Returning home is a fundamental aspect of playing The Sims 4. Whether your Sim is visiting a friend, exploring a new neighborhood, or working, knowing how to get them back to their own lot is crucial for managing their needs, advancing their careers, and maintaining a stable household. This guide will cover every method you can use to send your Sims home, explain why sometimes it doesn’t work as expected, and offer troubleshooting tips to overcome common issues.
Understanding the Basics of Travel and Home in The Sims 4
The Sims 4 operates on a neighborhood system where Sims can freely move between lots within their current neighborhood. However, when they are off their home lot, there are specific ways to initiate their return. Knowing these methods is vital for ensuring your Sims are where they need to be.
Your Sim’s home lot is their base of operations, where they sleep, eat, socialize with their household members, and engage in hobbies. It’s also the place where most of their personal belongings are stored. Consequently, being able to quickly and reliably send them home is essential for efficient gameplay.
The Simplest Ways to Send Your Sim Home
Several methods allow you to send your Sim back to their home lot. Some are straightforward options built into the game’s interface, while others involve slightly more indirect actions. Let’s explore the most common and reliable ways to get your Sim back where they belong.
Using the Phone Menu
The phone is your Sim’s go-to device for almost everything, and returning home is no exception. To use this method, select your Sim, click on their phone icon in the lower left corner of the screen, and look for the “Go Home” option. This is often the quickest and most direct way to send your Sim back to their lot.
The “Go Home” option will usually be available unless your Sim is actively engaged in an activity that prevents travel, such as a work shift or certain social interactions. It’s important to note that your Sim will immediately cease whatever they are doing and head home, so be mindful of interrupting important tasks.
Utilizing the World Map
The World Map is another convenient tool for navigating the Sims’ world. Access it by clicking the world map icon in the lower-left corner of the screen. From the map view, locate your Sim’s home lot (it will typically be marked with a house icon and the family name). Click on the lot, and a menu will appear. Choose the option to “Visit” or “Travel To” that lot with the Sim you currently have selected. Since you are already controlling the Sim, this will immediately send them home.
Using the World Map is especially helpful if you’re managing multiple Sims across different locations. It allows you to visually confirm you’re sending the correct Sim to the right home.
Exploiting Group Travel
If you’re managing a household and have multiple Sims out and about, group travel can be an efficient solution. First, make sure you are controlling the Sim who is going to initiate the trip. Then, click on the Sim’s phone, and select “Travel.” Choose the option to “Travel With…” and select all the household members you want to bring along. Finally, select your home lot as the destination. This will gather all selected Sims and send them home together.
Group travel is particularly useful when your Sims have been socializing in a group or have finished a joint activity in a different location. This avoids the hassle of sending each Sim home individually.
Taking Advantage of Autonomy (Sometimes)
Sims, by default, have autonomous behavior. This means they will often make their own decisions about what to do, including when to go home. If your Sim is away from home and their needs are low (like energy or hygiene), they may autonomously decide to return home to fulfill those needs.
However, relying on autonomy alone is not always reliable. Sims can sometimes prioritize other actions, especially if there are interesting objects or Sims nearby. Therefore, it’s best to use other methods to ensure they return home when you want them to.
Reasons Why Your Sim Might Not Be Able to Go Home
While the “Go Home” command is generally straightforward, there are situations where it might not work as expected. Understanding these scenarios is key to troubleshooting and finding alternative solutions.
Work or School Commitments
If your Sim is currently at work or school, the “Go Home” option will be unavailable. Sims must complete their scheduled shifts before they can freely travel. Trying to send them home during these times will simply result in the action being rejected.
The only exception to this rule is if your Sim has the option to “Call in Sick” or “Take the Day Off” from work or school. However, doing so may have negative consequences, such as reduced performance or even losing their job.
Engaged in Specific Activities
Certain activities can temporarily prevent your Sim from traveling. This includes actions like performing on stage, participating in a sporting event, or being actively involved in a deep conversation with another Sim. In these cases, you’ll need to wait until the activity is finished before they can go home.
Sometimes, cancelling the current action will allow the “Go Home” option to become available. However, this may result in negative consequences, such as upsetting another Sim or forfeiting a competition.
