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Vulkan Initialization Failed
The most common launch error in Legacy Collection
The Legacy Collection uses the Vulkan graphics API. If your GPU or drivers don't support Vulkan, the game refuses to launch. Try these in order:
Update your GPU drivers
Visit your GPU manufacturer's site directly – NVIDIA (nvidia.com/drivers), AMD (amd.com/support), or Intel (intel.com). Do not rely on Windows Update for GPU drivers. Restart your PC after updating, then try launching again.
Remove the Vulkan/OpenGL Compatibility Pack
A Windows component called "OpenCL, OpenGL, and Vulkan Compatibility Pack" can conflict with the game's Vulkan implementation. Open Settings → Apps → search for "Vulkan" or "OpenCL" → Uninstall it. This alone fixes the error for many users, especially on systems with Intel integrated graphics.
NVIDIA + AMD hybrid systems: disable graphics switching
If your PC has both a dedicated GPU and Intel/AMD integrated graphics, Vulkan may be initialising on the wrong one. In NVIDIA Control Panel or AMD settings, force Sims.exe to use your dedicated GPU. On laptops this is often under Power Management or Switchable Graphics settings.
Older Intel integrated graphics may not be compatible
Many older Intel integrated graphics chips (pre-Skylake, roughly 4th gen Core and earlier) have no Vulkan support at all, and some post-Skylake budget chips have limited or unreliable Vulkan drivers. If you are on older Intel HD Graphics and Vulkan errors persist after updating drivers, the hardware itself may be the limit. The original Complete Collection (which used DirectDraw) works on these systems, but Legacy Collection requires Vulkan.
NVIDIA: Scrambled Pixels / Misaligned UI
On some NVIDIA GPUs, rows of pixels appear shifted or scrambled – most visible on motive bars, UI buttons and loading screens. This is a known NVIDIA driver issue with Vulkan presentation via DXGI swapchain.
Open NVIDIA Control Panel
Right-click your desktop and select NVIDIA Control Panel.
Find Sims.exe in Program Settings
Go to Manage 3D Settings → Program Settings tab. Find or add Sims.exe to the list.
Change Vulkan present method
Find "Vulkan/OpenGL present method" and set it to Prefer native. Apply and restart the game.
Game Won't Launch / Closes Immediately
Update GPU drivers first
See the Vulkan section above – outdated drivers are the most common cause.
Verify game files (Steam)
Right-click the game in Steam → Properties → Installed Files → Verify integrity of game files.
Run as Administrator
Right-click Sims.exe in the game folder → Run as administrator. Some Windows 10/11 setups require this.
Set Windows 7 compatibility mode
Right-click Sims.exe → Properties → Compatibility tab → tick "Run this program in compatibility mode for Windows 7".
Check antivirus exceptions
Antivirus software may block the game. Add the entire game folder as an exception in your antivirus settings.
Try windowed mode
Add the -w launch flag – some GPUs can't initialise Vulkan in fullscreen mode correctly.
Multi-Monitor Crash or Wrong Monitor
Moving the game window between monitors while running causes a crash. The game can also launch on the wrong monitor. Use launch flags to control this.
Force the game to the correct monitor
Add -monitor:0 to launch options for your primary monitor, or -monitor:1 for your secondary. See the Launch Options section below for where to enter this in Steam or the EA App.
Never drag the window between monitors while running
Moving the game window between monitors during play causes a crash. Close the game and relaunch with the correct -monitor flag instead.
Empty Neighbourhood / Crash When Creating a Sim
Common on first install
Set compatibility mode to Windows 7
Right-click Sims.exe in the game folder → Properties → Compatibility tab → tick "Run this program in compatibility mode for Windows 7"
Also tick "Run as administrator"
On the same Compatibility tab, also tick "Run this program as an administrator". Click OK.
Add resolution flags
In Steam launch options or by editing the shortcut Target field, add -w -r1024x768 after the closing quote. Some users find these flags stabilise first-launch behaviour.
Check the save folder exists
Make sure C:\Users\%USERPROFILE%\Saved Games\Electronic Arts\The Sims 25\ exists with UserData folders inside. If the folder is empty or missing, try launching once without any mods installed – the game should recreate the defaults.
Game Keeps Minimising
Update the game
This was fixed in the March 14, 2025 patch (Patch 6). Ensure your game is fully up to date via Steam or the EA App.
Switch to fullscreen mode
The issue primarily affected windowed mode when another application stole focus. Press F5 in-game → Graphics → set display to Fullscreen.
Disable overlays
Disable overlays that can trigger focus changes: Discord overlay, Steam overlay, and NVIDIA GeForce Experience overlay.
Crashes Related to Windows Username
Create a new Windows user account
If your username contains special characters, create a new Windows user account with only plain letters and numbers, and launch the game from that account.
Watch for the in-game warning
From Patch 7 onwards, the game shows a warning at launch if it detects a problematic username.
Launch Options Reference
Command line flags for Steam and EA App
EA App: Installed Games → three-dot menu → Manage → View Properties → Advanced Launch Options box.
| Flag | What it does |
|---|---|
-w | Launch in windowed mode. On displays under 1200px height the window matches fullscreen size but shows a title bar. On 1440p/4K shows a smaller window. |
-r1024x768 | Set launch resolution to 1024x768. Replace numbers with any supported resolution, e.g. -r1920x1080. |
-monitor:0 | Force launch on primary monitor. Use -monitor:1 for secondary monitor. Fixes multi-monitor launch crashes. |
-nosound | Disable all in-game audio. Useful for diagnosing crashes caused by audio driver conflicts. |
-w -r1024x768 -monitor:0 launches windowed at 1024x768 on primary monitor. A useful starting point when the game won't open normally.