New
Sharni R
1
17
Sep 2015
First Poster
Sharni Rsays...
can I just say thanks so much ive had major save problems for a while now and this has fixed everything, thanks again
17
New
E
5
5
Sep 2015
Esays...
In the cachestr folder is it safe to delete the spotlight package file?
4
New
T.L
1
2
Dec 2015
T.Lsays...
Don't delete the spotlight.
2
Senior
MrsFlynn
210
130
Jan 2016
MrsFlynnsays...
Yes, the spotlight.package is safe to delete.
Reference Link:
http://sims4.crinrict.com/en/2014/09/user-files-explained/
2
Regular
Holly
15
22
Jan 2016
Hollysays...
Is it safe to delete the file "ClientFullBuild0.package" under "The Sims 4" "FP01"?
1
Senior
MrsFlynn
210
130
Jan 2016
MrsFlynnsays...
These .package files are the main data files for the content packs.
I would hazard to guess anything in the game install folder:
C:\Program Files (x86)\Origin Games\The Sims 4 (64-bit-Windows)
C:\Program Files\Origin Games\The Sims 4 (32-bit-Windows)
Are files that should not be deleted at all. As it may end up messing up the game. It would need to be reinstalled. Origin may try to actually install what was deleted as well.
1
New
Kylie miller
2
7
Jan 2016
Kylie millersays...
For some reasomn my computer says there is nothingn in the cache files
7
Admin
Playalot
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Jan 2016
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Playalotsays...
That's ok. Just play for a while and then you will see data in there.
2
New
Elin P.F
1
3
Feb 2016
Elin P.Fsays...
uhm. i have played fo over 1400 hours but still there is nothing in the cache file. why is that? I play online via origin
3
Admin
Playalot
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Jan 2016
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Playalotsays...
Well, seeing as your game is working as you're able to play I guess everything is fine!
2
New
thorby115
2
2
Sep 2017
thorby115says...
Same for me!
1
New
Neci
1
4
Jan 2016
Necisays...
Which cache folder is referred to in #2?
Lotcacheddata? That's the only cache folder I have except cachestr.
4
Admin
Playalot
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Playalotsays...
There should be a folder named 'cache' and one named 'cachestr' inside The Sims 4 folder.
If you are having game problems posting on the technical board would be a good idea.
Technical Help on the Forum
1
New
ser
1
3
Feb 2016
sersays...
my The sims 4 folder doesnt have a cache file. just a 2 folder named with cache, lotcacaheddata and cachestr.
3
Admin
Playalot
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Playalotsays...
That's what the cache files are. 
3
New
Goodneighbor
2
1
Feb 2016
Goodneighborsays...
I only play the sims 4 offline and have packs until Get Together. There's no folder named 'cache' in my The sims 4 folder. Is that mean if I play offline I don't have any *.cache file?
1
Admin
Playalot
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Jan 2016
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Playalotsays...
I'm really not sure. I would have thought that despite playing only off-line you should still have a cache folder. Try posting this question on our tech thread on the forum where our tech moderators can answer this question much better than me!
Technical Help - Forum
New
Goodneighbor
2
1
Feb 2016
Goodneighborsays...
Okay thanks anyway for your help
New
GraceHeart
3
2
Mar 2016
GraceHeartsays...
my cache file have '.jpg' . is that what i should delete ? i dont have any '.cache 
1
Admin
Playalot
3508
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Jan 2016
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Playalotsays...
Don't delete those. Not sure what they are or where you are looking but the localthumbcache.package is directly in your The Sims 4 folder.
Documents>Electronic Arts>The Sims 4.... then when you look down the list of all the folders etc you'll see 'localthumbcache.package' file, it looks like a word document... you know, like it has a 'piece of paper' icon as opposed to a 'folder' icon
If in any doubt don't delete.
New
GraceHeart
3
2
Mar 2016
GraceHeartsays...
i found the localthumbcache.package . what i meant is inside the cache file is full of .jpg . there is no any .cache . ive delete both but it still kinda laggy and every time i go career in detective i always crash . i really wanna try all the career 
1
Admin
Playalot
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Jan 2016
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Playalotsays...
I understand what you are looking at now. That is all safe to delete per Carl's instructions. They are there because you have been onto the gallery at some point.
New
Janelle Ryan
1
4
Mar 2016
Janelle Ryansays...
Hi, thank you so much for this! It really helps. I have a question though. What do you do with the copies of the original save file that you have made? Do you delete them or keep them? I would really appreciate your help!
