The Sims 3 doesn't launch, no mention of what .DLL file is missing

[Brudroid]

"TS3W.exe - System error
Unable to continue executing code, because the system did not find .DLL. Try reinstalling the app to fix this problem."
I don't know why the error doesn't say which .DLL file is missing, but I still wouldn't like to reinstall Sims 3.

[💛🐠Schluppdidupp🍀🍄]

Please go to my profile, scroll down a little and try the single steps I write there in my 2nd showcase. It works perfectly for me and also for many other players, so hopefully for you, too. You then must do it like this every time you want to start the game and you ideally pin the Task Manager to the task bar so that you can get there any time with just one click. I play from all the DVDs I bought many years ago but you can still try if this method also works when you play via Steam. That being said, I don't know if this still works regarding the missing .DLL file but at least, you can give it a try. Good luck! :-)

[Brudroid]

Originally posted by Schluppdidupp:

Please go to my profile, scroll down a little and try the single steps I write there in my 2nd showcase. It works perfectly for me and also for many other players, so hopefully for you, too. You then must do it like this every time you want to start the game and you ideally pin the Task Manager to the task bar so that you can get there any time with just one click. I play from all the DVDs I bought many years ago but you can still try if this method also works when you play via Steam. That being said, I don't know if this still works regarding the missing .DLL file but at least, you can give it a try. Good luck! :-)

Didn't work for me, sadly. Still gives me the same error as written before

[💛🐠Schluppdidupp🍀🍄]

Sorry to hear this, would have been great if it worked for you, too, like for so many other players. Hope someone else can help you on this issue, fingers crossed!

[HiFive]

Maybe the Alder Lake patch will work for you. See this thread.

https://steamcommunity.com/app/47890/discussions/0/3829787744080544851/

[Brudroid]

Originally posted by HiFive:

Maybe the Alder Lake patch will work for you. See this thread.

https://steamcommunity.com/app/47890/discussions/0/3829787744080544851/

Didn't work as well : (

[HiFive]

Originally posted by Brudroid:

Originally posted by HiFive:

Maybe the Alder Lake patch will work for you. See this thread.

https://steamcommunity.com/app/47890/discussions/0/3829787744080544851/

Didn't work as well : (

Okay. Here is everything else I have collected over the years.

There are some guides on solving issues with the Sims 3 not starting.
https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=1131162350&tscn=1609094913
https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=279488894

----------------------------------------------------

What I have collected so far from different threads on this topic of Sims 3 not opening for people using Windows 11:

This person's solution:
https://steamcommunity.com/app/47890/discussions/0/3823047306762872593/

-----------------------

Originally posted by puzzlezaddict:

The issue is your processor: Sims 3 doesn't load properly on 12th-gen Intel processors. Try the patch LazyDuchess created for this issue:

https://answers.ea.com/t5/Technical-Issues-PC/Sims-3-won-t-open-Alder-Lake-Intel-12th-gen-CPU/m-p/11524785#M250970

It does the same thing as the PowerShell script mentioned in other posts, but you only need to run it once, then your game should start correctly each time.

----------------------------

Posted in a thread on 7/13/2023

Originally posted by quaixor:

Here's the powershell script I created based on the one from EA forums to launch the game.

It launches the main executable.
Because it's an EA game it goes through the app, so it kills the process, starts EA App if necessary, then starts the executable (in this case the launcher) through EA App due to their DRM.

So the script
- Launches TS3.exe.
- Waits until it sees TS3.exe running.
- Then waits until no TS3.exe is running.
- Then waits until TS3.exe is running again and sets its affinity to one core.
- Then 10 seconds later it resets its affinity back to all cores and terminates the script.

Instructions:
- Create a new .ps1 file and put the code inside.
- Update the path in the script to where your Sims 3 exe lives. I'm told depending on which expansions you have the exe can be either TS3.exe or TS3W.exe.
- To run the script, right-click and Run with PowerShell.

