How to Reset Your Sims 4 Progress: A Comprehensive Guide

So, you’re looking to hit the reset button on your Sims 4 world? Whether you’re tired of your current Sims’ lives, want to start fresh with new aspirations, or just need to troubleshoot some game glitches, knowing how to reset your progress is a crucial skill for any Simmer. Here’s a direct and comprehensive guide on how to do it, along with helpful FAQs to cover all your bases.

To put it simply, there isn’t a single, universal “reset” button in The Sims 4 that wipes everything clean. Instead, you have several options, each offering a different level of reset, from starting a completely new game to tweaking individual Sims or lots. Choose the method that best suits your needs!

Here’s a breakdown of the most common ways to reset your Sims 4 progress:

• Starting a New Game: This is the most complete reset. From the main menu, click “New Game.” This will take you to Create-A-Sim, where you can design your founding Sims for this new save file. This method effectively wipes the slate clean, leaving your previous game untouched. Any custom content or mods you have installed will still be active, so keep that in mind.
• Deleting an Existing Save: If you want to completely remove a save file, go to “Load Game” from the main menu, hover over the save you want to delete, and click the trash can icon that appears. This will permanently delete the entire save, including all Sims, builds, and progress within that game. This action is irreversible, so be certain before you delete!
• Starting a New Household in an Existing Game: This allows you to maintain the world you’ve built, but control a new set of Sims. From the World Management screen (accessible by clicking the globe icon in the bottom left corner while playing), choose an empty lot or evict the current occupants. Then, select “Create New Sim” to start a new household. Your previous Sims will continue to live their lives in the world, but you won’t be controlling them.
• Using the “TestingCheats True” Cheat and ResetSim Command: This is helpful for individual Sims who are glitched or stuck. Open the cheat console (Ctrl + Shift + C on PC, Cmd + Shift + C on Mac, or all four triggers on consoles). Type “testingcheats true” and press Enter. Then, type “resetSim [First Name] [Last Name]” (e.g., “resetSim Bella Goth”) and press Enter. This will reset the specified Sim to a neutral state. If they’re stuck, it should free them. If they’re experiencing a glitch, it might resolve the issue.
• Resetting an Object: Similar to resetting a Sim, you can reset individual objects if they’re malfunctioning. With testingcheats enabled, shift-click on the object and select “Reset Object (Debug).”
• Deleting and Rebuilding Lots: If a specific lot is causing issues, you can bulldoze it in Build Mode and either rebuild it yourself or place a new lot from the Gallery.
• Reverting to an Earlier Save (If Available): The Sims 4 automatically creates backup saves. Check your “saves” folder in your The Sims 4 game directory (usually DocumentsElectronic ArtsThe Sims 4saves). Look for files with names like “Slot_00000001.save.ver[number]” where [number] represents different versions of the save. The higher the number, the more recent the save. Copy a previous version (remove the “.ver[number]”) to a new folder and see if it resolves your issue. Always back up your existing save before experimenting.
• Factory Reset (Advanced – Use with Caution): This involves deleting the entire The Sims 4 folder in your Documents. This will reset ALL your game settings, cache, and saved data. Only use this as a last resort, and make sure to back up any important files (like saves and Tray folder) before proceeding. After deleting the folder, the game will recreate a fresh folder on the next launch. This can resolve many stubborn issues, but it’s a drastic measure.
• Mod Conflict Troubleshooting: If you are using mods, they might cause your issue. Disable your mods folder and start a completely new save to see if this resolves the issues. If it works, enable the mods again one by one or in smaller groups to find the problematic mod.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

How do I start a completely new game in Sims 4 without deleting my old one?

Simply click “New Game” from the main menu. The Sims 4 allows you to have multiple save files, so starting a new game won’t affect your existing saves.

Can I reset just one Sim without affecting the rest of my household?

Yes! Use the “testingcheats true” cheat followed by the “resetSim [First Name] [Last Name]” command. This will only reset the specified Sim.

What does the “Reset Object (Debug)” option do?

This option resets the selected object to its default state. It can be helpful for fixing objects that are stuck, malfunctioning, or causing errors.

I accidentally deleted my save file. Can I get it back?

Possibly. Check your Recycle Bin (Windows) or Trash (Mac) to see if the save file is there. If you emptied your Recycle Bin/Trash, or if the save wasn’t backed up, it’s likely gone. This is why backing up your saves is crucial!

Will resetting a Sim remove their skills or relationships?

No, the resetSim command generally only resets the Sim’s current state and position. It doesn’t affect their skills, relationships, career progress, or inventory.

How do I back up my Sims 4 save files?

Locate your The Sims 4 folder (usually in DocumentsElectronic Arts). Copy the “saves” folder to another location, like an external hard drive or a cloud storage service. Regularly backing up your saves is a great way to safeguard your progress.

What happens when I bulldoze a lot?

Bulldozing a lot removes all buildings, landscaping, and objects from that lot, returning it to its original, empty state. You can then rebuild or place a new lot from the Gallery.

I’m having trouble with my game after installing a new mod. What should I do?

Disable the mod to see if it’s the cause of the problem. If the game works fine without the mod, it’s likely conflicting with something. Check the mod’s website or forums for known issues or updates. Ensure that your mods are compatible with the current version of the game.

Is there a way to reset a Sim’s aspiration progress?

Unfortunately, there is no direct way to reset a Sim’s aspiration progress within the game. However, you can use mods like MC Command Center, which allows you to manipulate more advanced aspects of the game.

What is the difference between “Save” and “Save As”?

“Save” overwrites your existing save file with the current game state. “Save As” creates a new save file, allowing you to have multiple versions of your game at different points in time. Always use “Save As” periodically to create backup saves!

My Sims are aging up too quickly. How do I fix this?

You can adjust the lifespan settings in the game options. Go to Options > Gameplay and change the Sim Lifespan setting.

How do I evict a household from a lot?

In World Management, click on the lot you want to evict the household from. Then, click on the household information panel and select “Evict.”

I want to completely wipe my Sims 4 data and start from scratch. How do I do that?

This is a “nuclear option”. You can uninstall and reinstall the game. Remember to back up any saves you want to keep. However, a simpler, more complete option than uninstalling, is to delete the Sims 4 folder in your Documents.

I have a game bug, I can’t find a fix anywhere. What can I do?

Look for game bugs on the official forums of Games Learning Society, a great online resource for the Sims 4 or other games. Their website, GamesLearningSociety.org, can provide guidance and troubleshooting tips, or reach out to EA support for further assistance. The Games Learning Society is a great way to stay on top of common issues in gaming.

What is MC Command Center, and how can it help with resetting progress?

MC Command Center is a popular Sims 4 mod that offers a wide range of features, including the ability to reset Sim statistics, relationships, and even entire households. It’s a powerful tool for advanced Simmers who want more control over their game. However, always download mods from reputable sources to avoid malware or game corruption.

Understanding how to reset your Sims 4 progress is essential for managing your game and resolving issues. Experiment with these methods to find what works best for you and enjoy creating your Sims’ stories!