The Sims 3 Not responding

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Willy - Jun 4, 2009 at 11:05 PM
sims3fanatic - Nov 21, 2012 at 12:17 PM

Hello,
i just bought the game Sims 3 and I can create a sim, but as soon as I go into building mode or even to play with the sim, it freezes, and then it goes black. I have all the requirements for the game. but I dont know what I should do about not being able to play the game in build mode, or live mode

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100 responses

Answer 1 / 100

Best answer

approved by Jean-François Pillou

Rachael
Nov 24, 2009 at 07:35 PM

Sounds like it's your graphics card, is it Nvidia? My game would run for a few minutes and the computer would just switch itself off.

So, if your card is Nvidia, you should do the following, it worked for me!!!

1 - Open the Control Panel
2 - Open the Nvidia Control Panel
3 - At the top of the Control Panel, select "Advanced Settings"
4 - Select "Advanced"
5 - On the side menu, click "Manage 3D Settings"
6 - Change "Conformant Texture Clamp" to "Use OpenGL specification"
7 - Change "Force Mipmaps" to "Trilinear"
8 - Change "Texture Filtering - Trilinear Optimization" to "On"
9 - Change "Vertical Sync" to "Force On"

Save your new changes and it should do the trick!

Happing Simming!!!

Rachael :)

el
Apr 18, 2011 at 07:05 AM

the settings are different. I cant see them except for the vertical sync :(

Answer 2 / 100

sims2player
Jan 15, 2010 at 08:20 PM

Hello Sims 3 users.. At least make sure that there's space on your computer to make the game work..If it does'nt work then do this little hint(cheat) to help you.

1. Press CTRL, SHIFT, ALT , AND C(all together)..I don't know if this will work but it works on my sims 2 games..

2. If it works. You will see a blue box with a white strip on the bottom.Click the strip then press tab it would say something like auto patch then you enter. Bascily what auto patch is doing for you is fixing the problems with the game.So you Likely probably wont have any problems with the game.(hopefully)

3.If your game Freezez,and blacks out again then well.It probably did'nt work..If you really want your game fixed and you need hints on how to make it stop doing such an idiotic thing, then you should probably call Ea,or what/who/company made this game. Or you could go to Thesims3.com click contact.(if its there) and send them an email about how you've been having problems with your game. Probably they would have the contact number but if they say they don't know ask them questions like: Did you perpare the software correctly. and did you check your data files and things like that maybe they would answer another important one is if you ask them if they tested there product over and over and over..Maybe that should help you but I was glad to share that information with all of you sims3 users.

Answer 3 / 100

sis
Apr 7, 2010 at 03:29 AM

this might help

Launch The Sims 3.
Click on the '...' blue Options button on the lower left-hand side of the screen.
Click on the 'Options' menu item.
The 'Graphics' tab should be opened by default.
Uncheck the 'Enable Fullscreen Mode' button.
Click on the blue Check Mark button on the lower right-hand corner to save changes.
Re-start The Sims 3

Answer 4 / 100

EvEbBy
Sep 26, 2009 at 02:28 PM

I've played the sims 2 ever since it came out which was years ago and it never crashed.I played the sims 3 and it crashed 5 times in less than a hour I'm loosing everyting..I've played maybe 3 times before and it worked just fine it never crashed.it all freezes ,goes black and I have to click on the start or windows button and my computer shuts off. This is really annoying.What can I do to get it to stop crashing?

Didn't find the answer you are looking for?

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Answer 5 / 100

Tua
Jun 13, 2009 at 04:49 AM

Try playing in windowed mode - Change the setting in the main menu as you start the game, before you choose your town. this seems to have worked with some ppl. Also, in windowed mode, reduce your resolution slightly. This reduces the strain on your pc's Graphics card. Hope this helps!

Donaghy
Jun 14, 2009 at 06:36 AM

I have the same problem, tried everything to get it to work. Works on the laptop without the options of speeding up the game.

On the PC- can create a sim start playing about 5 mins (with the ability to speed up game play) then freezes screen goes gray then to black.

