The Sims 4 mods not working after the July 21 update does not always mean that every mod is broken. The game normally disables mods and custom content after a major update, which means players may need to turn them back on before they appear again.
The July 21 update changes several parts of the base game, including save features, performance settings and existing gameplay systems. Some mods may require updates from their creators, while others may simply have been disabled automatically when the patch was installed.
Before deleting your Mods folder or replacing every file, check the game settings and test your mods carefully. A missing mod can often be fixed without removing your entire collection.
Why Are The Sims 4 Mods Not Working After the Update?
The Sims 4 disables custom content and script mods after many game updates. This is intended to stop outdated files from immediately causing problems when the game first launches with a new version.
When this happens, your Mods folder remains on your computer, but the files inside it are not loaded by the game.
The Sims 4 mods not working after an update can also be caused by:
- Custom content and mods being disabled
- Script mods being disabled separately
- The game not being restarted after changing the settings
- An outdated mod becoming incompatible
- A mod being installed too deeply inside subfolders
- The Resource.cfg file being missing or damaged
- The game using a different Sims 4 folder
- OneDrive or cloud storage moving your files
- The mod requiring another file or library
- An old version remaining alongside an updated version
- The localthumbcache.package file storing outdated information
The correct fix depends on whether all mods have disappeared or only one specific mod has stopped working.
How to Turn Mods Back On After the July 21 Update
Open The Sims 4 and select the menu button from the main screen.
Go to:
Game Options > Other
Make sure both of the following settings are enabled:
- Enable Custom Content and Mods
- Script Mods Allowed
Select Apply Changes, close The Sims 4 completely and then reopen the game.
Restarting is essential. Mods will not normally begin working immediately after the settings are changed while the game remains open.
When The Sims 4 restarts, a list of installed custom content and script mods may appear. Check whether the missing files are shown before opening your main save.
The Sims 4 Mods Not Working – Mods Are Enabled but Still Not Showing
When mods are enabled but still do not appear in The Sims 4, check whether the game is reading the correct folder.
On Windows, mods are normally stored in:
Documents > Electronic Arts > The Sims 4 > Mods
On Mac, the folder is normally located inside:
Documents > Electronic Arts > The Sims 4 > Mods
The Mods folder should contain a Resource.cfg file. This file tells The Sims 4 how to find package files stored inside the folder.
Do not place mods inside the game’s installation directory. Files added to Program Files, the EA app folder or another installation location will not normally be detected.
Check Whether The Sims 4 Is Using a New Folder
Occasionally, The Sims 4 creates a new user folder after an update or begins using a different Documents location.
This can make it appear as though every mod, save and household has been deleted, even though the original files still exist elsewhere on the computer.
Open your Documents folder and check for more than one Electronic Arts or The Sims 4 folder. Also search your computer for:
localthumbcache.package
Finding several copies may indicate that the game has created or started using a different folder.
Launch The Sims 4, create a new save and then close the game. Check which folder contains the newly created save file. That is the folder currently being used by the game.
Your Mods folder must be placed inside that active Sims 4 folder.
OneDrive Can Make Sims 4 Mods Disappear
On Windows, OneDrive can move or sync the Documents folder. This may cause The Sims 4 to use a folder stored in OneDrive while the player continues adding mods to the original local Documents folder.
Check both of these possible locations:
Documents > Electronic Arts > The Sims 4
OneDrive > Documents > Electronic Arts > The Sims 4
Look at the date modified on the saves, screenshots and cache files to identify which folder is actively being updated.
Do not keep two different Mods folders and regularly switch between them. Choose the folder used by the game and move your current files into that location after creating a backup.
Script Mods Not Working After the July 21 Update
Script mods require the separate Script Mods Allowed setting to be enabled. Turning on custom content alone is not enough.
Script files usually end in:
.ts4script
These files should not be placed too deeply inside the Mods folder. In most cases, script mods should be placed directly inside Mods or no more than one folder deep.
For example:
Mods > Mod Name > file.ts4script
A script mod may not load correctly if it is stored inside several nested folders.
Some script mods also require supporting libraries or additional package files. Read the installation instructions provided by the creator and confirm that every required file is present.