To use it, run the script, which will launch the launcher through EA App. After a few seconds the launcher will open. Launch the game from there. The script will do its thing and terminate.

echo 'Launching The Sims 3...'
Start-Process -FilePath 'C:\EA\The Sims 3\Game\Bin\TS3.exe'
do{
$TS3 = Get-Process TS3,TS3W -ErrorAction SilentlyContinue
Start-Sleep -Milliseconds 1
}until($TS3)
echo 'Sims 3 Detected, ignoring'
do{
$TS3 = Get-Process TS3,TS3W -ErrorAction SilentlyContinue
Start-Sleep -Milliseconds 1
}until(!$TS3)
echo 'Sims 3 no longer detected'
do{
$TS3 = Get-Process TS3,TS3W -ErrorAction SilentlyContinue
Start-Sleep -Milliseconds 1
}until($TS3)
echo 'The Sims 3 detected again, doing affinity workaround'
$SavedAffinity=$TS3.ProcessorAffinity
$TS3.ProcessorAffinity=1
echo 'Sleeping for 10 seconds before resetting affinity...'
Start-Sleep -Seconds 10
$TS3.ProcessorAffinity=$SavedAffinity

-------------------------------------

Originally posted by Faiz:

It's probably the CPU issue, 12th and 13th gen Intel CPUs aren't utilized correctly when launching through the launcher. Here is the youtube video that shows you the workaround:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MpUUZUJNGXM&t=567s
Try the task manager method first, hope it helps!

Edit: There is also a patch for the CPU core issue:
https://modthesims.info/d/667734/intel-alder-lake-patch.html

------------------------------------

or you can try this person's method:

Originally posted by MaestroII:

You can get the Sims 3 to work with a 12gen Alderlake processor, I've got one myself and can confirm that it works. This my simple method:

First start the Sims 3, when the Sims 3 launcher appears go then with Windows Task Manager to Sims3LauncherW and set the affinity to 1 processor core. Hit play in the Sims 3 launcher and while the Sims 3 is running you can enable all cores back on. The Sims 3 should now run properly. It's a bit cumbersome but playable for this game.

---------------------------------------

Originally posted by macca:

This was also an issue for me, running win11 and 12th gen intel processor, but this thread helped me:

https://answers.ea.com/t5/Technical-Issues-PC/Sims-3-won-t-open-Alder-Lake-Intel-12th-gen-CPU/td-p/11057820/page/5

there is a powershell script that binds the initial process to a single thread, then after 5 seconds returns it back to normal processor affinity, very simple but worked for me.

Originally posted by anstinias:

I just found this and I'm going to try it out.Hope it will work.

https://answers.ea.com/t5/Technical-Issues-PC/Sims-3-won-t-open-Alder-Lake-Intel-12th-gen-CPU/td-p/11057820/page/5

Originally posted by g 0 s t e k:

worked today on base game on win 11, make sure login on proper EA account and update your system

--------------------------------------

https://steamcommunity.com/app/47890/discussions/0/3785876820735397817/

--------------------------------------

How to launch without mods or patches to make it work:

Originally posted by Killer_Boy_0916:

I have the solution, it is not necessary to patch or any type of mods, so if possible post this comment, because I have been looking for a solution for about 6 months that in the end is simple.

Step 1: Install the game, either via Steam or elsewhere.

Step 2: Open The Sims 3 (Desktop Icon After Installation)

Step 3: When the launcher is open we don't click play, instead we open the "task manager", right click on the sims 3 Launcher and click on "go to details".

Step 4: In the details, look for "TheSims3LauncherW.exe", right-click on it, and choose "set affinity". The numbers with the CPU will appear, the only one to be marked is the one that says "CPU 1", the others are to be left unmarked. then click "OK". (Note that this is the key step to make it work, but it's very, very simple.)

Step 6: Click Play on The sims 3 Launcher, everything is normal. when the game opens, the black screen with the EA symbol appears, we do not turn off the game, but go to the desktop and open the task manager again.

Step 7: in the task manager repeat the same steps, on the right side of the manager click on "processes", then right-click on "The Sims 3" and choose "Go to details".

Step 8: In the details search for "TS3W.exe" right-click and choose "set affinity". Mark all CPUs as enabled, the 5 CPUs must be marked. Then click "OK", close the Task manager and you are ready to play with the power of your computer.

Very simple steps, in 1 to 2 minutes the problem is solved.

Every time you play you have to do this, but it's very quick to do, it's not worth installing any kind of patch or mod, it's a simple solution.

[Brudroid]

None of this worked, thanks for the efforts though. Seems like reinstalling the game is the only solution for now.

[Fox]

Originally posted by HiFive:

Originally posted by Brudroid:

Didn't work as well : (

Okay. Here is everything else I have collected over the years.