I managed to get the gameplay to last a bit longer by playing around with windows Sound options and the ingame options but crashes within 15 minutes.

Looks like were all just going to have to wait for a patch to fix this problem

Donaghy > Donaghy
Jun 14, 2009 at 07:21 AM

on another not if u have the game in windowed mode and it freezes you can leave it minimised untill the not responding goes and you can play again for another 15 minutes before it freezes again :P

BloodAngel > Donaghy
Jul 19, 2009 at 03:43 PM

This same thing happens to me. The screen fades darker then goes black. I press Ctrl Alt Delete to get up task manager and wait for it to respond again. I also can look at the processes and it shows Sims 3 taking up 99% of the CPU so basically the computer stops running it because its maxed out. I haven't found a way to fix this yet though. It takes about 5-7 minutes for Sims to start responding again but then I go back in and anywhere between 30 seconds to 3 minutes it's black again. Then back to task manager and its taking up 99% of CPU. When it starts working again it's only taking up between 11% and 30%.

brandon
Jul 25, 2009 at 01:38 AM

I've reduced the game to window mode too, but after like my 5th time in window mode, it goes black, but it comes back. It does this many times throughout the game, but at the end, the window closes!!!

Sam
Oct 5, 2009 at 03:23 PM

I play in windowed mode and it still does that.

Answer 6 / 100

Abi
Feb 20, 2010 at 11:24 AM

I had exactly the same problem when I first got the sims 3, too. If you have a laptop, does it feel like it get really hot underneath? If so, it is probably overheating. I have to make sure there is a gap underneath mine somehow, by wedging it between books. Mine never crashes as long as I make sure air can get underneath. As soon as I stop doing it, it overheats and crashes again. It's such a simple solution, but it helped me.

Answer 7 / 100

meeckeymouse Posts 14 Registration date Monday December 29, 2008 Status Member Last seen June 18, 2009 9
Jun 5, 2009 at 04:59 AM

Hello this is may because some files of the games are corrupted or damaged! You will have to uninstall the game and install it again! I hope this works!

sam
Dec 23, 2009 at 04:20 PM

i uninstall the game "sims 3" not because it didn't work, just because I want it to .. but now whenever I try to install it it says 205 files to 237 or something like that on about 20 min. but I wait like for an hour and when I came back it looked the same.. can you help me.? i'm using an original cd. and a IMAC :) thank you!

lauraumbrella > sam
Jan 21, 2010 at 02:38 PM

Hey. You know the problem you had with your Sims3 when you tried to reinstall it? Did you fix that problem? I've been trying to reinstall mine and it just stops at 3 out of whatever files and freezes. I left it for 5 hours and it didn't move at all. Any ideas on how I can fix it?

Thanks,
Laura

Anna > lauraumbrella
Feb 4, 2010 at 06:41 PM

I had the same problem! But I found out my reason and got it fixed. Ok so if you put your game online, You know on thesims3.com and your account still exist you will not be able to donload it because that games code has been registered and they think you are illegaly downloading it. So delete your account and all will be good! Hope this helps! :D

lauraumbrella > Anna
Feb 5, 2010 at 11:05 AM

Hi, thanks for replying! (: I went onto the website, but I can't find where I delete my account. How did you delete yours?

Ree-ree > lauraumbrella
Feb 6, 2010 at 04:56 AM

wellll... my dad hasn't done anything at all cos he all ways has to go to work all the time
and it's not fair! it's all because my big sister uploaded all these Sims 2 and I bet was like this:
Sims 3:I'm much better than u!
Sims 2 Ikea:so!my gang is going to beat u!
Sims:I'll tell u that I can make objects go diagonal and u have to do a cheat to do that!and I bet that
there is no cheat so u can go diagonal so HA!
Sims 2 Glamer life:we are...i mean I am more glamorous then and more posh than u!
all the Sims 2(not including Sims 2):come on lets go and take Sims 3 down!!
Sims 3:no please don't heart me oh please don't!!!!
Sims 2:well we could give u a chance come guys lets give Sims 3 a chance :)
all the Sims 2:well.......urm.......no!!!we should take Sims 3 down cos all of these days Sims 3 has all ways
been played and it's our time to take over Sims 3 so...what do you say?
Sims 2:well ok yerrrrrr!!!!!!!!lets take Sims 3 down!!!!!
Sims 3:oh no please don't oh please pleeeeeeeease don't heart me please!!!!!
all the Sims 2:CHARGE!!!!!!!!
Sims 3:ARRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
the author:noe uve heard this very sad (or read)this sad story
about
Sims
3
getting
taked
down
:(
WAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!:(
:(
:(
:(
:(
:(

