Why isn't NPC doing idle?

Hi! I’m the build guy, and in my game, I’m having an issue where npcs will not play their idle animation when the HumanoidRootPart is anchored. All other times they will, but I do not see why the HumanoidRootPart effects this? I thought it didn’t.

NPC Code (not sure why it'd help)
-- Variables

local npcFolder = workspace.NPC
local pathFolder = workspace.Paths
local simplePaths = pathFolder.Simple
local complexPaths = pathFolder.Complex

-- Spawn in

for i,NPC in pairs(game.Workspace.NPC:GetChildren()) do
	NPC:MoveTo(workspace.Paths.Spawn.Position)
end


-- Functions

wait(10)
local function Pathind(NPC,destination)
	-- get pathfinding service
	local pathfindingService = game:GetService("PathfindingService")

	-- Variables for NPC humanoid, torso, and destination
	local humanoid = NPC.Humanoid
	local body = NPC:FindFirstChild("HumanoidRootPart") or NPC:FindFirstChild("Torso")

	-- create path object
	local path = pathfindingService:CreatePath()

	-- compute a path
	path:ComputeAsync(body.Position, destination.Position)

	-- get the waypoints table
	local waypoints = path:GetWaypoints()

	-- iterate through all waypoints, and jump when necessary
	--for k, waypoint in pairs(waypoints) do
	--	local e = Instance.new("Part")
	--	e.Parent = workspace
	--	e.Anchored = true
	--	e.Shape = Enum.PartType.Ball
	--	e.BrickColor = BrickColor.new("Institutional white")
	--	e.CanCollide = false
	--	e.Position = waypoint.Position
	--	e.Size = Vector3.new(2,2,2)
	--end
	for k, waypoint in pairs(waypoints) do
		humanoid:MoveTo(waypoint.Position)

		-- change humanoid state to jump if necessary
		if waypoint.Action == Enum.PathWaypointAction.Jump then
			humanoid:ChangeState(Enum.HumanoidStateType.Jumping)
		end

		humanoid.MoveToFinished:Wait(2)
		print("walked")
	end
	game:GetService("TweenService"):Create(body,TweenInfo.new(
	1,
	Enum.EasingStyle.Circular,
	Enum.EasingDirection.In,
	0,
	false,
	0
	),{
	CFrame = destination.CFrame	
	}):Play()
end


-- Check


for i,NPC in pairs(game.Workspace.NPC:GetChildren()) do
	local Paths = require(NPC.Paths)

	for Path,Time in pairs(Paths) do
		Pathind(NPC,Path)
		NPC.HumanoidRootPart.Anchored = true
	end
end

And, the NPC’s play their animations through a LocalScript in StarterPlayer, that’s identical to the normal Animate script, but replacing the character with the NPC.

Animate
local Figure = workspace.NPC.Astro
local Torso = Figure:WaitForChild("Torso")
local RightShoulder = Torso:WaitForChild("Right Shoulder")
local LeftShoulder = Torso:WaitForChild("Left Shoulder")
local RightHip = Torso:WaitForChild("Right Hip")
local LeftHip = Torso:WaitForChild("Left Hip")
local Neck = Torso:WaitForChild("Neck")
local Humanoid = Figure:WaitForChild("Humanoid")
local pose = "Standing"