Lot-Specific Restrictions
Some lots may have restrictions that prevent Sims from leaving at certain times. For example, if your Sim is visiting a venue that has scheduled events, they may be temporarily locked in until the event concludes. Similarly, if your Sim is visiting a secret lot or a hidden area, there may be specific conditions that need to be met before they can leave.
Pay attention to the lot’s description and any on-screen notifications that might indicate travel restrictions. Completing any necessary tasks or waiting for the event to finish will usually resolve the issue.
Glitches and Bugs
Occasionally, glitches or bugs in the game can prevent Sims from going home, even when there are no apparent restrictions. This can be frustrating, but there are several troubleshooting steps you can take to resolve the issue.
Restarting the game is often the simplest and most effective solution. This can clear any temporary errors that might be preventing your Sim from traveling. Additionally, make sure your game is updated to the latest version, as updates often include bug fixes that address these types of issues.
Troubleshooting Tips for Getting Your Sim Home
If you’ve encountered a situation where your Sim refuses to go home, don’t despair. Here are some troubleshooting steps to try:
Resetting Your Sim
The “Reset Sim” option can often resolve stuck or glitched Sims. To use this option, open the cheat console by pressing Ctrl+Shift+C, type “resetsim [Sim’s First Name] [Sim’s Last Name]” (e.g., “resetsim Bella Goth”), and press Enter. This will reset the Sim to a neutral state and often resolve any issues preventing them from traveling.
Resetting a Sim doesn’t negatively affect their relationships or skills; it simply resets their current actions and position. It’s a safe and effective way to unstick a Sim who is behaving erratically.
Using Travel Interactions
Sometimes, the standard “Go Home” option is unavailable due to an unforeseen glitch. In these situations, trying a different travel interaction can sometimes work. For example, instead of using the phone, try using the World Map, or vice versa.
Experimenting with different travel options can sometimes bypass the glitch and allow your Sim to return home.
Saving and Reloading
If resetting your Sim doesn’t work, try saving the game and then reloading it. This can sometimes clear any persistent errors that are preventing your Sim from traveling.
Make sure to save the game before reloading it, as reloading will discard any unsaved progress.
Moving the Sim to a New Household
As a last resort, you can move the Sim into a new household and then move them back to their original household. This will essentially reset their status and location, allowing them to travel freely again.
To do this, go to the World Map, click on your Sim’s current lot, and select “Manage Households.” Find your Sim’s household in the list, click on the “Edit” button, and then click on the “Transfer Sims Between Households” button. Move the Sim to a new, temporary household, and then move them back to their original household.
Advanced Tips for Managing Your Sims’ Travel
Beyond the basics, there are some advanced tips that can help you manage your Sims’ travel more efficiently and effectively.
Establishing Routines
Creating routines for your Sims can help them manage their time and ensure they return home when you want them to. For example, you can schedule specific activities for certain times of the day and then have them return home afterwards.
Routines can be especially helpful for managing Sims who have demanding careers or multiple responsibilities.
Using Mods (With Caution)
Several mods can enhance the travel experience in The Sims 4. Some mods add new travel options, while others fix bugs that prevent Sims from traveling. However, it’s important to use mods with caution, as they can sometimes cause conflicts with the game or introduce new bugs.
Always download mods from reputable sources and make sure they are compatible with the latest version of the game. It’s also a good idea to back up your save files before installing any mods.
Knowing Specific Pack Interactions
Certain expansion packs and game packs can introduce new travel mechanics or restrictions. For example, the “Get to Work” expansion pack allows Sims to travel to work locations, while the “Jungle Adventure” game pack introduces travel restrictions in the jungle.
Understanding how these packs affect travel is crucial for managing your Sims effectively. Refer to the pack’s documentation or online resources for more information.
Conclusion
Knowing how to send your Sims home in The Sims 4 is a fundamental skill that every player should master. By understanding the different methods available, recognizing the reasons why Sims might not be able to go home, and utilizing the troubleshooting tips provided, you can ensure your Sims are always where they need to be. Whether you’re managing a single Sim or an entire household, these strategies will help you streamline your gameplay and enjoy a more fulfilling Sims 4 experience. Always remember to keep your game updated and utilize the available resources to tackle any unforeseen issues that might arise. Happy Simming!
Why can’t my Sim go home in The Sims 4?
