BUG: Clock stops at a certain time

Problem
The clocks stops at a certain time (ex. 04:59, 07:59). The game continues normally but my sims don't go to work or parties or anything else that is time triggered. Sometimes the clocks restarts on their own.

Cause 
The problem is probably caused by some faulty alarm. Alarms are responsible for triggering all actions in the game and there are many alarms fired all the time.

Solutions
The following alarms sources have been identified so far:

• Random Times: Older Versions of Twallan's Overwatch and StoryProgression Mod. Make sure, you're up-to-date. There might be other mods or sources that cause it to stop at random times.
• 04:59: Probably caused by a faulty firefighter alarm. 
• 07:59: Probably caused by a faulty tattoo artists alarm. Delete your tattoo artist from the game and let it spawn a new one. 

Workarounds

• Restarting the game, seems to make the clock work again (until the next time it stops)
• Use Fix invisible Sims on Twallan's DebugEnabler to correct corrupted outfits.
• JMS16019 from the official Sims 3 forum has  found that a time-based opportunity (like dancing for 3 hourse) has triggered the problem for them. Getting rid of the opportunity made the clock tick again. 

Observations

• Might also be triggered by throwing a party.

Not this issue
If you have a problem where the clock stops but you CAN'T go on playing, then it's another issue that might be cause by stuck sims: BUG: Lags & Intermittent Freezes

BUG: Can't build Simbots in Bridgeport

Problem

• Whatever I do, I never get the opportunity to build a Simbot in Bridgeport, thus I'm not able to build one.
• I did get the opportunity but I can't see the option to build one on the workbench although I have all the necessary 'ingredients' 

Cause
The option does not seem to show if you want to build a Simbot in Bridgetown.

Solution
None.

Mods that solves the problem

• Twallan's MasterController Mod gives you the option to spawn any opportunity you like.
• Inventor's Workbench fix for Bridgeport by dividingbyzero 

BUG: Omni Plant Troubles

Problem

1. Can't Order Onmiplant Seeds on the Mailbox
2. Can't feed Onmiplant

Solution

1. When you get the chance to order them, cancel the interaction while they are on the way to do it. The Seeds should then be ordered from where ever the sim is standing and you will get your seeds the next day (credit to Poliwag)
2. Probably caused by too much stuff in your inventory. Try getting rid of some or use another Sim with less stuff in his inventory to feed the plant.

ERROR: Distorted Fences and Stairs

Problem
Fences and stairs are shown distorted and as long lines on the screen.

Cause
This problem can usually been seen with ATI Radeon graphic cards.

Solution
Open the ATI Catalyst Control Center (oder download it) in advanced mode and click on Return to Factory Default.

If this solution does not help you or you don't have a  ATI Radeon graphic cards this can be a first sign of your card getting bad. If that is the case you will see the same effect in other graphic intensive games and it's not just stairs and fences. 

Thank you to YarrPirate for the picture.

TUTORIAL: How to keep a Sim but get rid of the CC it came with

Unfortunatly some package files come inside the package file of a Sim, meaning that the only way to get rid of the download is to get rid of the Sim it came with. You will need to uninstall the Sim through your launcher or deleted from your SavedSims folder.

Sometimes you do want to keep the Sim, but not the cc it came with, so what can you do to keep the Sim ?

There is a way for only Sims spread this way. Households do not. You will need to delete the Sim itself but you can save it either in a savegame or as a household to keep.

1. Backup all folders in the user file directory.
2. Go into CAS and select the Sim that has the skin/cc
3. Change it to something else
4. Share the Sim 
5. Uninstall the other Sim from installed content and delete from downloads 
6. The file can then be found in the export folder in the user file directory.
7. Install that file to have a new file in the SavedSims folder without the cc and find the Sim in CAS

If the Sim is wearing cloth in his nude state, this won't work for you cannot change that state. To get rid of those, do the following:

1. Backup all folders in the user file directory.
2. Go into CAS and put all Sims you want to keep into a game
3. Share the house / Sim in edit town mode. You can make many one Sim households or just one with all your sim (or more depending on the number of Sims)
4. Save the game and close the it
5. Remove all Sims from your SavedSims folder and delete your cache files.
6. Restart the game to make sure that the cc is gone from your game. The sims can be found in the library (not CAS)

