Origin is EA’s answer to Steam, but anyone who calls themselves a PC gamer knows that it’s bland by comparison. Origins are usually accompanied by weird glitch, especially if you’re trying to play older titles on a more modern operating system. The good news is that there’s a relatively simple way to fix many of these problems: clear your Origins cache.
Clearing the cache is a simple process that anyone can do and it will clear corrupt or malfunctioning data that could have resulted in errors. If you find that Origin won’t launch your titles (or it simply doesn’t respond when you try to play something), start troubleshooting by clearing your cache.
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How to clear your origin cache
If Origin is currently running, turn it off before clear your cache.
How to Clear Your Cache Through EA Desktop
The EA Desktop app is currently in open beta. If you use it instead of Origin, clearing your cache is as simple as choosing a few options.
- Open EA Desktop apps and select the three dashes in the top left corner of the screen.
- Option Help > Restore the application.
- Option Clear cache.
This will restart the app and clear your cache, resolving a large number of minor bugs and glitches in the app. Keep in mind that EA Desktop is still in open beta, so there is a chance of software conflicts and bugs that have not been fully fixed.
You can also do this by opening Start Menu > EA > Restore the application. It will perform the same function without having to open the app completely.
How to clear your cache through origin
If you, like most people, are still using the traditional Origin app, clearing the cache is a bit more complicated (but still easily doable).
- Close Origin and make sure no processes are running by opening Workflow management and end any related processes you find there.
- Type Windows + CHEAP or search Run in the Windows search bar.
- enter %ProgramData% / Origin and choose ALRIGHT.
- In the folder that appears, delete everything except Local directory.
- enter Windows + CHEAP or search Run again.
- enter %Program data% and choose ALRIGHT.
- This will open a subfolder named Roaming. Select and delete Source folder.
- Look at the navigation bar in the files folder. Option Program data and then select Local.
- Select and delete Source folder inside Local.
- Restart your PC.
This process deletes stored configuration data and will help eliminate glitches that could have resulted in your game not starting or glitching within Origin itself.
How to Clear Your Origins Cache on a Mac
If you are primarily a Mac user, clear cache becomes even more complicated. It’s not difficult, but it is tedious.
- Open Searcher.
- Option To go > Go to folder.
- Type /Library/ and choose To go.
- Option Application support.
- Option Source.
- Select and delete DownloadCache.
- Empty your trash.
It is important that you empty the recycle bin at the end of the process to finish clearing the origin’s cache. You should then restart your Mac and relaunch Origin.
Additional troubleshooting steps
If clearing the cache doesn’t solve the problem, there are some additional steps you can take.
Turn off the origin in the game
Origin includes an in-game overlay that allows you to access your friends list, but it has been shown to cause problems with some games. If you’re having trouble launching titles, disable this feature.
- Open Source > My game library.
- Right click on the game and select Game propertiesthen uncheck the box to disable Origins in the game.
Repair game files
Origin has a built-in repair service that will fix many of the most common problems with games.
- Open Source > My game library.
- Select the problem title, then select the gear under its game, then select Repair.
Origin will go through a re-download of the relevant files before restarting. Then try to launch your game.
Origin is EA’s flagship platform for titles, but sometimes you’ll have a hard time launching games – especially if they originally came out on an earlier operating system. The Sims 3 is just one example of an incredibly tedious game that runs on Windows 10 without tweaking the settings.
The good news is that some quick fixes, like clearing your cache or running Origin’s repair service, will get you back to your favorite games in no time.
