How to Fix Sims 4 Error Code 109 in 2024? [10 Solutions]

As an avid Sims 4 player, I know how frustrating it can be when technical issues surface and prevent you from fully enjoying your gaming experience. One such issue that keeps players scratching their heads is the infamous Sims 4 Error Code 109. I remember the first time I encountered this error – my Sims family’s life was interrupted, and I was desperate to figure out a solution.

It wasn’t long before I embarked on a quest to fix Sims 4 Error Code 109, in hopes of returning to my virtual world and leaving behind the anxiety caused by this pesky issue. Fortunately for you, I’ve decided to share my findings in this blog post, so get ready for a journey filled with practical solutions, detailed steps, and guidance that will help you overcome this annoying obstacle in no time!

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What Does Sims 4 Error Code 109 Mean?

In the world of Sims 4, Error Code 109 is something that can bring your gameplay to an abrupt halt. But what does it really mean? Well, this particular error is related to game files and indicates that there’s a problem with your saved game file, which might make it impossible for the game to load.

The core issue often stems from conflicts between corrupted, outdated, or missing data in the game or its expansion packs. When these conflicts occur, the system struggles to properly process information from the saved file which leads to Error Code 109. What’s more, these issues can also be generated by external factors like third-party custom content or mods that have compatibility problems or are not up-to-date with the latest game version.

All in all, this error message is a signal that something is amiss with your Sims 4 gaming experience and requires attention to resolve it effectively. Now that we know what we’re dealing with let’s dive into how you can fix Sims 4 Error Code 109 and get back to enjoying your virtual adventures.

How To Fix Sims 4 Error Code 109 in 2024?

1. Update Your Game to the Latest Version

One of the most straightforward ways to address error codes is by ensuring that your game is updated to the latest version. Game developers often release updates to fix bugs, improve compatibility, and provide additional features. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to update your Sims 4 game:

1. Open Origin (or Steam): Start by launching the Origin or Steam client on your computer.
2. Go to your Game Library: Locate and click on ‘My Game Library’.
3. Select The Sims 4: Find The Sims 4 in your library and click on it.
4. Check for updates: If there’s an available update, you will see a notification under “Playable” with an outline stating ‘Update Available’.
5. Download and install: Click on the ‘Update’ button to start downloading and installing the newest version of The Sims 4.

Remember that keeping your game up-to-date ensures overall stability, enhanced performance, and access to new content as well as bug fixes.

2. Remove Corrupted Save Files

Corrupted save files are often the main culprit behind Error Code 109 in Sims 4. By removing these faulty files, you’ll significantly increase your chances of resolving the issue. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to remove corrupted save files in Sims 4:

1. Locate The Sims 4 folder: Navigate to Documents > Electronic Arts > The Sims 4 on your computer.
2. Find the ‘saves’ folder: Within The Sims 4 folder, you will find a folder titled ‘saves’.
3. Create a backup: Before making any changes, copy and paste the ‘saves’ folder to another location on your computer as a backup.
4. Identify corrupted save files: In the ‘saves’ folder, look for any files ending with ‘.bad’. These are the corrupted save files causing Error Code 109.
5. Delete corrupted save files: Select all the ‘.bad’ files and delete them.
6. Try an earlier save file: Locate a previous non-corrupt version of your save file (preferably one without numbers ending in .ver1, .ver2, etc.), and rename it by removing the .ver extension.

3. Disable or Update Third-Party Mods and Custom Content

Having third-party mods and custom content can undoubtedly enhance your Sims 4 gaming experience. However, they might also be the reason behind the erros. To ensure they’re not causing any issues, consider disabling or updating them by following these steps:

1. Locate your Mods folder: Go to your Sims 4 ‘Documents’ directory (Documents > Electronic Arts > The Sims 4 > Mods).
2. Disable all mods: Temporarily move all the mod files to a separate folder outside the ‘Mods’ directory.
3. Test your game: Launch Sims 4 to see if Error Code 109 is resolved without mods active.

If the error is no longer present, it means that one (or more) of your mods or custom content items are causing the issue.

4. Update mods and custom content: Visit their respective creators’ websites and download the latest versions if available.
5. Re-enable mods one by one: Move updated mod files back to the ‘Mods’ folder one at a time, testing after each addition to identify which particular mod was causing Error Code 109.

Following these steps should help you keep your game stable while enjoying Custom Content and Mods without having to worry about errors like Sims 4 Error Code 109.

4. Repair Your Sims 4 Game via Origin or Steam

If you’ve ensured that your game is up-to-date and error still persists, then it’s time to try repairing the game. This process checks for any errors, discrepancies, or corrupted files that might be causing the issue, and then attempts to repair them automatically.

1. Open Origin (or Steam): Launch your respective gaming platform client on your computer.
2. Go to your Game Library: Locate and click on ‘My Game Library’.
3. Right-click on The Sims 4: Find The Sims 4 in your library and right-click on it.
4. Select ‘Repair’: For Origin users, choose ‘Repair’ from the dropdown menu. For Steam users, click on ‘Properties’ and navigate to the ‘Local Files’ tab, then click ‘Verify Integrity of Game Files’.

The repair process will initiate and may take some time depending on your computer’s speed and the size of game files.

5. Clear Cache Files from Your Sims 4 Folder

Cache files can sometimes cause issues within your Sims 4 game, as accumulated temporary data might lead to conflicts and errors. Clearing your cache files can help resolve these glitches and improve the overall performance of your game.

