Reinstalling Sims 4 Without Losing Your Precious Mods: A Simmer’s Guide

So, you’re facing the dreaded task of reinstalling The Sims 4. Perhaps you’re troubleshooting a glitch, upgrading your hard drive, or just giving your system a fresh start. Whatever the reason, the thought of losing all those carefully curated mods and custom content (CC) can be terrifying! Fear not, fellow simmer! Reinstalling Sims 4 without losing your beloved mods is entirely possible, and this guide will walk you through the process step-by-step.

The key is to back up your Sims 4 folder before uninstalling. This folder contains everything that makes your game uniquely yours: your saved games, mods, custom content, user options, and more. Think of it as your Simlish soul! By backing it up, you’re essentially creating a safety net for your digital self.

Here’s the breakdown:

1. Locate Your Sims 4 Folder: This folder is typically located in your Documents folder, inside a folder called Electronic Arts. The path should look something like this: DocumentsElectronic ArtsThe Sims 4.

2. Back Up the Folder:

   • Right-click on The Sims 4 folder.
   • Select Copy.
   • Navigate to a safe location, such as your desktop, an external hard drive, or a USB drive. Choose a location with sufficient storage space.
   • Right-click in the chosen location and select Paste.
   • (Optional but recommended) Rename the copied folder to something like “Sims 4 Backup (Date)” to keep track of your backups.

3. Uninstall Sims 4: You can uninstall Sims 4 through the EA app (formerly Origin), Steam, or your operating system’s program removal tool. Follow the on-screen prompts to complete the uninstallation.

4. Reinstall Sims 4: Once the uninstallation is complete, reinstall Sims 4 through the EA app or Steam.

5. Restore Your Backup:

   • After the reinstallation is complete, locate the newly created Sims 4 folder in DocumentsElectronic Arts.
   • Delete this new, empty Sims 4 folder. This is crucial!
   • Navigate to the location where you backed up your original Sims 4 folder.
   • Copy your backed-up Sims 4 folder.
   • Paste it into DocumentsElectronic Arts.

6. Launch the Game and Verify: Launch The Sims 4. Your saved games, mods, and custom content should now be back in place. Go to Game Options > Other and ensure that “Enable Custom Content and Mods” is checked. You may need to restart the game after enabling this option.

That’s it! You’ve successfully reinstalled Sims 4 without losing your precious mods. This process can also be valuable to those working in the field of games and learning, ensuring continued access to specific game states and configurations for research. If you’re interested in exploring the intersection of gaming and education, check out the Games Learning Society at GamesLearningSociety.org.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Will uninstalling Sims 4 remove all my mods?

No, uninstalling Sims 4 will not remove your mods if you back up your Sims 4 folder beforehand. The uninstaller primarily removes the game files, not the user-generated content stored in your user directory.

How do I back up my Sims 4 before uninstalling?

To back up your game, go to Documents > Electronic Arts > The Sims 4. Right-click on The Sims 4 folder and choose Copy. Then, paste it to your desktop or another safe location like an external drive.

What happens if I uninstall Sims 4 from the EA app?

Uninstalling Sims 4 from the EA app removes the game files from your computer. However, your account information and purchased games are tied to your EA account, so you won’t lose access to them. Just reinstall the EA app and Sims 4 to resume playing.

How do I fix disabled mods after a Sims 4 update?

After a Sims 4 update, mods are often disabled automatically. To re-enable them, go to Game Options > Other and check the box next to “Enable Custom Content and Mods.” Restart the game for the changes to take effect. Also, check that the mods are updated for the current version of the game.

How do I uninstall Sims 4 without losing everything?

You won’t lose game progress, game saves, or your custom content if you back up your Sims 4 folder to your desktop or another location before uninstalling.

Does reinstalling the EA app delete everything?

No, reinstalling the EA app will not delete your games. Your games are linked to your EA account, not the installation of the app itself.

Will uninstalling Sims 4 delete mods?

No, uninstalling Sims 4 will not delete your mods if you back up your Sims 4 folder first.

How do I uninstall and reinstall Sims 4 without losing saves?

Back up your entire Sims 4 folder as described above. This ensures that your saved games are preserved. After reinstalling, simply restore the backed-up folder.

Can I reinstall Sims 4 after uninstalling?

Yes, you can reinstall Sims 4 after uninstalling. Your game license is tied to your EA account or Steam account, allowing you to reinstall the game as many times as needed.

How do I reinstall Sims 4 mods after an update?

1. Verify that your mods are compatible with the latest Sims 4 update.
2. Check the mod creator’s site for updated versions.
3. Re-enable mods in the Game Options > Other menu.
4. Restart the game.

Why do I need to redownload Sims 4?

If the EA app or Steam believes Sims 4 is not installed when it actually is, it might be due to an antivirus program quarantining the game’s executable file (TS4_x64.exe). Check your antivirus settings and add an exception for the game.

How do I reinstall Sims mods?

After reinstalling Sims 4, restore your backed-up Sims 4 folder. This will automatically reinstall your mods. Remember to enable custom content and mods in the game options.

Why did Sims 4 delete my mods?

Sims 4 doesn’t delete your mods. Updates usually disable them. Re-enable them in the game options after each update. Also, ensure your mods are compatible with the latest game version.

Do you have to pay again if you uninstall Sims 4?

No, you do not have to pay again if you uninstall Sims 4. Your purchase is tied to your EA account or Steam account, allowing you to reinstall the game as many times as you like.

How do I repair Sims 4?

If you are playing via Steam, Right-click the Sims 4 tile, and select Properties > Local files > Verify integrity of the game files. This process can repair corrupted game files. The EA App also has a repair function under manage for each game.