Sim actions getting cancelled at robotics and flower arranging tables

My sims will not complete their actions at the robotics or flower arranging tables - after working for a few moments they get this thought bubble with just a red X above their heads and the action cancels out. Is this a known error? Previously this household was living on a different lot where the robotics and flower arranging tables were outside and they worked without issue, and when I bought a different robotics table and moved it outside it works fine. However, I moved this same flower arranging table outside and am still getting the bug, so I'm not sure if being outside is the solution. What am I missing that's causing this problem? I've attached a photo of the thought bubble I'm getting every time the action cancels itself.