Sims 4 PlayStation crashing during game launch has received an official fix in the latest base-game update. EA says the August 25, 2026 patch addresses one of the top PlayStation crashes occurring while The Sims 4 is starting, following reports submitted by PS4 and PS5 players through PlayStation’s crash-reporting system.
The fix is included in Console Version 2.38, which is available now alongside the latest PC and Mac update.
Importantly, EA has not said that every Sims 4 crash on PlayStation has been fixed. The update targets one major launch crash specifically, so players experiencing other crashes may still need to troubleshoot them separately.
| Sims 4 PlayStation crash | Current status |
|---|---|
| Major crash during game launch | Fix included |
| Update containing fix | August 25, 2026 |
| Console version | 2.38 |
| PS4 | Update available |
| PS5 | Update available |
| Every possible crash fixed | No |
| Marketplace controller bugs | Also fixed |
Has Sims 4 PlayStation Crashing Been Fixed?
EA has fixed one of its top PlayStation crashes occurring during game launch.
That’s the precise scope of the fix.
EA thanked PlayStation players who provided additional information when submitting crash reports, saying that information helped with the issue.
If The Sims 4 previously crashed while initially launching on your PS4 or PS5, installing Console Version 2.38 should therefore be your first step.
However, the patch notes do not claim to fix every possible cause of Sims 4 PlayStation crashing.
Crashes occurring while loading particular households, travelling between lots or using specific content could have completely different causes.
How to Install the Sims 4 PlayStation Crash Fix
The crash correction is part of the normal August 25 Sims 4 update.
If automatic updates are enabled, your PlayStation may already have downloaded it.
Otherwise:
- Highlight The Sims 4 on your PlayStation Home screen.
- Press the Options button.
- Select Check for Update.
- Install any available update.
- Restart The Sims 4.
- Check that the game is running Console Version 2.38.
EA identifies 2.38 as the console version for the August 25 update.
Is the Sims 4 Crash Fix for PS4 or PS5?
EA describes the correction as a PlayStation fix rather than limiting the patch note to one specific PlayStation console.
The Sims 4 remains available on both PS4 and PS5, and the August 25 console update is Version 2.38.
EA’s official wording does not state that the affected crash existed exclusively on PS4 or exclusively on PS5.
For that reason, players should not assume this is a PS5-only fix.
Why Was The Sims 4 Crashing on PlayStation?
EA has not publicly provided a detailed technical cause for the specific launch crash corrected in Version 2.38.
What the developer has confirmed is that it was one of the team’s top PlayStation crash issues.
PlayStation players submitting crash reports also provided additional information that helped EA investigate the problem.
That means there is now an official game-level fix for this particular crash rather than players having to rely solely on general troubleshooting.
What to Do If Sims 4 Still Crashes on PlayStation
If Sims 4 PlayStation crashing continues after installing Version 2.38, first establish when the crash happens.
That matters because the August 25 fix specifically targets a crash occurring during game launch.
| When The Sims 4 crashes | What it tells you |
|---|---|
| Immediately during launch | Could relate to the issue targeted by Version 2.38 |
| Loading one particular save | May be save-specific |
| Loading one household | May relate to that household or lot |
| Travelling between lots | Different issue from the confirmed launch crash |
| Opening Marketplace | Could involve Marketplace rather than the launch crash |
| Randomly during gameplay | Not necessarily related to the August 25 fix |
If your game is still on an older version, update before doing anything more drastic.
Completely Restart Your PlayStation
If Version 2.38 is installed but The Sims 4 still refuses to launch correctly, close the game and completely restart your console.
Do not simply suspend The Sims 4 and reopen it.
A full restart gives the game a clean launch after the new update has been installed.
Then try opening The Sims 4 again before changing or deleting anything else.
Check for a PlayStation System Update
Your PlayStation system software should also be current.
EA’s previous official console troubleshooting guidance recommends keeping both The Sims 4 and PlayStation system software updated when investigating crashes.
If a system update is waiting, install it, restart the console and test The Sims 4 again.
This is particularly worth checking if you have not used the console for a while and both the game and system have several pending updates.
Don’t Delete Your Sims 4 Saves First
If Sims 4 PlayStation crashing happens during launch, do not immediately delete your saves.
The August 25 patch confirms that at least one significant launch crash originated from an issue EA needed to fix within the game itself.
Deleting years of Sims because the game crashes before reaching the main menu is therefore a fairly spectacular first troubleshooting move.
Update the game first.
Only investigate individual save data if you have evidence that the crash is actually tied to a particular save or household.
