12 March 2026

New Sims 4 Patch Promises 5 Major Fixes Next Week

By newsgame

The Sims 4‘s next patch launches on March 17, and alongside a plethora of other fixes, it will fix the top 5 most community-voted issues with the game. Overall, the patch targets Sim autonomy and behavior issues as identified by community feedback.

It’s worth noting that this Sims 4 update won’t be going out to all players at the same time. It will launch for PC and Mac players on March 17, with the patch coming to PlayStation and Xbox consoles at a later, unspecified update. This will cause some issues with a version mismatch when using The Sims 4‘s gallery. Meanwhile, developer Maxis is continuing its investigation into saves affected by hard crashes, infinite loading issues, and missing lots.

The 5 Biggest Fixes in this Sims 4 Update

As Maxis works to bring this update to consoles and investigates these issues, this patch contains a plethora of fixes to satisfy fans. It’s almost entirely due to community feedback in the first place, with the patch openly targeting the five biggest issues of The Sims community (as submitted to EA forums and the like):

Sims’ blinking will be more realistic, now showing fully closed eyes for most interactions when blinking.
(High School Years) Prom appears on Calendars again, letting Sims attend. This update applies to both old and new saves, as well as fixes an issue where Prom goals could not be completed.
(Cats & Dogs, Horse Ranch) Pet and Horse data will no longer be lost in Premade Households. It’s worth noting this only applies to fresh saves; however, it will still happen in old safes.
Interactions between Sims on lots will be more natural; they’ll speak with familiar Sims and are less likely to randomly hit up strangers.
(Cottage Living) Animals no longer become stuck in the Household or Sim Inventory, and they can be assigned to an Animal Shed when moving to a new lot. This also fixes old saves.

Who’s That Character?

Identify the silhouettes before time runs out.

Who’s That Character?

Identify the silhouettes before time runs out.

Easy (7.5s)Medium (5.0s)Hard (2.5s)Permadeath (2.5s)

Beyond that, this Sims 4 update focuses on reducing repetitive or intrusive actions and adding new object-preference traits for Sims. The list includes various autonomy cooldowns for things like swimming, playing instruments, dancing, pool use, workouts, and more, making their autonomous choices more logical and less disruptive. Numerous additional fixes across packs (e.g., Lovestruck, Discover University, Cottage Living) adjust how Sims interact with certain objects or activities autonomously, refine behaviors, and improve overall simulation stability and logic.

What’s clear is that this is a wide-ranging update that impacts important elements of The Sims 4‘s base game, as well as many packs and DLC items. It remains to be seen how this is ultimately received by the community, but it’s clear how Maxis is turning its requests into action.

Top 5 Most Voted Fixes

Extensive updates to ensure that Sims’ eye blinking will now show fully closed eyes for most interactions.
Prom will once again appear on Calendars and Sims will be able to attend. This fix will ensure it is working for both new and old saves. Alongside this fix, we fixed another issue where Prom goals weren’t able to be completed. (High School Years)
We fixed an issue where Pet and Horse data was being lost in Premade Households. This will no longer occur in fresh saves. However, if this occurred in an old Save, it will still occur in that instance. (Cats & Dogs, Horse Ranch)
We’ve implemented a notable change to how Sims determine who they speak with on a lot. Now, Sims will generally prefer speaking with familiar Sims they already have a good rapport with, and Sims are less likely to engage with strangers spontaneously.
Animals can be assigned to an Animal Shed after moving the Household to a new lot. They no longer become stuck in Household or Sim Inventory. This is also fixed for saves where the animals were already stuck. (Cottage Living)

Sims Autonomy Improvements

“Sim autonomy” is one of our key focus areas based on community feedback, and this update delivers on 3 of our top autonomy issues: Sims socializing with strangers, excessive flirting, and Sims using certain objects obsessively.

