To go upstairs in The Sims 4, click on your Sim’s portrait and press the Page Up key on your keyboard. Alternatively, you can also use the Up Arrow located in the upper right-hand corner of the screen.
To go downstairs, click on the Down Arrow in the upper right-hand corner of your screen.
Things are pretty straightforward when it comes to moving upstairs or downstairs in The Sims 4, aren’t they?
Unfortunately, your Sim may sometimes get stuck at the base or top of the staircase. They won’t go upstairs or downstairs, no matter what you do.
Here’s how you can quickly fix this issue.
Why can’t I go upstairs or downstairs in Sims 4?
Something’s in the way
If your Sim can’t go upstairs or downstairs in The Sims 4, this indicates something’s blocking their path preventing them from moving to a different floor. Click on the area around the staircase to identify any elements that are blocking your Sim’s path.
There are various items that can block the path even if they’re not touching the staircase.
For example, fireplaces can cause issues like this one. Simmers suggested this happens because fireplaces have bricks on the back.
If you do have a fireplace near your staircase, try removing it and check if you notice any improvements.
Remove the stairs and add them back
If the area near the stairs is clean, maybe the stairs have become glitched. Delete them, save your game, add them back and check if your Sim can go up and down the stairs now.
You can also try to replace the stairs with a ladder.
Remove the fence surrounding the staircase
To fix the issue where your Sims can’t go upstairs or downstairs, remove the balustrade or handrail surrounding the top or bottom of the staircase.
To get the job done, use the free-placement fence tool. You can keep the rest of the railings.
Many Sims 4 noticed that if there’s a fence surrounding the staircase, Sims cannot go to that area. As a result, they can’t use the stairs.
As a downside to using this workaround, your lightning may look a bit weird, and you may notice some minor graphics glitches near the top of the stairs.
If nothing works, contact EA Support and check if this is a known issue that’s affecting other players too.
Conclusion
If your Sim won’t go upstairs or downstairs, make sure nothing’s blocking their path. Then, remove the fencing surrounding the top and bottom of the staircase. If they still can’t use the stairs, remove the staircase and replace it with a ladder.