Sims 3 - How-To: Fix Problems with Mods/CCUpdated: Jan. 2024✽ –Please backup your Sims 3 folder in documents (\Documents\Electronic Arts) - Right-click on the Sims 3 folder > Copy/paste to the desktop or usb stick. This way you will not loose any of your Sims 3 user files including mods, custom content, store content and saves. I am not responsible for lost files.– ✽
Quick Link Index: –-
Basic Troubleshooting –-
Files to Delete –-
Renew DCCache Files of Missing/Not Working CC –-
Tools to Help Troubleshooting –-
50/50 Method –-
A Few Files at a Time –-
Via the Sims 3 Launcher –-
Nothing Else Is Working
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~ Basic Troubleshooting:If your mods or custom content aren't showing up in-game or are having problems with them in some other way this
may mean one or more of the following is true:
1. Resource.cfg file is not in the mods folder.
2. Mods or custom content isn't installed correctly.
3. DCCache needs to be renewed if CC not working or is missing.
4. Outdated, Incompatible, Bad, Duplicated or mixed in a Sims 4 .package file.
5. Need to Delete some files, as explained below.
Please Note: These methods
-do not- help fix merged custom content files. You will need the single custom content files to go through to test.
Check to make sure you have the Resource.cfg file in your mods folder -
C:\Users\Username\Documents\Electronic Arts\The Sims 3\ModsOtherwise mods and custom content may not work. See the screenshot of my mods folder below. Click image to see larger view.
– Check this post linked below to make sure the custom content installed in the correct folders:
https://www.carls-sims-4-guide.com/forum/index.php?topic=26167.msg437430#msg437430.Sims3Pack files need to be placed in the downloads folder -
C:\Users\Username\Documents\Electronic Arts\The Sims 3\Downloads - and installed via the Downloads tab in the Sims 3 Launcher. -*- If you are having issues with that, please see the Via the Sims 3 Launcher troubleshooting tip below.
If any of the mods or custom content you have are outdated, incompatible, bad, duplicated or possibly could be Sims 4 CC .packages, delete them or take them out of your mods folder. You may need to search on the specific mod or custom content piece to see if there's been an update to it, if outdated or other problems with the specific mod or piece of custom content.
Any time you add or remove mods and custom content, it's recommended to delete the cache files from your Sims 3 user folder located in Documents -
C:\Users\Username\Documents\Electronic Arts\The Sims 3For reference those are:
– CasPartCache.package ; compositorCache.package ; scriptCache.package ; simCompositorCache.package ; socialCache.package
Important Note: Every time you add, delete, or remove mods and/or custom content from your Downloads, Packages and/or Overrides folders, you must delete the cache files. If you do not do this, newly added content may not appear in your game, or if it appears, it may not act like intended and lingering data can be present even though you removed a mod or custom content.
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~ Files to Delete: When any .Sims3Pack files have been installed via the Sims 3 launcher, delete these files: --
Delete
tslus.bin and
Version.tag from the Sims 3 folder.
▪︎
C:\Users\Username\Documents\Electronic Arts\The Sims 3Delete
FSIViewCountTracking;
Nav.bin if there,
"myemail".bin and
wl.bin from the Downloads folder:
▪︎
C:\Users\Username\Documents\Electronic Arts\The Sims 3\DownloadsDelete most of the files in the DCBackup folder,
except for ccmerged.package▪︎
C:\Users\Username\Documents\Electronic Arts\The Sims 3\DCBackupDelete the
missingdeps.idx file from the DCCache Folder:
▪︎
C:\Users\Username\Documents\Electronic Arts\The Sims 3\DCCacheDelete the
igs.bin and
platform.bin files in the SigsCache folder:
▪︎
C:\Users\Username\Documents\Electronic Arts\The Sims 3\SigsCache +✦+ Deleting these files may help fix issues with any Store, custom content and mods not installing or not showing in-game.