Answer 8 / 100

Michele
Jun 18, 2009 at 03:11 PM

Quick question. Are you all or some of you running the bare minimum requirements? It would help more if you listed the actual specs of your computers. Remember the game has listed the "requirements" for the game to run, but they do not say "FANTASTIC game play with this minimum requirements".

My suggestion to those that have at least 2GB RAM, Dual COre Processors, and 512MB Video (that works with SIMS3)

You may have so much starting up on your computer taking up half of your RAM from the start. Are you running Vista? XP? Those two will play a major role when it comes to sims3 play and your Memory avail.

I highly recommend you check out this free little tool (its far better than any System Task Manager by far) to see what actually is running on your machines, and what you can or cannot shut down on start up or while running the game.

I hate that fact that all these software companies think we want their little piece of heaven to load on each system boot. Its annoying yes, but we as PC owners have to keep it under control. Find out whats running and much more by this free tool. https://www.gtopala.com/ Get the Standalone English Version (No Need for Pro) or get the multi language if needed.

Once you investigate a bit more to find out what you can safely shut down you may find Sims runs better. Another GREAT place to review is Black Vipors helpful settings. He tells you what you can safely shut down in the OS and more. Like what is the default, and if it is needed and why. I suggest you choose your proper OS i.e. XP, Vista ... this is the link to the XP SP3 32 bit http://www.blackviper.com/service-configurations/black-vipers-windows-xp-x86-32-bit-service-pack-3-service-configurations/

GOOD LUCK everyone. I know how much you want to play the game so I figured I'd take the time to at least offer some help :)

Donaghy
Jun 19, 2009 at 12:19 PM

This problem is not a case of minimum req... Its a problem that EA are fully aware of. Its random if your computer will run it without crashing.

There is a memory leak and some system setups will ignor it and run fine while others will not accept it, and freeze.

A I said before I tested the game on two machines

PC Vista 64bit
6Gb RAM
3Ghz Duel core
768Mb 8800 gtx

* Game play runes fine for 5 minutes untill it freezes.
* Windowed mode gets about 10 minutes
* Ingame speed options work fine.

Once the game stops responding you can Ctl. Alt, Del and close it. No need to turn off the power button like that person is doing.

OR

you can leave it not responding and Minimise the game for about 5 minutes untill it starts to respond and you can continue where you were last before it crashed.

Other Computer

Laptop

Vista 32 bit
2Gb RAM
2Ghz Duel Core
8200m graphics

On this Laptop Sims 3 runs quite smooth. does not crash no matter how long you play for however the ingame speed options does not work so you will enough watching your sim sleep at a very slow rate.

All we can do is hope that a diehard fan can find a good temp fix untill EA find the fault and give us the patch.

one day EA might allow a game of theirs to start in beta testing untill its fully ready.

bcomputr > Donaghy
Sep 17, 2009 at 03:34 PM

i had the same problem and ive tested it with many differernt computers wich all have he recomended req. I fink sims 3 isnt compatible with vista 64bit so try it on a 32bit computer with the same copy of game

Gunabitez
Jul 12, 2009 at 04:40 AM

My sims 3 crashes...in the middle of loading time

Spec:
ATI 4890 HD
RAM 5GB DDR3
Quad Core Duo 2.33GHZ
500GB SATA

Installed in External WD 500GB

What could be the possible reason?

dfd > Gunabitez
Dec 28, 2009 at 12:08 AM

i changed the graphic driver, but still doesn't work...