local currentAnim = ""
local currentAnimInstance = nil
local currentAnimTrack = nil
local currentAnimKeyframeHandler = nil
local currentAnimSpeed = 1.0
local animTable = {}
local animNames = { 
	idle = 	{	
		{ id = "http://www.roblox.com/asset/?id=180435571", weight = 9 },
		{ id = "http://www.roblox.com/asset/?id=180435792", weight = 1 }
	},
	walk = 	{ 	
		{ id = "http://www.roblox.com/asset/?id=180426354", weight = 10 } 
	}, 
	run = 	{
		{ id = "run.xml", weight = 10 } 
	}, 
	jump = 	{
		{ id = "http://www.roblox.com/asset/?id=125750702", weight = 10 } 
	}, 
	fall = 	{
		{ id = "http://www.roblox.com/asset/?id=180436148", weight = 10 } 
	}, 
	climb = {
		{ id = "http://www.roblox.com/asset/?id=180436334", weight = 10 } 
	}, 
	sit = 	{
		{ id = "http://www.roblox.com/asset/?id=178130996", weight = 10 } 
	},	
	toolnone = {
		{ id = "http://www.roblox.com/asset/?id=182393478", weight = 10 } 
	},
	toolslash = {
		{ id = "http://www.roblox.com/asset/?id=129967390", weight = 10 } 
		--				{ id = "slash.xml", weight = 10 } 
	},
	toollunge = {
		{ id = "http://www.roblox.com/asset/?id=129967478", weight = 10 } 
	},
	wave = {
		{ id = "http://www.roblox.com/asset/?id=128777973", weight = 10 } 
	},
	point = {
		{ id = "http://www.roblox.com/asset/?id=128853357", weight = 10 } 
	},
	dance1 = {
		{ id = "http://www.roblox.com/asset/?id=182435998", weight = 10 }, 
		{ id = "http://www.roblox.com/asset/?id=182491037", weight = 10 }, 
		{ id = "http://www.roblox.com/asset/?id=182491065", weight = 10 } 
	},
	dance2 = {
		{ id = "http://www.roblox.com/asset/?id=182436842", weight = 10 }, 
		{ id = "http://www.roblox.com/asset/?id=182491248", weight = 10 }, 
		{ id = "http://www.roblox.com/asset/?id=182491277", weight = 10 } 
	},
	dance3 = {
		{ id = "http://www.roblox.com/asset/?id=182436935", weight = 10 }, 
		{ id = "http://www.roblox.com/asset/?id=182491368", weight = 10 }, 
		{ id = "http://www.roblox.com/asset/?id=182491423", weight = 10 } 
	},
	laugh = {
		{ id = "http://www.roblox.com/asset/?id=129423131", weight = 10 } 
	},
	cheer = {
		{ id = "http://www.roblox.com/asset/?id=129423030", weight = 10 } 
	},
}
local dances = {"dance1", "dance2", "dance3"}

-- Existance in this list signifies that it is an emote, the value indicates if it is a looping emote
local emoteNames = { wave = false, point = false, dance1 = true, dance2 = true, dance3 = true, laugh = false, cheer = false}

function configureAnimationSet(name, fileList)
	if (animTable[name] ~= nil) then
		for _, connection in pairs(animTable[name].connections) do
			connection:disconnect()
		end
	end
	animTable[name] = {}
	animTable[name].count = 0
	animTable[name].totalWeight = 0	
	animTable[name].connections = {}

	-- check for config values
	local config = script:FindFirstChild(name)
	if (config ~= nil) then
		--		print("Loading anims " .. name)
		table.insert(animTable[name].connections, config.ChildAdded:connect(function(child) configureAnimationSet(name, fileList) end))
		table.insert(animTable[name].connections, config.ChildRemoved:connect(function(child) configureAnimationSet(name, fileList) end))
		local idx = 1
		for _, childPart in pairs(config:GetChildren()) do
			if (childPart:IsA("Animation")) then
				table.insert(animTable[name].connections, childPart.Changed:connect(function(property) configureAnimationSet(name, fileList) end))
				animTable[name][idx] = {}
				animTable[name][idx].anim = childPart
				local weightObject = childPart:FindFirstChild("Weight")
				if (weightObject == nil) then
					animTable[name][idx].weight = 1
				else
					animTable[name][idx].weight = weightObject.Value
				end
				animTable[name].count = animTable[name].count + 1
				animTable[name].totalWeight = animTable[name].totalWeight + animTable[name][idx].weight
				--			print(name .. " [" .. idx .. "] " .. animTable[name][idx].anim.AnimationId .. " (" .. animTable[name][idx].weight .. ")")
				idx = idx + 1
			end
		end
	end

