topic Re: can't enter text into command line in AutoCAD Forum

can't enter text into command line

Anonymous — Tue, 23 Aug 2016 21:57:26 GMT

I pulled up autocad to access a drawing and my command window won't allow text to be entered. It isn't that the font color isn't showing as the cursor doesn't move. If i expand the window it does show everything loading to start the drawing and gives me a notice that one of my system variables have been changed. However, I can't change any system variable because i can't type anything in the command window. I don't know if i have a virus or what but i reinstalled autocad and i have the same issue. Any ideas? Yes, my keyboard works on everything else including typing this question.

Re: can't enter text into command line

kevinsturmer — Tue, 23 Aug 2016 22:25:00 GMT

Are you able to initiate any command by clicking on anything on the ribbon? My initial take is that something is still loading or stuck in a loop. Try resetting your ACAD to the defaults: https://knowledge.autodesk.com/support/autocad/troubleshooting/caas/sfdcarticles/sfdcarticles/How-to-reset-AutoCAD-to-defaults.html

Re: can't enter text into command line

Anonymous — Tue, 23 Aug 2016 22:47:35 GMT

Mark,

Thanks for the reply....the ribbons don't work either. I tried clicking around on these only to find that they don't appear to be initiating anything. Like always, these things happen when, in my case, i have a report i need to get out. I am installing everything as i have a couple of building suites that the autocad is a part. It appears that the actual screen of the old interface that i first noticed the issue (locked command prompt window) was in the same location which tells me I must have an old file (2016) telling the newly installed system (2017) how to lay itself out...and spreading that variable and hopefully not a virus. Because i am on a deadline i am uninstalling everything i can find (e.g. 3d map) that might have a tie to system variables and will try to reinstall just autocad. I am desperate to try and get something up and running...i wish i had heard your idea on resetting sooner as you listed above.

Re: can't enter text into command line

Anonymous — Tue, 23 Aug 2016 23:12:37 GMT

All....after reloading autocad 2017 I am getting the following to load and still no ability to type in the command line:

Loading AEC Schedule UI...
Loading AEC Project Palette...
Loading AEC Area Base...
Loading AEC Architectural UI...
Loading AEC Application...
Customization file loaded successfully. Customization Group: ACA
Regenerating model.
Customization file loaded successfully. Customization Group: EXPRESS
AutoCAD menu utilities loaded.
AutoCAD Architecture menu utilities
loaded.*Cancel*
Command:
Customization file loaded successfully. Customization Group: ACA
Customization file loaded successfully. Customization Group: AUTODESKSEEK
Customization file loaded successfully. Customization Group: MODELDOC
Customization file loaded successfully. Customization Group: EXPRESS
AutoCAD Architecture menu utilities loaded.*Cancel*
Command: Loading AEC Publish UI...
Command:

Any ideas?

Re: can't enter text into command line

kevinsturmer — Thu, 01 Sep 2016 16:17:31 GMT

Have someone else log into your PC as themselves. If it works for them but still not for you, you may need ot redo your Windows profile. Chances are you need to do a clean uninstall and reinstall of ACAD: https://knowledge.autodesk.com/customer-service/installation-activation-licensing/get-ready/remove-products/clean-uninstall

Re: can't enter text into command line

TheCADnoob — Thu, 01 Sep 2016 16:30:10 GMT

Is it possible that a dialog is off screen? I would have thought a reinstall would have got that but it might be worth looking into any way.

Also there have been issues with dropbox and the file handling dialog. If something is calling an open dialog it may be part of the issue as well. Try uninstalling dropbox if this sounds like it might be the case.

Re: can't enter text into command line

john.vellek — Fri, 09 Sep 2016 22:11:00 GMT

Hi @Anonymous,

Has your problem been resolved by any of the suggestions here in this thread? If so, please mark the post or posts as Accepted Solutions that helped you get it fixed.

If the problem persists, please let me know the results of logging on as a different user.

Re: can't enter text into command line

Anonymous — Fri, 23 Sep 2016 18:24:21 GMT

Sorry for the delay but there hasn't been a clear solution.

