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If Custom Content (CC) or mods you installed have disappeared from The Sims 4, the usual causes are a game update that switched them off, a settings toggle that is no longer enabled, or files sitting in a folder the game does not read. Work through the steps below in order: protect your save first, then confirm the settings, check the folder structure, and finally isolate any item that still will not load.
Why CC disappears after a game update
Electronic Arts says it disables mods and CC during game updates to reduce problems, because a mod that worked before an update may no longer be compatible with the new version. The files are normally still on your computer. The game simply stops loading them until you re-enable the option and confirm the content is compatible. EA’s help article notes that a mod may need to be fully reinstalled after a patch, and that creators may take time to update their content. Source: Electronic Arts Help, “The Sims 4: Mods, game updates, and error codes” (checked in early October 2026).
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Protect your save before changing anything
Start by checking whether the base game runs with mods disabled. If you load a save to test this, do not save when you leave. EA’s help article states the risk directly:
“If you select Save and Exit before re-enabling Custom Content and Mods, content may be removed from your saved game.”
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Exit without saving, re-enable the options described below, and only then play and save normally.
Step-by-step fix
Step 1: Check the creator’s compatibility notice
Before you restore an item, look at the creator’s current page or post for a statement about the latest Sims 4 update. A creator who has not confirmed compatibility may be the reason an item still does not appear, and no general fix will override that. Do not assume every item will work immediately after a patch. If you need an older version of a mod, use one the creator lists as working with your game version.
Step 2: Re-enable the correct options and restart
The settings are in the game’s menus, not in your file system. Electronic Arts’ forum documentation describes this path:
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- From the main menu, open Game Options.
- Select Other.
- Turn on Custom Content and Mods.
- If you use script mods, also turn on Script Mods Allowed.
- Select Apply to save the change.
- Exit the game completely, then relaunch it.
Menu labels can change in later patches, so if you do not see these exact names, look for the closest match in the Other section and confirm the wording against EA’s current help article.
Step 3: Confirm the files are in the correct folder
The most common folder mistake is placing files in a duplicate or inactive location. Check that your files are in the Sims 4 user folder the game actually uses; on most Windows and Mac installs this is the Electronic Arts > The Sims 4 folder inside your Documents folder, with the Mods folder inside it. Also make sure you do not have a second Mods folder nested inside Mods, which is an easy mistake when extracting archives.
Folder depth limits depend on the type of file. EA forum guidance sets the following limits:
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| Content type | Examples | Where it can sit inside Mods | Maximum folder depth (EA forum guidance) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Script mods | Files that run code, such as .ts4script files and their associated packages | Top level of Mods, or one folder below it | One folder deep |
| Package-only non-script CC | .package files for hair, clothing, objects and similar items | Anywhere inside Mods | Up to five folders deep |
If a script mod is nested deeper than one folder, move it up to the top level of Mods or one folder below. If you have a package-only item that is not appearing, check whether the folder path exceeds five levels.
Step 4: Isolate the item causing the problem
Your symptoms usually point to one of three situations, and each calls for a different response.
- All CC is missing. This points to the settings in Step 2 or to the folder location in Step 3. Re-check both before looking at individual items.
- Some items load and others do not. Check each missing item’s required files and the creator’s instructions. A missing dependency, such as a script file the item needs, will stop it from appearing even when the rest of your CC works.
- Problems began after adding one download. Remove that download, restart the game and check whether the rest of your content returns. Then add it back on its own and test again.
Community guidance recommends rebuilding your collection in small batches rather than restoring everything at once. This is a practical troubleshooting method, not a guaranteed fix, but it makes it much easier to identify the item responsible.
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Step 5: Clear the thumbnail cache
A Sims community guide, published on EA’s forum blog, recommends deleting the file localthumbcache.package after changing your mods. The game rebuilds this file on the next launch. The guide presents this as a troubleshooting suggestion, not an official EA fix. Source: EA forum blog, “Mods, game updates, best practices and getting you back into the Sims 4”.
Step 6: Repair the game installation
If the game itself seems damaged, the same community guide lists this path in the EA app: Library > The Sims 4 > Manage > Repair. Run the repair only after you have confirmed your settings and folder structure. Repair does not change your CC files, but it does change the game installation, so keep a backup of your Mods folder before you start.
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When the CC and mod switches keep turning off
If the Custom Content and Mods options keep reverting after you turn them on, the EA forum guide suggests that antivirus or security software may be interfering with the settings. Treat this as one possible cause among several. If you suspect security software, check your security program’s settings for rules that block or reset game files, and consult Mac or PC support for further diagnosis. Source: EA forum, “Info: How to use Mods and CC”.
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Downloading CC and mods safely
EA does not pre-screen, endorse or support specific mods or CC. Download from trusted creators, read each creator’s notes on compatibility, and check the creator’s site for the current version before installing. Verifying compatibility at the source is the only reliable way to confirm that an item will work with your game version.
Information limits
EA’s help article and EA forum guidance describe the settings and folder rules above, and the forum blog describes the cache and repair steps. None of the sources gives a current game build number for your installation, so these instructions apply to the game generally rather than to a specific patch. If you are troubleshooting a specific update, check EA’s current help article and the creator’s notice for that version.
Source for the update and save warnings: Electronic Arts Help, “The Sims 4: Mods, game updates, and error codes”.
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