	-- fallback to defaults
	if (animTable[name].count <= 0) then
		for idx, anim in pairs(fileList) do
			animTable[name][idx] = {}
			animTable[name][idx].anim = Instance.new("Animation")
			animTable[name][idx].anim.Name = name
			animTable[name][idx].anim.AnimationId = anim.id
			animTable[name][idx].weight = anim.weight
			animTable[name].count = animTable[name].count + 1
			animTable[name].totalWeight = animTable[name].totalWeight + anim.weight
			--			print(name .. " [" .. idx .. "] " .. anim.id .. " (" .. anim.weight .. ")")
		end
	end
end

-- Setup animation objects
function scriptChildModified(child)
	local fileList = animNames[child.Name]
	if (fileList ~= nil) then
		configureAnimationSet(child.Name, fileList)
	end	
end

script.ChildAdded:connect(scriptChildModified)
script.ChildRemoved:connect(scriptChildModified)


for name, fileList in pairs(animNames) do 
	configureAnimationSet(name, fileList)
end	

-- ANIMATION

-- declarations
local toolAnim = "None"
local toolAnimTime = 0

local jumpAnimTime = 0
local jumpAnimDuration = 0.3

local toolTransitionTime = 0.1
local fallTransitionTime = 0.3
local jumpMaxLimbVelocity = 0.75

-- functions

function stopAllAnimations()
	local oldAnim = currentAnim

	-- return to idle if finishing an emote
	if (emoteNames[oldAnim] ~= nil and emoteNames[oldAnim] == false) then
		oldAnim = "idle"
	end

	currentAnim = ""
	currentAnimInstance = nil
	if (currentAnimKeyframeHandler ~= nil) then
		currentAnimKeyframeHandler:disconnect()
	end

	if (currentAnimTrack ~= nil) then
		currentAnimTrack:Stop()
		currentAnimTrack:Destroy()
		currentAnimTrack = nil
	end
	return oldAnim
end

function setAnimationSpeed(speed)
	if speed ~= currentAnimSpeed then
		currentAnimSpeed = speed
		currentAnimTrack:AdjustSpeed(currentAnimSpeed)
	end
end

function keyFrameReachedFunc(frameName)
	if (frameName == "End") then

		local repeatAnim = currentAnim
		-- return to idle if finishing an emote
		if (emoteNames[repeatAnim] ~= nil and emoteNames[repeatAnim] == false) then
			repeatAnim = "idle"
		end

		local animSpeed = currentAnimSpeed
		playAnimation(repeatAnim, 0.0, Humanoid)
		setAnimationSpeed(animSpeed)
	end
end

-- Preload animations
function playAnimation(animName, transitionTime, humanoid) 

	local roll = math.random(1, animTable[animName].totalWeight) 
	local origRoll = roll
	local idx = 1
	while (roll > animTable[animName][idx].weight) do
		roll = roll - animTable[animName][idx].weight
		idx = idx + 1
	end
	--		print(animName .. " " .. idx .. " [" .. origRoll .. "]")
	local anim = animTable[animName][idx].anim

	-- switch animation		
	if (anim ~= currentAnimInstance) then

		if (currentAnimTrack ~= nil) then
			currentAnimTrack:Stop(transitionTime)
			currentAnimTrack:Destroy()
		end

		currentAnimSpeed = 1.0

		-- load it to the humanoid; get AnimationTrack
		currentAnimTrack = humanoid:LoadAnimation(anim)
		currentAnimTrack.Priority = Enum.AnimationPriority.Core

		-- play the animation
		currentAnimTrack:Play(transitionTime)
		currentAnim = animName
		currentAnimInstance = anim