I was able to repeat the incident with the error screen came up on pulling up a previous good drawing and a notification says that two of my system variables were changed. Again, text window is floating but locked and no text can be entered anywhere. As before, i think this might be a bug that comes from downloading certain materials...this was a careful download of VLC from the actual site. But the problem has repeated itself.

Re: can't enter text into command line

john.vellek — Fri, 23 Sep 2016 22:31:59 GMT

Hi @Anonymous,

Is this AutoCAD Architecture?

Have you tried a Reset Settings to Default?

Please summarize the steps you have taken. Please also clarify what you mean by the Materials-VLC statement.

Re: can't enter text into command line

Anonymous — Fri, 23 Sep 2016 23:01:50 GMT

Thanks for your reply.

The suggested earlier (sorry I don't remember who) solution of installing the autocad nvidia driver worked. I am not sure why...but it appears to be a solution.

Thanks,

Jack Weimer
Senior Project Manager, Designer
Facilities Management and Planning
Claremont University Consortium

101 S. Mills Ave.
Claremont, CA 91711

(909) 607-4440 P

www.cuc.claremont.edu
jackw@cuc.claremont.edu

[Description: cuc_sig_lft-3ln_2c (3)]

Re: can't enter text into command line

Anonymous — Mon, 13 May 2019 08:15:45 GMT

If the command line is missing from the viewport it could be the reason. If its really missing use the keys Ctrl + 9 to bring it back and you wil be able to type commands again.

Re: can't enter text into command line

Anonymous — Mon, 22 Jun 2020 19:38:48 GMT

This happens to me quite often i found the fix is to save the dwg, close it, then open it up again. it works for me every time. not sure what the cause is or why its does it just a bug i guess i am using 2018 autocad c3d.

Re: can't enter text into command line

ahuezo — Sat, 05 Sep 2020 05:14:31 GMT

Thanks. This worked for me.

Re: can't enter text into command line

Anonymous — Tue, 25 May 2021 15:58:12 GMT

I am having the same issue but I can't save my dwg and i can't see what i am selecting either. I don't want to get out of my dwg since there are several hours worth of work I would have to redo.

Re: can't enter text into command line

pendean — Tue, 25 May 2021 17:47:22 GMT

@pearlyYLJGM wrote:

>>>...I don't want to get out of my dwg since there are several hours worth of work I would have to redo...<<<

What do you mean you cannot save your file? You can

CTRL+S is QSAVE unless you changed it all day long.

Tapping the ESC button on your keyboard a couple of times then just carefully typing QSAVE followed by tapping the <enter> button on your keyboard a couple of times work well too, you don't need to see it.

HTH

Re: can't enter text into command line

arloD7CPT — Wed, 26 Jun 2024 18:32:36 GMT

My command line was not responding to text input.

This may not be the only scenario where the problem occurs, but In my case I had two drawings open. When I closed the inactive drawing (the one that I wasn't trying to enter a command in), the cursor in my working drawing became available.

Re: can't enter text into command line

pendean — Wed, 26 Jun 2024 18:41:08 GMT

Can you show us a video of your actions under these circumstances @arloD7CPT

Please ensure your entire WindowsOS screen is visible (close whatever apps and docs that are need to remain private to you).

Re: can't enter text into command line

dcoreyU7JZM — Tue, 19 Nov 2024 20:02:01 GMT

If you have multiple drawings open in the same session of Civil 3D, check to see if you have an active command going in one of the other open drawings. I just experienced this glitch and found out that I had activated a command in another open drawing and then switched drawings before executing the command. Civil3D should void the command when you switch drawings, but for some reason mine didn't and it appears to have caused this issue. Once I switched back and deleted the active command, it allowed me to resume normal use of the command bar.

Re: can't enter text into command line

kiddyzhengUULDE — Thu, 22 Jan 2026 01:49:25 GMT

Like the above said, if you have multiple drawings opened in AutoCAD, what you typed is actually showing in other drawings. So you need to go through all opening drawings to see if there is any active command lines, cancel the command, then you can type in again. I discover it just now