Custom Content Not Showing in Create a Sim
When hairstyles, clothing, makeup or accessories are missing from Create a Sim, first check that Enable Custom Content and Mods is switched on.
Then check the filters inside Create a Sim. Custom content can be hidden when the content filter is not selected.
Open the filter panel and look for the option to display custom content.
If only one item is missing, it may require:
- A mesh created by another custom content creator
- A specific expansion or game pack
- An updated version after the July 21 patch
- A different age or gender setting
- A particular outfit category
- Another colour swatch
Some custom content appears broken because the original mesh was not downloaded with the recolour.
Build Mode Custom Content Is Missing
Missing furniture, wallpaper, flooring or decorative items can also be hidden by filters.
Open Build Mode and make sure custom content is included in the selected content filters.
When an object appears in the catalogue but disappears after being placed, it may be incompatible with the updated game. Remove the file and check whether the creator has published a replacement.
Objects that use altered tuning, slots or interactions can be more vulnerable to updates than simple decorative items.
Delete the Sims 4 Cache File
Old cache data can prevent updated mods from working correctly.
Close The Sims 4 and open:
Documents > Electronic Arts > The Sims 4
Delete:
localthumbcache.package
The game will create a new cache file the next time it launches.
You should delete the localthumbcache.package file whenever you:
- Remove a broken mod
- Install an updated mod
- Replace an older version
- Change a large number of custom content files
- Test different sections of your Mods folder
Deleting this file does not remove your saves, households or installed mods.
Make Sure Old Mod Versions Were Removed
Installing a new version without deleting the old files can stop a mod from working.
Creators sometimes change filenames, divide one mod into several files or remove components that are no longer needed. Copying the new download into the same folder may leave old files behind.
Completely remove the previous version before installing the replacement.
Check for duplicate package and script files throughout the entire Mods folder. Two versions of the same mod can conflict even when they are stored in different subfolders.
Check Whether the Mod Needs an Update
When most mods work but one specific mod does not, the file may be incompatible with the July 21 update.
Check the creator’s official download page or social account for a compatibility notice. Look for confirmation that the mod is compatible, updated, broken or still being tested.
Do not assume a mod is safe because the download link still works. The creator may leave an older version available while testing a replacement.
Avoid downloading unofficial fixes or reuploaded versions from another website. Updated mods should come directly from their original creators or an official page linked by them.
Use a New Save to Test Your Mods
Do not immediately open an important household after turning mods back on.
Create a temporary test save and check whether the affected mod appears and works correctly. Test the exact interaction, menu, object or Create a Sim item that was previously missing.
When the mod works normally in a new save, the problem may be connected to your existing household rather than the installation itself.
When it fails in every save, remove the mod and wait for an updated version.
Use the 50/50 Method When Several Mods Stop Working
When the game recognises your Mods folder but problems begin after the files are enabled, use the 50/50 method.
Move half of your mods into a temporary folder outside The Sims 4 directory. Delete the localthumbcache.package file and launch the game.
If the problem remains, the affected file is probably inside the half still installed. If the problem disappears, it is likely inside the half you removed.
Continue dividing the affected group until the individual mod is identified.
Test script mods and major gameplay mods first because these are more likely to affect menus, loading and interactions.
The Sims 4 Mods Not Working After Every Fix
When no mods appear after checking the settings, folder location and Resource.cfg file, temporarily rename your current Sims 4 folder.
Change:
The Sims 4
to:
The Sims 4 Backup
Launch the game and allow it to create a clean folder. Close the game and place one known compatible mod inside the new Mods folder.
Enable mods again, restart the game and check whether the test file appears.
When it works inside the clean folder, something in the original Sims 4 folder is causing the problem. Move your saves, Tray files and compatible mods into the new folder gradually rather than copying everything back at once.
When it still does not work, repair The Sims 4 through the EA app and confirm that your game has finished updating.
Keep Your Main Save Safe
The Sims 4 mods not working after the July 21 update can usually be traced to disabled settings, an incorrect folder or an outdated file.
Back up your Sims 4 folder before making major changes and test mods in a disposable save first. Add updated files back gradually and keep the original backup untouched until you know that the game is stable.
A missing mod is frustrating, but it is safer to leave it disabled temporarily than to force an outdated version into an important household.
