Sims 4 - Custom Content and Mods (Install/Remove/Organize/Fix)

[MrsFlynn]

Custom Content and Mods (Install/Remove/Organize/Fix)

Quick Links:
- Important Note About Mods/CC
- Enable Custom Content and Mods
- Installing Mods and Custom Content
- Testing New Mods/CC in a Safe Way
- Tips on Finding and Removing Mods/CC
- How to Fix Problems with Mods/CC
- Finding/Installing Custom Content Houses/Lots
- How-To: Organize Your Mods/CC Folder
- Custom Content Not Loading/Appearing In-Game
- Tips for improved load time when you have a lot of mods/cc
- Why Move the Mods Folder to the Desktop?
- The Sims 4 - Mods and Game Updates - From EA Help

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** Important Disclaimer About Mods and Custom Content

Game patches are usually released around 10am pacific time.


Important Note On Game Updates, Mods and CC

With the recent patch released mods and custom content may no longer work and may cause problems with your game, or make it unplayable.

Game Update 09/18/2024 ~ PC: 1.109.185.1030 / Mac: 1.109.185.1230 / Console: 1.99

The #1 reason for in-game issues is an outdated/broken mods/cc or a conflict between mods. - A list of outdated mods/cc can be found at the Answers.ea Sims 4 Mods Forum. -- Usually pinned at the top of the board.

https://answers.ea.com/t5/Mods-CC-Issues/bd-p/the-sims-4-game-issues-mods-en

-- Mods get disabled with each game patch and will need to be turned back on. --

Game patches may not be retroactive. Meaning bug fixes may not be fixed in older saved games. If you have a bugged game, it's best to create and play a new game.

It's best to go through the Mods folder each time there is game patch update and get rid of outdated mods/cc to help keep the game running smooth.

Note: New patches are sometimes released monthly. This means mods and custom content will need to be gone through regularly.

It's best to move your mods folder to the desktop for testing purposes, when you're having issues with mods and cc. This will help troubleshoot the issue.

Also it has been noted that there are hidden files inside the mods folder and this can cause issues with both mods and cc. - How-To Unhide files in a folder

Also please keep in mind the more updates EA/Origin releases for both the Origin client and game the more neither are going to work on older/lower end computers.

Game mods and custom content are player-made content. They are not supported by EA, which is why they won't fix errors caused by mods or custom content. They are both always use at own risk.

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[MrsFlynn]

Enable Custom Content and Mods

Make sure Enable Custom Content and Mods are checked (turned on) in Game Options:

Mods get disabled with each game patch and need to be turned back on.

Go to Options Menu > Game Options > Other > to make sure Custom Content and Mods, plus Script Mods Allowed are checked. Or mods/cc may not show up in game or work properly.

--- See images below, click to enlarge.



You will need to exit the game and reload it for the mod to show as active when loading the game.



Automatic Disabling of Mods on Patching
http://sims4.crinrict.com/en/2015/11/automatic-disabling-of-mods-on-patching/

Custom Content and Mods - How to Install and Other Info:
https://sims4.crinrict.com/eng/2014/08/custom-content-and-mods/

If you're a Mac user, please see - How to install Mods on a Mac

Make sure all custom content and mods are up to date with the latest patch.

Each new patch released will break a lot of game mods and custom content.

Outdated/broken mods and cc will cause problems and conflicts in your saves and may make the game unplayable.

Try this test: Move your mods folder to the desktop, clear your game cache and delete the localthumbcache.package from the Sims 4 folder. Try playing the game again to test. If it loads okay, it may be that some of the mods/cc have become outdated.

How to Fix Problems with Mods/CC
http://www.carls-sims-4-guide.com/forum/index.php?topic=25031.msg426156#msg426156

If you are using Mods or CC, It's highly recommended you follow this guide by Crinrict:

In Preparation for Patching
http://sims4.crinrict.com/en/2015/06/in-prepartion-for-patching/

The most common problems for players to have after patching are often attributed to not following these guidelines if they are using mods or cc.

It's never good to mix new CC with an older patched game.

Outdated/bad custom content and/or mods will mess up your game for whatever reason and may make it, glitchy or unplayable. Going through these files from time to time, specially when there has been a new patch release, is a good idea to make sure none of it's bad or outdated.

*** EA/Maxis is not responsible for mods or custom content. They are both always use at own risk.

*** It is up to the content creator to support them, if there are problems.

Please contact the creator or website that you downloaded the content from.