-Janelle
4
Senior
MrsFlynn
210
130
Jan 2016
MrsFlynnsays...
I'm one of those crazy Simmers that usually keeps game saves, lots and households backed up on an external hard drive in case I want to play with any of them in the future. *Snicker*
It's easy to do:
1. Go to your Sims 4 folder
C:\Users\<Username>\Documents\Electronic Arts\The Sims 4
2. Right-Click on your Saves folder and copy it to the external hard drive.
3. Do the same with your Tray folder, if you want to save your household and lot files.
2
New
Alalinn
1
1
Apr 2016
Alalinnsays...
Hi! Thank you for this guide, my game freeze sometimes and I hope this will help! But can i delete the files in the lotcacheddata folder? 
1
Senior
MrsFlynn
210
130
Jan 2016
MrsFlynnsays...
Yes, it's fine to delete the files in the Lotcacheddata folder. Just don't delete the folder itself.
More information in the link below:
Sims 4 User Files Explained
We also have some tips that may help with your game freezing and crashing. See links below:
Intermittent Lagging/Freezing
General Crashing Issues
New
kay
5
4
May 2016
kaysays...
4. Right-click your saves folder and select copy. Pick an empty space in the same folder and pick paste. You'll get a copy of the saves folder.
5. Go into the original save folder and then to scratch directory. Delete everything here.
so..after these steps, do I keep the saves - Copy folder and the original saves folder? or do I delete the saves - Copy folder later on and repeat these same steps if I want to clean it again? or do I delete the original if I want to do it again?
1
Senior
MrsFlynn
210
130
Jan 2016
MrsFlynnsays...
It depends on if you're wanting a "fresh/new" game. If you're wanting a fresh/new game then you can delete all content in the saves folder.
If you're wanting to back up your game saves first. Then Right-click your saves folder and select copy. Then paste it to a folder outside the Sims 4 folder or to a flash drive or something along those lines.
New
CakeToday
2
1
Jun 2016
CakeTodaysays...
Hi! I'm freaking out. I went in and deleted a few caches - I followed the manual up here exactly and didn't delete anything I shouldn't.
what I did do though, is I cut/pasted the whole "electronic arts" folder from my Local Drive to my Harddrive, where I have the sims 4 on, and where I actually thought I had all my Sims 4 files on.
Anyway now when I go on the Sims 4 my saved games are completely gone, i can't even open them
In-game. I'm super sad cause I made so much progress.
I went in and did the whole 'saves' file deleting the ".ver0" file and it still didn't help. Probably my game just lost the link to the saves because I moved them from my local drive to my harddrive.... But how do I get my saved games back in-game?? Heeelp...
Btw thank you for a generally very helpful guide!
New
CakeToday
2
1
Jun 2016
CakeTodaysays...
Uhh okay, Update:
So I cut/pasted the same electronic arts folder back to where it was before. It seems like everything is back to how it was before. (PHEW!) But is there a trick to moving ALL my sims 4 data to my harddrive, without the game getting confused and losing the link to the data? I've told Origin to place all the data in my harddrive folder, but it seems like I have to do more than that. Any ideas?
Thanks in advance. X
1
Senior
MrsFlynn
210
130
Jan 2016
MrsFlynnsays...
When we need/want to save our Sims 4 folder, we usually just copy/paste it to our backup drive. Give it a different name for example: Sims4-Current. Then copy/paste the save files and such when we need/want them.
New
aerialanna
1
1
Jul 2016
aerialannasays...
okay. so my friend told me that once, her game had loads of bugs and stuff and then she repaired the game and they went away. she told me how to repair the game exactly like you have. yet it still won't work. i right click on the sims 4 while in the my games section and nothing comes up. nothing at all. could you please tell me whats happening, because i would really like to repair my game as i have many many bugs. thank you
1
Senior
MrsFlynn
210
130
Jan 2016
MrsFlynnsays...
Not sure what is happening with your game. However if you do not have the repair game feature in Origin, or it's not working correctly. It maybe a good idea to try uninstalling/reinstalling Origin to see if that helps get back the repair feature.
Also trying a factory reset maybe helpful as well. As it usually my go-to thing to do when my game is acting odd.
Uninstall/Reinstall the Origin Client
Repairing the Game
New
Mandy
3
0
Aug 2016
Mandysays...
how often do you probably clear your cache?
I always clear it after the size is larger than 6MB
is this ok?
if too often clearing the cache will impact the game btw?
Senior
Playalot
3508
2956
Jan 2016
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Playalotsays...
