Sims 3 - Tips for Crashing, Lag and Other Misc Tips

[MrsFlynn]

Sims 3 - Tips for Crashing, Lag and Other Misc Tips:

I know these tips can be found in various places around our forum and web. But I thought I'd create a list that shows all of them in one place, for quicker reference.

The following tips may also help with various glitches, lagging, and the dreaded Sims 3 has stopped working error.  If you have any tips on reducing or preventing crashing glitching and lag, please pm me, so it can be added to the list.

Thank you SO much to all that have helped me put this tip list together!!

Thank you!!

MrsFlynn


Note: This thread and the posts linked to it have been been locked as they are for informational purposes. If you have any technical questions, please create a new topic here in tech help. Give us as much details/information as possible on the issue so we can help.

Updated: May. 2020


Index Of Tips:

How To: Play/Start the game? / How-To: Play/Start the game without internet?

Finding Missing Expansions

How to Install/Uninstall and Save the game, Restoring the game and Installing Store Content

Sims 3 - How To Transfer Old Sims 3 Games to New Computer?

Won't Start/Launch / Stopped Working / Crashing Issues / Freezing and/or Game lag

Misc. Gameplay Issues

Misc. Tips and Advice

----

This Code Has Already been Used

Redeem Game Codes In Origin

Can't Log In to Sims 3 Store

Sims 3 - From Steam To Origin

Sims 3 - System Requirements and Graphics List


Finding Missing Expansions:

Finding Sims 3 Expansions in Origin

My Origin Games Are Missing

My Sims User or Install Files are Missing?

The Expansions Aren't Loading?!

Expansion Packs Disappeared From Launcher

Back to top


How To: Install/Uninstall and Save the game, Restoring the game and Installing Store Content:

How-To: Saving folders/files to use on a different computer or to use as backup

How-To: Sims 3 - Uninstall/Reinstall

How-To: Backup and Restore The Sims 3 From Origin.

How To: Download and Install Store Content

How-To: Backup and Restore Store Content

Sims 3 CRC (Cyclic Redundancy Check) Error (What & How To Fix)

Add Sims 3 to DEP - For disc and Steam only

Back to top


Won't Start/Launch / Stopped Working / Freezing and/or Game lag:

Sims 3 Won't Launch/Start / Play button is grey

Tips to Relieve Lag and Freezing

Tips for Sims 3 Has Stopped Working

Tips for General Crashing Issues

Launcher Crashes / Launcher has stopped Working

Tips for Launcher Script Errors / Clear IE's or Edge's Browser Cache

Game Won't Fully Load - Save slow loading

Go Back a Previous Save File

Game Won't Save?

Game will not play at all - Game asks redeem a code

Game won't load - stuck on black screen

Game Not Loading, Crashing

Back to top


Misc. Gameplay Issues:

Reset Town, Individual Sims and/or Evict Household

Can't access files? (Possible Solution) - For missing meta.data file

User Interface (UI) is Missing

Back to top


Misc. Tips and Advice:

Check the Mods - As they may help troubled games

Check on the 3rd Party Custom Content

Delete Game Cache Files (What & Howto)

Sims 3 Factory Reset (What & Howto)

Create a New Game

Delete Older Saved Games

Make Sure Drivers Are Up To Date

Restore Sims 3 Game Options Settings

V-Sync Settings

Thumbnails Folder

WorldCaches Folder

Getting the Game to Recognize Your Graphics Card

Register Games with Origin for Digital Download Copy

Origin and EA Help Tips

How To: Find System Specs (DxDiag) - Windows 10, 8 and 7

[BUG] Origin Update for TS3 Games **Fixed!!**

Back to top


Please see the Sims 3 Boards on Answers EA (AHQ) for more help:

AHQ's Sims 3 PC Tech Help Board
https://answers.ea.com/t5/Technical-Issues-PC/bd-p/the-sims-3

AHQ's Sims 3 MAC Tech Help Board
https://answers.ea.com/t5/Technical-Issues-Mac/bd-p/the-sims-3-technical-issues-mac-en

[MrsFlynn]

Lower In-game Graphics

Go to Options (...) on the Graphics tab (default tab)

To Change the in-game resolution: Go to Screen Size, and from the drop down menu, choose the screen resolution of: 1920x1080, for example.

While in this tab, uncheck Advanced Rendering and Animation Smoothing and check Enable Object Hiding.

Try lowering the in-game graphics to medium. and put High Detail Lots at 1 or 2.