Follow these steps to clear cache files in your Sims 4 folder:

1. Open File Explorer: Press Win + E on your keyboard to open File Explorer.
2. Locate The Sims 4 folder: Navigate to Documents > Electronic Arts > The Sims 4.
3. Delete specific cache files: Delete the following cache files by selecting them and pressing Delete on your keyboard:
   • localthumbcache.package
   • cachestr

Note: Before proceeding with this step, make sure you close your game.

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6. Perform a Clean Boot of Your Computer

At times, third-party applications or services running in the background can cause conflicts with The Sims 4, leading to Error Code 109. Performing a clean boot of your computer eliminates these interruptions by temporarily disabling non-essential startup items. Follow these steps to perform a clean boot on your Windows system:

1. Press Win + R keys: Open the Run dialog box by pressing the Win key + R on your keyboard.
2. Type “msconfig”: Type msconfig in the Run dialog box and press Enter.
3. Open the Services tab: In the System Configuration window, click on the ‘Services’ tab.
4. Hide Microsoft services: Check the box next to ‘Hide all Microsoft services at the bottom of the window.
5. Disable remaining services: Click the ‘Disable all’ button to turn off all non-Microsoft services.
6. Open Startup tab: Switch to the ‘Startup’ tab and click ‘Open Task Manager’.
7. Disable startup items: Within Task Manager, under the Startup tab, disable each startup item individually by right-clicking and selecting ‘Disable’.
8. Restart your computer: Close Task Manager and System Configuration windows, then restart your computer for changes to take effect.

7. Run the Game as an Administrator

Running The Sims 4 with administrative privileges can help fix issues like Sims 4 Error Code 109 by granting the game access to essential files and system resources. This step could solve potential conflicts that arise due to limited permissions. Here’s how you can run The Sims 4 game as an administrator:

1. Locate The Sims 4 executable file: Navigate to your game installation folder (usually found in C:\Program Files (x86)\Origin Games\The Sims 4) or find it via the Origin or Steam client.
2. Right-click on the executable: Once you’ve located the ‘The Sims 4’ executable file (TS4.exe or TS4_x64.exe), right-click on it.
3. Select ‘Properties’: In the displayed context menu, click on ‘Properties’.
4. Navigate to the ‘Compatibility’ tab: Within the Properties window, click on the ‘Compatibility’ tab.
5. Enable administrator mode: Check the box next to ‘Run this program as an administrator’.
6. Click ‘Apply’ and ‘OK’: Save your changes by clicking ‘Apply’ and then close the Properties window by clicking ‘OK’.

Now, go ahead and launch The Sims 4 using its shortcut icon or via your preferred gaming client – be it Origin or Steam – and see if running the game as an administrator resolves the error code for you!

8. Reinstall Expansion Packs or Stuff Packs

Another potential solution for fixing errors involves reinstalling any expansion packs or stuff packs that you have added to your game. The reason behind this is that sometimes these packs might have compatibility issues or corrupt files that interfere with the game’s performance, ultimately causing the error. To reinstall expansion packs or stuff packs, follow these steps:

1. Open Origin (or Steam): Launch your Origin or Steam client on your computer.
2. Go to your Game Library: Locate and click on ‘My Game Library’.
3. Select The Sims 4: Find The Sims 4 in your library and click on it.
4. Uninstall Expansion/Stuff Pack: Locate the pack that you suspect might be causing Error Code 109, right-click (or control-click) on it, and then select ‘Uninstall’.
5. Reinstall the Pack: Once the uninstallation process is complete, go back to The Sims 4 page in your library, locate the pack you just uninstalled, and click ‘Install’ to download and reinstall it.

9. Verify That your PC Meets the Game’s System Requirements

It’s crucial to check that your computer meets the minimum and recommended system requirements for The Sims 4 to avoid errros and other performance issues. In some cases, an outdated graphics card, insufficient RAM, or a low-performing processor could be causing the game not to load properly. Here’s how you can ensure your computer is capable of running the game smoothly:

1. Check The Sims 4 system requirements: Visit The Sims 4 official website or reference sites like System Requirements Lab to find out the minimum and recommended specifications for your game.
2. Compare with your computer specs: Press Windows key + X and choose ‘System’ from the menu. In the system window, you will find information about your Windows version, processor, installed RAM, and more. For graphics card information, right-click on an empty space in the desktop background and choose ‘NVIDIA Control Panel’ (or another relevant option for your GPU).
3. Upgrade if necessary: If you find that your PC doesn’t meet The Sims 4 requirements, consider upgrading specific components such as RAM or a Graphics Card.

10. Contact EA Support Assistance

If all else fails and you’re still encountering Sims 4 Error Code 109, it’s time to seek help from the experts. EA Support is always available to assist in troubleshooting and resolving game-related issues.

1. Visit EA Help Website: Go to EA Help and select ‘Help with a game.’
2. Search for The Sims 4: Type ‘The Sims 4’ in the search bar and click on the game title when it appears.
3. Choose a topic: Select the option that best describes your issue (In this case, ‘Technical Support’).
4. Describe your problem: Describe your issue briefly, mentioning Error Code 109, and any troubleshooting steps you tried.
5. Select contact method: Choose between live chat or callback, depending on what is available at that time.

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Conclusion

Encountering the notorious Sims 4 Error Code 109 can be a frustrating and disheartening experience. Fortunately, with some determination and a little bit of patience, you’re now armed with various solutions to tackle this error head-on. Identifying the root cause of the problem might require you to try out different methods, but rest assured that your efforts will soon pay off and you’ll be able to enjoy your virtual escapades once again.

Always remember that it’s important to keep your game up-to-date and be cautious when installing mods or custom content. By adhering to these good practices, you can minimize the chances of running into Error Code 109 in the future. Now it’s time to implement these solutions and get back to shape your Sims’ lives!