Sims 4 pack says "download to use": Causes and solutions
How to Fix Sims 4 Pack Says Download to Use Error
If you are a fan of The Sims 4, you might have encountered an annoying error that prevents you from playing with your purchased packs. The error message says "download to use" or "restart to use" when you hover over the pack icon in the main menu. This means that the pack is not properly installed or recognized by the game, and you need to fix it before you can enjoy your new content. In this article, we will explain what causes this error, how to install packs in Sims 4, and how to troubleshoot the error with some simple steps.
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What is the Sims 4 Pack Says Download to Use Error?
The Sims 4 is a life simulation game that allows you to create and control virtual characters, or sims, in various scenarios. The game has several types of extra content that you can buy and download, such as expansion packs, game packs, and stuff packs. These packs add new features, items, worlds, and gameplay options to the base game.
Causes of the error
The Sims 4 pack says download to use error can occur due to various reasons, such as:
A corrupted or incomplete download of the pack
An outdated or incompatible version of the base game
A glitch or bug in Origin, the game launcher
A conflict or interference with other software or mods
A missing or invalid product code for the pack
Symptoms of the error
When this error happens, you will see one of these messages when you hover over the pack icon in the main menu:
"Download to use": This means that the pack is not downloaded or installed yet, even if you have purchased it.
"Restart to use": This means that the pack is downloaded but not activated yet, and you need to restart the game for it to work.
"Owned": This means that the pack is downloaded and activated, but it still does not show up in the game.
In any case, you will not be able to access the pack content, such as new worlds, items, or features, until you fix the error.
How to Install Packs in Sims 4
The first step to fix this error is to make sure that you have installed your packs correctly. Depending on how you bought your packs, there are different ways to install them:
Digital purchase on Origin
If you bought your packs online through Origin, they should install automatically when you sign in to Origin. However, if they don't, here's how to update them:
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Launch Origin on your computer. If prompted, log in using your EA Account information.
Go to the My Game Library tab.
Right-click on The Sims 4 base game image and click Show Game Details.
Click on the More menu to access the dropdown list of extra content.
Click Expansion Packs, Game Packs, or Stuff Packs depending on what pack you purchased. Note: You can also buy packs under Show Game Details.
Select the pack you need to install from the list and click Download.
After the installation is complete, click The Sims 4 and then Play to launch the game. The pack content will now be available within The Sims 4.
Disc purchase (PC only)
If you bought your packs on a physical disc for PC, here's how to install them:
Insert the disc into your computer's disc drive.
Follow the on-screen instructions to install Origin. If you already have Origin installed, skip this step.
Launch Origin and log in using your EA Account information.
Click on the Origin menu in the top left corner and select Redeem Product Code.
Type in the product code from the back of your game manual and click Next.
Click The Sims 4 and then Play to launch the game. The pack content will now be available within The Sims 4.
Product code purchase
If you bought your packs from a third-party retailer or website, you will receive a product code that you need to redeem on Origin. Here's how to do it:
Launch Origin and log in using your EA Account information.
Click on the Origin menu in the top left corner and select Redeem Product Code.
Type in the product code that you received from your retailer or website and click Next.
Click The Sims 4 and then Play to launch the game. The pack content will now be available within The Sims 4.
How to Troubleshoot Sims 4 Pack Says Download to Use Error
If you have installed your packs correctly but still see the error message, don't worry. There are some simple steps that you can try to fix it. Here are some of the most common solutions:
Update the base game
Sometimes, the error can be caused by an outdated or incompatible version of the base game. To avoid this, make sure that you have the latest update of The Sims 4 installed. Here's how to check for updates:
Launch Origin and log in using your EA Account information.
Go to the My Game Library tab.
Right-click on The Sims 4 base game image and click Update Game.
If there is an update available, it will start downloading automatically. Wait for it to finish and then launch the game.
Repair the game
Sometimes, the error can be caused by a corrupted or missing file in the game folder. To fix this, you can use the repair option in Origin. Here's how to do it:
Launch Origin and log in using your EA Account information.
Go to the My Game Library tab.
Right-click on The Sims 4 base game image and click Repair Game.
A window will pop up asking you to confirm. Click Repair.
The process will take some time, depending on your internet speed and computer performance. Wait for it to finish and then launch the game.
Uninstall and reinstall Origin
Sometimes, the error can be caused by a glitch or bug in Origin, the game launcher. To fix this, you can try uninstalling and reinstalling Origin. Here's how to do it:
For Windows usersFor Mac users
Close Origin if it is running.
Go to Control Panel > Programs > Programs and Features.
Select Origin from the list and click Uninstall/Change.
Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the uninstallation process.
Delete any remaining Origin files from your computer. You can find them in these locations:C:\Program Files (x86)\Origin
C:\ProgramData\Origin
C:\Users\YourUserName\AppData\Local\Origin
C:\Users\YourUserName\AppData\Roaming\Origin
Download and install the latest version of Origin from https://www.origin.com/en-us/download.