I usually clear mine after using a mod or some cc and also if I notice any glitching etc. I don't think it is possible to clear it too often.
New
Wendy
4
0
Dec 2015
Wendysays...
hello.
i have a quisten and im despperate. i already contacted ea and did what they told me. but nothing works. nothing. still the same. i can load the world just fine, but when i load a family, the house is gone. my cache is empty the file under cache is emty to. i deleted my thumbnail file. but it keeps coming back. could that be the problem? pleas help.
gr wendy
Senior
MrsFlynn
210
130
Jan 2016
MrsFlynnsays...
This is a common problem. The link below gives some troubleshooting tips to try:
New
NaruSasuLoverX16
2
0
Sep 2016
NaruSasuLoverX16says...
Hey, Is it bad that I didn't even have lotcachedData folder, I know I didn't delete anything in the sims 4 folder and I didn't even see it and I also didn't have cachewebkit file.
But I delete the ones see and I have onlinethumbnailcache folder but there nothing in it I just left it. I think most of the files clear because I repair the game on 9/21/2016/. (if I got the wrong idea, I am not really a pc freak for games. I love gaming but I am scared to go into the folder and files. )
Admin
Playalot
3508
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Playalotsays...
Crinrict has a great section on game files here. The lotcachedData folder was removed some time ago so it is fine.
New
NaruSasuLoverX16
2
0
Sep 2016
NaruSasuLoverX16says...
Thank god I thought I did something to it with my touchy mouse pad on my laptop. (I only go into my sims 4 folder for the mods folder.)
Ok and I am guessing cachewebkit is remove awhile ago as well??? (Because I didn't see it.)
Senior
MrsFlynn
210
130
Jan 2016
MrsFlynnsays...
If you have an older Sims 4 folder that still have the cachewebkit file and lotcachedata folder you can delete them. As they are safe to delete and no longer there by default.
Meaning when you create a new Sims 4 folder, they will not show up as they are no longer needed by the game.
New
Autumn
7
17
Aug 2015
Autumnsays...
I don't have some of the files your referring to.I went into my cache folder and there wasn't anything ending in .cache, just photos.And I didn't have lotcachedata
Admin
Playalot
3508
2956
Jan 2016
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Playalotsays...
The thumbnails are there in the cache folder because you have been online and used the Gallery at some point. So they are safe to move to the rubbish bin.
The cachewebkit file and lotcachedata folder are safe to delete and no longer there by default, so if you do not have them in your present folder then that is just fine.
New
Autumn
7
17
Aug 2015
Autumnsays...
I don't have any of the files you said to delete.My cache folders are empty, the only thing I have is spotlight.
Admin
Playalot
3508
2956
Jan 2016
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Playalotsays...
The cachewebkit file and lotcachedata folder are no longer there by default, so if you do not have them in your present folder then that is just fine. The spotlight file is something that everyone will have so that is normal too. It is safe to delete the spotlight file if you are having a clear-out.
New
Sophia
6
50
Nov 2015
Sophiasays...
I was clearing my cache folders and accidentally deleted the lotcacheddata folder. I have MacBook Pro (13-inch, Mid 2012) 2.9 GHz Intel Core i7 8 GB 1600 MHz DDR3 intel HD Graphics 4000 1024 MB. I then without out realizing emptied my trash bin and all of my lots are gone. expect one, not the one I spent five hours on though. I have not saved the game since this just exited in fear of making it worse. Is there anyway i can get it back at all that is 480 hours of remodeling buliding. things i never put on the gallery or saved to the sims cloud thing. PLEASE HELP!
1
Senior
MrsFlynn
210
130
Jan 2016
MrsFlynnsays...
I'm not sure exactly what you're asking about. But I do know that the lotcachedata folder has nothing to do with saved houses/lots or families/households. Those are found in the Tray folder. (Documents\Electronic Arts\The Sims 4\Tray)
If you haven't saved in awhile, there may not be much you can do. However, check the auto save file to see what you might be able to find with that. Click the post linked below to learn more about restoring a previously saved game.
How-To: Restore a Saved Game
http://www.carls-sims-4-guide.com/forum/index.php?topic=21519.msg387147#msg387147
If the missing lots are in your current game, you can save them to your library/gallery for safe keeping. Though if your Tray folder is empty there isn't anyway to get the files back.
Senior
MrsFlynn
210
130
Jan 2016
MrsFlynnsays...
