Sims 4 Updater Critical Error | Step-by-Step Fixes

July 15, 2025 Freddy Error Fix 0

Here are the most commonly recommended fixes for the Sims 4 Updater “Critical Error” (by Anadius/Tarac), based on user reports and the official README: Right-click the Updater .exe, choose Run as administrator.

🛠️ Step-by-Step Fixes

1. Run as Administrator & relocate folder

Right-click the Updater .exe, choose Run as administrator.
Also, move or copy the updater folder to a short Windows path (e.g., C:\Updater) before running.

2. Disable antivirus/firewall + add exceptions

Temporarily turn off antivirus and firewall, or add exceptions for:

  • The updater executable

  • aria2c.exe

  • Your game folder and the updater_tmp folder
    Also, disable Controlled Folder Access in Windows Security if enabled.

3. Delete temporary & shader files

Clear out bad temp/cache files:

  • Delete the entire updater_tmp folder

  • If error mentions Shaders_DX11.precomp, delete that specific file before re-running

4. Download DLC one at a time

If you’re downloading multiple packs, try installing them one by one instead of all at once.

Also Read : Uma Musume Kitasan Black Support Card

5. Use a VPN

A number of users successfully resolved the error by using a VPN like Cloudflare Warp or ProtonVPN during download.

6. Check prerequisites (64-bit, VC++ Redistributables)

  • Ensure you’re running 64-bit Windows

  • Install the Visual C++ 2015–2022 x64 Redistributable

7. Copy game + updater to another folder

Make a full copy (not a move) of both the updater and game folders elsewhere—like a clean directory—and try running from there.

đź‘Ą Reddit Users Say:

“Right click on the updater application and run it in administrator mode.”
“I fixed it by deleting updater_tmp … and restarted, downloaded them one at a time and it worked.”
“I used proton. … using a VPN did the trick.”

âś… Quick Summary

ActionWhy It Helps
Run as admin & short pathPrevents permission issues or path length errors
Disable AV/firewall + add exceptionsStops interruptions during download/extraction
Delete temp/shader filesClears corrupted remnants that break patches
Install DLC sequentiallyAvoids batch-download bugs
Use VPNBypasses connectivity issues with host servers
Verify system prerequisitesEnsures compatibility with updater’s requirements
Copy foldersSidesteps folder-specific permission or file-lock problems

🛡️ If All Else Fails

  1. Try repairing the base game via Origin/EA Desktop (or verify through Steam).

  2. Reinstall the Sims 4 Updater or EA/Origin app and the game itself if issues persist.

âś… What to Try First (Quick Setup):

  1. Move updater to C:\Updater

  2. Run it as administrator

  3. Disable AV/firewall (add exclusions)

  4. Delete updater_tmp and any Shaders_DX11.precomp file

  5. Connect with a VPN (Proton or Cloudflare Warp)

  6. Run the updater, downloading packs one at a time

These steps resolve the majority of “critical error” cases.

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