How to get rid of bugs and problems with mods in The Sims 4

It always happens that at the least expected moment, The Sims 4 will suddenly break down. You may frantically search for a reason why and never find it. We’ve compiled some tips on how to get rid of bugs in The Sims 4, as well as how to fix any problems with mods.

Tips for preventing mistakes

Here are some tips to prevent mistakes in the game.

1. Even if you haven’t played for a while, log in to your Origin account at least once a week and check for Origin and game updates.
2. Regularly update the game and Origin.
3. When starting the game, first start the Origin application by right-clicking the application icon, select the “run as administrator” option, enter the Library and from there, click on the cover of the game base, and then launch it.
4. If you have any mods and/or Custom Content (CC) objects in the game, move the Mods folder (with all content) to your computer’s desktop before updating the game. This small procedure will protect you against possible mistakes in the game and even against its corruption.
5. After the upgrade is complete, enter the game for a while to complete the upgrade process. By the way, a new Mods folder will be created along with an updated package file named Resource.cfg.
6. Before adding back files from the old Mods folder to the game, make a backup copy of the game, and then check to make sure that none of the mods/CC will conflict with the game. For this purpose do the following:
   1. From the Mods folder on the computer desktop in small batches — a few pieces — translate mods/CC, and then turn on the game and check if it interferes with it.
   2. Repeat this action until you find all the outdated mods/CC.
7. Incompatible mods/CC can only be checked manually. Insert them into a pair of newly created Mods folders and then check them in the game during the game or while building.
8. When you exchange mods and/or CC or add any new mods to the Mods folder, they always interfere more or less with the game. It is then worth removing the following file/folders from the game folder in My Documents (path: Documents \ Electronic Arts \ The Sims 4), because they contain records of the old game and all previous old interactions, connections, etc.:
   • cache
   • cachestr
   • onlinethumbnailcache
   • localthumbcache

   When turned on, the game will play them again. You will not lose the game saves or your families or homes, as the game saves are in the saves folder.

9. Always save the game according to the “Save as” option. This will allow you to start the game with an earlier save, if the next one for various reasons turns out to be broken.
10. To make it easier to work with custom and modified content files with or without scripts, create subfolders in the Mods folder subfolders for each of the authors of those mods/CC. Make sure each subfolder only contains CC or mod files from that creator. It’s also helpful to insert a card from the system notebook with the address of the page from which you downloaded this particular mod or CC. You can also add some photos to the subfolders, as the game doesn’t read the notebook or photos.

What are mods, and how do they differ from custom content?

Mods are modifications that change the game. These mods always need to be taken seriously, because improperly used or outdated can completely ruin The Sims 4.

There are two types of mods:

1. mods without scripts that have the word .package in their extensions
   Examples: mod for background environment CAS background, number of columns in CAS, items, etc.
2. script mods – mods interfering with the structure of the game, changing its operation.

CC objects or custom content are always files with the extension .package.

These are objects from CAS and from buy/build mode. Removing them from the game and fixing the game on Origin can restore the game to good condition.

Types of custom content:

1. Objects from the purchase/construction mode, such as construction and building elements (windows, doors, balustrades, etc.), furniture, home decorations, fireplaces, etc.
2. objects from the CAS mode, such as: hair, clothes, shoes, make-up, skins, accessories (hats, glasses, jewelry).