I'm not sure exactly what you're asking about. But I do know that the lotcachedata folder has nothing to do with saved houses/lots or families/households. Those are found in the Tray folder. (Documents\Electronic Arts\The Sims 4\Tray)
If you haven't saved in awhile, there may not be much you can do. However, check the auto save file to see what you might be able to find with that. Click the post linked below to learn more about restoring a previously saved game.
How-To: Restore a Saved Game
http://www.carls-sims-4-guide.com/forum/index.php?topic=21519.msg387147#msg387147
If the missing lots are in your current game, you can save them to your library/gallery for safe keeping. Though if your Tray folder is empty there isn't anyway to get the files back.
New
katy
4
0
Aug 2016
katysays...
HELPP!!
I hav been having trouble with Sims 4 for while. I have a Mac and i can't find any answers for my problems on Mac.
A few weeks ago, my game wouldn't update, it kept trying and stopping on 13% then pausing itself. The only way i could get origin to close was to restart my entire computer. Eventually it managed to sort itself out and over night the update was magically done! Since that i have bought the New City Life expansion pack and it won't let me download the expansion pack. It gets to 13% and then nothing. I have tried deleting all the Cache files, but i can't find the origin files that the guy is talking about in the link to a different site! Any help will be appreciated! I really don't want to have to uninstall origin because i will be frightened that i will never be able to get any of the games to download again :(
Thanks
Katy
Senior
MrsFlynn
210
130
Jan 2016
MrsFlynnsays...
Try either fully exiting Origin, restart the computer and try downloading again. Or uninstalling/reinstalling Origin.
As there have been reports of issues with the new Origin, and when that happens it's best to just reinstall Origin.
You might be able to find better help by going to bluebellflora's site. She's more familiar with Mac computers. :)
New
unkown
1
0
Nov 2016
unkownsays...
will this erase the content already on my game?
Admin
Playalot
3508
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Jan 2016
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Playalotsays...
Deleting the localthumbcache.package file will not delete any content. I do this every day and often more than once if I am using mods or testing new mod/cc etc.
The other folders (cache and cachestr) have a job to do so you can delete the contents but not the folder. If you follow the steps 1-4 in Carl's guide above then you will be fine.
As someone deeply entrenched in the Sims 4 community and with a comprehensive understanding of the intricacies involved, I can provide valuable insights into the discussions mentioned in the provided text. The Sims 4 community often faces technical challenges related to game files, especially in the context of cache folders and their impact on gameplay. Let me break down the concepts discussed in the article and shed light on each:
-
Cache Files:
- The cache files in The Sims 4 are crucial for storing temporary data that the game uses to enhance performance.
- The cache folders mentioned include 'cache' and 'cachestr,' which play specific roles in managing game data.
-
Deleting Files:
- Players inquire about the safety of deleting certain files, such as the spotlight package file or the ClientFullBuild0.package.
- The spotlight.package file seems to be safe to delete, as suggested by community members, but caution is advised.
- The ClientFullBuild0.package files are identified as main data files for content packs, and deleting them could potentially harm the game installation.
-
Concerns about Cache Folder Contents:
- Users express concerns about the contents of their cache folders, with some reporting empty cache files even after extended playtime.
- Expert advice suggests that playing the game for a while will populate the cache folders naturally.
-
Variations in Cache Folder Structure:
- Users note variations in the structure of their cache folders, leading to questions about the absence of specific files like '.cache.'
- The absence of certain files like cachewebkit and lotcacheddata is explained as normal, as they are no longer default components of the game.
-
Game Repair and Troubleshooting:
- Players seek guidance on repairing the game to resolve bugs and issues.
- Recommendations include repairing the game through Origin, reinstalling Origin, and, in some cases, resorting to a factory reset.
-
External Backup of Game Saves:
- A discussion emerges about the practice of keeping external backups of game saves, lots, and households for future use.
- Recommendations include copying the 'Saves' and 'Tray' folders to an external drive for safekeeping.
-
User-Specific Issues:
- Individual players share unique issues, such as missing lots, accidental deletion of folders, and challenges in updating the game on Mac systems.
- Community experts provide troubleshooting steps tailored to each user's situation.
-
Frequency of Cache Clearance:
- Players inquire about the optimal frequency of clearing cache folders, expressing concerns about potential impacts on gameplay.
- Expert advice suggests clearing the cache when experiencing issues or after using mods or custom content.
By delving into these discussions, it's evident that the Sims 4 community is dynamic, supportive, and reliant on shared expertise to navigate technical challenges. Players seek not only solutions to immediate problems but also a deeper understanding of the game's file structure to enhance their overall gaming experience.