-
tslus.bin: Can be delete. Related to the Sims 3 Launcher. Not sure exactly what it does, but I've deleted it and game is okay.
-
Version.tag: Can be deleted. It helps with Sims 3 Launcher issues like Downloading/Installing.
To learn more about Sims 3 user files, please see the article on ModtheSims:
Game Help:TS3 User Folders Explained:
https://modthesims.info/wiki.php?title=Game_Help:TS3_User_Folders_ExplainedIf these tips below don't help, search on the custom content or mods that you're having issues with to see if anyone else is having problems with them. If there are, try any tips they may have shared for solving the issue. Also check the Creator's site for any troubleshooting tips.
~ More Ways of Troubleshooting: ꕥ
Renew DCCache Files of Missing/Not Working Custom Content - Check instructions under spoiler tag.
Back to TopRenew the cache files in the DCCache folder of missing custom or store content that are in .Sims3Pack file format. This does not work for .package files, as they do not get installed via the Sims 3 launcher.
My notes below are created with the help of ZeeGee's Sims YT video.
Sims 3 Store: Package is already installed
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ky_UCSpJcEw–– Method: Renewing some of the cache files in the DCCache folder. Reinstall what's missing. Then add back the other DCCache files you removed.
** This method works best if you have your .Sims3Pack files backed up onto a usb drive or external hard drive.
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1. Open your DCCache folder:
C:\Users\Username\Documents\Electronic Arts\The Sims 3\DCCache2. Move all the files out to a temporary folder on your desktop. You'll need these files later.
3. Files that need to be reinstalled, need to be in the Downloads folder.
C:\Users\Username\Documents\Electronic Arts\The Sims 3\Downloads4. Open the Sims 3 launcher > Downloads tab, select file and then click Install.
++ Install only one file at a time if it is easier. Check the Installed Content tab to see what's been installed.
5. Open the DCCache folder again, the files below will be renamed, for example:
▪︎ dcdb0.ebc [Store Content]
▪︎ dcdb0.dbc [Custom Content]
6. Go to the files you took out and look for the last number, just above the missingdeps.idx, for example - dcdb23.ebc
7. Name the .ebc or .dbc the next number, example dcdb24.ebc
8. Add the files back from the temporary folder to the DCCache folder.
9. Delete the cache files inside the Sims 3 folder if any.
– For reference those cache files can be found in
C:\Users\Username\Documents\Electronic Arts\The Sims 3 folder and are:
CasPartCache.package ; compositorCache.package ; scriptCache.package ; simCompositorCache.package ; socialCache.package
10. Load the game and check to see if the missing content is back.
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Tools to Help Troubleshoot - Check instructions under spoiler tag.
Back to TopThere is a couple of tools to check mods/custom content, but first, please backup your Sims 3 folder to your desktop (
C:\Users\Username\Documents\Electronic Arts\The Sims 3). This will keep files safe so nothing is lost. -- Be sure to backup your mods and Downloads folder to your desktop, these are the folders custom content and mods get downloaded to or copied to.
Note: These tools may not work to help check merged custom content files. These are made more to check single files.
~ Delphy's Dashboard Tool: (
https://modthesims.info/d/387006)
It only works with .package files, Not .Sims3Pack files. Please understand, It will show conflicts between some files, but not all. It may also false-flag files, making them look like they're bad when they aren't. That's why it's recommended to do a manual check of your mods and custom content. To make sure you know everything is good.
Delphy’s Custard How-To-Use: (
https://sims3.crinrict.com/en/2011/03/tutorial-delphys-dashboard.html)
~ Custard Sims3Pack Cleaner: (
https://modthesims.info/d/390235)
This tool helps look at what's inside a single Sims3pack file. You can remove any bad or corrupt files and resave it. Only works on Sims3Pack files. Cannot open .package files.
May show false-positive corrupt files (the red/orange highlighted files.)
