How to Find Broken Mods with the 50-50 Method?

If your game is glitching, crashing, or showing “Last Exception” errors, the 50/50 method is the fastest way to pinpoint exactly which mod is causing the problem without checking every single file one by one.

Why Use the 50/50 Method?

When you have hundreds or thousands of mods, testing them individually would take days. The 50/50 method uses a process of elimination to narrow down the culprit in just a few steps.

Preparation

Before you start, perform these three essential steps:

Backup your Saves: Copy your Saves folder to your Desktop.
Clear Cache: Delete the localthumbcache.package file from your The Sims 4 folder.
Check Core Mods: Ensure that essential scripts like Smart Core Script or XML Injector are updated first, as they are often the cause of widespread issues.

Step-by-Step Guide

Step 1: Divide your Mods

Create a temporary folder on your Desktop (call it “Mod Testing”). Move half of your mods from your game’s Mods folder into this new temporary folder.

Step 2: Test the First Half

Launch the game with the remaining half of your mods.

Case A: The problem is GONE. This means the broken mod is in the half currently on your Desktop.
Case B: The problem is STILL THERE. This means the broken mod is in the half currently in your game.

Step 3: Narrow it Down

Now that you know which “half” contains the broken mod:

Take that problematic half and divide it again into two smaller groups.
Repeat the test with only one of these smaller groups.
Keep repeating this “halving” process.

Step 4: Identify the Culprit

Eventually, you will be left with only a few files. Test these individually until you find the exact mod that causes the glitch.

Example Scenario

Imagine you have 100 mods:

Test 50 mods. Game works? The bad mod is in the other 50.
Test 25 of those 50. Game glitches? The bad mod is in these 25.
Test 12 of those 25… and so on.
In just 6-7 restarts, you will find the 1 broken mod out of 100!

Important Tips

Keep Dependencies Together: If a mod requires a specific script (like a P.S.O. mod requiring Smart Core), always keep them in the same testing group, or the mod will “break” simply because the requirement is missing.
The “One at a Time” Rule: Once you find the broken mod, don’t stop! Sometimes there is more than one broken mod. After removing the first culprit, check if the game is finally 100% stable.
Organize: This is much easier if your Mods folder is organized by creator or category.

Need a Visual?

Many players find it easier to see the process in action. The logic is like a tree branching out – you always follow the branch where the error occurs.