		-- set up keyframe name triggers
		if (currentAnimKeyframeHandler ~= nil) then
			currentAnimKeyframeHandler:disconnect()
		end
		currentAnimKeyframeHandler = currentAnimTrack.KeyframeReached:connect(keyFrameReachedFunc)

	end

end

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

local toolAnimName = ""
local toolAnimTrack = nil
local toolAnimInstance = nil
local currentToolAnimKeyframeHandler = nil

function toolKeyFrameReachedFunc(frameName)
	if (frameName == "End") then
		--		print("Keyframe : ".. frameName)	
		playToolAnimation(toolAnimName, 0.0, Humanoid)
	end
end


function playToolAnimation(animName, transitionTime, humanoid, priority)	 

	local roll = math.random(1, animTable[animName].totalWeight) 
	local origRoll = roll
	local idx = 1
	while (roll > animTable[animName][idx].weight) do
		roll = roll - animTable[animName][idx].weight
		idx = idx + 1
	end
	--		print(animName .. " * " .. idx .. " [" .. origRoll .. "]")
	local anim = animTable[animName][idx].anim

	if (toolAnimInstance ~= anim) then

		if (toolAnimTrack ~= nil) then
			toolAnimTrack:Stop()
			toolAnimTrack:Destroy()
			transitionTime = 0
		end

		-- load it to the humanoid; get AnimationTrack
		toolAnimTrack = humanoid:LoadAnimation(anim)
		if priority then
			toolAnimTrack.Priority = priority
		end

		-- play the animation
		toolAnimTrack:Play(transitionTime)
		toolAnimName = animName
		toolAnimInstance = anim

		currentToolAnimKeyframeHandler = toolAnimTrack.KeyframeReached:connect(toolKeyFrameReachedFunc)
	end
end

function stopToolAnimations()
	local oldAnim = toolAnimName

	if (currentToolAnimKeyframeHandler ~= nil) then
		currentToolAnimKeyframeHandler:disconnect()
	end

	toolAnimName = ""
	toolAnimInstance = nil
	if (toolAnimTrack ~= nil) then
		toolAnimTrack:Stop()
		toolAnimTrack:Destroy()
		toolAnimTrack = nil
	end


	return oldAnim
end

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


function onRunning(speed)
	if speed > 0.01 then
		playAnimation("walk", 0.1, Humanoid)
		if currentAnimInstance and currentAnimInstance.AnimationId == "http://www.roblox.com/asset/?id=180426354" then
			setAnimationSpeed(speed / 14.5)
		end
		pose = "Running"
	else
		if emoteNames[currentAnim] == nil then
			playAnimation("idle", 0.1, Humanoid)
			pose = "Standing"
		end
	end
end

function onDied()
	pose = "Dead"
end

function onJumping()
	playAnimation("jump", 0.1, Humanoid)
	jumpAnimTime = jumpAnimDuration
	pose = "Jumping"
end

function onClimbing(speed)
	playAnimation("climb", 0.1, Humanoid)
	setAnimationSpeed(speed / 12.0)
	pose = "Climbing"
end

function onGettingUp()
	pose = "GettingUp"
end

function onFreeFall()
	if (jumpAnimTime <= 0) then
		playAnimation("fall", fallTransitionTime, Humanoid)
	end
	pose = "FreeFall"
end

function onFallingDown()
	pose = "FallingDown"
end

function onSeated()
	pose = "Seated"
end

function onPlatformStanding()
	pose = "PlatformStanding"
end

function onSwimming(speed)
	if speed > 0 then
		pose = "Running"
	else
		pose = "Standing"
	end
end

function getTool()	
	for _, kid in ipairs(Figure:GetChildren()) do
		if kid.className == "Tool" then return kid end
	end
	return nil
end

function getToolAnim(tool)
	for _, c in ipairs(tool:GetChildren()) do
		if c.Name == "toolanim" and c.className == "StringValue" then
			return c
		end
	end
	return nil
end

function animateTool()

	if (toolAnim == "None") then
		playToolAnimation("toolnone", toolTransitionTime, Humanoid, Enum.AnimationPriority.Idle)
		return
	end

	if (toolAnim == "Slash") then
		playToolAnimation("toolslash", 0, Humanoid, Enum.AnimationPriority.Action)
		return
	end

