3ds Max Crashes on startup

[t_smith5]

Hi

I believe this is related to a load of scans and fixes I performed on my laptop through Malwarebytes forum to clear up any viruses. Some system configurations were restored to default etc. Either way, I tried to load up 3ds Max and it keeps telling me this every time:

No matter what I do, even if I restore factory settings, or delete the files located at C:\Users\USERNAME\AppData\Local\Autodesk\3dsMax, Max tries to load up and then just crashes back to the desktop. I've tried uninstalling it and re-installing, but the same thing happens. 😕 Thing is, I reeeeaaaalllyyy want to avoid uninstalling everything to do with Autodesk and then re-installing. Especially if the same thing keeps happening. Also, Maya is perfectly fine, so I don't want to affect that.

Is there a thorough way of uninstalling Max without affecting other Autodesk products? So far, I've only uninstalled via Add/Remove Programs, so I'm not sure if there are other leftover directories and files that could be removed that might overcome the issue. I was going to use RevoUninstaller, but that will shift everything to do with Autodesk, including Maya and its add-ons.

[3dspacemonk]

Exact same problem here ...

[t_smith5]

Well, I've tried this method outlined here and even that hasn't worked. 😞 It looks like I've got no choice now but to fully remove everything to do with Autodesk using this method. But I have my suspicions, after doing all of that, it still won't bloody work. I really reckon, in the end, I'll have to use some unconventional means of using 3ds Max, as I really need to be able to use it starting next month. 😠 I seem to have nothing but issues with getting the official 3ds Max working properly...

[shawnolson]

This restore function is meant to fix the Max APPDATA files when doing a factory reset. Sometimes this fails to work. My suspicion is that a file is locked by Windows and cannot be edited.

I would try to make a backup of this folder or just rename it to "2023 - 64bit BAK" :

%LOCALAPPDATA%\Autodesk\3dsMax\2023 - 64bit\

Then delete that folder if you didn't rename it.

Now when Max restarts, it will recreate the folder. That may fix your problem.

[t_smith5]

I'm not so sure it will. 😕 I've tried several times to delete that folder completely, so Max re-creates it, but the same thing happens still. 😢 I've done a complete and full uninstall of everything Autodesk from my laptop, using that second guide I linked to, reinstalled Max, and again - same thing happens. That box doesn't come up, asking me to restore factory settings, but it'll try to load up Max, but it fails to load up the four square windows. The cursor and loading circle shows and then it just crashes to the desktop. 😞

[t_smith5]

The box prompt has come up again, but I've recorded a GIF of what happens. every. single. time. No matter what I do. 😞

[t_smith5]

Also tried installing the Security Tools and updating the Licensing and Auto Sign-in updates that come up to be installed, but they've made no difference. I've no idea what to do any more. No idea what's happened to cause this. Nothing else has been affected.

[DanielCantin · Accepted solution]

Hi @t_smith5 , @3dspacemonk,

You are most probably affected by a problematic Wacom driver:

• Program Crash when using Wacom device with Maya and 3ds Max
• Why is Autodesk 3ds Max and Maya crashing on Windows?

Hope this help.

[t_smith5]

Funny you've linked these - I was just reading about it in another thread, so I'll look into it. However, I don't currently have my Wacom tablet plugged in. But I'll try removing the drivers.

[t_smith5]

Bingo! I've just plugged my Wacom in and 3ds Max loads up. 😄 So it looks like I'll need to revert to an older driver.

[t_smith5]

Yep. Can confirm - it was the Wacom drivers. Just uninstalled the latest and installed the recommended older ones and things are now fine. Thank you for pointing this out. ^_^

[DanielCantin]

Update: Wacom fixed the startup crashed, they released a new driver WacomTablet_6.4.1-3 

https://www.wacom.com/en-ca/support/product-support/drivers
https://cdn.wacom.com/u/productsupport/drivers/win/professional/releasenotes/Windows_6.4.1-3.html

All Devices

All models

We fixed an issue that was causing Autodesk's Maya and 3ds Max applications to crash with the 6.4.1-2 driver installed.

Thanks everyone for your patience.

[JasonLuckett]

Same here, although I have no Wacom tablet so go figure that one Autodesk. Yes of course there are some plugins like forest pack, vray and things that should already be in 3dsmax by now. All these are additional costs.

3dsmax 24 is genuinely appalling, worth nothing but hassle, nothing in there from 2023 is worthwhile, everything is half arsed and implemented poorly, they spend more time on marketing videos than anything else, that's how big corporates work.

I get about 10 startup crashes per day. I have tried all the methods such as rename ENU and that palava and of course no different.

[SlaviP4XJU]

Instead of giving me badges, please, fix the idiotic 3ds max start-up crash! I don't have any external hardware besides the mouse and can't make this bloody 3rd rate software running for 5 min.

[meltawel888DS]

I'm having this same issue and have tried many fixes from those that I've seen in forums, but no luck.

did you manage to get this one resolved?