Also, don't use Alt-Tab to pop out of the game. Go to the menu (...) and select Open Launcher. As your playing just keep the launcher minimized.

This should help the game run a little more smoothly, with less glitches and lag.


For those that have really high desktop screen resolutions, it may be best to try lowering the screen resolution to 1920x1080. Set in-game resolution to match it.

This is happening because because Sims 3 was not built with UI scaling. Larger the screen resolution the smaller the UI appears.

[MrsFlynn]

Turn Off Memories and In-game Store

Go to Options (...) Select the gear tab, which is the General Settings and look for the word Memories and in the drop down menu select Disable Memories.

While your in this tab, it may help to make sure Enable Shop Mode and Lessons are un-checked.

Turning off memories means less game bloat/overly large game save file.
** As bloated/overly large game saves will cause performance problems.

[MrsFlynn]

Turn Off Interactive Loading Screens

Go to Options (...) Select the gear tab, which is the General Settings, at the bottom of the menu uncheck the box labelled Interactive Loading Screens

Turning this off will help the game run a little more smoothly as well.

[MrsFlynn]

Try the Super Patch

 ** Not for use with the Origin version 1.69 **

There's been a few times the game has crashed and later found out the game needed to be updated. Tried to update through the launcher and that didn't help. Tried the super patch and FordGT90Concept patcher and it worked!!

Super Patch (1.67)
https://help.ea.com/en/article/the-sims-3-super-patcher/#pc

Run the FordGT90Concept's Patcher
http://modthesims.info/d/409829
** It will install the patches for the earliest games that got left out of the super patch and help it work better. 

EA Customer Service may not speak about this patch, due to them not being allowed to talk about 3rd party patches.

[MrsFlynn]

Delete Game Cache Files

From inside this folder \Documents\Electronic Arts\The Sims 3, you can delete the game cache to help the game run smoother:

  - CasPartCache.package - CAS parts that appear in Create-A-Sim
  - compositorCache.package - New objects that would appear in Buy/Build mode
  - scriptCache.package - Mods or Hacks
  - simCompositorCache.package - New Sims, default skins
  - Sims3LauncherLogFile.log - Uploading/Downloading info in regards to the Exchange
  - Sims3Logs.xml - Log Files about your computer and errors that might occur.
  - socialCache.package - Simport-related and other social data, if you use the wall to integrate with your MyPage on thesims3.com site

* ~ . ~ . ~ -=>.<=-  ~ . ~ . ~ *

Also delete everything except Ccmerged.package file in the DCBackup folder. (Delete the contents of the folder, not the folder itself) -- Be sure to leave Ccmerged.package alone.

--> Documents > Electronic Arts > The Sims 3 > DCBackup

** Rule of thumb on these files, if they aren't very big, for example under 100KB, then it's fine not to delete them unless you feel it's necessary.

**Note** If you've got patch 1.69 make sure that the EPs/Sps you intend to play with are still checked before clicking Play. As it has been reported that clearing caches also clears the checked selections in the new EP/SP Picker function.

=====
Reference Links:

Delete Cache files
http://sims3.crinrict.com/en/2011/01/faq-delete-your-cache-files.html

Sims 3 Delete Cache Files
http://simswiki.info/wiki.php?title=Game_Help:Sims_3_Delete_Cache_Files

Sims 3 User Files Explained
https://sims3.crinrict.com/en/2011/01/faq-user-files.html

[MrsFlynn]

Clear Family and Individual Inventories

Look over and get rid of the extra stuff your sim family members may not need anymore in their personal inventories as well as the family inventory. As stuffed inventories cause lag, that eventually leads to crashing.

Also, having a large house with a lot of landscaping and a lot of furniture and decor will cause lag after awhile.

[MrsFlynn]

Move the Household

Some of the pre-made houses will cause the game to crash, specially in Isla Paradiso and the newer store towns. Before giving up on your game, try moving your family to an empty lot or a cheaper house.

[MrsFlynn]

Reset Town, Individual Sims and/or Evict Household
With or without using cheats.

Quick Links:
With Cheats
Evict Sims/Household
Without Cheats

This does not delete data files, such as saved game files and Sims. All it does is resets the individual Sim, household, town or Everything if you use Nraas MasterController.

If having work related issues, remove or reset their work outfit.


With Cheats

In Edit Town mode - Press Shift-Ctrl-C keys together to bring up cheat console.

