Fix: Sims 4 Won’t Launch or Not Loading on PC

Are you a fan of The Sims 4, but are experiencing trouble launching the game on your Windows PC? You’re not alone. Many users have reported being unable to open or launch Sims 4, encountering a frustrating issue where the game won’t open at all. If you’re facing this problem, don’t worry! In this comprehensive guide, we will provide you with several fixes to help you resolve the issue and get back to enjoying your virtual world.

Why is my Sims 4 not launching?

There can be several reasons why Sims 4 won’t launch on your PC. Here are some common causes:

Corrupted game files: If your game files are corrupted, it can prevent Sims 4 from launching. In this case, repairing the game in Origin might solve the problem.

Outdated or corrupted drivers: Graphics or network controller drivers that are outdated or corrupted can also cause issues with game launch. Updating these drivers may fix the problem.

Antivirus interference: Your antivirus software could be blocking the game from opening. Disabling your antivirus temporarily can help determine if it’s the cause of the issue.

Mods: Using too many mods or corrupted mods can prevent Sims 4 from launching. Checking and removing mods might resolve the problem.

Corrupted game files: Corrupted files associated with the game can also be the culprit. Resetting the game can help resolve this issue.

Corrupted installation: A corrupted installation of the game or the Origin client can also prevent Sims 4 from launching. Reinstalling the game or Origin might be necessary.

Software conflicts: Conflicts with other software on your PC can also interfere with game launch. Performing a clean boot can help identify and resolve these conflicts.

Now that we understand the possible causes, let’s explore the solutions to fix the Sims 4 not launching or opening issue on your Windows PC.

Fix 1: Repair the game

The first fix we recommend is repairing the game files in Origin. Corrupted game files can often be the reason behind Sims 4 not launching. Follow these steps to repair the game:

1. Open the Origin client on your PC.
2. Navigate to your Game Library and locate the Sims 4 game.
3. Right-click on the Sims 4 game and select the “Repair” option from the context menu.
4. Wait for the repair process to complete.
5. Try launching the Sims 4 game again and check if it opens without any issues.

If repairing the game doesn’t solve the problem, proceed to the next fix.

Fix 2: Update the GPU card driver

Outdated or faulty graphics drivers can often cause issues with game launches. To fix the problem, update your GPU card driver. Here are three methods to update your graphics drivers:

1. Windows Update: Open the Settings app using the Windows + I hotkey. Go to Windows Update > Advanced options > Optional Updates to update your graphics driver.
2. Manufacturer’s website: Visit the official website of your device’s manufacturer to download the latest graphics drivers.
3. Device Manager: Use the Device Manager to update your display drivers.

After updating the graphics drivers, restart your system and try launching Sims 4 again. If the issue persists, move on to the next fix.

Fix 3: Update the network controller driver

Updating your network controller driver might be necessary if the problem is caused by a faulty network controller driver. Follow these steps to update your network controller driver:

If updating the network controller driver doesn’t resolve the issue, proceed to the next fix.

Fix 4: Disable your antivirus

Sometimes, your antivirus software can mistakenly block the game from launching. Temporarily disabling your antivirus can help determine if it’s causing the problem. If you’re able to open Sims 4 after disabling your antivirus, follow these steps to permanently resolve the issue without turning off your antivirus:

1. Add the game executable and the Origin executable to the exception or exclusion list of your antivirus software.

Fix 5: Check Mods in Sims 4

Mods used in Sims 4 can sometimes interfere with the game launch. Removing mods and then checking if the issue is resolved can help identify if mods are causing the problem. Follow these steps to check mods in Sims 4:

1. Open the Documents > Electronic Arts > The Sims 4 folder.
2. Go to the Mods folder.
3. Cut all the files and paste them on your desktop.
4. Try opening the game and check if it launches successfully.

If the game launches without any issues after removing the mods, it indicates that the mods were causing the problem. You can try adding the mods back one by one to identify the specific mod that was causing the issue.

Fix 6: Reset Sims 4

Corrupted files associated with the game can prevent Sims 4 from launching. Resetting the game can resolve this issue. However, before proceeding with the reset, make sure to back up your game files. Here’s how you can back up and reset Sims 4:

1. Open File Explorer using the Windows + E hotkey and navigate to Documents > Electronic Arts.
2. Locate The Sims 4 folder and right-click on it.
3. Select the “Copy” option.
4. Paste the folder on your desktop or any other desired location.
5. Rename the backup folder to something like “Sims 4 Backup”.

To reset the game, follow these steps:

1. Open the Documents > Electronic Arts folder.
2. Select and right-click on The Sims 4 folder.
3. Choose the “Delete” option to remove it.
4. Empty the Recycle Bin.
5. Reboot your PC and check if you’re able to launch Sims 4.

If the game still doesn’t launch, proceed to the next fix.

Fix 7: Reinstall Sims 4 or the Origin client

If none of the previous solutions work, it’s possible that you’re dealing with corrupted installation files. Reinstalling Sims 4 may resolve the issue. Alternatively, the problem could be with the Origin client itself. In that case, uninstalling and reinstalling Origin might be necessary.

Fix 8: Troubleshoot in a clean boot state

Software conflicts can sometimes prevent Sims 4 from launching. Performing a clean boot can help identify and resolve these conflicts. Follow these steps to troubleshoot in a clean boot state:

How do I fix the initialization error at startup Sims 4?

If you’re experiencing an initialization error at startup, there are a few potential fixes you can try. Start by repairing the game files. If that doesn’t solve the problem, try running the game as an administrator or starting it in compatibility mode. Additionally, the issue could be related to a corrupted installation of the Origin client. Reinstalling Origin might help resolve the error.

Conclusion

That’s it! With these fixes, you should be able to resolve the issue of Sims 4 not launching or loading on your Windows PC and get back to enjoying the game. If you have any further questions or concerns, feel free to reach out for assistance.