Base Game

We’ve addressed the issue where Sims were excessively flirting with each other.
We’ve heard your feedback and wanted to address Sims using Computers and Phones too often. We’ve added a few new preferences to the Base Game, including: Likes Phones, Likes Computers, Dislikes Phones, and Dislikes Computers. If you don’t want your Sims to autonomously use these objects, please give them the “Dislikes Phones” or “Dislikes Computers” Preferences. If you want them to be obsessed…you know what to do.
Create a Sim screen showing a young Sim in an orange plaid shirt and ripped jeans, with the Hobbies & Skills preferences grid open on the left.
If a Sim autonomously uses the Computer, they will receive a cooldown on wanting to do this autonomously again for half of a Sim day. This cooldown does not exist for non-active Household Sims, for Sims who are Geeks, Sims who Like Computers, or when it is a preferred interaction for Getaways, Clubs, Small Businesses, or Dynasties. Sims who Dislike Computers (a new Preference we added) will never use them autonomously anymore.
The “Troll teh Forums” Computer Interaction has been added to the same cooldown that is used for other Computer interactions. Sims will also now need a Mischief Skill of 6 or higher to consider this action autonomously unless they have the following Sims Traits: Evil, Childish, Geek, Hot-Headed, Erratic, or Mean (who always have it available). (Base Game)
If a Sim autonomously destroys a Doll House, it will receive a cooldown on wanting to do this autonomously again for some time. We also made a change so that only Sims with certain Traits (Evil, Hates Children, Mean Hot-Headed) will ever autonomously decide to destroy a Doll House while Angry. Before this update, this autonomous behaviour could occur for any Sim who was feeling Angry or Dazed.
If a Sim autonomously mixes a drink, they will receive a cooldown on wanting to do this autonomously again for a Sim day for non-NPCs. Previously, this would occur frequently for Sims who were Inspired, or Sims with the Bro or Foodie Trait.
If a Sim autonomously Swims, they will receive a cooldown on wanting to do this autonomously again for some time. This cooldown does not exist for non-active Household Sims, on Pool Venues, during Pool Party or Birthday Party events, when Swimming is a preferred interaction for Getaways, Clubs, or Small Businesses, or if the Sim is a Mermaid or Plant Sim.
If a Sim autonomously plays the Violin, they will receive a cooldown on wanting to do this autonomously again for a Sim day. This cooldown does not exist for non-active Household Sims, for Sims who are Music Lovers, Sims who Like Violins, or when it is a preferred interaction for Getaways, Clubs, Small Businesses, or Dynasties.
If a Sim autonomously plays the Guitar, they will receive a cooldown on wanting to do this autonomously again for a Sim day. This cooldown does not exist for non-active Household Sims, for Sims who are Music Lovers, Sims who Like Guitars, or when it is a preferred interaction for Getaways, Clubs, Small Businesses, or Dynasties.
If a Sim autonomously plays Chess, they will receive a cooldown on wanting to do this autonomously again for a Sim day. This is for non-NPCs only, and not applicable during clubs or getaways revolving around chess.
We’ve added a cooldown for Sims dancing while on a lot that the Sim owns. Sims who Like Dancing, Dance Machine Trait Sims, and in certain situations will not receive this cooldown. This cooldown is not for Non-Active Household Sims. This cooldown will disappear when Sims move lots, in case they are going to a lot where they want to dance.
We’re reducing how often a Sim considers turning on the radio. Sims with the Music Lover trait will consider listening to music more often than other Sims.
Though practically a staple of Sim culture (I’m being cheeky), we’ve added a cooldown for autonomous Push-Ups, Sit-Ups, and Stretches. Now, only Sims who are Energized at the Gym Venue or Sims with the Active trait will consider doing this autonomously.
We’ve added a cooldown for Foodie Sims watching Culinary Training Videos on the television where they won’t do this autonomously for two days after doing it.
If a Child Sim autonomously uses the Space Ship playground, they will receive a cooldown on wanting to do this autonomously again for a Sim day. This cooldown does not exist for non-active Household Sims or when it is a preferred interaction for Getaways, Clubs, or Small Businesses. Leaving the current lot also removes the cooldown.
If a Sim autonomously plays with the Lump of Clay, they will receive a cooldown on wanting to do this autonomously again for a while. This cooldown does not occur for Creative Sims or Sims who Like Pottery.

Discover University

If a Sim autonomously plays with the Soccer Ball, they will receive a cooldown on wanting to do this autonomously again for a while. This cooldown does not occur for Sims who Like Fitness or non-Household Sims.

Cottage Living

If a Sim autonomously does Cross-Stitch, they will receive a cooldown on wanting to do this autonomously again for some time. This cooldown does not exist for Sims who Like Cross-Stitching or when it is a preferred interaction for a Club.

