✽Updated: Dec.09.2023✽I've been trying to keep up with the information on the EA App, Sims 3, It's expansions, stuff packs and it's store content missing or won't download.
EA has made the EA App a requirement (as of end of Feb 2023). I've seen a lot of reports of problems with the switch-over. However, they are still looking into the issues, as there are more games affected than Sims 3 and Sims 4.
If you're having problems with launching the EA App, Sims 3 downloading or installing it's add-ons and store content, or missing game content please consider trying the following:
~ Run the EA Error Reporter Tool: (
https://help.ea.com/en-gb/help/ea/ea-app/run-ea-error-report/) Share the Report ID along with a list of packs that won't download or install properly in this post on answers.ea Sims 3 Technical Help Board. (
https://answers.ea.com/t5/Technical-Issues-PC/Sims-3-expansion-pack-not-downloading-from-EA-app/td-p/12450692)
~ Turn off EA App Overlay: In the EA App, click Application and look for In-game Overlay this setting needs to be turned off. This will help the EA App allow you to install and uninstall .Sims3Pack files.
~ Check Your EA Account via the Website: Login to your EA Account via the EA Website (
https://www.ea.com/) to check your purchase history. Just to see what packs show up. Check the Sims 3 Store's website (
https://www.thesims3.com/home.html) for your store content. Look at your purchase history or the item's page.
~ Consider Contacting EA: (
https://help.ea.com/en/contact-us/) after looking at your purchase history to see if the packs do show up on your account. Missing game and/or add-ons seems to be an account issue, like code(s) being blocked or game entitlements not being recognized as owned. You may need to try asking about it with Live Chat Support. If you don't see the option, change the location in your browser window to U.S. or U.K.
~ Consider Posting on Answers.ea - Sims 3 Technical Help: If EA Support isn't being helpful either by email or live chat, You might try posting on answers.ea Sims 3 Tech Board: (
https://answers.ea.com/t5/Technical-Issues-PC/bd-p/the-sims-3). The Sims 3 Community Managers may not able to able to help with account issues, but they can usually get players in contact with someone who can.
~ Important Note for CAW Players: The EA App and CAW seems to work now for some but not for others. Not sure what the status is on this, as there isn't as many reports on it anymore.
For convenience, here are the direct download links to the CAW files:
EA App/Origin: 1.69 ––
Steam and Disc: 1.67 Ifin' you need them.
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✦ Here are some open reports that you can post in:Sims 3 Game Content Won't Install or is Stuck Preparing:
https://answers.ea.com/t5/Technical-Issues-PC/New-Sims-3-expansion-says-in-game-content-can-t-install/m-p/13122328#M262052Sims 3 Expansion/Stuff Packs Not Downloading/Installing from EA App:
https://answers.ea.com/t5/Technical-Issues-PC/Sims-3-expansion-pack-not-downloading-from-EA-app/m-p/12451294#M257550Sims 3 Launcher "There are no packages to install"
https://answers.ea.com/t5/Technical-Issues-PC/Sims-3-Launcher-quot-There-are-no-packages-to-install-quot/m-p/11946593#M252702Sims 3 Store World Can't Register/Install
https://answers.ea.com/t5/Technical-Issues-PC/Sims-3-Store-world-can-t-register-install/td-p/12619800Sims 3 store content: I "Do Not Own The Item" (Possible Account Issue)
-- This issue may require contacting EA Support (
https://help.ea.com/en/contact-us/) for help.
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~ Troubleshooting the EA App, Sims 3 and Store Content:They are trying to make the migration as seamless as possible, but some players still have issues with the switch over.
Before starting the troubleshooting process:
– Make a Backup of the Sims 3 Install folder. Backup the game install files in (C:\Program Files\EA Games\The Sims 3) This will come in handy if you need to reinstall. Using these backup install files will help get the EA App to verify the game quicker and hopefully get back to downloading/installing what packs aren't downloading.
– Make a Backup of the Sims 3 User folder. Move your Sims 3 user folder (\Documents\Electronic Arts\The Sims 3) to your desktop to keep files safe. This also ensures that when you go to install Store content it installs into a new Sims 3 folder.