Delphy’s Custard How-To-Use: (
https://sims3.crinrict.com/en/2011/01/tutorial-delphys-custard.html)
If neither of these tools work, please see the other troubleshooting methods, like the 50/50 method below.
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50/50 Method - Check instructions under spoiler tag.
Back to Top
Move the Mods folder to the desktop. (right-click on the folder and select Cut and paste to desktop.) This is for backup purposes while you test. - When done testing, you can delete the mods folder on the desktop.
1. Create a new Mods folder inside your Sims 3 folder (right-click inside the folder and Select New > Folder and type in the word Mods). Then copy over the Resource.cfg file to to it. (Right-click on the file, select Copy and paste into the newly created mods folder.)
2. Copy back half the files. (Right-click the top file, and then Shift-click the middle file - for example, and select Copy and paste it into your mods folder.
-- This method can be used for both mods and custom content.
3. Clear the Cache. Delete cache before adding or removing any mods/cc.
Right-click and press Delete on each of these files. For reference these cache files can be found in C:\Users\Username\Documents\Electronic Arts\The Sims 3 folder and are:
– CasPartCache.package ; compositorCache.package ; scriptCache.package; simCompositorCache.package ; socialCache.package
4. Load the game and create a new save in Sunset Valley for example, to test to see if the files load and show up in-game.
– Lots: Look in the empty house or community lots tabs in the Library.
– Build/Buy: Look in the build/buy section to see what pieces show up.
– CAS: Load up CAS to look through the different categories to see what shows up.
Don't Save.
If yes, repeat steps 2 - 4 again.
If not, you may need to go through the files in smaller batches. Deleting the cache files in between each batch test.
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A Few Files at a Time - Check instructions under spoiler tag.
Back to Top
Move the Mods folder to the desktop. (right-click on the folder and select Cut and paste to desktop.) This is for backup purposes while you test. - When done testing, you can delete the mods folder on the desktop.
1. Create a new Mods folder inside your Sims 3 folder (right-click inside the folder and Select New > Folder and type in the word Mods). Then copy over the Resource.cfg file to to it. (Right-click on the file, select Copy and paste into the newly created mods folder.)
2. Copy back only a few files a time. (Right-click the files as you press the Ctrl key, and select Copy and paste it into your mods folder.
-- This method can be used for both mods and custom content.
3. Clear the Cache. Delete cache before adding or removing any mods/cc.
Right-click and press Delete on each of these files. For reference these cache files can be found in C:\Users\Username\Documents\Electronic Arts\The Sims 3 folder and are:
– CasPartCache.package ; compositorCache.package ; scriptCache.package; simCompositorCache.package ; socialCache.package
4. Load the game and create a new save in Sunset Valley for example, to test to see if the files load and show up in-game.
– Lots: Look in the empty house or community lots tabs in the Library.
– Build/Buy: Look in the build/buy section to see what pieces show up.
– CAS: Load up CAS to look through the different categories to see what shows up.
Don't save.
If yes, repeat steps 2 - 4 again.
If not, check the last few files you copied into the mods folder one at a time to see which one is working. Deleting the cache files as you test.
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Via the Sims 3 Launcher - Check instructions under spoiler tag.
Back to Top
Move the Downloads folder to the desktop. (right-click on the folder and select Cut and paste to desktop.) This is for backup purposes while you test. - When done testing, you can delete the mods folder on the desktop.
1. Create a new Downloads folder inside your Sims 3 folder (right-click inside the folder and Select New > Folder and type in the word Downloads).
2. Copy back only a few (say 5 to 10) files a time. (Right-click the files as you press the Ctrl key, and select Copy and paste them into your Downloads folder.
3. Clear the Cache. Delete cache before adding or removing any mods/cc.
Right-click and press Delete on each of these files. For reference these cache files can be found in C:\Users\Username\Documents\Electronic Arts\The Sims 3 folder and are:
– CasPartCache.package ; compositorCache.package ; scriptCache.package; simCompositorCache.package ; socialCache.package
4. Load the Sims 3 launcher and go to the Downloads tab to see what you need to install. Click the Select All button up top of the list and then click the Install button below the list of files to install. -- Click the Installed Content tab to look at what's been installed.
