Windows 10 Upgrade : Sims 4 Fix

SomaSin

I noticed that a lot of simmer's are having issues with their games running after upgrading to Windows 10. I decided that I would share my troubleshooting method here so that it may be of help to those having errors, white screens, crashes, and the game just not running at all. After following all of the steps below your game should now work properly, I hope this helps. I also want to thank Funboysims for helping me with his steps on the error as well.

..:: UPDATES ::..
-8.26.15 -- Added tutorial for "Signal" errors.

This is the error that I recieved after upgrading to Windows 10 :
“Unable to start: Origin is currently not running. Please make sure that Origin is running before attempting to play The Sims 4 [d3382ced:984c6a38:00000000]”

Before starting these steps, please make sure to have ALL mods removed from your game. I reccomend putting them on your desktop so that you may install them once your game is repaired.
Mods Folder Location: Documents > Electronic Arts > Mods

Also, make a copy of your saves just in case. This troubleshooting method will not harm them but just in case.
Saves Folder Location: Documents > Electronic Arts > Saves
Right click the 'Saves' folder, hit 'Copy'. Next go to your desktop Right click on a blank area, hit 'Paste'. You now have a backup of your saved games.


Troubleshooting Steps

1. Repair Game -
Origin > My Games > TS4 > Right Click > 'Repair Game'

TEST GAME - If not working, continue with next step.

2. Uninstall Origin - Your save files will stay intact!
Fully uninstall origin and delete these three folders:
c:\ProgramData\Origin\
c:\Users\Username\AppData\Roaming\Origin
c:\Users\Username\AppData\Local\Origin (usually already gone after uninstalling)

3. Re-Install Origin - Download Here

4. Re-Install 'The Sims 4'
You may also install all Stuff/Expansion/Game pack items you may have at this time, or wait until after your game is repaired.

TEST GAME - If not working, continue with next step.

5. Clear Registry -
*Hit 'Windows+R' to bring up the 'RUN' command.
*Type in 'C:\ProgramData\' (without parenthesis) and hit Ok.
*Delete the 'Origin' folder
Follow the above steps and delete the Origin folder in Local and Roaming AppData also.
C:\Users\%USERNAME%\AppData\Local\
C:\Users\%USERNAME%\AppData\Roaming\

TEST GAME - If prompted to update game, you may do so. If your game is still not working, continue with next step.

6. Uninstall Origin again, then Re-install

7. Update Origin when prompted.

TEST GAME - Your game should now properly work!

ATTN: you will have to reset your in game settings, they will be restored to default.
Be sure to also check the windows updates, and update your video driver to avoid further issues.

---

PART TWO: For "Signal" errors after upgrading to Windows 10
I have been asked by a few simmers to write a tutorial to fix black screens and "Signal" errors after upgrading to Windows 10. The number one cause of this is your video driver. I also reccomend the program 'Driver Booster' by Iobit. This program will update all of your drivers as they go out of date in one big swoop!

1. First, you need to check if you have and more Windows Updates.

To find windows update:
In the search bar on your task bar type in 'Windows Updates' wait a moment and 'Windows Updates' will be listed at the top next to an image of a cog wheel.

2. Run any prompted updates, and RESTART your computer. (Restarting is very important, so please do not skip this step)

TEST GAME - If not working you will need to update your video card, follow the next steps.

3. Next, you need your video driver name. If you know the name of your video driver skip step 4.

4. To find this follow the steps below:
-'Windows Key' + R
-In the 'Open' box, type "dxdiag" (without the quotation marks), click 'OK'
-The DirectX Diagnostic Tool opens, click 'Display' tab.
-On the 'Display' tab, info about your graphics card is shown in the 'Device' section. (You can see the name of your card, as well as how much video memory it has.

5. Google/Search for the name of your driver.
(Example: I have: AMD Radeon HD 6900 Series. So I would search 'AMD Radeon HD 6900 Series Driver Download')

6. Install your video driver, this is usually the first link that comes up when searching.

7. RESTART your computer.

TEST GAME - You should no longer be seeing a "Signal Error" on your screen.

ENolan

That's right good of you to post this. Mind you, the only real problem that has occured since Windows 10 was the hyper-reactivity and the troubles with Skyrim ENBs, but still hopefully this helps others.

SomaSin

Thanks, I know not everyone likes to talk to the Origin reps, so I thought it would be helpful to post the knowledge I learned after taking 4 days and 6 different reps to help me solve. Thankfully they were able to be of help.

JoxerTM22

Rule #1 while troubleshooting Sims 4:
Remove mods.

I often forget to mention it.

Aine

I actually removed mods before upgrading to Windows 10. Must have helped because I had no problems running the game after updating. I did feel a bit silly doing it, but I figured it couldn't hurt, and I knew that the game is very fickle.

radtazman

I have an additional question. My Sims Pirates and Nobles would not work when I upgraded from 7 to 8. Went back to 7. Anyone who has upgraded to 10 play Pirates and Nobles? Does it work?

ChadSims2

I left mods in and had no issues but then I never remove mods not even with patching never have had any issues.

JoxerTM22

radtazman wrote: »

I have an additional question. My Sims Pirates and Nobles would not work when I upgraded from 7 to 8. Went back to 7. Anyone who has upgraded to 10 play Pirates and Nobles? Does it work?

