The Sims 4 Error Code 123: How to Fix Loading and Script Problems

The Sims 4 Error Code 123 can stop a household or lot from loading correctly and may send the player back toward the map or main menu. EA lists 123 among codes that can be caused by game-script problems, making outdated script mods an important first suspect.

The Sims 4 Error Code 123 should be handled with the save protected. The goal is to find out whether the error follows one household, one lot, one mod setup or every clean save before you start deleting or reinstalling anything.

The Sims 4 Error Code 123: safest troubleshooting order

Image credit: Electronic Arts

The Sims 4 Error Code 123 is easiest to troubleshoot when you make one change at a time and test the same symptom again. The steps below are ordered from reversible checks to deeper repair work, so you can stop as soon as the problem is gone.

1. Copy the Saves folder somewhere safe.
2. Move Mods out and delete localthumbcache.package.
3. Try another household and another lot in the same save.
4. Test a new clean save.
5. Recover an earlier version if only the original save is affected.

Start with script mods

EA’s official mods and error-code guide includes 123 in a group of errors that can be connected to script problems. Remove the full Mods folder for the first test rather than trying to guess which single file is responsible.

If the error disappears, return only versions that creators have cleared for the current patch.

Check whether one lot triggers the code

A save that loads other households normally gives you a useful clue. Try moving the household or loading another residential lot before concluding the entire save is corrupt.

Preserve a Library copy of important Sims and builds before making structural changes to the affected lot.

Recover the save when the clean game works

If The Sims 4 Error Code 123 only affects one save, use EA’s Recover Save instructions to create a version from before the problem started.

Test that recovered copy with no mods first. If it works, add approved mods gradually rather than restoring the whole previous setup immediately.

Repair only if clean new saves fail too

Use EA app Repair from the official loading guide when a fresh save produces the same error with no Mods folder. That shifts suspicion toward installed game files rather than the household.

A reinstall is a later step after Repair, cache clearing and a fresh user-folder test have failed.

Do not save through missing content

If the clean test removes CC from Sims or lots, exit without saving. The point of the test is to reproduce the error, not to permanently strip the household.

Once the code is gone and compatible content is restored, reopen the protected save or recovery copy and verify the lot before continuing.

What your troubleshooting result means

If The Sims 4 Error Code 123 disappears in a clean test, you have narrowed the problem to something in the normal user setup rather than the untouched base game. Restore files in small groups, retest after each change and stop as soon as the symptom returns. That is much safer than putting the full Mods, Tray and settings collection back at once.

If The Sims 4 Error Code 123 still happens in a brand-new save with no Mods folder after Repair, keep the clean test intact and record the game version, platform and exact reproduction steps. At that point the evidence is much stronger for a game, installation or platform issue, and those details are useful for an EA support case or bug report.

Fix The Sims 4 Error Code 123 by separating mods, lots and saves

The Sims 4 Error Code 123 is much easier to troubleshoot when you compare another lot, a clean save and a no-mod setup. Back up first, recover an earlier save when only one slot is affected and repair the installation only when the error survives clean tests.