My Patchy isn't becoming Alive

@Player_goq0p7lw, @2FAB4YOU38  and @RandomBuzziness , I have not played with Patchy lately, as I have been testing other things.  But when I last played with him he acted just as @RandomBuzziness said.  I do play with planter pots and planter boxes sometimes, and he attends the plants in those just like the ones directly in the ground (at least when I last played him), but it is still a good idea to try planting your plants directly in the ground, especially if you don't have a lot of space
And I agree with @RandomBuzziness , that your problem might be because there isn't' enough room for Patchy. 

However, @Player_goq0p7lw and @2FAB4YOU38 , do either of you play on a console or on PC/Mac.  If you play on a PC/Mac, do any of you use Mods or Custom Content (CC)? 🤔  If you do, please try the following:

1) Move the Mods Folder to your desktop

2) Delete localthumbcache.package file in the game folder.

3) Fix you game in Origin by logging in and go to Library, then right-click on The Sims 4 and choose the "Repair Game" option from the list.  Wait until Origin finishes repairing all your packs and not just the base game.

4) Now, when you turn on your g❤️😃ame again, it will create a new mods folder that will be empty.  Check to see if your game is now working without mods/CC.

5) Now you can try adding back items from your Mods folder one at a time checking your game each time to see which item is causing your game to not work properly.  If you have a lot of items, you can try the 50/50 Method. 

The CC creators will usually update the CC items and Mods after these updates, so when you find out which one is the culprit, you can get the updated version from whoever made that item of CC in the first place.  You should try these steps anytime you have problems in your game to rule out CC/Mods problems.  It is the responsibility of the Mods/CC creators to update their items anytime EA releases a patch/update, and it is the responsibility of the people who use Mods/CC to make sure they are using the most recent version. 

Now, if this doesn't work, there might be another problem with your game, but it is best to rule out any Mods or CC items first! 😉

I also think @RandomBuzziness is correct in that if you don't have a garden, Patchy should still come to life if you interact with him enough, and do different things on your lot, some helpful, but other times he quietly occupies himself , or he will talk with your Sims! ❤️

I also noticed that he animates around noon and goes back to his post between 5:00pm and 6:00pm.  However, Patchy will have a different personality for each time you buy him.  The first time I got him, he was Evil!!! I thought this was supposed to be a Halloween thing and assumed all Patchys were evil and didn't play with him until @SheriGR kept saying how nice he was! 😃  I thought she was joking until she told me that hers had some other trait!  Since then I've never had another Evil Patchy! 🙌  I did have one with the Genius trait that loved to play chess all the time! 🤓❤️😃  Just know that if your Patchy spawns with the Evil, Mean, Hates Children, or even Hot-Headed he may not be so nice!😞  However, most of the traits are good traits or at least neural so there probably won't be any problems! 🤔

Edit:   I forgot to say that if Patchy gets hit by lightning, he will burn to a pile of ash and will be no more, unless you buy a new one! 😢