Register it on Origin (if it's on Steam, you may use Steam key on Origin).
After installation hit repair on Origin. It should work after that.

momboqueen

Fortunately I had no problems with mine but it's nice you have a solution for those that do.

Jessa_Dakkar

radtazman wrote: »

I have an additional question. My Sims Pirates and Nobles would not work when I upgraded from 7 to 8. Went back to 7. Anyone who has upgraded to 10 play Pirates and Nobles? Does it work?

I have not had any issue with Pirates and Nobles since upgrading to 10. I didn't have any issues with TS4 either. In TS3 I just needed to reset my settiings in options, as I expected. In TS2 I ended up having to change some lines in the code to get the right resolution and ability to smooth edges. No big deal.

momboqueen

radtazman wrote: »

I have an additional question. My Sims Pirates and Nobles would not work when I upgraded from 7 to 8. Went back to 7. Anyone who has upgraded to 10 play Pirates and Nobles? Does it work?

I could not play from the disc. Had to register them with origin, download then all was good.

FlamingoKicker1

I didn't notice any problems after "upgrading" to Windows 10 except the mod that turned off EA's purging of sims in our neighborhoods was suddenly no longer functioning. That really ground my gears cause I was trying to keep sims in my neighborhood and suddenly they were all deleted by the game. Sheesh.

ceejay402

I do hope everyone first runs clean games files before adding back old files. If nothing else please create copies of your files before testing them. But if you run into issues pull to the desktop my documents/electronic arts/sims 4 test again and keep out until game issues are resolved

ChadSims2 wrote: »

I left mods in and had no issues but then I never remove mods not even with patching never have had any issues.

Please stop removing mods is always required whenever you update the game or upgrade like OS. So far you have been lucky but outdated and or conflicting mods can and eventually will if you never remove corrupt game saves.

Felicia1990

I've had no problems at all with my game since getting Windows 10 last week. It runs so smooth! (Sorry for rubbing it in to those people having problems )

IvoryButterfly

My game has been working fine, but it's just running so clunky and has the music suddenly playing in live mode! Any ideas on how to fix these weird errors happening?

rosemow

IvoryButterfly wrote: »

My game has been working fine, but it's just running so clunky and has the music suddenly playing in live mode! Any ideas on how to fix these weird errors happening?

Hello @IvoryButterfly.
Check to make sure that your graphics drivers are updated.

Remove any cc/mods and test to see if that helps your game.

Try resetting your sims 4 folder and see if that helps. To do that, move your sims 4 folder ( that is in Documents -Electronic Arts - then the sims 4 folder is there ) to the desktop. Then start the game, and a new sims 4 folder will be generated. Start a new game and test to see how the game is working. Exit the game and then add back the "options.ini" file and the "saves" , "screenshots" "tray" "custom music " and "mods" folders from the desktop sims 4 folder to the new sims 4 folder, replacing the new generated file/ folders with the old file/folders, testing after replacing each one to see how the game is working.

With your music issue, it may be similar to the issue that is in this EA Bug thread?
http://answers.ea.com/t5/The-Sims-4-Bug-Reports/Load-music-stuck-in-loop/m-p/3459687#M446

Delsabre

radtazman wrote: »

I have an additional question. My Sims Pirates and Nobles would not work when I upgraded from 7 to 8. Went back to 7. Anyone who has upgraded to 10 play Pirates and Nobles? Does it work?

Never had any problems with Sims Medieval on Windows 8 / 8.1 or Windows 10. But it seems as if the DRM (Anti Piracy crap in the launcher) isn't compatible with these operating systems, if you register and download it through Origin you'll get a version where the launcher has been patched out entirely.

IvoryButterfly

Thankyou @rosemow I will go and try these suggestions out now.
And also yes, it is the same EA Bug thread and I have added myself to already, some time ago I might add as well; so guess I'll just wait that out

IvoryButterfly

AH ha, Thankyou @Rosemow, it seems that setting my Sims 4 folder was the trick to fix all my problems with my game (for now), I'm not fussed about putting back in old folders because I was starting a clean sweep, and the house I was using was in my hubby's library so it was easy to DL and put onto a lot

rosemow

IvoryButterfly wrote: »

AH ha, Thankyou @Rosemow, it seems that setting my Sims 4 folder was the trick to fix all my problems with my game (for now), I'm not fussed about putting back in old folders because I was starting a clean sweep, and the house I was using was in my hubby's library so it was easy to DL and put onto a lot

Hello @IvoryButterfly. I am that your problems have been fixed

LucyRalph2

:'( I am so happy I feel like crying. Since I installed Windows 10 I have been constantly on the lookout for information about how to make it work with Mods. I had no idea I could right click on my games in Origin. Wow, I am constantly telling everyone, right click is your friend. If you can't figure it out, right click, then I fall for it myself. Thank you so, so very much. You have made my Simming fun again.

Emz

Hi guys i was having trouble like this and after trying all of the above found out the following: if you log in to origin go to application settings and select origin in game and turn this off it actually allows you to play the game just if any one else like me was at the last resort of never simming again.

rosemow

Emz wrote: »

Hi guys i was having trouble like this and after trying all of the above found out the following: if you log in to origin go to application settings and select origin in game and turn this off it actually allows you to play the game just if any one else like me was at the last resort of never simming again.

Hello
Welcome to the forums!
It is good that turning off origin in-game has helped with the issues in your game.