For the whole town - resetsim *

** Alternative for resetting town is to use

Nraas MasterController:
From City Hall > Nraas > M.C. > Town > Reset Everything.

Reset Sim:

While in live mode on pause, Press Shift-Ctrl-C keys together to bring up cheat console. Type in:

resetsim Firstname Lastname

Back to top


Evict Sims/Household

If reset Sim doesn't work, try evicting your family. This is done without cheating. This will place them on the clipboard. Then move them back into their house to see if that helps.

Here's how to do that:

1. Go to Edit Town, click on the family's house a pop up menu will appear to the right.

Click the Evict Button (Button with the 3 family members with an arrow above them) left bottom of the menu.

2. Click the checkmark, when told about the loss of wishes and promises of current family. - This is okay, specially when your trying to un-glitch your Sim family.

3. Click Move Out (Moves household without house) - It will put them onto the clipboard to the top left of screen.

4. Click the next checkmark when asked about the deactivation of the household. - Again, this is okay when your trying to save your glitched Sim family.

5. Click on the family in the upper left hand corner of the screen, and place them back into their home.

---- From here, you've got two options, you can either click on their house again and select the Switch to this Household button (Button with 2 houses and an arrow) from the menu. Or Click on the Change Active Family button from the User Interface and choose your family from there.

Back to top


Reset Sim Without Cheating

Go into Edit Town, split the sim from the household (it won't break family connections or anything, just remove wishes), then merge them back in.

If that doesn't work, go back into Edit Town, save your household and house if desired to the sims library. Create a new save, in either the same neighborhood, or a new one, placing the household in. It doesn't matter if you included their house, or copied just the family.

Again, this will make the household loose relationships/friendships outside the household along with wishes.

Create a New Game Save (How-to)
http://www.carls-sims-4-guide.com/forum/index.php?topic=20732.msg401813#msg401813
-- See link above to save the family and their house(s) etc.

Back to top


----------
Reference Link:

Nraas MasterController
http://nraas.wikispaces.com/MasterController

[MrsFlynn]

Create a New Game

If you've been playing an older game-save, doesn't matter it could be several sim days/weeks or even several real-time weeks/months, it's a good idea to save the family(s) to the library and try them out in a new game.

For example: You may have had your family in Sunset Valley in an older game. You can save them to the library, create a new game and play them in a newly created Sunset Valley.

At the Main Menu select the town you want to play from the pull down list. - Click the down arrow under Select a Town: Then click the big Checkmark button at the bottom to play.

Click image to see larger view




If you need help saving households their house or community lots, please see the links below.

How To: Save a Household
http://www.carls-sims-4-guide.com/forum/index.php?topic=19060.msg356789#msg356789

How To: Save a House/Community Lots
http://www.carls-sims-4-guide.com/forum/index.php?topic=19062.msg356791#msg356791

How-To: Save Sims From the SavedSims Folder.
https://www.carls-sims-4-guide.com/forum/index.php?topic=31201.msg443042#msg443042

How To: Save Sims 3 Files From the Library (Exporting Files)
https://www.carls-sims-4-guide.com/forum/index.php?topic=20751.msg380782#msg380782

If you're wanting to start fresh, but want to back up only some of the Sims 3 files and folders, check the link below.

Saving folders/files to use on a different computer or to use as backup
http://www.carls-sims-4-guide.com/forum/index.php/topic,16414.msg313134.html#msg313134

[MrsFlynn]

Sims 3 Factory Reset (What & Howto)

[This is different from a total-game reinstall - This sets the game back to when it was first installed with a fresh new Sims 3 folder.]

- Why Create a New Sims 3 Folder
- How-To: Sims 3 Factory Reset
- What to Do After a Factory Reset
- What Files/Folders to Add Back In
- Save Game Files for Backup
- Read more about a Factory Reset, From Crinrict


Why Do a Sims 3 Factory Reset?

It's best to create a new Sims 3 folder when you're having issues with your game, like crashing, game lag, freezing, odd gameplay issues and other irritating game headaches. It gives you a fresh folder to play the game in. It also helps with troubleshooting problems with mods and custom content.

Back to top


How-To: Sims 3 Factory Reset

Go into your Electronic Arts folder, and move your Sims 3 folder to the desktop. Paste it to your desktop and rename it something like the Sims3Backup.

This moves the folder out of the Electronic Arts folder to the desktop for backup purposes. The Sims 3 folder can be moved to a USB key or external hard drive if you prefer.