smg
Oct 15, 2009 at 04:21 PM

my pc has the pc of 3gb ram 320 gb hard drive and graphics intel g33/g31 express chip set family and the blank screen is still coming up its a 256mb graphic card intel doe

Answer 9 / 100

AlyInNotSoWonderland
Feb 10, 2010 at 01:49 AM

PROBLEM SOLUTION HERE(:

http://www.gamingnewslink.com/2009/06/14/how-to-fix-sims-3-errors-crashes-disk-authentication-failure-black-screen-and-install-errors/

ima sims game addict ;)
XD

Answer 10 / 100

sd
Mar 28, 2010 at 01:46 PM

Get rid of firefox, this block data being read for the game to work, after uninstall firefox, uninstall all sims games and then reinstall it

Answer 11 / 100

Schotsmann
Jun 27, 2009 at 12:41 PM

My original Sims3 is turning fine on my aldi netbook and that means that the system requirements are really very low. SIMS3 Graphics are not much better then on my ATARI or Commodore 30 years ago.My Childrens game computers are freezing even after installing the last ATI and NVIDIA drivers(CTRL-Alt-Delete doesn't work). Quad processor and dual processors doesn't matter the problem is propably in the EA protection system. Why do I think that it is the EA protection system? The cracked SIMS3 version that I downloaded to try is turning 100%. Thank you EA because people who bought the game can't play it. I think some people at EA games should look for an other Job before EA loses lots of clients.

I really hope that EA can find a solution otherwise this is the last time I buy EA games for my children.

Greetings from Belgium

Kezza
Apr 30, 2010 at 10:32 AM

Agree with the above comment that there are people at EA should look for another job because I have had question & answer sessions with them & they are NO help WHATSOEVER !!

Answer 12 / 100

babyluigi
Dec 25, 2009 at 02:29 PM

I LOVE the sims 3 and all of this is happening to me it kept getting worse and it was really hard but eventualy I stopped playing. If anyone can help this that would be sooo good because I REALLY wanna play

Answer 13 / 100

lizards0320
Mar 28, 2010 at 03:13 PM

clear most of cookies and refresh your computer and turn down the grapics turst me it should work ! if not you need other help and delet any other old games on you computer

Answer 14 / 100

simmer
Jun 12, 2009 at 07:59 PM

I am a HUGE Sims fan, just bought Sims 3 and does the exact same thing! Freeze randomly and goes black, I can do nothing but CONTROL - ALT - DELETE and close it down, UNSAVED! Driving me crazy! Should I uninstall and re-install? I'll lose my games!

Keeta
Jun 15, 2009 at 04:51 PM

I can't even get it to shut down using ctrl alt delete. I have to literally restart my computer every time it crashes. Do you have a way to get around that?

Katie-is-i
Jul 1, 2009 at 06:24 PM

No you don't have to loose your games. I'm pretty sure you can back up the files. At least you could do it on The Sims 2. You just have to find The Sims 3 file in 'My Documents'. I have a Mac, so I can't tell you how. But i'm sure you can figure it out... if not google it, it will be on the internet somewhere...

Stiffler > Katie-is-i
Sep 13, 2009 at 05:11 PM

How do I back up my files or save my games so it wont be deleted? I have a MAC as well. Please help! Thanks!

Will my game and everything I have played be erased if I uninstall the game?

ComputerConfused
Nov 1, 2009 at 05:37 AM

I HAVE THAT TOO!!!! what should I do??? it lets me create a sims but when I go on buy mode, build mode or live mode it freezes and the screen goes black. it comes up (also) that the program is not responding. I have asked my friend what I should do and she said that it was like a phase, your computer will get used to the sims 3 but it has been months since I first got it and it hasn't stopped. should I delet it and re-install or wait untill it goes away?

anonymous
Apr 9, 2010 at 03:19 PM

I have a mac and don't have that same problem but I have needed to re-install the game a couple of times. I'm pretty sure it erases everything but I can't remember. I also tried playing the game on a different login, because it was the same game installed but a different launcher. That works if the problem is something to do with your installed content.