Does the August Update Fix Sims 4 Marketplace Problems on PlayStation?
Yes, but those fixes are separate from the PlayStation crash correction.
Two console controller problems have also been fixed.
Using the Right Stick to scroll could cause the controls to become stuck when browsing the Marketplace from Create a Sim.
Controls could also become stuck while scrolling through Marketplace Pack Details pages.
Both issues are corrected in Version 2.38.
| PlayStation/console issue | Version 2.38 |
|---|---|
| Major launch crash | Addressed |
| Marketplace CAS Right Stick stuck | Fixed |
| Marketplace Pack Details controls stuck | Fixed |
| Marketplace page layout after Quick Buy | Fixed on all platforms |
So if your problem was actually The Sims 4 freezing inside Marketplace, rather than crashing during startup, there is still a relevant fix in this update.
What About Sims 4 Crashing While Travelling?
The August 25 patch does not specifically announce a new fix for crashing while travelling between lots.
However, this is worth distinguishing from the newly fixed launch crash because EA has previously addressed memory-related crashes.
The July Memory Boost work was designed to improve how The Sims 4 manages memory during play, with EA saying it could reduce the risk of memory-related crashes. EA subsequently confirmed through submitted saves that Memory Boost resolved a memory-related crash that could occur when travelling after loading a save.
So there are now multiple different crash fixes in recent Sims 4 updates:
| Crash problem | Relevant work |
|---|---|
| PlayStation crash during launch | August 25 Version 2.38 |
| Memory-related crash while travelling after loading | Memory Boost |
| General memory pressure during long sessions | Memory Boost improvements |
They should not be treated as one single Sims 4 crashing problem.
Can Mods Cause Sims 4 PlayStation Crashes?
No.
The console versions of The Sims 4 do not support the PC/Mac mod and Custom Content system.
If Sims 4 PlayStation crashing occurs on PS4 or PS5, advice telling you to remove your Mods folder or delete localthumbcache.package is irrelevant.
Those troubleshooting steps apply to PC and Mac players using mods or Custom Content.
Console players need console-specific troubleshooting instead.
Should You Reinstall The Sims 4?
Not as your first step.
For a launch crash, the sensible order is:
- Install Console Version 2.38.
- Completely restart the PlayStation.
- Check for PlayStation system updates.
- Launch The Sims 4 again.
- Determine whether the crash occurs during startup or only after loading a save.
- Only move onto more substantial troubleshooting if the problem remains.
Reinstalling a game with a considerable amount of DLC can take a long time, so there is little point doing it before checking whether the official patch already resolves your problem.
Report Sims 4 PlayStation Crashes
If The Sims 4 continues crashing after the update, reporting the crash is genuinely useful.
We know this because EA specifically credited information supplied through the PlayStation reporting system with helping investigate the launch crash addressed in the August 25 patch.
When the PlayStation crash-reporting screen appears, submitting the report rather than immediately dismissing it gives developers diagnostic information that can help identify recurring problems.
Persistent reproducible problems can also be reported through EA’s Sims 4 bug-reporting channels.
Sims 4 PlayStation Crashing FAQ
Did EA fix Sims 4 crashing on PlayStation?
EA says the August 25 update addresses one of its top PlayStation crashes occurring during game launch.
What version contains the fix?
The August 25 console update is Version 2.38.
Is the fix for PS4 and PS5?
EA lists it as a PlayStation fix rather than identifying only PS4 or PS5.
Does Version 2.38 fix every Sims 4 crash?
No. EA specifically says it addressed one of its top PlayStation launch crashes. Other crashes may have different causes.
Should I delete my save if The Sims 4 crashes at launch?
No. Update the game and troubleshoot the launch problem before considering anything involving your save data.
Can mods cause The Sims 4 to crash on PS5?
No. The Sims 4 does not support PC/Mac mods or Custom Content on PlayStation.
Does the update fix Marketplace freezing?
The update fixes two console problems where controls could become stuck while scrolling through Marketplace pages.
Sims 4 PlayStation Crashing After the August 25 Update
If you’re experiencing Sims 4 PlayStation crashing, make sure Console Version 2.38 is installed before attempting more drastic fixes.
EA has now addressed one of the most frequently reported PlayStation crashes occurring during game launch, and the fix comes directly from information gathered through player crash reports.
It isn’t a promise that The Sims 4 will never crash again. But if your PS4 or PS5 was repeatedly throwing you out while the game was starting, this is one of those rare occasions where “update the game” is an actual confirmed fix rather than generic troubleshooting advice.