You won't loose and of your Sims 3 files, like saved games, mods, custom content or game options. It's all still there in the folder on your desktop or some where safe and can be found using this path, if saved to desktop. C:\Users\Username\Desktop \The Sims 3 -- Just don't delete it from the desktop until you're done testing.

 -- If you've got the Origin version:
   
Go into Origin, right click on Sims 3 and select Play. This will create a new Sims 3 folder. Then exit the game and copy back the folders and files described below in What to do after creating a new Sims 3 folder.
     
 -- If you have the Disc/Steam version > You can create a new Sims 3 folder one of two ways:

    1. Open the Sims 3 launcher, and then close it again.

    2. Double-click on Sims 3 Icon. This will create a new Sims 3 folder. Then exit the game.

Go to: ----> Documents > Electronic Arts > Sims 3 to confirm you've got a new Sims 3 folder.

*Note:  When you move or rename the Sims 3 folder, the game will no longer be able to find it. When you go to play the game it will create a new folder.

Back to top


What to Do After a Factory Reset

If you're not having problems with your game, and you just wanted to create a new Sims 3 folder to start fresh, go ahead and start copying back the folders and files mentioned below in what folders/files to add back in.

However, if you're having issues with your game. Start a new save to test. Do not add any other folders or files. Other than your options.ini file - This is your game and video settings.

Does it load and play okay? Yes, then try your broken save-game again to see what happens. If you're still having problems with it do not save it.

If you find that the save does work okay, copy in the Mods/CC and other files/folders into the new Sims 3 folder. (See below for more information) Use Save As to save it with a different name.

** If you're having issues with some store or custom content not working correctly. Leave out your DCCache folder and reinstall both your store and custom content. So that the game can create new files for this content in the DCCache folder.

If you don't, you may run into the same issue of the store or custom content not working. Due to the files not being refreshed.


Create a New Game (How-To)
http://www.carls-sims-4-guide.com/forum/index.php?topic=20732.msg401813#msg401813

Back to top


What Files/Folders to Add Back In

Folders: -

- DCBackup - for this file = ccmerged.package - Files related to the installed .Sims3Pack files.
- DCCache - Contains all installed Custom Content/Exchange/Store items that you installed through the Launcher.
- Downloads  - Items to be installed
- Exports - Files you export from the Game via CAS or Edit Town and will have and will be in .Sims3Pack format.
- Installed Worlds - Custom or Store Towns you have installed.
- Library - Sims and lots that you've installed.
- Mods - Mods and custom content
- Recorded Videos - Videos taken in-game using the V key.
- SavedSims - Saved Sims that are in the SimBin
- Saves - Game Saves
- Screenshots - Photos taken in-game using the C key.
- WorldCaches - Cache files for your installed custom and Store towns.

Files: -

Options.ini - Game and Graphics Options
userPresets.package - Saved colors, patterns and textures

-----

How To: Saving folders/files
http://www.carls-sims-4-guide.com/forum/index.php?topic=16414.msg313134#msg313134

The screenshots can be found by using this path:
C:\Users\Username\Documents\Electronic Arts\The Sims 3\Screenshots

The videos can be found by using this path:
C:\Users\Username\Documents\Electronic Arts\The Sims 3\Recorded Videos

Back to top

[MrsFlynn]

Make Sure Drivers Are Up To Date

Sometimes not having your drivers up to date will create graphics problems or make the computer act oddly. So make sure your drivers are up to date. Do this by searching for your computer's manufacturer and it's graphics card maker - (Nvidia or AMD).

Finding and Updating Drivers / Troubleshooting graphics (HowTo)
https://help.ea.com/en-us/help/pc/pc-graphics-troubleshooting/

If you have a dual graphics card system, make sure the game runs on the card and not the chip.
https://crinrict.com/blog/2019/05/setting-up-a-gaming-profile-for-your-graphics-card.html

How-To: Get Sims 3 to Recognize a New Graphics Card
http://www.carls-sims-4-guide.com/forum/index.php?topic=26753.msg446248#msg446248

How do I uninstall my NVIDIA display drivers?
http://www.nvidia.com/object/IO_13955.html

Uninstalling AMD drivers
https://support.amd.com/en-us/kb-articles/Pages/AMD-Clean-Uninstall-Utility.aspx


**Note:** Be aware that Sims 3 game and graphics settings will be changed when graphics drivers are updated. So it's suggested to take note of what your settings are. That way you can change them back after the drivers are installed. Or see post liked below to learn how to reset your Sims 3 Option.ini file.

