The " SimCity error updating please retry" message typically indicates that the game launcher or the app (for BuildIt users) is unable to download or apply the latest patches due to network interference, corrupted local files, or permission conflicts.
Below are the most effective solutions for both the PC (SimCity 2013/Legacy) and mobile (SimCity BuildIt) versions of the game. For PC (SimCity 2013 / EA App / Origin)
If you are stuck on the "Checking for Updates" screen or receiving a retry prompt, try these steps:
Run as Administrator : This is the most common fix. Close the game and the EA App completely. Right-click the EA App (or SimCity desktop shortcut) and select Run as Administrator . Clear User Data Folder :
Navigate to your installation folder (usually C:\Program Files\EA Games\SimCity\SimCityUserData ). Delete all files inside the User Data folder.
Relaunch the game. The launcher will rebuild these files and should bypass the update hang.
Manual Patching (The "Copy-Paste" Method) :If the update downloads but won't apply: Go to ...\SimCity\SimCityUserData\Patches\UpdatedApp .
Select all files, copy them, and paste them into the main \SimCity folder. Choose to Overwrite any existing files when prompted.
Toggle Offline Mode : Open the EA App, click the menu (three lines) in the top-left, and select Go Offline . Try to launch the game, then go back online within the launcher once it attempts to connect.
Check Firewall and Anti-Virus : Security software like BitDefender or standard Windows Firewall may block the updater. Add SimCity.exe and EADesktop.exe to your exception list or temporarily disable the firewall during the update. For Mobile (SimCity BuildIt)
If the mobile app is failing to update, the issue is often related to network or cache data.
. Avoid "Clear Data" unless you want to restart your city from scratch. Update Play Store: A corrupt Play Store app can block game updates. Try "Uninstalling Updates" for the Google Play Store itself to reset it. Reddit +6 Root Causes and Detailed Analysis Cause Detail Recommendation Server Congestion High traffic during new seasons (e.g., Mayor's Pass) can cause time-outs. Wait 1-2 hours and try again. Launcher Corruption The PC patcher may hang at a specific percentage (like 10% or 30%) indefinitely. Use the
The frustrating "Error updating, please retry" message in SimCity! Don't worry, I'm here to help you troubleshoot. Here are some potential solutions:
Common causes:
Internet connection issues : Ensure your internet connection is stable and working properly.
EA Servers issues : Sometimes, EA's servers might be down or experiencing high traffic, leading to update failures.
Corrupted game data : Corrupted game data or cache issues can prevent updates from completing successfully. simcity error updating please retry
Troubleshooting steps:
Restart your game : Close SimCity and restart it. This can sometimes resolve connectivity issues.
Check your internet connection : Verify your internet connection is stable and working properly.
Update your game manually : Try updating your game manually through the Origin client (if you're playing on PC):
Open Origin.
Go to My Library.
Right-click on SimCity.
Select Update. The " SimCity error updating please retry" message
Clear cache and temp files : Clearing cache and temp files can resolve corrupted data issues:
Close SimCity and Origin.
Go to your SimCity installation directory (e.g., C:\Program Files (x86)\Origin Games\SimCity on Windows).
Delete the Cache and Temp folders.
Restart SimCity and Origin.
Disable antivirus software : Temporarily disable your antivirus software to ensure it's not interfering with the update process.
Check EA Server status : Visit the EA Server Status page to see if there are any known issues with their servers.
Reinstall the game : If none of the above steps work, try reinstalling SimCity. Close the game and the EA App completely
Additional tips:
Ensure you're running the latest version of SimCity and Origin.
If you're playing on console, try restarting your console or checking for system updates.