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1Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problems2Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minute3Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsIf your Sims 4 custom content has vanished, the most common cause is that the game turned Custom Content and Mods off, often after an update. Re-enabling the switch, checking the folder structure, and testing for incompatible files resolve most cases. Work through the steps below in order, because each one rules out a different cause.
Why CC disappears after a game update
Electronic Arts says it disables mods and custom content during game updates because a mod that caused no problems before may cause them after a patch. The file may still be in your Mods folder; the game is simply not loading it. The EA help article on this, The Sims 4: Mods, game updates, and error codes, also notes that a mod may need to be fully reinstalled after a patch, and that creators can take time to release compatible versions.
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That leaves three distinct causes to separate: the game has switched the feature off, the files sit in a location or folder depth the game does not read, or a specific item is incompatible with the current version. The steps below test them in that order.
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1. Test the base game without saving
Start the game with mods disabled and confirm the base game loads normally. If you enter Live Mode for this test, leave without saving. EA’s warning is direct:
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“If you select Save and Exit before re-enabling Custom Content and Mods, content may be removed from your saved game.”
Source: Electronic Arts Help, “The Sims 4: Mods, game updates, and error codes”.
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2. Check each creator’s compatibility notice
Before turning anything back on, look at the creator’s current page for the latest Sims 4 version. A creator may not have released an update yet, and EA does not vet or endorse individual mods or CC. Download from trusted creators and confirm compatibility on their site rather than assuming an older file still works.
3. Re-enable the game options and restart
- In the game, open Game Options and go to the Other section.
- Turn on Custom Content and Mods.
- If you use script mods, also turn on Script Mods Allowed. EA forum guidance lists this as a separate requirement.
- Apply the changes, exit the game completely, and relaunch it.
EA may rename these labels in future patches, so match the wording you see on screen to the option names above.
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4. Verify the folder location and structure
Confirm the files are in the Sims 4 user folder the game actually reads. On Windows and Mac this is typically under Documents > Electronic Arts > The Sims 4. Look for a duplicate folder elsewhere on your drive, such as an older Documents or OneDrive copy, which the game will ignore.
Next, check nesting depth. Folder limits differ by file type, as shown below. A common error is a Mods folder placed inside another Mods folder.
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| Content type | Allowed location in the Mods folder | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Script mods (.ts4script files) | At the top level of Mods, or one folder below it | EA forum guidance |
| Package-only, non-script CC (.package files) | Up to five folders deep | EA forum reply |
5. Isolate the item that is still missing
If the game shows some custom content but not other items, the problem is almost always with the missing items rather than the global setting. Check:
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- Whether that item has required files beyond the main package, such as a script or a dependency listed on its download page.
- The creator’s current version number and whether it matches your game version.
- Whether the item began to fail right after you added a particular download.
Community guidance from the Sims game info hub recommends returning to known-compatible versions and adding content back in small batches, so you can see which download breaks the game. The same guidance recommends deleting localthumbcache.package after changing mods. These are community troubleshooting suggestions rather than steps from EA’s central help article or guaranteed fixes. The source is EA’s Sims game info hub on mods, game updates and best practices.
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6. Repair the game if it appears damaged
If the game itself misbehaves even with mods disabled, the same community guidance lists a repair step in the EA app: open Library, select The Sims 4, choose Manage, then Repair. Run this only after the mod checks above, since a repair does not change your custom content files.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.When the settings keep switching themselves off
If Custom Content and Mods reverts every time you launch, EA forum guidance points to antivirus or other security software as one possible cause. Check your security settings and whether they are blocking the game’s changes. The forum guide does not claim this is the only cause, and it directs further diagnosis to separate PC or Mac support.
Quick Recap
Quick reference: symptom and first action
- All CC is missing after a patch: re-enable Custom Content and Mods in Game Options > Other, then restart.
- Script mods are missing but package files show: confirm Script Mods Allowed is on and that the script file sits no deeper than one folder below Mods.
- Only some items are missing: check those items’ compatibility and dependencies, then reintroduce them in small batches.
- Settings keep reverting: review antivirus or security software settings.
- Base game is unstable even without mods: repair the game through the EA app.
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