What is Error 16 on Sims Save? A Comprehensive Guide
The dreaded Error 16 in The Sims franchise, particularly within The Sims 3 and Sims Medieval, is a frustrating experience that many players have encountered. In essence, Error 16 is a save error indicating that the game is unable to properly save your progress due to a lack of memory or excessive save file size. This usually manifests as a save attempt failing, sometimes resulting in lost game progress and considerable frustration. While the underlying cause is related to storage and file sizes, the specific reasons and solutions may differ slightly between game versions. Understanding the nuances of this error can help you effectively troubleshoot and prevent it from happening again. The core issue revolves around your game attempting to write to storage that is either full, inaccessible, or has files that exceed the game’s handling capacity.
The Root Cause of Error 16
Memory and File Size Issues
The primary reason behind Error 16 is that your save file has grown too large for the game to handle. This is especially prevalent in The Sims 3, where the game imposes a 4GB file size limit for saves. As your Sims family grows, your neighborhood expands, and you accumulate countless in-game objects, the save file increases in size. Once it exceeds the 4GB limit, the game struggles to save, leading to Error 16. This limitation is a product of the game’s design and how it manages data, and while many players find it restrictive, it is something players have to work around.
Disk Space Limitations
Another common factor is the lack of sufficient hard drive space. Saving the game requires free space on your storage device. If your hard drive is nearly full, the save process may fail, triggering error messages, including Error 16. It’s not just about the space needed for the immediate save file; the game also requires adequate space to function efficiently, which influences saving.
File Corruption
While less common, corrupted save files can also lead to Error 16. This is less common, but can occur due to unexpected crashes, system errors or sometimes by user errors (such as improperly exiting the game). A corrupted save might have inconsistencies that hinder the game’s ability to read or write, causing the save to be aborted. It is often the result of not exiting the game properly.
Outdated System
An overlooked factor is an outdated system or driver. Old hardware, obsolete drivers or an outdated operating system may struggle with the game’s demands. When the system struggles with the game, it can manifest in errors such as Error 16.
How to Fix Error 16 on Sims Games
1. Check Your Hard Drive
Start by ensuring that you have sufficient free space on your hard drive, particularly on the drive where the game and your save files are located. Delete unnecessary files, empty the Recycle Bin, and defragment your hard drive. Regularly performing these maintenance tasks will optimize your storage space and reduce the chances of Error 16 occuring.
2. Repair the Game
A corrupted installation can cause saving issues. Utilize the repair function within your game launcher (e.g., Origin for The Sims 3 or the EA App for more recent games) to identify and fix any corrupted files. This action can help by ensuring that the necessary game files are functional and not triggering the save error.
3. Reduce Save File Size
In The Sims 3, saving frequently with the “Save As” option and creating new save files can help prevent your file from exceeding the 4GB limit. Periodically start a new save and try to keep a ‘library’ of saves, in case one becomes unusable. Keep a ‘save library’. Consider minimizing gameplay, or if playing for long periods, save more often.
4. Disable or Manage Mods and Custom Content
Outdated or conflicting mods and custom content (CC) can sometimes contribute to save errors. Try removing your Mods folder and deleting the localthumbcache.package file to see if it resolves the issue. If the game now saves, it’s likely a mod is causing problems. Then add the files back in small batches to identify and remove the problem mod. Be sure to check for updates to any mods or CC you have.
5. Adjust Game Settings
Lowering your game’s graphics settings can potentially reduce the memory load and help reduce save file size in some cases. Additionally, minimizing the number of objects and Sims in your household may lessen the amount of data the game has to handle, which may reduce the chance of the Error 16 being triggered.
6. Run as Administrator
Sometimes, the game doesn’t have the necessary permissions to save files correctly. Running the game as an administrator can resolve this problem by ensuring full access to the save folders. Right-click the game’s shortcut and choose “Run as administrator”.
7. Regularly Clear Caches
The game stores temporary data in the cache, which can become corrupted over time. Clearing your game’s cache files, particularly those associated with saving, can sometimes address save issues such as Error 16. Ensure that you are also clearing the EA app cache regularly.
