Error code 102 is a gaming issue many The Sims 4 players have reported they need to fix. One Sims 4 player said this on the EA forum: “I am having a continuous problem with my Sims game… Every time I open my save for the family I am playing, it takes a while to load and I get a pop-up that says: ‘Game failed to load. Error code 102:c4caa9ed:eeb17472.’” The Sims 4 players can’t load games because of this issue. This is how you can fix the Sims 4 game failed to load error code 102 on a Windows PC.
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Delete Sims 4 Mod Script Files
The Sims 4 game failed to load error code 102 often occurs because of broken mod files. Many players confirm erasing mod script files can resolve the Sims 4 game failed to load error code 102 gaming issue. This is how you can delete the Sims 4 mod script files.
- Press the Windows key + E and go to the Documents > Electronic > The Sims 4 > Mods folder.
- Hold the Ctrl key and select all mod files with the script in them.
The Mods folder
- Click Delete on the Home tab or command bar within File Explorer.
- Return to the Documents > Electronic > The Sims 4 folder.
- Right-click the localthumbcache.package file in that folder and select Delete.
The localthumbcache file
- Delete the Options.ini file.
- Finally, erase the Gameversion.txt file by right-clicking it and selecting Delete.
It’s recommended to back up the Electronics Arts folder before applying this fix just in case you accidentally delete the wrong files. To do that, right-click the Electronics Arts folder and select copy. Then, right-click somewhere on the Windows desktop area to select Paste.
Rename the Electronics Arts Folder
Some players say renaming the Electronics Arts folder can also fix the Sims 4 game failed to load error code 102. Applying this potential solution reset the game with a new Electronics Arts folder created. These are the steps for renaming the Electronics Arts folder.
- First, open Documents in File Explorer.
- Right-click on the Electronics Arts folder and select Show more options (in Windows 11) > Rename.
The Rename option
- Input Electronics Arts Old to be the new folder’s title.
- Start your Sims 4 game.
- Exit your Sims 4 game.
The Menu in Sims 4
- Return to the Documents folder, where you’ll see a newly created Electronics Arts folder.
- Open the Electronics Arts Old > The Sims 4 > Tray subfolder.
- Press Ctrl + A to select all files in that folder.
- Right-click your mouse to select Copy.
- Next, open the Electronics Arts > The Sims 4 > Tray folder path.
- Right-click inside the Tray folder to select Paste.
The paste option
- Repeat the previous five steps to copy and paste files from the Electronic Arts Old > Sims 4 > saves folder into its new replacement directory.
Clear the Sims 4 Cache
Clearing the cache for The Sims 4 is a troubleshooting method that can sometimes resolve crashing issues when there’s corrupted data. So, applying this possible fix for the Sims 4 game failed to load error code 102 could be worth a try. These are the steps for clearing Sims 4’s cache data.
- Go into File Explorer to access the Documents > Electronic Arts > The Sims 4 directory.
The Sims 4 folder
- Double-click on the cache folder to open it.
- Select everything in the cache directory and click Delete.
- Then, delete all files in the Electronic Arts > The Sims 4 > cachestr folder.
- Erase the localthumbscache.packagefile in the Electronics Arts > The Sims 4 folder.
- Finally, delete the onlinethumbnailcachesubfolder in the Electronics Arts > The Sims 4 folder if it’s there.
Reinstall The Sims 4
Reinstall The Sims 4 if other potential solutions for the Sims 4 game failed to load error code 102 don’t work for you. Doing this will completely refresh Sims 4’s files and data and update the game. These are the steps for reinstalling Sims 4 with the Epic Games and Steam client software.
Epic Games
- Start Epic Games to access the Library tab for installed titles.
- Click on the three-dot (ellipses) button under The Sims 4 and select Uninstall on the menu.
The Uninstall option in Epic Games
- To reinstall, click on Sims 4’s thumbnail image in Epic and select Install.
Steam
- Bring up the Steam gaming software and select Library from there.
- Click The Sims 4 with the right mouse button and select Manage > Uninstall.
The Uninstall option in Steam
- Select Uninstall when prompted for confirmation.
- Click The Sims 4 in the Library tab and select Install to reinstall.
If you’re an EA app user, uninstall The Sims 4 as outlined on this Electronics Arts support page. You can then select to download The Sims 4 in the EA app after uninstalling the game.
The potential solutions covered above will usually fix the Sims 4 game failed-to-load error code 102 for most players. Deleting broken mods will often do the trick, but some players might need to reset The Sims 4, clear its cache, or reinstall the game. You can also contact the EA service for further potential fixes, as outlined on this Electronic Arts page.