Restore Sims 3 Game Options Settings
http://www.carls-sims-4-guide.com/forum/index.php?topic=20732.msg450953#msg450953

[MrsFlynn]

Freezing Then Shutting Down the Computer

This could be a sign that your desktop or laptop is overheating. You'll want to search for a program that will allow you to monitor your computer's graphics card temperature. Also if it's a laptop, a cooling mat is definitely recommended. As playing graphic intense games will overheat your computer.

[MrsFlynn]

Clean Up Your Computer

Defrag your Hard drive every so often in addition to running a virus scan once a week.
Run Ccleaner and it's registry cleaner for registry errors - as these errors can make the computer run slower.
--
Ccleaner - Standard Edition is Free

https://www.piriform.com/ccleaner/download  -- PC
https://www.piriform.com/ccleaner/download?mac -- Mac

-- This helps clean up temporary files, internet cache files and other files that are left behind that are no longer being used.

How to use CCleaner to fix PC issues
http://help.ea.com/en/article/how-to-use-ccleaner-to-fix-pc-issues/
-
http://www.wikihow.com/Use-CCleaner

[MrsFlynn]

Getting the Game to Recognize Your Graphics Card

Get the dedicated graphics card to run instead of the built in card. In the link below, it explains step by step how to use the dedicated video card instead of the on-board graphics chip.

How-To: Get Sims 3 to Recognize a New Graphics Card
http://www.carls-sims-4-guide.com/forum/index.php?topic=26753.msg446248#msg446248

An explanation on why The Sims 3 doesn't recognize new video cards
http://forums.thesims.com/en_US/discussion/886411/an-explanation-on-why-the-sims-3-doesnt-recognize-new-video-cards


Here are a couple other links that may be helpful.

** For Laptops
 -- http://support.lenovo.com/en/documents/ht078706

Granted, it's for Lenovo systems, but it should be about the same for any Intel/Nvidia dual graphics system.

----
** For a desktop it's a more involved process see
http://simswiki.info/wiki.php?title=Game_Help:Getting_new_graphics_cards_recognized_by_the_game
for the instructions.

Getting the game to recognize your graphics card
http://sims3.crinrict.com/en/2013/06/getting-the-game-to-recognize-your-card.html
Note: This also works for the Insufficient Memory Error

[MrsFlynn]

Launcher Crashes / Launcher has stopped Working Launcher / Not Responding

Launcher crashes (Sims 3 or Sims3Launcher has stopped Working)
http://sims3.crinrict.com/en/2014/02/launcher-crashes.html

If the launcher crashes, quits working or isn't responding, check what custom content/mods that are installed. As they may have not installed properly or have become corrupt. If that doesn't help, repair game, and try a factory reset.

If you need help with any of these, have a look at the links below.

1. Check on the 3rd Party Custom Content
http://www.carls-sims-4-guide.com/forum/index.php/topic,20732.msg401824.html#msg401824

2. Check the Mods
http://www.carls-sims-4-guide.com/forum/index.php/topic,20732.msg401825.html#msg401825

3. Repair Game
In Origin > Games Library, right-click on Sims 3 and select Repair.

4. Try creating a new Sims 3 folder, also known as a Sims 3 Factory Reset.

Sims 3 Factory Reset (What & Howto)
http://www.carls-sims-4-guide.com/forum/index.php?topic=20732.msg401814#msg401814

If the launcher quits responding, and you've tried all the above, it may be best to do a full uninstall/reinstall of the game. - As this will help reset the launcher and fix the corrupted files.

5. Uninstall/Reinstall the game

Uninstall the game via Origin or the Control Panel

- Origin -- Go to Games Library and right-click on Sims 3, select Uninstall. This will uninstall all of Sims 3 and it's packs.
- Control Panel -- Control Panel > Uninstall a Program > Find Sims 3 and it's packs and uninstall each of them.

Install Sims 3 and expansions via Origin

1. Log into your Origin Account with the email and password you used to purchased the game with.
2. Click on the Game Library tab, right-click on the Sims 3 and select Download. This will download the base game and any expansions, and stuff packs that have been purchased. The download process includes any bonus items.

** There should be no need for the game code, as Origin already has that information. However, if you have this problem, please read the link below for more information.