Lovestruck

Sims will no longer consider playing Thumbs Up or the WooHoo Card Game while in the middle of writing a book on the computer.

Adventure Awaits

If a Sim autonomously plays with the Paper Airplane, they will receive a cooldown on wanting to do this autonomously again for a while. This cooldown does not occur for Sims who Like Papercrafting.

Spa Day

If a Sim autonomously uses the Yoga Mat, they will receive a cooldown on wanting to do this autonomously again right away. This cooldown does not exist for High Maintenance Sims or Sims who Like Wellness. (Sims must be Level 2 to Autonomously use a Yogo mat – previously and still.) The cooldown is removed when leaving the lot, and when it’s the preferred interaction for Getaways, Clubs, or Small Businesses.

Movie Hangout Stuff

A cooldown has been added to the Popcorn Popper so that after it has been used by a Sim, that Sim will not want to immediately use it again for some time.

Pet & Animal Fixes

With two of our Top Community Issues being around animals and pets, we fixed a few other bugs also in this category to provide a better overall experience with these systems.
Animals in the Animal Shed, Chicken Coop, Mini Goats, and Sheep will no longer be multiplied. This was happening when these animals were placed into a Sim inventory, then back in the world, and after that the Sims moved their Household. (Cottage Living, Horse Ranch)

General Bug Fixes

We addressed a handful of other important issues that were quickly rising, particularly problematic, or easy fixes to get in.

Base Game

Sims with the Unflirty trait will no longer get the ick when hugged.
Placing a painting on the wall and then returning it to the Sim’s inventory will no longer result in a Simulation error.

Seasons

Flowers will no longer get stuck midair while crafting a Flower Arrangement.

For Rent

The “Do Inspection and Maintenance” interaction is now available on broken objects in a Tenant Household for Landlord Sims.

Life & Death

We’ve adjusted design elements on some of our swatches for the Ornate Mystery Run, which were concerning to some players.

Royalty & Legacy

There was an issue where the updated Family Tree could cause wrong connections and overlaps, which has now been fixed.
We fixed a crash that could occur when resuming the game after deleting the Capp Household in Ondarion.
Ondarion’s Verdemar lot is no longer reversed.

Parenthood

Child and Teen Sims who grew up in the same Household but weren’t related could get the Super Sibling relationship, despite not being related, and then could later romance each other. Because we didn’t want to prevent stories where children could have possibly been in the same Household at one point while not related and end up in a relationship, we decided to fix this by renaming the relationships to Childhood Besties and Childhood Frenemy.

StrangerVille

There should no longer be a Script Call Fail error when the Plant Containment Cell is on the lot and the player tries to place other objects.

CAS & Build Mode Tagging Updates

We had the opportunity to address a large swath of simpler tagging bugs, making CAS and Build Mode sorting more accurate overall. Here are related issues we fixed:

Base Game

All Makeup that was in the Everyday Category has been added to both Hot and Cold Weather Outfit Category as a sorting option.
We’ve sorted 43 existing items under the Kids Decoration category.
Various lights (that were previously considered wall lights) have been sorted into the Lighting > Outdoor Lights Build Mode Category.
“Cute Critter Basket” is now sorting under Objects by Function > Kids > Decorations.
Updated the swatch color for (yfMakeupLipstick_EF28GlossyLips_RedRuby) to appear more accurate.
(yfBottom_SDX040CCHSkirtPleated) will no longer appear for masculine frame Sims.
The Pencil Holder object has been additionally sorted into the Clutter Category in Build Mode.
The “Wicker-Work Diaper Storage” object is now sorting under Objects by Function > Kids > Kids Furniture.
The “Bow, Bow, Bow!” object is now sorting under Objects by Function > Activities & Skills > Life Events.
The “Martian Soil” wall pattern is now categorized under the Misc category rather than the Paneling Build Mode Category.
The (wall_V_Clapboard02SGBrick_NT_PeachWhiteBrick) and (wall_V_Clapboard02SGBrick_NT_BlueRedBrick) wall patterns are now sorting into Masonry and Siding.
The Sycee of the Prosperous Moon, Right Side Up Gnome, and Bob the Butler Fancy Sculpture have been removed from their previous sorting category and are now sorted under Function > Decorations > Sculptures.

Multiple

We updated a large amount of love seats and benches to properly be identified as “Benches” for lot requirements when placed.

