Troubleshooting Tips for 'The Sims 3' Not Starting on Mac

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If you're experiencing issues with 'The Sims 3' not starting properly on your Mac, there are several troubleshooting steps you can try before resorting to more drastic measures. In this article, we'll walk through some common solutions that may help resolve the problem and get you back into the world of SimCity.

1. Ensure Compatibility

Before diving into any advanced fixes, it's essential to ensure that your Mac meets the minimum system requirements for 'The Sims 3.' You can check these specifications on EA's official website or in the game's installation folder (usually located within Application Support/EA/The Sims 3).

If you're running an older version of macOS, consider updating to a supported operating system. For example, if your Mac is running Lion (10.7), upgrade it to Mountain Lion (10.8) at least.

2. Clean Up Your Hard Drive

A cluttered hard drive can sometimes cause issues with game launching. Try clearing out any unnecessary files and applications from your computer's disk space:

1. Click the Finder icon in the Dock or press Command + Shift + Spacebar to open Spotlight.

2. Type 'System Junk' into the search bar, then select 'Clean My Mac 3.'

3. Follow the prompts to scan and remove unwanted system junk.

3. Reinstall The Sims 4 Launcher

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If you're experiencing problems with launching The Sims 4 directly from your desktop or Origin client, try reinstalling just the game launcher:

1. Quit any running instances of The Sims 4.

2. Go to Applications > Utilities and launch 'CleanMyMac X' (or equivalent third-party cleaner).

3. Select 'Uninstall' next to 'EA Games'/'The Sims 4 Launcher.'

4. Restart your Mac once completed.

Afterwards, relaunch the EA App or Origin client from your Applications folder if necessary:

1. Open Finder and navigate to /Applications/Origin/

2. Double-click on either 'Sims4Launch.app' (for Mac) or 'TOSHost.exe' depending upon which launcher you're using.

3. If prompted by Gatekeeper, click 'Open Anyway.'

Additional Tips

If none of these steps resolve the issue, consider trying a few more advanced troubleshooting techniques:

* Force-quit The Sims 4 process in Activity Monitor (Command + Option + Shift > Quit).

* Check your graphics card drivers for updates via Apple's support website or manufacturer's site.

* Run an fsck and disk repair on your startup drive using Disk Utility.

If none of these suggestions help, it may be worth reaching out to Electronic Arts' customer service team directly. They'll be able to provide more tailored advice specific to your situation and potentially offer a full refund if necessary.

By following the steps outlined above, you should now have 'The Sims 3' up and running smoothly on your Mac once again. Happy gaming!

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