Game Help:Patching Your Game

The Sims 2 Patches Q&A

Where can I find patches for The Sims 2?

All patches were formerly available on the official Sims 2 site. Since EA has taken the site down, they are now available at Game Help:TS2 Patches.

The Pets Bodyshop Patch can be obtained from this page.

What patch do I need to install? I do not have any expansions.

If you have the four-disc version, install the CD patch. If you have only one disc, you need the DVD patch.

I have The Sims 2 Holiday Edition, The Sims 2 Deluxe or The Sims 2 Double Deluxe. do I need a patch?

No. These versions are already patched.

I have The Sims 2 and the Holiday/Xmas Party Pack. Do I need a patch?

No. The patch is included in the Party Pack.

I have one expansion or stuff pack. Do I need a patch?

Yes, install the patch for your expansion/shopping pack.

I have two or more expansion or stuff packs. Which patch do I install?

Install the patches for all expansions/stuff packs you own. It does not matter in which order you do this.

I have already patched my game with the last expansion/stuff pack patch, and also own older expansions/stuff packs. Do I need the other patches?

Yes. A patch for an expansion or stuff pack does not patch the older expansions/stuff packs.

Why do I need to patch every single expansion or stuff pack? Is it not enough to just patch the most recent release?

You need to patch all releases because every new expansion is added on top of the older expansions, but it still requires the other releases. For example, Open for Business is a newer release than University, but you do not get access to the University features unless the Uni expansion pack is also installed. The game uses the files for all expansion packs or stuff packs you have installed, and therefore you need to make sure all of them are running on the latest version by installing the patches.

I lost all my custom content after patching!

Installing a patch can reset the custom content flag. Enable custom content and restart your game. See here for more info: Getting Custom Content to Show Up.

I get the error message 'Cannot update file (filepath) when updating!

If your game data files have been altered or corrupted in any way, you may need to repair them to patch. See here for more info: Game Help:Game Patch Issues

Credits

Thanks to Jordi for writing the original version of this FAQ.