This Code Has Already been Used
https://www.carls-sims-4-guide.com/forum/index.php?topic=29314.msg431138#msg431138

It is recommended to run Ccleaner and it's registry cleaner Or a similar registry cleaner, after or before installing the game again. To help clean up files that get left behind in the registry after an uninstall.

Ccleaner, It's free
- http://www.piriform.com/ccleaner/download  -- PC
- https://www.piriform.com/ccleaner/download?mac -- Mac

How to use CCleaner to fix PC issues
http://www.wikihow.com/Use-CCleaner

[MrsFlynn]

User Interface (UI) is Missing

Regardless if traveling to/from different worlds or to/from University, you may come to find your game's user interface missing. There isn't an official fix for it. But there is a work-around and a few tips that may help with the problem.


Possible work-arounds:

1. Evict the family and placing them back into their home.
2. Switch to another household then back to yours may solve the issue.
3. If you find yourself with this bug you can then go back to a previous save.

Tip #1: Always make a backup of current game before traveling, regardless if it's to university or China, France or Egypt.

Tip#2: Clear out the family individual and family's inventories of extra items. - Always good to do this before traveling.


Troubleshooting Tips:

Missing UI
http://sims3.crinrict.com/en/2011/04/bug-missing-ui.html

Missing Sims and empty UI when arriving in vacation town
http://sims3.crinrict.com/en/2011/03/bug-missing-sims-and-empty-ui-when-arriving-in-vacation-town.html

Game Help:UI and Sim Issues
http://simswiki.info/wiki.php?title=Game_Help:UI_and_Sim_Issues

[MrsFlynn]

Restart the Computer

Playing for long periods of time (2+ hours or more), without saving will cause lag and freezing and may cause save/memory errors. Regardless of what type of computer you have.

Save often, Using Save As. and giving it a new or similar name. Get out of the game and restart the system every couple of hours will help free up memory trapped by the game. It will also help you to be sure not to loose game progress.

Using Save As every now and again and saving as nameofgame-1, nameofgame-2, etc. may help to lessen the chances of getting save/memory errors.

[MrsFlynn]

Delete and/or Backup Older Saved Games

Every so often, back up some of your older save-games. Back them up to an external drive, cd, memory key for if you want to use them later or need a backup to go back to.

Having a lot of older saved-games in your Saves folder is known to cause issues with the game.

[MrsFlynn]

Check on the 3rd Party Custom Content

If you've got custom content, (items not made by EA aka 3rd party content) or even items from the Sims3Store or the Exchange. Try starting the game without it, by opening the launcher, click the Installed Content Tab. Check mark Run Game Without Custom Content. Then click the Play button.

Going through your custom content and mods from time to time is a good idea to make sure none of it's  corrupted or conflicting with something else. As corrupted custom content will mess up your game for whatever reason and may make it, glitchy, have graphical glitches or become unplayable.

For example, if your Sim isn't actively wearing anything that may be bad CC, go through your launcher with a fine toothcomb (if you're using it). You may have downloaded a lot or a Sim that had some bad CC attached to it. If you see something that you don't recognize downloading, delete it from the launcher.

[HOW TO] Find and remove bad custom content (CC)
http://answers.ea.com/t5/The-Sims-3/HOW-TO-Find-and-remove-bad-custom-content-CC/td-p/2759940

Or

Finding Problem CC
http://simswiki.info/wiki.php?title=Game_Help:TS3_Finding_Problem_Custom_Content

The links above should help track down any cc that may be causing the issue. Note that some bad CC can't be found by checking the launcher, so check all of your downloaded sims using this tutorial linked below:
http://sims3.crinrict.com/en/2011/01/custard-downloads-that-are-attached-to-sims-directly.html


HowTo: Install Sims 3 Custom Content without the Launcher
http://www.carls-sims-4-guide.com/forum/index.php/topic,26167.msg437430.html#msg437430

Game Help:TS3 Custom Content
http://simswiki.info/wiki.php?title=Game_Help:TS3_Custom_Content

This is a list of known bad CC clothing -
http://sims3.crinrict.com/badcc/en/BadCC_Clothing.html

I can't see my custom content items in-game for The Sims 3
https://help.ea.com/en-au/help/the-sims/the-sims-3/i-can-t-see-my-custom-content-items-in-game-for-the-sims-3/

Check the Mods - As they may help troubled games
http://www.carls-sims-4-guide.com/forum/index.php?topic=20732.msg401825#msg401825

[MrsFlynn]

Check the Mods - As they may help troubled games

If you have mods in your game. Try running the game without the mods. By moving the mods folder to your desktop or some where safe.