Lovestruck

We’ve adjusted the Lovestruck Beard swatches to display in the correct order.
(ymBottom_EP16Jeans) will now appear as a Masculine Fashion Choice in CAS filters. (Lovestruck)

Life & Death

“Perilous Paneling” and “Patterned and Perilous Paneling” now sort into the Paneling category, and “Lunar Reverie” sorts into the Wallpaper category.

Enchanted by Nature

“Wild Uncanny Cane” plant is now sorted in both Roof Sculptures and Outdoor Plants.

Backyard Stuff

(yfTop_SP08TeeBoatNeck_GradientPink) no longer sorts as Yellow in CAS filters. (Backyard Stuff)

Moschino

The “Libearian” bookshelf and the “I’m So Shiny!” surface have been removed from the Sculptures category.

Free Holiday Stuff

The “Kinara” and “Menorah” light objects are now sorted under Lighting > Table Lamp.
“Holiday Snowman” and “Pre-Strung Tree of Lights” are now sorted under Lighting > Outdoor Lighting.

Kitchen Clutter

All clutter items from the Kitchen Clutter pack are now visible when sorting by the pack filter and looking under the Misc Decorations category in Build Mod’s room view.

The Forever Friends Event

(ymTop_EV0641TankTwistBack_SolidBlackCyan) will no longer appear for masculine frame Sims.

The Nature’s Calling Event

The Cove Stone – Round, Cove Stone – Flat, and Cove Stone Cluster objects are now sorted in the Outdoor Plants > Rocks category in Build Mode.

Updates on Top Community Voted Issues

As part of our investigation into Save Corruption, we began gradually relocating Scratch files from the Documents folder to AppData on PC back in January. This change was designed to help prevent conflicts with cloud backup services, and we rolled it out in phases so we could carefully monitor the impact. The transition is now complete for all PC players.

Since the rollout has completed, we have observed improvements in Infinite Load occurrences just shy of what we’d classify as a “statistically significant” shift, which is a great step in the right direction, and observed improvements thus far are encouraging.

Our team continues to investigate other community concerns for future fixes. Please note that some topics can be complicated to replicate and require an extended investigation on our end, so even though we are actively reviewing, it’s not a guarantee that we’ll have an immediate fix for it in the upcoming patch. This includes the following top voted issues:

We’ve been working on some “Player Redundancy Solutions” which would add more long-term saves in our “Recover Save” feature. We are currently testing these solutions and plan to be providing more information in the future.
We’ve been investigating adding safeguards in the game to check against inappropriate sibling relationships with spouses or fiancés. Despite a heavy focus on reproducing the issue, we’re still struggling to reproduce this naturally through gameplay, and the saves we’ve received have the issue already occurring in code (even if it hasn’t been updated to UI yet where players can see). This has made it particularly difficult to nail down a preventative fix. These safeguards would fix it after it occurs, rather than preventing it, so we’re being extra careful with our approach for this and need more time and thought to get it right.
We’ve been investigating a handful of Black Photo/Texture issues that were recently reported after the February Patch. We’ve been able to verify that none appear to be newly introduced issues, with most going back years. This means that most of our recent fixes have made progress towards cutting down on the number of black photo issues that exist in the game. This is important to clarify so we know if we’re breaking things with our fixes or making progress towards fully eliminating all instances. Thankfully, it’s the latter! Each issue has a very unique set of steps to reproduce and an equally unique fix required. At this time, fixing the remaining Black Photo issues is one of our highest-prioritized areas of focus.
We know that “Infants” and the experiences you have playing with them are one of the top areas of community concern. We’re currently investigating a bunch of different infant bugs, including: Sims picking up infants from the cribs and putting them down on the ground, “Check Infant” interactions happening too frequently, and more. These are particularly difficult bugs to address, so we’re hoping to be able to make progress and update you on them soon.
Another important community issue is a situation where Build Mode items can become unplaceable, new objects disappear immediately, and existing objects cannot be moved or deleted. We believe we have a fix, but it will still need testing to verify, so stay tuned!
We’ve also noticed there is an array of comments and posts concerning various sleeping issues that are very highly rated by the community. As simulation remains a top area of focus for us, we’re planning to try to address these concerns holistically with another set of fixes pertaining to “Sims sleeping.”