	if (toolAnim == "Lunge") then
		playToolAnimation("toollunge", 0, Humanoid, Enum.AnimationPriority.Action)
		return
	end
end

function moveSit()
	RightShoulder.MaxVelocity = 0.15
	LeftShoulder.MaxVelocity = 0.15
	RightShoulder:SetDesiredAngle(3.14 /2)
	LeftShoulder:SetDesiredAngle(-3.14 /2)
	RightHip:SetDesiredAngle(3.14 /2)
	LeftHip:SetDesiredAngle(-3.14 /2)
end

local lastTick = 0

function move(time)
	local amplitude = 1
	local frequency = 1
	local deltaTime = time - lastTick
	lastTick = time

	local climbFudge = 0
	local setAngles = false

	if (jumpAnimTime > 0) then
		jumpAnimTime = jumpAnimTime - deltaTime
	end

	if (pose == "FreeFall" and jumpAnimTime <= 0) then
		playAnimation("fall", fallTransitionTime, Humanoid)
	elseif (pose == "Seated") then
		playAnimation("sit", 0.5, Humanoid)
		return
	elseif (pose == "Running") then
		playAnimation("walk", 0.1, Humanoid)
	elseif (pose == "Dead" or pose == "GettingUp" or pose == "FallingDown" or pose == "Seated" or pose == "PlatformStanding") then
		--		print("Wha " .. pose)
		stopAllAnimations()
		amplitude = 0.1
		frequency = 1
		setAngles = true
	end

	if (setAngles) then
		local desiredAngle = amplitude * math.sin(time * frequency)

		RightShoulder:SetDesiredAngle(desiredAngle + climbFudge)
		LeftShoulder:SetDesiredAngle(desiredAngle - climbFudge)
		RightHip:SetDesiredAngle(-desiredAngle)
		LeftHip:SetDesiredAngle(-desiredAngle)
	end

	-- Tool Animation handling
	local tool = getTool()
	if tool and tool:FindFirstChild("Handle") then

		local animStringValueObject = getToolAnim(tool)

		if animStringValueObject then
			toolAnim = animStringValueObject.Value
			-- message recieved, delete StringValue
			animStringValueObject.Parent = nil
			toolAnimTime = time + .3
		end

		if time > toolAnimTime then
			toolAnimTime = 0
			toolAnim = "None"
		end

		animateTool()		
	else
		stopToolAnimations()
		toolAnim = "None"
		toolAnimInstance = nil
		toolAnimTime = 0
	end
end

-- connect events
Humanoid.Died:connect(onDied)
Humanoid.Running:connect(onRunning)
Humanoid.Jumping:connect(onJumping)
Humanoid.Climbing:connect(onClimbing)
Humanoid.GettingUp:connect(onGettingUp)
Humanoid.FreeFalling:connect(onFreeFall)
Humanoid.FallingDown:connect(onFallingDown)
Humanoid.Seated:connect(onSeated)
Humanoid.PlatformStanding:connect(onPlatformStanding)
Humanoid.Swimming:connect(onSwimming)

-- setup emote chat hook
game:GetService("Players").LocalPlayer.Chatted:connect(function(msg)
	local emote = ""
	if msg == "/e dance" then
		emote = dances[math.random(1, #dances)]
	elseif (string.sub(msg, 1, 3) == "/e ") then
		emote = string.sub(msg, 4)
	elseif (string.sub(msg, 1, 7) == "/emote ") then
		emote = string.sub(msg, 8)
	end

	if (pose == "Standing" and emoteNames[emote] ~= nil) then
		playAnimation(emote, 0.1, Humanoid)
	end

end)


-- main program

-- initialize to idle
playAnimation("idle", 0.1, Humanoid)
pose = "Standing"

while Figure.Parent ~= nil do
	local _, time = wait(0.1)
	move(time)
end

Demonstration of Issue:

I have the same issue! Please notify me when there’s a fix!

can’t you just parent the script to the npc and then change the “Figure” variable to script.Parent?

and make it sever side also?

server side animate is super buggy and doesnt look good