Game stuck in animation loop [ Edited ]

[SaraTheHappyOne]

Product: The Sims 4
Platform:PC
Which language are you playing the game in? English
How often does the bug occur? Often (50% - 99%)
What is your current game version number? 1.94.147.1030
What expansions, game packs, and stuff packs do you have installed? All expansions. All game packs except My Wedding Stories and Star Wars. All stuff packs except My First Pet, Toddler, Fitness, Kids Room, Cool Kitchen. Desert Luxe Kit.
Steps: How can we find the bug ourselves? I don't know since I'm not sure what causes it. I've tried to force it but so far have not found any specific trigger. It doesn't seem to be related to the amount of times you pause/unpause.
What happens when the bug occurs? The game (?) gets stuck in some kind of loop where time stops (and doesn't start again) but the current animations continue, even when entering/exiting build mode. I can click on any buttons but not on any sims/objects, neither can I cancel the sims interactions. When this bug occurs I can click the buttons to go to manage worlds, main menu or exit the game but if I do the game gets stuck on a seemingly eternal loading or saving screen (I gave up and force quit the game after around 45 minutes). While stuck on the saving screen the animations still continue.
What do you expect to see? For animations to be still when I pause the game and for time to stop/continue as I pause/unpause. To be able to go to manage worlds, main menu or exit the game without being stuck on a loading screen.
Have you installed any customization with the game, e.g. Custom Content or Mods? Never used.
Did this issue appear after a specific patch or change you made to your system? Yes
Please describe the patch or change you made. Update 01/17/2023 PC: 1.94.147.1030 I don't think I've experienced this issue previous to the latest patch update (however I'm not entirely sure).

‌

This bug has appeared on at least four occasions now and on two different days. I haven't been able to narrow down what causes the bug yet since it's occured both while my spellcaster sim was taking care of her baby, while my spellcaster sim was interacting with her toddler, and two other seemingly random occasions. Se attached videos from two separate occasions.

Video 1 

Video 2 

"Small" tangent:

There might be something connected to the save interaction since when i tried to go to manage worlds without saving first (after the bug occured and game was stuck in animation loop) I got stuck on a loading screen but could still close the game window (not the game) by pressing the windows button (could also open other applications). This time I could open the Task Manager and use it to close the game. But the times i tried to save, either by pressing "Save" or by pressing either "Exit to Main Menu" or "Exit game" followed by "Save and Exit" I could not close the game window. When pressing the windows button the taskbar showed and I could right click on any open applications to show the menu with the "Remove from taskbar" and "Close window" options, however if I tried to close the window nothing happened and i could not get the window of the Task Manager to open in front of the Sims window so I had to force quit my entire computer.

[T0RN_x]

I have exactly the same problem! For me it was in a gym, I first thought it was the yoga or that the Sims shower too much. I had not had the problem at all before the patch!

[SaraTheHappyOne]

Just dropping in to report further "development" of this bug ...

Today the game got stuck in supposedly the same way as before, although this time the game was paused when the bug occured so no repeating animations but time stopped and when trying to exit the game it got stuck on a loading screen. This is starting to become really annoying at this point. Se attached video.

[T0RN_x]

With you, it's on your property at home, right? With me, it's at the gym in Newcrest. I used to go there all the time and all of a sudden it happened. I felt so understood when I saw the videos of you. And I hope one of the Heros or EA-Supporters finally responds!

Then the only question left is: what is the trigger for this problem/error?

[SaraTheHappyOne]

Yes, it's on my homelot in Henford-on-Bagley. I too felt understood when I saw your post, it's nice knowing that I'm not the only one and that it's not just my save file or computer that's the problem. Yes, really hope that they respond soon because this is truly becoming a big problem now! So far it happens seemingly randomly so very intrigued to find out what triggers it, will have to do some more testing to try and figure it out.

[T0RN_x]

I have also tried to find out what the trigger is. On other lots do not have the problem (Until now). Don't want to rebuild the whole gym either. Must be just one thing..

[T0RN_x]

When I open the task manager, I also see that Sims 4 is not using the disk.

[T0RN_x]

@crinrict
@SimGuruNick

Can you help us in any way?

[crinrict]

@T0RN_x THis is the bug forum. Sounds like you're better of asking for help in tech instead (make sure to post your specs and give as much info as possible: https://answers.ea.com/t5/Technical-Issues-PC/bd-p/The-Sims-4

[T0RN_x]

@crinrict 
First of all, thank you for your answer! :3
Then I will try it there my luck and will @SaraTheHappyOne immediately mention in the post. ^^