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[MrsFlynn]

Installing Mods and Custom Content

Install Mods and Custom Content into Documents\Electronic Arts\The Sims 4\Mods.

** There should already be a Mods folder in the Sims 4 folder by default along with the resource.cfg file.

If a mods folder is manually created in the Sims 4 Install folder, it will not work.

It needs to be in Documents\Electronic Arts\The Sims 4\Mods. to work correctly.

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Take the downloaded .package file and copy it to: Documents\Electronic Arts\The Sims 4\Mods.

Close the game if open, and reopen it for changes to take effect.

You don't need WinRAR or 7-zip to actually download mods or CC. Go to CC or mod site of choice and download the file to your computer from there.

-- Windows has a zip program built into it that can be used to unzip any mod or CC files.

How To: Zip and unzip files
https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/help/14200/windows-compress-uncompress-zip-files

How do I extract files with WinRAR?
https://www.win-rar.com/faq.html

-- Mac users can download Keka (free) The beta version has more options, and can protect your files with a password. - http://www.kekaosx.com/

How to Fix Problems with Mods/CC
http://www.carls-sims-4-guide.com/forum/index.php?topic=25031.msg426156#msg426156


Helpful Links Under the Spoiler Tag

Spoiler (click to show/hide)

Helpful Links:

Game Help:TS4 Custom Content
http://simswiki.info/wiki.php?title=Game_Help:TS4_Custom_Content

Game Help:TS4 CC Basics
http://simswiki.info/wiki.php?title=Game_Help:TS4_CC_Basics

Game Help:TS4 Finding Problem Custom Content
http://simswiki.info/wiki.php?title=Game_Help:TS4_Finding_Problem_Custom_Content

Game Help:TS4 Organizing Custom Content
http://simswiki.info/wiki.php?
title=Game_Help:TS4_Organizing_Custom_Content

Usage of Mods and Custom Content
http://answers.ea.com/t5/The-Sims-4-Bug-Reports/PLEASE-READ-Usage-of-
Mods-and-Custom-Content/m-p/3936231#U3936231

How to Install Mods on Mac - BlueBellflora
http://bluebellflora.com/itsaprilxds-how-to-install-mods-on-a-mac-guide-the-
sim-4/

How to Install Mods and/or custom content - Sims 4
http://sims.wikia.com/wiki/Game_guide:Installing_custom_content

Mods and Game Updates after Dec. 2015 update
http://www.carls-sims-4-guide.com/forum/index.php/topic,25141.0.html

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[MrsFlynn]

Tips on Finding and Removing Mods/CC:

The easiest way to determine if you have outdated mods or cc is to simply pull your entire Mods folder and move it to your desktop and launch the game again, load a game if you continue to have issues do not save it. - This is to partially help troubleshoot the issue.

----> Go to the Electronic Arts folder\Sims 4 folder [C:\Users\Username\Documents\Electronic Arts\Sims4] and Right-click on the Mods folder, select Cut. Paste it to the desktop. This moves the Mods folder out to the desktop
while you test.

If it works fine, then you know you're looking at an outdated mods/cc issue. Go through it bit by bit until you find the offending item(s).

Try the 50/50 method (step by step is below) which is to try half of them and then the other half. But if that doesn't work, you may have to try cutting it down a little further and only checking a few or so at a time until you find which mods are causing issues for you.

Or see the tips in the post linked below:

How to Fix Problems with Mods/CC
http://www.carls-sims-4-guide.com/forum/index.php?topic=25031.msg426156#msg426156

Some tips to try:
 
*** If it's CAS that is crashing or not/slow loading, test the hair first, then tops, bottoms, etc.

*** If it's build mode/live mode, test doors and windows first, then kitchen, then bathroom, then living room, etc.


The 50/50 method

When having issues with mods and custom content it's best to try the 50/50 method which is to try half of them and then the other half. But if that doesn't work, you may have to try cutting it down a little further and only checking a few or so at a time until you find which mods are causing issues for you.

1. Move the Mods folder to the desktop for temporary.
2. Copy a few files back at a time and launch the game to make sure it loads and everything plays fine.
3. Delete the localthumbcache.package from the Sims 4 folder in Documents.

Repeat steps 1 - 3 until there is no more files to check.

** While you're testing, don't save the game. If you find any problems, delete the mod or custom content file.

Or try one or both of these mods linked below. These mods may help find conflicts between game mods and custom content. These mods only finds conflicts between different mods and custom content. Not mods, cc and the game. -- These aren't made for Mac Users.