5. Load the game and create a new save in Sunset Valley for example, to test to see if the files load and show up in-game.
– Lots: Look in the empty house or community lots tabs in the Library.
– Build/Buy: Look in the build/buy section to see what pieces show up.
– CAS: Load up CAS to look through the different categories to see what shows up.
Don't save.
If yes, repeat steps 2 - 5 again.
If not, check the last few files you copied into the Downloads folder one at a time to see which one is working. Deleting the cache files as you test.
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Nothing Else Is Working - Check instructions under spoiler tag.
Back to Top
This method is about deleting the files in the DCCache and DCBackup folder.
-- I don't recommend this unless you have your cc, mods and store content backed up, as it deletes all files install via the Sims 3 Launcher. I am not responsible for lost files. --
There's times where I've tried the other methods of removing custom content and they just can't be removed. This method is a sure-fire way of getting rid of the bad custom content that you just can't get rid of any other way.
Delete the files in both the DCCache and DCBackup folders:
C:\Users\Username\Documents\Electronic Arts\The Sims 3\DCCache (DCCache is basically the memory cache of what's been installed via the launcher.)
C:\Users\Username\Documents\Electronic Arts\The Sims 3\DCBackup (DC Backup is a back of sorts of that cache.)
** Warning this will remove all your installed custom content and store content and will need to be reinstalled. **
Move the Mods folder to the desktop. (right-click on the folder and select Cut and paste to desktop.) This is for backup purposes while you test. - When done testing, you can delete the mods folder on the desktop.
1. Create a new Mods folder inside your Sims 3 folder (right-click inside the folder and Select New > Folder and type in the word Mods). Then copy over the Resource.cfg file to to it. (Right-click on the file, select Copy and paste into the newly created mods folder.)
2. Copy back only a few files a time. (Right-click the files as you press the Ctrl key, and select Copy and paste it into your mods folder.
-- This method can be used for both mods and custom content.
3. Clear the Cache. Delete cache before adding or removing any mods/cc.
Right-click and press Delete on each of these files. For reference these cache files can be found in C:\Users\Username\Documents\Electronic Arts\The Sims 3 folder and are:
– CasPartCache.package ; compositorCache.package ; scriptCache.package; simCompositorCache.package ; socialCache.package
4. Load the game and create a new save in Sunset Valley for example, to test to see if the files load and show up in-game.
– Lots: Look in the empty house or community lots tabs in the Library.
– Build/Buy: Look in the build/buy section to see what pieces show up.
– CAS: Load up CAS to look through the different categories to see what shows up.
Don't save.
If yes, repeat steps 2 - 4 again.
If not, check the last few files you copied into the mods folder one at a time to see which one is working. Deleting the cache files as you test.
Uninstalling/reinstalling .Sims3Pack files helps refresh the game's memory of what's installed into the launcher.
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~ Reference Links:How To Get Rid of Unwanted Custom Content
https://sims3.crinrict.com/en/2011/01/tutorial-how-to-get-rid-of-unwanted-custom-content.htmlRemoving Bad Custom Content
http://sims3.crinrict.com/en/custom-content-cc/bad-ccGame Help: TS3 CC Basics
http://simswiki.info/wiki.php?title=Game_Help:TS3_CC_BasicsGame Help: TS3 Custom Content
http://simswiki.info/wiki.php?title=Game_Help:TS3_Custom_ContentGame Help: Finding Problem Custom Content
http://simswiki.info/wiki.php?title=Game_Help:Finding_Problem_Custom_ContentHow to Remove Bad CC in Sims 3
http://findingbadccsims3.blogspot.com/2012/10/how-to-remove-bad-cc-in-sims-3.html