There are several reasons why your Sim might be prevented from going home. Firstly, check the current situation. Are they currently employed and at work? Sims cannot autonomously leave their job unless the shift has ended, or you use a cheat to force it. Also, are they visiting another lot, like a neighbor’s house or a community space? If so, they may have an interaction queued that they’re still completing or someone might be preventing them from leaving.
Another common issue is a routing failure. Sometimes, the game’s pathfinding system can struggle, especially if there’s an object blocking the way, either on the current lot or the home lot. Try resetting the Sim using the ‘resetsim [First Name] [Last Name]’ cheat, or manually clearing any obstructions you see on the lot they’re trying to return to. If the issue persists, consider repairing your game files via the Origin or EA app.
How do I make my Sim travel home immediately?
The most straightforward way to send your Sim home immediately is to use the phone or computer. Select the “Travel” option, then choose “Go Home”. This will instantly transport your Sim back to their residential lot, skipping any travel time. Make sure that you don’t have any crucial or time-sensitive interactions queued up, as these will be canceled when you choose to travel.
Alternatively, if you’re comfortable using cheats, you can use the ‘testingcheats true’ cheat followed by clicking on your Sim while holding the shift key. A menu will appear with options like “Reset Object (Debug)”. While this doesn’t directly send them home, resetting a Sim can often clear any stuck interactions or routing issues preventing them from traveling normally. After resetting, try the “Travel” option again.
What if the “Go Home” option is greyed out?
If the “Go Home” option is greyed out, the most likely reason is that your Sim is currently engaged in an uncancelable activity. For example, a Sim who is actively teaching a toddler, or one in the middle of a work shift, cannot immediately travel. You’ll need to wait for the current interaction to finish or find a way to cancel it (if possible, in the case of some social interactions).
Another potential cause could be a temporary game glitch or a conflict with mods (if you use them). Save your game, exit to the main menu, and then reload. If the problem persists, try removing any recently installed mods to see if that resolves the issue. Remember to test in a clean save to ensure no permanent corruption exists.
Can my Sim go home during a social event like a party?
Yes, your Sim can absolutely leave a social event and go home. While attending a party or other social gathering, simply use your Sim’s phone or computer to select “Travel” and then “Go Home.” Your Sim will leave the event, and the event will continue without them, unless your Sim is the host.
If your Sim *is* the host of the social event, ending the event is recommended before having them travel home. You can do this by clicking on your Sim and selecting “End Party” or the appropriate option for the specific event. Otherwise, leaving as the host might cause unexpected behavior or glitches with the event’s progress and rewards.
How do I send multiple Sims home at once?
The easiest way to send multiple Sims home simultaneously is to select each Sim individually and have them use their phone or computer to choose “Travel” and then “Go Home”. While this can be a little tedious, it ensures that each Sim will independently return to the home lot. This is useful for keeping track of individual sims.
Alternatively, if you only want to control one sim while the others are on the lot, you can select your main sim and choose to travel. The game will automatically ask if you want to travel alone or with the rest of the sims on the lot. This will send all sims currently on the lot back home with the one sim you control.
What happens if my Sim is homeless? Where is “home”?
In The Sims 4, if a Sim doesn’t have a designated residential lot, they are considered homeless. In this case, the “Go Home” option effectively means “return to where you last resided.” This can be a bit ambiguous, especially if they’ve moved between multiple lots recently. The game will generally prioritize the last residential lot they were actively living on.
To resolve this, you’ll need to find the Sim a new home. This can be done by purchasing a residential lot using the phone or computer, or by moving them into an existing household that already has a home. Once they’re officially a member of a household with a designated home lot, the “Go Home” option will then refer to that specific lot.
Does the “Go Home” option work differently with apartments?
The “Go Home” option functions similarly with apartments as it does with regular houses. Selecting the option will instruct your Sim to return to their apartment within the city world. However, navigating within the apartment building might differ. If your Sim is on a different floor or in a common area, they might need to use the elevator or stairs to reach their specific unit.
It’s worth noting that sometimes routing issues can occur within apartment buildings, especially if the building is complex or if there are many Sims interacting in the common areas. If your Sim is having trouble returning to their apartment, try resetting them using the cheat or clearing any obstructions near the elevator or stairs that might be hindering their path.