✦ – To make a backup of either of the above folders, Right-click on them, select Copy and paste the folder on your desktop, usb drive or external hard drive. ++ Please note you will need to rename both folders for safe keeping, so they don't override each other.
– Close EA App and other EA Services: Use Task Manager (right-click the Taskbar and select "Task Manager" to open it) look for any EA Services such as EABackgroundService and select End task on it.
– Clear Edge and IE browser data. This is due to the Sims 3 launcher still using parts of IE to function and can mess up the download and install process if not done.
View and delete browser history in Microsoft Edge
https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/microsoft-edge/view-and-delete-browser-history-in-microsoft-edge-00cf7943-a9e1-975a-a33d-ac10ce454ca4 –Check Your Password on Your EA Account. If your password contains any special characters, it's a good idea to change your password. The launcher doesn't do well with some of those, for example & or !. This is the case even when the password works fine on other EA sites.
Reset your password for expired credentials: (
https://help.ea.com/en/help/account/reset-password-expired-credentials/)
Additionally, go into Documents > Electronic Arts > The Sims 3 > Downloads and delete the file labeled [your email].bin. if you have it.
If having EA account issues, please check this page: (
https://help.ea.com/en/help/account/im-locked-out-of-my-ea-account/) and click the appropriate button.
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Then try these troubleshooting tips:
~ Clear the EA App Cache Files: Click Menu (☰) up top left > Help > App Recovery and select Clear Cache. * Restarting your computer maybe helpful after this step.
~ Repair Game: If Using EA App: Open the EA App > Library > Find Sims 3 and Click Manage > Repair.
~ Force the EA App to Update: Force the EA App and EABackgroundService to close via task manager. Locate and run the EAUpdater.exe in C:\Program Files\Electronic Arts\EA Desktop\EA Desktop or whatever directory you installed the app in.
~ Run EADesktop as Administrator: Use EADesktop to launch the EA App and Run it As Administrator (C:/Program Files/Electronic Arts/EA Desktop/EA Desktop.
If the EA App is still not working, It's recommended to uninstall the EA App Sims 3, related packs and store content. Use a registry cleaner such as Ccleaner or Revo Uninstaller to cleanup the files left behind from uninstalling the app and game files. Free or trial editions of these cleaner tools are fine to use.
~ Reinstall the EA App, Sims 3, related packs and store content:- Download and Install a new copy of the EA App (
https://www.ea.com/ea-app).
- Install a fresh copy Sims 3 and it's add-ons.
- Install Sims 3 Store Content via the EA App.
Try installing the store content via the Open Downloads Dashboard in the EA App.
Here's the example given from
answers.ea Re-written by me to be more clear.
Open the Sims 3 using the EA App. Go to the Load Game Page, click the three dots in the lower left and click Open Download Dashboard. This is where you should find all your Store Content. Look for Riverview, for example. When you find it, click Install Now.
This will download Riverview to the downloads tab of the launcher and install the it. Showing a status of downloaded and installed.
On the Load Game Page, click the + to start a new game. You should see Riverview in the drop down list.
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~ Testing the Game and Store Content:Test to make sure the game and store content is fully installed. Do this by launching the game and loading up a test-save in Sunset Valley, for example. At the Edit Town menu look at the in-game library to see if the store lots are there in the community lots and empty lots tabs.
– To check Build/Buy items, select an empty lot and go into Build by to make sure Build/Buy objects are installed.
– To check CAS items, load CAS and check to see that accessories, clothes, hair etc are installed.
If all is good, quit the game and start adding back your saves, mods and custom content. Read the section linked below for more details.
What Files/Folders to Add Back In:
https://www.carls-sims-4-guide.com/forum/index.php?topic=20732.msg401814#post_FF2AB ----
** Player experience may differ. These tips work for some and not for others.
If none of the above help, please post about the problem on answers.ea. Try to give as much detail on the troubleshooting you've done so far, so they can help you further.
Sims 3 » Technical Issues – PC
https://answers.ea.com/t5/Technical-Issues-PC/bd-p/the-sims-3 -----
~ Reference Links:Delete Cache from the EA App/Origin:
https://help.ea.com/en/help/faq/clear-cache-to-fix-problems-with-your-games/Note: This post has been locked as it's for informational purposes.
