Why Is My Sims 4 Stuck on the Saving Screen? A Sim Expert’s Guide

Ah, the dreaded eternal saving screen in The Sims 4. It’s a situation every Simmer fears, that moment when you realize hours of meticulously crafted gameplay might vanish into the digital ether. The good news is, you’re not alone! This is a common issue, and in most cases, there are ways to troubleshoot and (hopefully) recover your progress. So, why does this happen?

The primary culprit for a Sims 4 game getting stuck on the saving screen is corruption. This can stem from various sources:

• Corrupted Save File: Your save file itself may have become damaged. This is often the trickiest to resolve.
• Problematic Mods/CC: Custom content, while adding flair, is a frequent source of issues. Outdated, conflicting, or poorly coded mods and Custom Content can wreak havoc on your game’s functionality, especially during save processes.
• Insufficient System Resources: Your computer may be struggling to handle the game, especially if you have numerous expansions, stuff packs, and mods installed. Saving a large, complex game requires significant processing power and memory.
• Game Glitches/Bugs: Occasionally, the game itself has bugs that can manifest as saving issues.
• Drive Issues: Your hard drive may be failing, or is too full which is resulting in memory issues and causing saving problems.

Now, let’s dive into how to address this frustrating problem and get your Sims back on track.

Troubleshooting Steps to Escape the Eternal Save

1. The “Wait It Out” Approach (With Caution)

Sometimes, the game is simply taking a very long time to save, particularly in large, heavily populated worlds. Give it a reasonable amount of time – say, 20-30 minutes – to see if it eventually completes. However, if it’s been significantly longer than your usual save time, and the game is unresponsive, it’s likely stuck, and waiting further may not help.

2. The Task Manager Tango (Force Quitting)

If waiting proves fruitless, your next step is to force quit the game using the Task Manager (Ctrl+Alt+Delete on Windows). Select “Task Manager,” find “The Sims 4” (TS4.exe), and click “End Task.” While this may seem drastic, it’s often necessary. Be warned that any unsaved progress will be lost.

3. The Repair Game Ritual (Origin/EA App)

EA’s game platform often has built in features to help if you encounter a game issue. A repair can help clean up corrupted files.

• Origin: Open Origin, go to “My Game Library,” right-click on “The Sims 4,” and select “Repair.”
• EA App: Open the EA App, go to “My Collection,” click the three dots on “The Sims 4” tile, and select “Repair.”

This process checks for and replaces any damaged or missing game files. It can resolve a surprising number of issues.

4. The Mod/CC Purge (Testing Without Custom Content)

Mods and custom content are common causes for game issues. To remove and test without custom content, here is what you need to do:

1. Move your entire Mods folder to your desktop.
2. Delete the localthumbcache.package file from your Sims 4 user data folder (usually in Documents > Electronic Arts > The Sims 4).
3. Start the game. This will create a new, empty Mods folder.
4. Try saving the game in a new save file. If it saves successfully, the problem lies within your mods or custom content.

5. The 50/50 Method (Identifying Problematic Content)

If removing all mods/CC solves the issue, you’ll need to identify the culprit. The 50/50 method is the most efficient approach:

1. Put half of your mods/CC back into the Mods folder.
2. Start the game and try saving.
3. If it fails, the problem is within that half. If it saves, the problem is in the other half.
4. Repeat the process, dividing the problematic half in half again, until you isolate the file causing the issue.
5. Remove or update the identified problematic mod/CC.

6. The Save File Shuffle (Testing Save Files)

If the game still gets stuck without mods, your save file may be corrupted.

1. Go to your Sims 4 save folder (Documents > Electronic Arts > The Sims 4 > saves).
2. Move your save files to a temporary location (like a folder on your desktop).
3. Start the game and begin a new game.
4. Save the new game. If it saves successfully, your previous save file is likely corrupted. Unfortunately, corrupted save files are often unrecoverable, and you may need to start a new game.

7. Resource Monitor Reconnaissance (Checking System Usage)

Open your Task Manager and monitor your CPU, RAM, and disk usage while trying to save. If any of these are consistently maxed out (at or near 100%), it indicates a bottleneck. Close unnecessary programs and background processes to free up resources. Upgrading your computer’s hardware (especially RAM and storage) may also be necessary for larger games.

8. Driver Checkup (Graphics Card Drivers)

Outdated graphics card drivers can cause various game issues, including saving problems. Visit the website of your graphics card manufacturer (NVIDIA, AMD, or Intel) and download and install the latest drivers.

9. The Folder Permissions Fix (Windows Security Settings)

In some cases, Windows security settings can interfere with the game’s ability to write to certain folders. Ensure that the Sims 4 folder in your Documents folder has full read/write permissions for your user account. Right-click the folder, select “Properties,” go to the “Security” tab, select your user account, and ensure “Full control” is checked.

10. Clean Boot (Eliminating Software Conflicts)

A clean boot starts Windows with a minimal set of drivers and startup programs, which can help identify if a background program is interfering with the game. Search for “msconfig” in the Windows search bar, open System Configuration, go to the “Services” tab, check “Hide all Microsoft services,” click “Disable all,” go to the “Startup” tab, and click “Open Task Manager” and disable all startup items. Restart your computer and try running the game. Remember to re-enable your services and startup items after testing.

11. Reinstall Sims 4 (The Nuclear Option)

If all else fails, reinstalling The Sims 4 is a last resort. Make sure to back up your saves, tray items (custom Sims and lots), and mods/CC before uninstalling. After uninstalling, download and reinstall the game through Origin or the EA App. This will ensure a fresh installation without any lingering corrupted files.