There are some guides on solving issues with the Sims 3 not starting.
https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=1131162350&tscn=1609094913
https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=279488894

----------------------------------------------------

What I have collected so far from different threads on this topic of Sims 3 not opening for people using Windows 11:

This person's solution:
https://steamcommunity.com/app/47890/discussions/0/3823047306762872593/

-----------------------

Originally posted by puzzlezaddict:

The issue is your processor: Sims 3 doesn't load properly on 12th-gen Intel processors. Try the patch LazyDuchess created for this issue:

https://answers.ea.com/t5/Technical-Issues-PC/Sims-3-won-t-open-Alder-Lake-Intel-12th-gen-CPU/m-p/11524785#M250970

It does the same thing as the PowerShell script mentioned in other posts, but you only need to run it once, then your game should start correctly each time.

----------------------------

Posted in a thread on 7/13/2023

Originally posted by quaixor:

Here's the powershell script I created based on the one from EA forums to launch the game.

It launches the main executable.
Because it's an EA game it goes through the app, so it kills the process, starts EA App if necessary, then starts the executable (in this case the launcher) through EA App due to their DRM.

So the script
- Launches TS3.exe.
- Waits until it sees TS3.exe running.
- Then waits until no TS3.exe is running.
- Then waits until TS3.exe is running again and sets its affinity to one core.
- Then 10 seconds later it resets its affinity back to all cores and terminates the script.

Instructions:
- Create a new .ps1 file and put the code inside.
- Update the path in the script to where your Sims 3 exe lives. I'm told depending on which expansions you have the exe can be either TS3.exe or TS3W.exe.
- To run the script, right-click and Run with PowerShell.

To use it, run the script, which will launch the launcher through EA App. After a few seconds the launcher will open. Launch the game from there. The script will do its thing and terminate.

echo 'Launching The Sims 3...'
Start-Process -FilePath 'C:\EA\The Sims 3\Game\Bin\TS3.exe'
do{
$TS3 = Get-Process TS3,TS3W -ErrorAction SilentlyContinue
Start-Sleep -Milliseconds 1
}until($TS3)
echo 'Sims 3 Detected, ignoring'
do{
$TS3 = Get-Process TS3,TS3W -ErrorAction SilentlyContinue
Start-Sleep -Milliseconds 1
}until(!$TS3)
echo 'Sims 3 no longer detected'
do{
$TS3 = Get-Process TS3,TS3W -ErrorAction SilentlyContinue
Start-Sleep -Milliseconds 1
}until($TS3)
echo 'The Sims 3 detected again, doing affinity workaround'
$SavedAffinity=$TS3.ProcessorAffinity
$TS3.ProcessorAffinity=1
echo 'Sleeping for 10 seconds before resetting affinity...'
Start-Sleep -Seconds 10
$TS3.ProcessorAffinity=$SavedAffinity

-------------------------------------

Originally posted by Faiz:

It's probably the CPU issue, 12th and 13th gen Intel CPUs aren't utilized correctly when launching through the launcher. Here is the youtube video that shows you the workaround:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MpUUZUJNGXM&t=567s
Try the task manager method first, hope it helps!

Edit: There is also a patch for the CPU core issue:
https://modthesims.info/d/667734/intel-alder-lake-patch.html

------------------------------------

or you can try this person's method:

Originally posted by MaestroII:

You can get the Sims 3 to work with a 12gen Alderlake processor, I've got one myself and can confirm that it works. This my simple method:

First start the Sims 3, when the Sims 3 launcher appears go then with Windows Task Manager to Sims3LauncherW and set the affinity to 1 processor core. Hit play in the Sims 3 launcher and while the Sims 3 is running you can enable all cores back on. The Sims 3 should now run properly. It's a bit cumbersome but playable for this game.

---------------------------------------

Originally posted by macca:

This was also an issue for me, running win11 and 12th gen intel processor, but this thread helped me:

https://answers.ea.com/t5/Technical-Issues-PC/Sims-3-won-t-open-Alder-Lake-Intel-12th-gen-CPU/td-p/11057820/page/5

there is a powershell script that binds the initial process to a single thread, then after 5 seconds returns it back to normal processor affinity, very simple but worked for me.

