I can't control my Sims

[Snufflesxx]

I opened up on of my challenge games to find that all but one Sim and one pet have disappeared from the column along the left (the one with the squares containing their photos). The Sims themselves had gone as well but I used resetsim to get them back. But now I can't control them. I can only control the one Sim and pet that hadn't vanished.

Anything I can do?

[Joria]

Have you tried "Reset Sim"?  You type in ResetSim Name.  So, in place of "Name" you type in the exact name of your Sim.

[batsrcool]

Have you tried adding them to your household using testingcheats?

[simone23]

Do you have an earlier backup saved?