver Easy:
- Download and install Driver Easy.
- Launch Driver Easy and click Scan Now. The program will scan your computer and identify any problematic drivers.
- Click the Update button next to a flagged video card driver to automatically download and install the correct version of the driver (free version). Alternatively, click Update All to automatically download and install the correct version of all missing or outdated drivers on your system (requires the Pro version – an upgrade prompt will appear when clicking Update All).
By updating the video card driver, you may resolve the Sims 4 crashing at startup issue and enjoy a smoother gaming experience.
Solution 3: Refresh Your Network Controller Driver
A faulty network controller driver might also be the issue. If updating the video card is not effective, consider updating the network controller driver. To save time and avoid manual updates, utilize a tool like Driver Easy to automatically update the network controller driver.
Solution 4: Reset Sims 4
If corrupted save files are causing Sims 4 to not launch, resetting the game might resolve the problem. Be aware that resetting will delete families in the game, so if you wish, you can back up the game before resetting and restore it after.
To back up the game:
- Navigate to Documents > Electronic Arts on your computer
- Right-click on The Sims 4 and select Copy
- Paste the folder to your Desktop
- Right-click on the copied folder and choose Rename
- Modify the folder name to something easily remembered, such as Sims 4 Backup
To restore the game after resetting:
- Go to Documents > Electronic Arts on your computer
- Right-click on The Sims 4 and select Delete (click Yes if prompted to confirm)
- Empty your Recycle Bin
- Right-click on the backup folder and choose Copy
- Paste the folder into Electronic Arts and, if desired, rename it to The Sims 4
To reset the game:
- Access Documents > Electronic Arts on your computer
- Right-click on The Sims 4 and choose Delete (click Yes if prompted to confirm)
- Empty your Recycle Bin
- Restart your computer
- Check if Sims 4 opens successfully
By following these steps, you can reset Sims 4 and potentially resolve any issues with launching the game.
Solution 5: Reinstall Sims 4 or Origin
If Sims 4 still won’t open, consider reinstalling the game. Should that fail, attempt to reinstall the Origin client for a potential fix.
