The Sims 3: Game Crash Fixes

Computer Up to Specs?

The Sims 3 can be a very demanding game, and even computers that are brand new may have difficulty running the game, if they are not made specifically for gaming.

First, you need to know what your computer has. For that, please see the finding PC specs guide here.

You will need to know:

• Your processor [CPU] type and speed
• Your amount of RAM
• Your graphics card model
• What operating system you are running

Then, you can compare what you have to the system requirements for TS3. 
If your computer is not up to the minimum requirements then you may experience issues with playing the game. Even if your computer technically meets the requirements, if it only barely meets the requirements then you may still have issues.

If you are sure your computer is up to the task, not only meeting but exceeding the requirements keep reading.

Delete Cache Files

Cache files are temporary files that are saved by the game to make loading certain information faster. If these files have incorrect or corrupted data, it may prevent your game from functioning properly. The game will regenerate fresh copies of these files each time it loads, so deleting them is perfectly safe, and it’s normal for them to reappear.

1. To delete your cache files, navigate to:

• Windows XP: C:\Documents and Settings\<user name>\My Documents\Electronic Arts\The Sims 3\
• Windows Vista/7: C:\User\<user name>\Documents\Electronic Arts\The Sims 3\
• Mac OS: /User/<user name>/Documents/Electronic Arts/The Sims 3/

Inside will be a number of cache files, delete any and all of these files you have.:

• CasPartCache.package
• compositorCache.package
• scriptCache.package
• simCompositorCache.package

2. Also look inside the WorldCaches folder (if you have one)

• Windows XP: C:\Documents and Settings\<user name>\My Documents\Electronic Arts\The Sims 3\WorldCaches\
• Windows Vista/7: C:\Users\<user name>\Documents\Electronic Arts\The Sims 3\ World Caches\

Delete any files inside that folder. If you have Riverview, the contents of the folder are:

• Riverview_objects.package
• Riverview_sims.package

Don’t worry if you don’t have a ‘WorldCaches’ folder, or if it’s empty some have a folder and others don’t.

Now try running the game. Try to load The Sims 3. Does it work? Does it run for a while without crashing? If so, you just had some corrupted cache files and it should be fine now. Continue playing and don’t worry about it.

If deleting cache files didn’t work keep reading.

Remove Mods

Game mods that are corrupted, conflicting, don’t work with a patch (if you have patched) or require the patch (if you haven’t patched), or are otherwise problematic can cause your game to not load or run properly.

1. To remove your mods, open your \Mods\Packages\ folder located in the following path.

• Windows Xp/Vista/7 [32-bit]: C:\Program Files\Electronic Arts\The Sims 3\Mods\Packages
• Windows XP/Vista/7 [64-bit]: C:\Program Files (x86)\Electronic Arts\The Sims 3\Mods\Packages
• Mac OS: Contents/Resources/transgaming/c_drive/Program Files/Electronic Arts/The Sims 3/Mods

2. Select all of the files within the Mods\Packages folder. Right-click and choose CUT [or CTRL-X].

3. Paste [or CTRL-V] those files somewhere you can find them. Suggested is making a new folder on your computer’s Desktop to hold them temporarily.

4. Delete your cache files.

Now try running the game. Try to load The Sims 3. Does it work? Does it run for a while without crashing?

If so, one or more of your mods was causing a problem, maybe there was a conflict between two core mods, or something got corrupted or just otherwise didn’t want to work. To narrow down what the problem might have been, you can put back half of your mods at a time, delete your cache files again, and test, then test the other half, etc., and continue dividing in half till you find what the problem mod(s) are. If you do identify a mod or mods that are an issue, check back with their creator(s) to see if there’s an updated version.

If testing without mods didn’t work keep reading.

Remove User Files

It’s also possible that something in your user files – saves or otherwise – is causing a problem.

1. Open your DOCUMENTS\Electronic Arts\ folder, full path below.

• Windows XP: C:\Documents and Settings\My Documents\Electronic Arts\
• Windows Vista/7: C:\Users\<user name> \Documents\Electronic Arts\
• Mac OS: /Users/<user name>/Documents/Electronic Arts/

Rename the folder in it called The Sims 3 to The Sims 3 Backup – you don’t need to delete your cache files this time.

Now try running the game. It may take a little longer to load than normal this time, since it is making fresh new copies of all of the standard user files [as if you had just installed]. It may also run full-screen if you had normally had it windowed, and the graphic options will be turned down – that’s normal, and nothing to worry about. If you’re able to load the game with fresh user files and play the game for a while without crashing, then it was something in the user files that was the problem. You can then go in and copy-paste individual folders from your The Sims 3 Backup to the new The Sims 3 folder to see which is the problem. Recommended is trying your Saves folder first.