** Please note these mods have not been updated for awhile and may not work with mods and custom content made since Nov. 2018's patch.

Mod Conflict Detector
http://modthesims.info/d/561550

TS4 Package Conflict Detector by scumbumbo - Windows Only
http://modthesims.info/download.php?t=572482

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[MrsFlynn]

How-To: Organize Your Mods/CC Folder:

If you download and use a lot of mods and CC it's a really good idea to organize your mods folder. It makes it a lot easier to find and remove problem files.

Organizing CC in subfolders

Sims 4 doesn't work well with more than 1 level of sub folder in mods. You can edit the 'resource.cfg' file to recognize more levels but it is generally easier to just have lots of folders under mods instead. Eg mods/female hair/*.package, mods/male hair/*.package.

Before changing your resource.cfg file , back it up so you have the original file just in case something goes wrong.

You may be able to find more info in the discussion section of Mod the Sims or one of the other mod sites.


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[MrsFlynn]

Custom Content Not Loading/Appearing In-Game

Some troubleshooting tips for cc not showing up in-game.

If these tips don't help and the issue continues, go back to the site the cc was downloaded from to ask for help.


1. Do you have cc and mods enabled or turned on in-game? 

Mods get disabled with each game patch and need to be turned back on.

Make sure both Enable Custom Content and Mods, plus Script Mods Allowed is checked in Game Options:
--- See images below, click to enlarge.



Go to Options Menu > Game Options > Other > to make sure Enable Custom Content and Mods, plus Script Mods Allowed. - This is helpful if you are using script mods.

You will need to exit the game and reload it for the mod to show as active when loading the game.



2. Make sure the mods and custom content you are using is updated to the latest game patch. - Current game version can be viewed here

How To: Update the Game (Sims 4)
http://www.carls-sims-4-guide.com/forum/index.php?topic=29286.msg401660#msg401660

3. Is the cc made for Sims 4? Downloading and trying to install cc made for Sims 3 will cause issues.

4. Remove all the filters in CAS to help make the cc appear.

5. Check the cc to see if it needs a mesh to work in-game. Some pieces of cc need meshes to work correctly. - If they are recolors only, you may need the actual mesh if the recolor is someone else's work.

If it's clothing related check the tags. Many of the outfits or accessories are set to certain categories, like a beanie might not show up under formal unless you uncheck the 'formal' filter at the top that trims down what shows.

6. Make sure the Mods folder is located in the Documents folder on your C drive and not on OneDrive.  Mods and CC won't work correctly if they're not on your local drive which is your C drive.

How To: Turn off, disable, or uninstall OneDrive
https://support.office.com/en-us/article/turn-off-disable-or-uninstall-onedrive-f32a17ce-3336-40fe-9c38-6efb09f944b0

7. Not all cc is for CAS (Create-A-Sim), some are actual household items. The cc may not be actual .packages, but .zip files that need to be extracted into the mods folder.

8. Try redownloading the cc items that are still missing, to see if they may appear in-game.

9. If you have sorted your cc into sub-folders, you will need to set your Resource.cfg file accordingly. - Sub folders are basically folders inside another. If you have too many, the game will not read them unless you update the Resource file.

Sims 4 doesn't work well with more than 1 level of sub folder in mods. You can edit the 'resource.cfg' file to recognize more levels by opening and editing it with notepad. It is generally easier to just have lots of folders under mods instead. Eg mods/female hair/*.package, mods/male hair/*.package.

You may be able to find more information in the discussion section of Mod the Sims or one of the other mod sites.

Before changing your resource.cfg file, back it up so you have the original file just in case something goes wrong.

Read more information on this using the link below:
http://sims4.crinrict.com/en/2014/08/mods-and-downloads/

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[MrsFlynn]

Why Move the Mods Folder to the Desktop?:

It's best to move your mods folder to the desktop for testing purposes, and delete the game cache files, along with the localthumbcache.package file from The Sims 4 folder in Documents when you're having issues with mods and cc. This will help troubleshoot the issue.

Delete Game Cache Files (What and How-To)
http://www.carls-sims-4-guide.com/forum/index.php?topic=29288.msg401662#msg401662

When you move your mods folder to the desktop it removes both mods and cc from the game and disables them from being in game and working in-game. It's to make sure that any gameplay bugs or glitches you may be having isn't caused by outdated or corrupted mods or cc.

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