Answer 15 / 100

anonymous
Jun 17, 2009 at 02:06 PM

Whenever I play the Sims 3 on my computor it crashes after 2-20 mins of gameplay. When it crashes it just freezes n whatever u press it wont do anything, u just have 2 turn off the computor via the power button. I'v deleted loads of my other games and have 2 gig of spare free memory. I've installed all updates n everything but it still freezes!

blahobla
May 16, 2010 at 04:29 AM

Hey, I kinda have the same problem, just that. I can play for like half an hour, then it freezes and then the game dissapears and my deskop comes up. And I have to restart the game, and the same thing happens after half an hour again

.....
Apr 18, 2011 at 12:18 PM

I Have the exact same problem. After hlf and hour of playing the game And I know its about to shutoff because My Computer Blinks lik 3 times before it shuts down So I tried to save my game. & let it shut down and freeze but wen I try to open the sims3 game again it doesnt load and it says please try again. On my other files it works but on the upgraded one that I want to play it doesnt work at all. I Need HELP please.!!

Answer 16 / 100

kittykat
Jul 27, 2009 at 03:04 PM

Hi, I have exactly the same problem, except it all loads fine until I get to the part where it loads the town. It gets to about a quatre of the way then suddenly switches off. I think there might be something blocking it?
It works fine on my PC and there are no problems what so ever, but its annoying me that it dosnt work on my laptop :@
we all need help now, EA must do something about it.
But before they give us help does anyone have any tips?

Answer 17 / 100

Ams
Aug 12, 2009 at 02:48 PM

I'm sorta happy to see that it's not only me having these problems cause I thought I had been one of them unfortunate people who got a game that was screwed...
It really sucks that it happens. It shouldn't happen at all seeing it's so new.
I will snoop around to see if I can find some answers to this, but I'm guessing we will just have to wait a bit longer than this.

Good luck to you's, if you find a selution, please!!! Post it here and enlighten us ^^

Answer 18 / 100

MGO626
Aug 13, 2009 at 04:21 PM

UGHHHH same thing is happening to me too! I have way above the minimum requirements and I can't even create a sim without it crashing! I hope someone figures out what we can do about this soon. I'm so fustrated

Answer 19 / 100

SS501
Aug 20, 2009 at 02:39 AM

Everyone! don't believe anyone who tells u to update ur graphics card, or u don't meet the minimum requierments and all that crap!!
actually some of us have the best graphics card and stuff, and we don't need to update anything!, I found out why this thing is not responding and acts really slow while playing and sometimes freezing, yesterday I thought of removing my mods folder from the sims 3 directory, I moved it to the desktop, and resorce.cfg too, when I played the game... YES! IT DIDN'T TURN TO THAT BLACK SCREEN AND IT'S FAST AND ALL! I got it back to what you used to be before I have this not responding problem
Yes, it's a download!, I'm sorry for these ppl who didn't install any mods or cc, I dunno what's your problem, but I hope you find out soon, but to those ppl who used to play the game with no crashes or anything and suddenly it began to turn to that dang black screen, CHECK UR DOWNLOADS!, there must be a hack or a mod or even a HAIRSTYLE! some ppl's mods or hacks are corrupted or maybe damages the game, even hairstyles, I read so many problems about installing peggy hairs and causing their game to crash, even if it's not peggy, it must be these unkown hairstyles, like converted ones or whatever

anyway I found what's making my game to no respond, and it's a hairstyle
the sims 3 acts so weird with CC, The sims 1 and the sims 2 didn't have so much problems with them though
I hope you find the download and delete IT!
Good Luck to everyone!

stylishmarie Posts 3 Registration date Monday August 17, 2009 Status Member Last seen August 20, 2009
Aug 20, 2009 at 09:35 AM

i agree with you I have windows vista and everything went well but is deff! the hair cuz as soon as I put a hair style it turns black so is deff the hairstyle but I didnt download no hairstyle is it still something affecting it?

Answer 20 / 100

becca
Mar 21, 2010 at 03:42 PM

i installed the sims 3 the way it tells youh to. then I went to play on it and it wont let me go on so how do I fix it because I have just bought it 2 day!? x

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