Close Origin if it is running.
Open Finder and go to Applications.
Drag Origin to Trash or right-click on it and select Move to Trash.
Delete any remaining Origin files from your computer. You can find them in these locations:/Library/Application Support/Origin
/Users/YourUserName/Library/Application Support/Origin
Download and install the latest version of Origin from https://www.origin.com/en-us/download.
Clear Origin cache
Sometimes, the error can be caused by a corrupted or outdated cache file in Origin, which stores some temporary data and settings. To fix this, you can try clearing the Origin cache. Here's how to do it:
For Windows usersFor Mac users
Close Origin if it is running.
Press the Windows key + R to open the Run dialog box.
Type %ProgramData%/Origin and click OK.
Delete all the files and folders in the Origin folder, except for the LocalContent folder.
Press the Windows key + R again to open the Run dialog box.
Type %AppData% and click OK.
In the AppData folder, open the Roaming folder and delete the Origin folder.
Go back to the AppData folder and open the Local folder. Delete the Origin folder there as well.
Close Origin if it is running.
Open Finder and go to Go > Go to Folder.
Type /Library/Caches and click Go.
Delete the Origin folder in the Caches folder.
Go back to Go > Go to Folder and type /Library/Caches and click Go.
Delete the Origin folder in the Caches folder.
Contact EA support
If none of the above solutions work, you might need to contact EA support for further assistance. They can help you diagnose and resolve the issue, or provide you with a refund or replacement if needed. Here's how to contact them:
Go to https://help.ea.com/en/contact-us/.
Select The Sims 4 as your game and your platform (PC, Mac, PlayStation 4, or Xbox One).
Select Codes and promotions as your topic and Invalid code as your issue.
Click Select contact option and choose your preferred method (chat or phone).
Provide your details and explain your problem to the EA advisor. Have your proof of purchase ready if needed.
Follow their instructions and wait for a resolution.
Conclusion
The Sims 4 pack says download to use error is a common and frustrating problem that can prevent you from enjoying your purchased packs. However, it can be fixed with some simple steps, such as updating the base game, repairing the game, uninstalling and reinstalling Origin, clearing Origin cache, or contacting EA support. We hope that this article has helped you solve this error and play The Sims 4 with your packs without any issues. Happy simming!
FAQs
Q: How do I check which packs I own in The Sims 4?
A: You can check which packs you own in The Sims 4 by going to the main menu and clicking on the Packs icon. You will see a list of all the available packs, with a green check mark on the ones you own. You can also hover over each pack icon to see more details about it.
Q: How do I enable or disable packs in The Sims 4?
A: You can enable or disable packs in The Sims 4 by going to the main menu and clicking on Game Options. Then, go to Other and click on Enable/Disable Packs. You will see a list of all your owned packs, with a checkbox next to each one. You can check or uncheck the boxes to enable or disable them. Note that you will need to restart the game for the changes to take effect.
Q: How do I update my packs in The Sims 4?
A: You can update your packs in The Sims 4 by updating the base game itself. Whenever there is a new update for The Sims 4, it will include updates for all your owned packs as well. To update the base game, follow these steps:
Launch Origin and log in using your EA Account information.
Go to the My Game Library tab.
Right-click on The Sims 4 base game image and click Update Game.
If there is an update available, it will start downloading automatically. Wait for it to finish and then launch the game.
Q: How do I get a refund for my pack in The Sims 4?
A: You can get a refund for your pack in The Sims 4 if you meet these conditions:
You bought your pack through Origin within the last 14 days.
You have not launched or played the pack for more than 24 hours.
You have not requested a refund for the same pack before.
If you meet these conditions, you can request a refund by following these steps:
Go to https://help.ea.com/en/contact-us/.
Select The Sims 4 as your game and your platform (PC, Mac, PlayStation 4, or Xbox One).
Select Codes and promotions as your topic and Refunds as your issue.
Click Select contact option and choose your preferred method (chat or phone).
Provide your details and explain why you want a refund. Have your proof of purchase ready if needed.
Follow their instructions and wait for a confirmation.
Q: How do I use mods or custom content in The Sims 4?
A: Mods or custom content are user-created files that can enhance or change your game experience. They can add new features, items, worlds, or gameplay options to The Sims 4. However, they are not officially supported by EA and can cause errors or conflicts with the game. Use them at your own risk and always backup your game files before installing them. Here's how to use mods or custom content in The Sims 4:
Download the mod or custom content file from a trusted source. Make sure it is compatible with your game version and pack content.
Extract the file using a program like WinRAR or 7-Zip. You should get a .package file or a folder with .package files inside.
Copy the .package file or folder to your Mods folder. You can find it in Documents > Electronic Arts > The Sims 4 > Mods.
Launch The Sims 4 and go to Game Options. Then, go to Other and check the boxes for Enable Custom Content and Mods and Script Mods Allowed. Click Apply Changes.
Restart the game and enjoy your mod or custom content. You can find it in the game menus, depending on what type of mod or custom content it is.