8. Update Graphics Drivers
Outdated graphics drivers can also contribute to issues. Make sure that your graphics drivers are up to date by checking the manufacturers’ website for the most recent versions.
9. Check File Permissions
Ensure that the folder where your saves are stored has the correct read and write permissions. Issues with access rights might be a reason the game cannot save the file correctly. Verify the access permissions for your saves folder to ensure full access is granted to the game.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Is Error 16 specific to The Sims 3?
While Error 16 is a well-known issue in The Sims 3 due to its 4GB save file limit, this error can also occur in Sims Medieval and, more rarely, in other games in the franchise due to similar underlying issues like storage limitations. The fundamentals of the error being related to saving, storage and file sizes remain similar across the different games, even if the exact reasons may differ.
2. Will deleting old save files fix Error 16?
Yes, deleting old and unnecessary save files can free up space and reduce the size of the overall save folder. This can sometimes help prevent the error, particularly in games with file limits such as The Sims 3. However, the problem will likely re-occur if the save file gets too large again.
3. Can mods cause Error 16?
Yes, mods can absolutely cause Error 16. Outdated or incompatible mods can lead to game instability, save file corruption, and memory errors, which can all trigger this error. Removing or disabling mods can help pinpoint if they are the source.
4. How often should I defrag my hard drive?
The frequency of defragging depends on how often you add, delete, and change files on your hard drive. Generally, defragmenting your hard drive at least once a month is a good habit, particularly if you are using an older mechanical hard drive (not SSDs).
5. What is the ‘Save As’ option in the Sims games?
In The Sims games, the ‘Save As’ option lets you create a new save file instead of saving over the existing one. This can help prevent file corruption and also help to manage save file sizes in The Sims 3. This is a good habit to get into to keep multiple backups.
6. Is it necessary to update my graphics drivers?
Yes, keeping your graphics drivers up to date is important. Updated drivers ensure better compatibility with your games, optimize performance, and often address bugs that may cause issues like Error 16.
7. Can running multiple background applications cause this issue?
Yes, running numerous background applications can consume valuable system resources, potentially leading to performance issues and save errors such as Error 16. Closing unnecessary programs while playing games is advisable.
8. Does Error 16 mean my game is permanently broken?
No, Error 16 does not mean your game is permanently broken. It indicates a saving issue due to file size, storage, or permissions. Troubleshooting and following the methods outlined above should help you fix it.
9. How do I clear the EA App cache?
To clear the EA App cache, you can go to the app settings, find the cache options and clear them from there. This can resolve issues caused by outdated or corrupted cached data. The location of this varies depending on updates and versions of the EA App.
10. What if repairing the game doesn’t fix Error 16?
If repairing the game does not resolve the error, try other solutions such as updating your drivers, clearing cache and ensuring enough hard drive space. If the issue persists, then there may be a hardware or operating system issue.
11. Can a full hard drive lead to other game errors?
Yes, a full hard drive can cause a variety of game errors, including problems with saving, performance issues, and general instability. Ensuring adequate free space is important.
12. Are there any specific game settings that can help?
Lowering graphics settings, minimizing object clutter, and reducing Sim populations can sometimes reduce game load and prevent errors like Error 16 in the long term. This may only have a limited effect on large save files though.
13. Should I uninstall and reinstall the game?
Uninstalling and reinstalling the game should be a last resort. Try other methods first. However, it might help by ensuring you have a clean install without any corrupted files.
14. How can I know how big my save file is?
The location of your save files can be found in the game’s file directory. You can check the files in this directory, often in your Documents folder, and look at the save file’s size in properties. Typically they have a file extension such as .sims3 or similar.
15. Does playing The Sims on a high-performance PC prevent this error?
While a high-performance PC can help, it doesn’t completely prevent Error 16 in The Sims 3 due to the 4GB file size limit. Having more memory or a better graphics card can help with gameplay and general performance but won’t prevent the file getting too large. It’s still important to manage save files and have sufficient free storage space.