12. Hard Drive Health Check (Checking Drive Issues)

Use a hard drive diagnostic tool to check the health of your hard drive. Look for any errors or warnings, and consider replacing the drive if necessary. Run the check disk utility (chkdsk) to check the health of the hard drive and attempt to fix any errors.

13. Adjust Graphics Settings (Lowering Game Settings)

Lower your graphics settings to improve performance and reduce the load on your system. The Sims 4 can be demanding, especially with high settings, which can lead to saving issues if your system struggles to keep up. Adjusting these settings to medium or low can often help.

14. Use “Save As” Instead of “Save”

When saving, especially after a long gameplay session, use the “Save As” option to create a new save file instead of overwriting an existing one. This can help prevent corruption issues that might occur when overwriting. This will also give you more restore points if something happens to go wrong.

15. Check for Overheating Issues (CPU and GPU Temperatures)

Overheating can cause your system to underperform, which can lead to saving issues. Monitor your CPU and GPU temperatures using monitoring software. Ensure that your cooling system (fans, liquid coolers) is functioning correctly and clean any dust buildup that could be causing overheating. If your system consistently overheats, consider upgrading your cooling solution.

By systematically working through these troubleshooting steps, you can significantly increase your chances of resolving the “stuck on saving screen” issue and getting back to enjoying your Sims 4 adventures. If you want to enhance your understanding of gaming and education, be sure to visit the GamesLearningSociety.org website.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Will I lose my saves if I reinstall Sims 4?

No, you won’t lose your save files if you uninstall and reinstall The Sims 4. However, it’s strongly recommended to back up your entire “The Sims 4” folder (located in Documents > Electronic Arts) to your desktop or an external drive before uninstalling. This ensures you have a copy of your saves, tray items (custom Sims and lots), mods, and custom content.

2. Does Sims 4 autosave?

Yes, The Sims 4 does have an autosave feature, but it’s not a continuous, constant process. The game automatically saves at specific intervals and during certain actions, such as traveling between lots. However, relying solely on autosaves is risky, so frequent manual saving is still crucial.

3. How do I force quit Sims 4?

On Windows, press Ctrl+Alt+Delete to open the Task Manager. Select “The Sims 4” (TS4.exe) from the list of processes and click “End Task.” On macOS, press Command+Option+Esc to open the Force Quit Applications window. Select “The Sims 4” and click “Force Quit.”

4. Will uninstalling the Sims delete my saves?

Uninstalling The Sims 4 should not delete your save files, but it’s always best to back them up as a precaution. Your save files are stored in a separate folder from the game installation files.

5. Why is my Sims game not loading?

A game not loading issue may stem from corrupted game files, outdated drivers, conflicting mods/CC, or insufficient system resources. Try repairing the game through Origin or the EA App, updating your graphics card drivers, removing mods/CC, and ensuring your computer meets the game’s minimum system requirements.

6. How do I unfreeze my Sims 4 without closing?

The best way to unfreeze Sims 4 without closing is to use the “resetSim” cheat. Open the cheat console by pressing Ctrl+Shift+C, type “resetSim FirstName LastName” (replace “FirstName LastName” with the Sim’s name), and press Enter. This will reset the Sim to a neutral state.

7. Why can’t I exit Sims 4?

If you’re unable to exit The Sims 4 through the in-game menu, try pressing Ctrl+Alt+Delete and selecting “Sign Out.” This will close all running programs, including The Sims 4. You can also try using the Task Manager to force quit the game.

8. Can you have 2 saves on Sims 4?

Yes, you can have multiple save files in The Sims 4. When saving, choose “Save As” instead of “Save” to create a new save file. This allows you to have multiple games running simultaneously.

9. How many saves can you have in Sims 4?

The Sims 4 on PC can have unlimited save files.

10. Why are my Sims stuck?

Sims can get stuck due to routing issues (obstacles blocking their path), game glitches, or conflicts with mods/CC. Try resetting the Sim using the “resetSim” cheat. If the issue persists, check for any obstructions in their environment or consider removing recently installed mods/CC.

11. How do you exit Sims cheat?

To close the cheat console, press Ctrl+Shift+C again. This will toggle the console open and closed.

12. Why can’t my Sims go home?

Sims may not be able to go home if there is an active event in progress (parties or festivals), or if there are routing issues (obstacles preventing them from reaching the edge of the lot). If an event is active, they may be temporarily prevented from leaving until it ends. The house icon will automatically make them start heading home.

13. Does reinstalling Sims 4 delete mods?

Uninstalling The Sims 4 will remove all mods and custom content from the game’s installation folder. This is why it’s so important to back up your Mods folder to a separate location before uninstalling.

14. What happens if I uninstall Sims 4 from Origin or the EA app?

Uninstalling The Sims 4 from Origin or the EA app will remove the game files from your computer, but it will not delete your save files, tray items, or other user data (as long as they are stored in the default location).

15. What to do if Sims freezes and you didn’t save?

If The Sims 4 freezes and you haven’t saved, try pressing Alt+F4. In some cases, this will prompt the game to ask if you want to save before exiting. If that doesn’t work, your last resort is to force quit the game, and you will likely lose any unsaved progress. Remember to always save regularly!

Hopefully, this comprehensive guide has equipped you with the knowledge to tackle the dreaded Sims 4 saving screen issue head-on. Happy Simming!

Remember that by playing games, we can also learn and grow. If you want to enhance your understanding of gaming and education, be sure to visit the Games Learning Society website.