Originally posted by anstinias:

I just found this and I'm going to try it out.Hope it will work.

https://answers.ea.com/t5/Technical-Issues-PC/Sims-3-won-t-open-Alder-Lake-Intel-12th-gen-CPU/td-p/11057820/page/5

Originally posted by g 0 s t e k:

worked today on base game on win 11, make sure login on proper EA account and update your system

--------------------------------------

https://steamcommunity.com/app/47890/discussions/0/3785876820735397817/

--------------------------------------

How to launch without mods or patches to make it work:

Originally posted by Killer_Boy_0916:

I have the solution, it is not necessary to patch or any type of mods, so if possible post this comment, because I have been looking for a solution for about 6 months that in the end is simple.

Step 1: Install the game, either via Steam or elsewhere.

Step 2: Open The Sims 3 (Desktop Icon After Installation)

Step 3: When the launcher is open we don't click play, instead we open the "task manager", right click on the sims 3 Launcher and click on "go to details".

Step 4: In the details, look for "TheSims3LauncherW.exe", right-click on it, and choose "set affinity". The numbers with the CPU will appear, the only one to be marked is the one that says "CPU 1", the others are to be left unmarked. then click "OK". (Note that this is the key step to make it work, but it's very, very simple.)

Step 6: Click Play on The sims 3 Launcher, everything is normal. when the game opens, the black screen with the EA symbol appears, we do not turn off the game, but go to the desktop and open the task manager again.

Step 7: in the task manager repeat the same steps, on the right side of the manager click on "processes", then right-click on "The Sims 3" and choose "Go to details".

Step 8: In the details search for "TS3W.exe" right-click and choose "set affinity". Mark all CPUs as enabled, the 5 CPUs must be marked. Then click "OK", close the Task manager and you are ready to play with the power of your computer.

Very simple steps, in 1 to 2 minutes the problem is solved.

Every time you play you have to do this, but it's very quick to do, it's not worth installing any kind of patch or mod, it's a simple solution.

I wouldn't seek advice from the person, While their guide may be well written, many things are not mentioned on there that actually help improve the games performance. A few bugs which I also discovered a fix for are not mentioned on there. And the guy is quite rude, Refuses to help see if I followed the steps correctly as I struggled with a few things. And before I hear ''It's not his responsibility", I believe it is his responsibility to help if he puts himself in a position to write a guide and be seen as the ''expert'' on here.

But the YT video you listed is quite good and would recommend.

Originally posted by Brudroid:

None of this worked, thanks for the efforts though. Seems like reinstalling the game is the only solution for now.

I had similar issues. I also would advise NOT launching the game via patch launcher if you have more EP's installed. base game is fine. but it seems to not launch at least for me if I try the patch launcher with ITF installed (which might have something to do with a ton of patches that ITF included as it was the last DLC)

[Brudroid]

Good call, actually, because after reinstalling the game and reusing the guide by Anime_Boom I got the same error of a missing unspecified .DLL file. Weird, but I somehow fixed it by running an alternate version of TS3W.exe.

[Fox]

Originally posted by Brudroid:

Good call, actually, because after reinstalling the game and reusing the guide by Anime_Boom I got the same error of a missing unspecified .DLL file. Weird, but I somehow fixed it by running an alternate version of TS3W.exe.

This is why that guide is NOT helpful, and the OP if it still refuses to explain himself.

That is why I think you did the right thing making this thread on here and asking the community, Happy simming.

[HiFive]

What works for one person may not work for another. There are so many different configurations that each person's rig can have, it's impossible to be certain any fix will work for everyone.

The guides I listed worked well when they were last updated. A lot of changes have happened since then. When Windows 11 first came out, Anime Boom's guide was very helpful for people. The Lazy Duchess patch seemed to be working for everyone. Since then, even newer computers have come out that still had trouble opening the game even with the Lazy Duchess patch installed.

So, it's possible that anyone I'm responding to could have any type of rig with any configuration of older and newer components that may or may not work with various fixes. That is why I just keep adding to my file on the subject, and if the most recent fixes don't work, then I post all of the old stuff so people can have more things to try, or they maybe get some clues as to what they might need to look into.

I am thankful for anyone who goes thru all the trouble of posting a guide on Steam. They have spent time and effort to help the community without any monetary reward in return. I don't expect them to keep updating their guide in perpetuity. It is up to them if they want to update it or not. Maybe they've moved on to a different game. Maybe they have other life issues or changes they are dealing with that are far more important. The same goes for anyone making a mod for a game. I can ask for their help, but I would never insist on it, or disparage them for not responding, especially if it has been many months since they've posted their guide or mod.