-- From time to time, there is some game lag when using mods due to various reasons.

If the lag/crashing is still there. Add each mod back in until you find which mod may be causing the lag. If you find the lag being caused by a mod. Leave that mod out.

When going through your mods, leave out the ones you're not sure what they are or aren't familiar with. And maybe the ones that start with numbers in their file name.


** Some recommended Mods to help prevent crashing and lag are:

Register - Can be used to reduce wild animal populations, which helps with lag. Also helps populate and manage shops/stalls.

Traffic - Cleans up taxis, limos, etc. Can also be used to turn on/off the ice cream and food trucks.

Overwatch - Performs game cleanup once every 24 sim hours.

Error Trap - Grabs errors, logs them and resets the sim rather than just letting the error sit there.

MasterController - Can help reset town, and has various interactions to help alter town population.

Debug Enabler - Helps "reset" bugged/glitched/invisible Sims

Saver - Fixes issues with the save system, prompts you to save every 30 mins (Save as, not just a normal save)

Traveler - Helps fix issues with going to the future, vacation, University, etc.

Go Here - Helps fix routing issues.

Mover - Less useful than the others. Mostly just helps prevent issues moving house or neighborhood.


** In case you're new to working with mods, please see the topic below on creating a mods folder and installing them.

Topic: Creating a Mods Folder/Installing Mods Step by Step Guide
http://www.carls-sims-3-guide.com/forum/index.php/topic,9187.0.html

HowTo: Install Sims 3 Custom Content without the Launcher
http://www.carls-sims-4-guide.com/forum/index.php?topic=26167.msg437430#msg437430


If you're having a hard time getting your mods to work, try this:

Installing Sims 3 Package Files/Setup and Files
http://modthesims.info/wiki.php?title=Game_Help:Installing_Sims_3_Package_Files/Setup_and_Files

There is a ready-made "FrameworkSetup.zip and instructions.  It provided me with the creation of the Mod folder containing the Resource.cfg, Override and Packages folders.  Then I copied my mods into the packages and voila!


Finding Problem CC
http://simswiki.info/wiki.php?title=Game_Help:TS3_Finding_Problem_Custom_Content

[MrsFlynn]

Thumbnails Folder

It's safe to delete the files in this folder, but not the folder itself. The files will regenerate.

[MrsFlynn]

WorldCaches Folder

 ** Mac users don't delete these files!! **

Files in this folder are okay to delete. They will get recreated when you visit the worlds that use them.

--> C:\Users\<Username>\Documents\Electronic Arts\The Sims 3\WorldCaches

WorldCaches folder is created only if you have custom worlds (Barnacle Bay, Riverview, etc.), and it's only created on some computers. Yes, feel free to remove the files inside WorldCaches - deleting them won't harm your game.

Not everyone will have this folder, so if you don't have it, don't worry about it.  It just means that your computer doesn't use these caches.

[MrsFlynn]

How To: Delete and clear the FeaturedItems folder

It's safe and fairly easy to delete the contents of the Featured Items folder. they will be recreated if you don't set it to Read-Only. To keep the thumbnails from coming back. Try these steps.

01.) Go into the FeaturedItems folder, and highlight all the files and delete them.
02.) Go back to the Sims3 Folder and select the FeaturedItems folder.
03.) Right click and select properties.
04.) Select the Security tab.
05.) Click the Edit button.
06.) Under the Permissions for Authenticated Users, find the word Write, and checkmark Deny.
-- This will prevent anything from being written to this folder.
06.) Click Apply or Ok.

07.) Select General tab, under Attributes, select Read-Only and click Apply or Ok.

--- If you would like to see reference photos, please see the link below.

Preventing of Ingame-Store-Pictures
http://sims3.crinrict.com/en/2011/12/tutorial-turning-off-ingame-store-and-preventing-loading-of-pictures.html

[MrsFlynn]

Stuck Inventory Items

It's recommended to evict the family out, and then move them back in. How-To Evict Household

Read more about it in the link below.

Stuck Inventory Items
http://sims3.crinrict.com/en/2011/04/bug-stuck-inventory-items.html

If you have rewards, like the Motive Mobile, look them up in the BuyDebug menu. You can get to this menu by, Press Shift-Ctrl-C keys together to bring up cheat console and typing in BuyDebug on.