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Dislimited's avatar
Dislimited
12 months ago

Sims Cannot Socially Interact or Follow Commands

Game Version: 1.108.349.1020 Just reinstalled a brand new version of the Sims 4 with a nuked user folder and no mods/custom content to confirm that all the issues I have are with the base game. In i...
pc
puzzlezaddict's avatar
puzzlezaddict
Hero+
12 months ago

@Dislimited  Some of the errors in your dxdiag are generic Windows issues, so please run a couple of basic checks of your Windows system files:

  • Hit Windows key-X
  • Choose either “PowerShell (Administrator)” or “Windows Terminal (Administrator),” whichever option is offered
  • Inside the window that appears, copy and paste “DISM.exe /Online /Cleanup-image /Restorehealth” without quotes, and enter
  • The system will start validating soon. If it throws an error, please list it here
  • After it reaches 100%, hit Windows key-X again
  • Again, choose “PowerShell (Administrator)” or “Windows Terminal (Administrator)”
  • Inside the window, copy and paste “sfc /scannow” without quotes, and enter
  • Post the message you receive here

Restart your computer, hit Windows key-i, select Update & Security, and click the box to check for updates.  If any install, restart again afterwards.

If that alone doesn't help, please try playing in a clean boot:

https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/topic/how-to-perform-a-clean-boot-in-windows-da2f9573-6eec-00ad-2f8a-a97a1807f3dd

The one service to leave enabled is the EABackgroundService, which the EA App needs in order to run.  Disable the rest as described.

When you reboot your computer, go through the Task Manager's background processes list shutting down any service that doesn't absolutely need to be running, for example anything from MSI Afterburner to RGB software might still be enabled.  If you accidentally kill a critical process and it doesn't restart on its own, just reboot your computer again.

Don't open anything other than Sims 4 and the EA App while testing, not even a browser window.

Dislimited's avatar
Dislimited
12 months ago

I followed everything in your reply (took a photo so I wouldn't have to reopen a browser), including the clean reboot and disabling of all services minus EABackgroundService. Ran the Sims 4 with a save file separate from the one I used for the examples. Still had the same issues. Some new things that happened this time:

  • I was able to cancel commands from queue this time without resetting the sim, although the sim still couldn't perform commands properly (same as before).
  • When I attempted to perform an introduction with another sim, the game rapidly filled the queue with the same command, and there was a repeated clicking sound in the background (the same in-game sound that occurs when you assign a new command). This didn't happen again (at least not visually) when I reset the sim, then reattempted an introduction.
  • I didn't mention this before, but the text near the top of the screen that describes the type of conversation sims are having (Casual Discussion, Awkward Conversation, etc.) was bolded. I don't believe this text has ever been bolded in the past, unless the Loverush update changed the font (Upon checking other user posts in the Sims 4 reddit, I think this is due to the update).
  • Sims are still dancing instead of socially interacting.

I don't think I have any other system programs that are interfering with the game. Still find it very odd that I am repeatedly installing a faulty version of the Sims 4. The Loverush update must have made changes to the code governing sim interactions that my game is downloading/interpreting incorrectly, or something to this effect. I strictly encountered all of these issues after updating to the Loverush patch. That, or maybe the Loverush pack is conflicting with another DLC pack?

  • puzzlezaddict's avatar
    puzzlezaddict
    Hero+
    12 months ago

    @Dislimited  The sims dancing instead of following commands is a known issue but, I believe, more of a symptom than a proper bug on its own.  It's more like they can't do anything else, so they dance.  And given all the other issues you're seeing, it doesn't sound like this is THE problem so much as a side effect.

    What kind of install is this: EA App, Steam, Epic, mixed, or something else?  (This affects how to repair and how to clean-uninstall/reinstall.)  And does it help to disable Lovestruck?  Here's how:

    https://sims4.crinrict.com/eng/2017/03/disable-single-packs/

    • Dislimited's avatar
      Dislimited
      12 months ago

      I use the Steam version of the game, although I use the EA app to log in. I don't mean to say I have the Lovestruck DLC installed, just that my game was updated to the patch including Lovestruck.

      • puzzlezaddict's avatar
        puzzlezaddict
        Hero+
        12 months ago

        @Dislimited  Try playing with your computer offline.  You can sign into Steam and the EA App first, put the App in offline mode, then disable wifi and/or disconnect the ethernet cable.  If this helps, try playing with the App in offline mode, and with it online but with Online Social Features (Options > Game Options > Other) disabled.  If it doesn't help, try playing offline with a clean boot.

        If you still see the same issues, please create a new admin Windows account and repeat the test there.  Make it local, as in, don't link it to your Microsoft account.  You'll be able to sign into your Steam and EA accounts and launch Sims 4 without reinstalling anything.

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