Experiencing Sims 4 crashes? The most common fix is to disable or update outdated mods. If that doesn’t work, this guide provides a systematic approach to troubleshooting, from updating drivers to checking hardware.

Common Causes of Sims 4 Crashes

Crashes in The Sims 4 can stem from various issues. Here are some of the most likely suspects:

  • Outdated or Corrupted Mods: This is the most common cause of crashes. Mods interact directly with the game’s code, and outdated or conflicting mods can create instability.
  • Insufficient System Resources: The Sims 4 requires adequate RAM, CPU processing power, and GPU performance. If your computer struggles, it can lead to crashes.
  • Outdated Graphics Drivers: Old or buggy drivers can cause rendering issues that lead to crashes.
  • Corrupted Game Files: Occasionally, the game’s core files can become corrupted, leading to errors and crashes.
  • Conflicting Software: Certain background programs, especially overlays, can conflict with The Sims 4.
  • Overheating: If your CPU or GPU overheats, it can lead to system instability and crashes. This is more common in laptops.
  • Operating System Issues: Outdated or corrupted operating system files can also lead to crashes.

Troubleshooting The Sims 4 Crashes

Now that you know the potential culprits, let’s dive into troubleshooting steps. Start with the most common issues and work your way down.

1. Troubleshoot Mods (The Prime Suspect)

Mods are the most frequent cause of Sims 4 crashes.

  • Disable Custom Content: Rename your “Mods” folder (usually in Documents\Electronic Arts\The Sims 4) to something like “Mods_Backup”.
  • Test the Game: Launch The Sims 4. If it runs without crashing, the problem is your mods.
  • Isolate the Problem Mod: Re-enable your mods in small batches (e.g., 5-10 at a time). Play the game after each batch. If a crash occurs, the problematic mod is in that batch. Further divide the batch until you identify the culprit. This is tedious but necessary.
  • Update or Remove the Mod: Once identified, check the mod creator’s website for an updated version. If not, remove the mod entirely.
  • Check for Mod Conflicts: Some mods are inherently incompatible. Read the mod descriptions. The Mod Conflict Detector tool can sometimes help.

2. Update Your Graphics Drivers

Outdated graphics drivers can lead to rendering issues and crashes.

  • Identify Your Graphics Card: Determine the make and model of your GPU (e.g., NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3070, AMD Radeon RX 6800 XT, Intel Iris Xe Graphics). You can find this information in the Device Manager.
  • Download the Latest Drivers: Visit the website of your graphics card manufacturer (NVIDIA, AMD, or Intel) and download the latest drivers for your specific GPU and operating system. Always download directly from the manufacturer’s official website to ensure they are legitimate and safe.
  • Install the Drivers: Follow the installation instructions. A clean install (uninstalling the old drivers before installing the new ones) is often recommended.

3. Repair Game Files in Origin/EA App

Corrupted game files can lead to crashes.

  • Open Origin/EA App: Launch the Origin or EA App launcher.
  • Find The Sims 4: Locate The Sims 4 in your game library.
  • Repair the Game: Right-click on The Sims 4 and select “Repair” (Origin) or “Manage” > “Repair” (EA App). This process will verify the integrity of the game files and replace any that are corrupted.

4. Close Background Applications

Conflicting software can sometimes cause crashes.

  • Close Unnecessary Programs: Close any programs running in the background that you are not actively using, especially those that consume significant system resources (e.g., streaming software, video editing software).
  • Disable Overlays: Game overlays (like Discord overlay, Steam overlay, or NVIDIA GeForce Experience overlay) can sometimes interfere with The Sims 4. Try disabling these overlays to see if it resolves the issue.

5. Check Your System Specifications

Ensure your computer meets the minimum and recommended system requirements for The Sims 4.

  • Minimum Requirements: While The Sims 4 isn’t the most demanding game, running it on outdated hardware can lead to problems. Even meeting the minimum requirements doesn’t guarantee smooth gameplay, especially with expansions and mods.
  • Recommended Specifications: Ideally, your computer should meet or exceed the recommended specifications for optimal performance and stability.

6. Address Overheating

Safety First: Ensure your device is powered off and unplugged before cleaning any internal components.

Overheating can cause system instability and crashes.

  • Monitor Temperatures: Use a hardware monitoring tool (like HWMonitor or MSI Afterburner) to monitor your CPU and GPU temperatures while playing The Sims 4. If temperatures are consistently high (above 80°C for the CPU or GPU), you may have an overheating issue.
  • Improve Cooling: Ensure your computer has adequate ventilation. Clean any dust buildup from the fans and heatsinks. If you’re using a laptop, consider using a laptop cooling pad. In extreme cases, you may need to consider upgrading your CPU cooler or GPU cooling solution.

By systematically working through these troubleshooting steps, you should be able to identify the cause of your Sims 4 crashes and get back to enjoying the game. Remember to be patient and methodical, and you’ll likely find a solution. Good luck!

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does The Sims 4 keep crashing even after I removed all my mods?

Even after removing mods, corrupted game files or outdated graphics drivers can cause crashes. Try repairing the game through the EA App/Origin and updating your graphics drivers.

How do I know which mod is causing The Sims 4 to crash?

The best way is to re-enable your mods in small batches. If a crash occurs, the problematic mod is in that batch. Further divide the batch until you identify the specific culprit. It’s tedious but effective.

Check the official EA website for the most up-to-date system requirements. Meeting the recommended specs will generally lead to a more stable and enjoyable gaming experience.