CurseForge mods usually stop working in The Sims 4 because the game itself has switched mods off, which it does after every patch. Open Game Options > Other, tick Enable Custom Content and Mods and Script Mods Allowed, click Apply Changes and relaunch. If they still do not show up, the cause is usually an out-of-date mod, OneDrive, a file in the wrong place, or a problem with that one mod.
The app installing a mod only means the file reached your folder, and the game still decides whether to load it. Below we go through each cause in the order worth checking, using CurseForge’s own troubleshooting article and EA’s guidance. All of this is PC and Mac only: per EA, mods cannot be installed on PlayStation or Xbox.
What to Check First
| What you see | Likely cause | Fix |
|---|---|---|
| Nothing from CurseForge shows up in game | Mods are switched off | Tick both options, then relaunch |
| Everything stopped right after a patch | Options reset, or mods out of date | Re-tick, then update |
| Mods vanish on a synced PC | OneDrive | Quit OneDrive and restart the game |
| Script mods fail but CC works | Script Mods Allowed is off, or files are too deep | Tick the option, move the files up |
| The app cannot see the game | Game not added | Scan for it or add it by hand |
| One mod loads and misbehaves | That mod | Update it or ask its creator |
The Game’s Mod Settings Are Off
CurseForge’s first fix is the game’s own settings, and it applies however you installed your mods:
- In The Sims 4, click Options, then Game Options.
- Under Other, turn on Enable Custom Content and Mods and Script Mods Allowed.
- Click Apply Changes and confirm any warning.
- Relaunch the game.
The relaunch is not optional, because the settings only take effect after a restart. Per EA, the game disables mods whenever it updates, so this can come back with every patch. On launch, a pop-up lists every mod the game detected, which is a quick way to see whether your files are being read.
A Game Patch Made a Mod Out of Date
As of November 8, 2026, the newest patch is 1.129, released October 27, per EA’s update notes. EA says many top crash reports are tied to outdated or conflicting mod files. A mod that loaded fine last month can fail after a patch.
- Update through the app. CurseForge’s getting started article says an orange Update button appears when a mod has a new version. Use it on one mod, or use Update all.
- Check the game version on the mod’s page. CurseForge pages show the game version a file is tagged for, and the file may be older than a version the creator posted elsewhere. Better Exceptions, for instance, has a newer release on its creator’s Patreon than on CurseForge.
- Go to the creator’s own page when no Update button appears. Only the creator can say whether a mod works on a new patch.
Our guide to fixing mods after a game update has the full safe order, including exiting without saving before you re-enable anything.
OneDrive Is in the Way
CurseForge lists OneDrive as a possible cause of mods and CC not showing up. If your Documents folder syncs, your Sims 4 folder can sit inside OneDrive’s copy of Documents. To test it:
- Click the OneDrive icon in the taskbar or tray.
- Choose Help & Settings, then Quit OneDrive.
- Confirm with Close OneDrive.
- Restart the game and see whether your mods appear.
Deaderpool, who makes MC Command Center, also gives advice for a “Permission denied” error naming OneDrive: it means your Mods folder is syncing, and you should turn that off. See our MCCC guide for more.
The Files Are in the Wrong Place
The app finds your Mods folder by itself, so these problems usually come from files moved or added by hand:
- Script mods are too deep. Script files only load from the Mods folder or one subfolder down. Mods\MCCC works; Mods\Script Mods\MCCC does not.
- Mods from other sites are somewhere else. The game reads Documents > Electronic Arts > The Sims 4 > Mods. If your CurseForge mods work and others do not, search your PC for the name of one working file. The folder it is in is the one to use.
- You moved or deleted files outside the app. Click Scan mods folder so the app catches up. It can be slow on a big folder.
Files you installed by hand appear in the app with a folder icon. The app detects them but cannot manage or update them, so those stay your job. Our guide to installing mods and custom content covers the folder rules.
The App Cannot See the Game
If The Sims 4 never appears in the app, open its settings and click the + button:
- Scan computer for games. Pick the drive the game is on and click Scan.
- Manually add a game. Select the folder holding TS4_x64.exe.
CurseForge gives these typical locations:
| Store | Folder |
|---|---|
| Steam | Steam\steamapps\common\The Sims 4\Game\Bin\ |
| EA app | EA Games\The Sims 4\Game\Bin\ |
| Origin | Origin Games\The Sims 4\Game\Bin\ |
| Mac | The folder containing The Sims 4.app |
The Mod Needs Something Else
A mod that lists a requirement will not work without it. Plenty of mods need a shared library such as XML Injector or a venue list, and a few need a specific game pack. Read the requirements on the mod’s page, install the library first, and keep it current, since one outdated library can make every mod that needs it look broken.
One Mod Is Loading but Misbehaving
If mods load but cause bugs or errors, CurseForge says the issue is usually with the specific mod or CC, and it directs you to contact the author. To work out which one:
- Let a tool name it. Better Exceptions reports the file behind many errors as they happen.
- Run the 50/50 method. Our guide to finding broken CC walks through it. A mod manager can make the rounds quicker.
- Clear the cache. Delete localthumbcache.package whenever you change your Mods folder; our cache guide shows where it is.
If the mod that stopped is a cheat mod such as UI Cheats Extension, the game’s built-in cheats do not depend on mods, so you can keep playing with those while you wait for an update.
Starting Over Without Losing Your Sims
If you decide to clear everything, read this first. CurseForge says selecting all your mods in the app and deleting them also deletes saved Sims and buildings in your library and gallery, though not the ones in your game. Back up first: copy the whole Documents > Electronic Arts > The Sims 4 folder to your desktop. To do it by hand, delete files from the Mods folder, then rescan in the app so it stops listing them. CurseForge’s steps also cover the Tray folder, but that folder holds your Library households and lots, so only clear it if you mean to lose them. Then add your mods back a few at a time. Our best Sims 4 mods list links each mod to its creator’s own page, and our Sims guides hub has the rest of our coverage.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why are my CurseForge mods not showing up in Sims 4? Usually because the game has mods switched off. Tick Enable Custom Content and Mods and Script Mods Allowed in Game Options > Other, click Apply Changes and relaunch.
Do I still need Script Mods Allowed with the CurseForge app? Yes. CurseForge’s own article lists both options, because the app only installs the files and the game decides what to load.
Why did my CurseForge mods stop working after an update? The game turns mods off when it updates, and a patch can leave a mod out of date. Re-tick both options, then look for the orange Update button.
Can the CurseForge app fix a broken mod? No. It can install a newer version if the creator posted one. CurseForge directs bugs in a mod to its creator.
Can CurseForge update mods from other sites? No. It detects them and marks them with a folder icon, but it cannot manage or update them.
Will deleting all my mods in CurseForge delete my Sims? It deletes saved Sims and buildings in your library and gallery, per CurseForge, but not the ones in your game. Back up first.