How To Fix Sims 3 Error Code 12?

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Sims 3 Error Code 12

There is just no doubt that when it comes to life simulation games, the Sims game always tops the list. But, there may be times when the experience with the game might not always be smooth and fine.

There may be times when you will need to deal with ups and downs such as a temporary bug or an error, making your simulated life a little difficult.

And since, you are already reading the following article on, “How to Fix Sims 3 Error Code 12?”. My guess is that you have already come across such an error and need a solution ASAP.

Well, good news for you, is that you have come to the right place. Here, we will go on discussing everything there is to know about the particular Sims 3 Error Code 12. From Why the Error Code 12 occurs on Sims 3, to the various Ways to fix the Sims 3 Error Code 12, we will be covering it all. 

And so, without any further ado let us straight away get down to business, which is to solve the error code 12 at the earliest and go back to enjoying the game with your favorite avatar.


What causes the Error Code 12 on Sims 3?


While talking about the Error Code 12 on your Sims 3 game. The most common reason or cause out there responsible for the error to occur would be less resources or memory space available for the game to save it’s progress. 

This usually happens when your game’s progress or saved files size have exceeded above 4GB, which is the limit Sims 3 provides its users by default.

There can be a number of reasons for this to happen. From your current neighborhood being too large to having multiple high resolution things within your neighborhood or house, all has to play a role.


Ways to fix the Sims 3 Error Code 12


Now that you know why the following error code 12 occurs. Next, let us have a look at what are some of the most common and widely used methods with the help of which you can help solve the error for your particular account. 

Fix 1: Clear up Inventory of Sims

If your inventory is all packed with things and items you hardly used. Then, it would be a good idea to get rid of a few taking up unnecessary space both inside your game as well as your system.

It is always a good idea to not keep any unnecessary items which you don’t use or know that you will never use.

And try to keep cleaning up your inventory on a regular basis, just to keep everything simple and well organized too, so that items as such don’t take up space needlessly.


Fix 2: Delete ‘Bad’ game file

There are times when your game files might get corrupted or face a glitch creating a bad file of the game. 

In such cases, you will need to delete such a file from the system and get back to playing the game normally once the game has been resolved. 

Hence, to delete the bad game files, you will need to follow the steps as shown below:

  • Firstly, for Windows users you will need to open up Windows Explorer. And as for Mac users, you will need to open up Finder Window.
  • Then, browse your way to the location to where your saved files have been saved. It should be in the Sims3 folder. 
  • Try to find the ‘Saves’ folder. Then, click and open it and look out for the saved game file with the ‘.bad’ extension. 
  • Delete the game saved file with the ‘.bad’ extension and see if that helps resolve the error.

Fix 3: Reduce game resolution 

Reducing the game resolution to minimum or medium can also help solve the issue at times, if your game is running on high game settings and resolutions. 

Many users have reported that running the game in low to medium settings have helped them resolve the following Error Code 12 message on their respective systems. 

In order to do so, you can follow the steps as shown below:

  • Firstly, go to your game’s settings menu, by clicking on the three dots at the bottom left corner of the game screen. 
  • Then, go to and click on the Options menu and click on the Graphics settings tab. 
  • Next, under Screen Settings, set the Screen Size to a lower value and keep the Refresh Rate to either Default or a lower value. 
  • Under Detail Settings, try setting all the values to either medium or low, depending upon your needs. 
  • After you have made the desired changes, click on the save or tick mark button to save your changes. 
  • Restart the game and see if the error still persists or not.

Fix 4: Update Drivers

An outdated driver or drivers can also result in such errors to show up. Hence, updating your system drivers may also help to fix the following error. 

In most cases, simply updating your PCs graphic drivers should do the trick. 

To do so, you can follow the steps as shown below:

  • Firstly, go to your Windows Search bar and type in Device Manager
  • Then, launch the Device Manager app and expand the Display Adapters option by clicking on it. 
  • Next, right click on the graphic card driver you are using, and click on the Update driver option.
  • Go through the prompted steps and successfully update your driver. 
  • Once the driver has been updated, restart your system and see if the error still persists.

Fix 5: Close other background apps

If your system is running on low resources and you have background apps running in the background. Then, such an error might occur more frequently than you would expect. 

Hence, if that is the case, you can try closing some of the apps you don’t need.

To do so, simply follow the steps as shown below:

  • Go to Windows Start and click on the Settings option. 
  • Then, go to and click on the Privacy option.
  • Under App permissions, select the app you would like to turn off app permissions for and then make the required changes from the corresponding right pane. 
  • Once, you have turned off the permissions for the desired apps. Then, restart your system and see if the error has been resolved.

Fix 6: Upgrade RAM memory

This is a hardware change you will need to make, if your system RAM is very less and you are having a hard time running the Sims 3 game on it. 

If your RAM memory is less. Then, it is advised that you upgrade it to a larger one, so that you can play the game in higher settings and not have to worry about memory running out again, helping you to solve the error code as a result.


Fix 7: Change virtual memory

This is a method where you take the help of your hard disk memory in addition with your RAM, in order to manage the necessary resource of space needed to run the game properly without having to encounter the following Error Code 12. 

Hence, in order to change or increase your Virtual Memory by adding your Hard Drive space, you can follow the steps as mentioned below:

  • Firstly, go to the Windows Search Bar and type in Adjust the appearance and performance of Windows
  • Click on it and launch the process.
  • Then, head to the Advanced tab, and tap on the Change button below, under Virtual memory. 
  • On the next page, uncheck the Automatically manage paging file size for all drivers options, and then select on the Custom size option.
  • While doing so, remember to click on and select the drive C under Paging file size for each drive section, and then fill in the values for Initial size and Maximum size under Custom Size option. 
  • Here, under Initial size, you may feed in 1.5 times the size of your RAM memory. And as for the Maximum size, feeding in it as 3 times the value of your RAM memory should do the trick. 
  • Once you have fed in your desired values, click on the Set button and click on the OK button to save your changes.
  • Lastly, restart your system and launch the game once again to see if the error still persists.

Conclusion


Hence, in this way you should be able to fix the Sims 3 Error Code 12, pretty much on your own by Clearing up inventory, moving to a new neighborhood, reducing game resolution, updating drivers, closing background apps, upgrading RAM and changing virtual memory.

However, if for some reason, even after having tried out all the solutions as mentioned above. If you are still unable to fix the error message on your own. Then it would be a good idea to directly contact EA Sports Help Desk, and look up for the necessary solution there. 


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Rishikesh Hazarika is a tech enthusiast who is always curious to learn and absorb facts and data in the world of science and technology as well as tries to share his opinion. He has an M.Tech degree from North-Eastern Hill University, later he did a certificate course in Computer Hardware and Software, and a certificate course in Introduction to Architectingc