How to Fix Sims 4 Mods Not Showing Up

Mods are an important part of The Sims 4, adding endless new features, from personality tweaks to unlimited money. They allow you to bring fantasies to life and add depth to an already extensive sandbox simulation. However, sometimes recently downloaded mods do not show up in-game and therefore do not work.

This guide will explain how to fix mods not appearing in The Sims 4 on Windows and Mac PCs. Additionally, we will provide instructions on recovering a missing mod folder. Read on to fix this common problem and enjoy new possibilities in The Sims 4.

Sims 4 Mods not showing up on Windows PC

If your Sims 4 mod is not working, the first step is to check the mod's compatibility on its download page. Mods created for older Sims games are generally not compatible with The Sims 4. And even those explicitly made for The Sims 4 may not yet have been updated to the latest version of the game.

If the mod page has different mod versions, make sure your uploaded version matches the game version.

However, if the problem is not mod incompatibility, it may be that your mod files were unpacked incorrectly. Here is how to unzip the module package:

1. Open File Explorer. It can be found via the "Start" menu or by typing "File Explorer" in the search bar.
   
2. Head to your Sims 4 "Mods" folder and check if there is a zipped file there.
   
3. If so, right-click on the compressed file and select "Extract All".
   

If you have successfully unpacked the module package but the module still does not work, follow the steps below:

1. Launch The Sims 4.
   
2. Head to the game's main menu.
   
3. Click on “Game Options”, then on “Other”.
   
4. Select “Enable custom content and mods”.
   
5. Check the box next to "Scripting Mods Allowed".
   
6. Click "Apply Changes".
   
7. Restart the game.

If the mod is not working after all these steps, chances are you need to update the game. Some of the older versions do not support mods at all. To update the game, follow these steps:

1. Head to the EA Games website and find The Sims 4.
2. Right-click on it and select "Check for update". If a newer version is available, it will install automatically.
3. Remember to re-enable mods after updating, as EA updates disable mods.

Sims 4 Mods Not Showing up on a Mac

There are several reasons why mods may not show up on your Mac. The most common cause is disabled mods in game settings. To fix this issue, follow the steps below:

1. Open The Sims 4.
2. From the main menu, navigate to "Game Options".
   
3. Select “Other”.
   
4. Tap "Enable Custom Content & Mods".
   
5. Select "Allowed script mods".
   
6. Click "Apply Changes" and restart your game. The mods should now appear.
   

If mods have been enabled or the first step didn't work, you may need to check if the mod package is unzipped correctly. To do this, follow the instructions below:

1. Head to your Sims 4 “Mods” folder.
   
2. Find your mod files.
   
3. If they are in a compressed folder, double-click them. The folder will automatically unzip into the same main folder.
   

If the above steps don't fix the problem, you may need to check the mod's compatibility. This can usually be done on the mod's download page. Make sure that the downloaded mod version matches your current version of the game and that you have made the necessary updates.

If it's been a while since you've updated The Sims 4, it may no longer support mods. Here's how to fix it:

1. Go to the official EA Games website.
2. Find The Sims 4.
3. Right-click on the game and select "Check for update". If updates are available, they will install automatically.
4. Enable mods again after the update.

Sims 4 trait mods not showing

Technically, trait mods in The Sims 4 aren't much different from other types of mods. If your downloaded trait mods are not showing up in The Sims 4, make sure the mods are fully enabled. Here's how:

1. Starting the game.
   
2. Click on “Game Options”.
   
3. Click on “Other”, then on “Enable custom content and mods”.
   
4. Select "Allowed script mods".
   
5. Click "Apply Changes".
   
6. Restart the game. This is required for the changes to take place.

Sometimes the problem lies in incompatibility. To check the mod's compatibility with your version of the game, check its download page. You can usually find mod compatibility and game version requirements there.

If the mod is made for an older or newer version of The Sims 4, it will not appear in-game. To update your game, follow the steps below:

1. Go to the official EA Games website.
2. Find The Sims 4 among your installed games.
3. Right-click on the game and select "Check for update".
4. Updates will install automatically. Enable mods afterwards, as EA Games updates disable them.

If the mod itself needs an update, be sure to leave a comment about it on its download page. However, if there is no compatibility issue, try to check if the module package is unzipped. Depending on your PC's operating system, the instructions for unzipping a folder differ slightly.

On a Windows PC, right-click the folder and select "Extract All". On a Mac, just double click on the folder and it will extract the files.

Finally, if none of these steps help, you may want to search online for users with a similar problem. Go to the Sims 4 or EA Games forums and search for threads dedicated to this specific trait and the term "mod not working". Perhaps the problem is well known and the Sims 4 community has already found a solution.

Sims 4 Mod Folder Not Showing

Sometimes mods may not show up because you don't have a mod folder or can't find it to unzip the mod package.

First, make sure you're looking in the right place.

Sims 4 files are stored in two folders, one located in Program Files and the second in Documents/Electronic Arts/TheSims4. Check the second location. If the folder isn't there, chances are you accidentally deleted it or the game failed to create it. Don't worry, it's fixable.

Head to your Trash and find the "Mods" folder. If it's there, get it. If not, don't just create a new folder – that won't work. Instead, follow the steps below:

1. Launch The Sims 4 game.
   
2. If mods are enabled in the game settings, disable them and restart the game. Then restart the game and enable mods. However, if the mods have been disabled, do the reverse and enable them, then restart the game.
   
3. Look for a newly created “Mods” folder in your “Documents/Electronic Arts/TheSims4″ folder. Make sure it contains the “resource.cfg” file.
   

Help creators

Hopefully our guide has helped you get The Sims 4 mods working. As you see, most of the time the solution is simple. However, some mod makers fail to update them regularly, and it's not always their fault.

The Sims 4 is updated fairly frequently, so if you notice a mod needs an update, shout out to the creator – the community will thank you. Of course, you should also check for updates regularly to prevent your game version from becoming outdated.

What are your favorite Sims 4 mods? Share your top picks in the comments section below.