If you want to keep a Sim as a Sim file instead of a household, you will need the MasterController Mod by Twallan (NRaas). Do all of the above and then:

1. Place the Sim you want to keep as Sim file into your game and use the Option Edit in CAS on the MasterController.
2. In CAS, share the Sim from there.
3. The file can then be found in the export folder in the user file directory.
4. Install that file to have a new file in the SavedSims folder without the cc and find the Sim in CAS 

This method should work for hair, cloth, shoes etc. It should work for skins as well (they always come this way) but I did not try that.

Further Reading

• TUTORIAL: How to get rid of unwanted Custom Content 
• TUTORIAL: Custard 

BUG: Sim can't excavate

Problem
My sims can't excavate. They stomp and wave but don't do anything.

Cause
Unknown.

This bug has been around since the Ambition patch and it will affect any games that are at least patched to that level (you don't need Ambitions to have the bug).

Workarounds
None
Mod that solves the problem
Buzzler@MTS has made a HotFix Mod for this issue: Excavation Site Hotfix

BUG: Missing Traits

Problem
When growing up, I gave my Sim the the extra trait he was entitled to but now it's missing.

Solution
Manually add the trait with the cheat testingcheatsenabled true.

If the trait still does not stick, take your sim to the mirror and change his hair and then add the trait again. Also make sure to change the tabs a few times to see if it really didn't stick.

How to prevent (theory)
On the window where you choose the trait there is a little picture of your Sim. Wait until it has completely changed to the new age group before pressing ok.


If you are missing ALL your traits (especially in CAS) that is because of incompatible mods in your game. Remove the mod and clear your cache files. If you saved your game like this you will need to add the traits back manually as well.

Further Reading

• My sim is missing all his traits 

BUG: Sim can't use the grocery store

Problem
My sim can't interact with the grocery store at all

Solution
If it's only the grocery store this is due to unknown, rare and special seeds in your inventory. Remove them and you will be able to use the grocery store again.

Further Reading

• BUG: Sim can't enter Rabbithole 

TUTORIAL: How to reinstall the game

Sometimes the last resort is to reinstall your game. You should really only do this if you have tried everything else for this will take hours.

Before you do reinstall, try this: TUTORIAL: Resetting the game to factory settings without reinstalling

Unfortunatly simply uninstalling the game via the Software Panel often leaves traces and folders behind, making it difficult or even impossible to reinstall.

Follow those instructions for uninstalling at the Sims Wiki carefully and reinstalling go smoothly:

Game Help:TS3 Uninstall

Further Reading

• Game Help:Install 
• Game Help:TS3 Patching 
• How to Manually Uninstall, then Reinstall all games for The Sims 3 
• 
  

FAQ: How do I reset my Sim and what does that do ?

Question
Fellow Simmers tell me to reset my Sim. What does that do and how do I do that ?

Answer
Resetting a Sim drops every action/ animation his currently doing and puts him back to his own lot. His skills, relations etc are untouched by this action.

There are several ways to do this:

Reset a single Sim 

1. Open the cheat window with ctl-shift-c
2. Type the following text: resetsim Firstname LastName (FirstName Lastname being the name of the Sim you want to reset).

Reset a lot

• Go to Edit Town mode
• Choose the lot you want to reset
• Change into Build or Buy mode
• All Sims on that lot will be transfered home.

You can also use Twallan's MasterController Mod for this by clicking on the lot and choose NRaas - MasterController - Reset Lot

Resetting the whole neighborhood

With a Mod
If your game is getting all laggin and you think that you have a Sim stuck somewhere but can't find him, use Twallan's MasterController Mod. Click on City Hall (or a Computer) and choose the option NRaas - MasterController - Town - Reset Everything.

Without a Mod

1. Open the cheat window with ctl-shift-c 
2.  Type the following text: resetsim * 

Twallan's option is a little different for it resets every object in town. The resetsim wildcard only resets every Sim in town.