AutoCAD Architecture Workspaces are missing design content

[kelly_matlock]

Bear with me. I'm running the subscription version of AutoCAD Architecture 2023 on Windows 10, 64-bit. Randomly, the software will revert to the "massing" type workspace, as opposed to the architectural (with design content: walls, doors, etc.).  In order to correct this, I have to quit and "Reset Settings to Default>Reset Custom Settings", only for it to happen again. No file is safe.

See below. Before resetting settings, "Wall", "door", commands don't work. 

After resetting to default, the toolbars return. How can I stop this madness?

[David_W_Koch]

@kelly_matlock 

Welcome to the community!

The first image shows the Home ribbon tab from vanilla AutoCAD (ACAD.cuix).  When you see that, if the program title bar still indicates that you are running AutoCAD Architecture, then you must be in an AutoCAD-only profile.

Rather than resetting to default, open the Options dialog and select the Profiles tab.  Note what profile is set current.  Do you have any other profiles available? Specifically, are there any with "Architecture" in the name, like AutoCAD Architecture (US Imperial)?  If so, select it and then select the Set Current button to set that profile current.   Select the OK button to confirm the change and return to the drawing editor.  The interface will reload based on the change to the ACA.cuix, and you should have the Home ribbon tab shown in your second image.

You can avoid having a random profile current by always opening the program from a shortcut that specifies the desired profile and associated workspace, and the opening a DWG file.  There is an option to create such shortcuts at the time the program is installed (or a deployment is created).  If I recall correctly, that is enabled by default.

Double-clicking on a DWG file is not a recommended way to start the program.

[David_W_Koch · Accepted solution]

The image below shows the Options dialog with the Profiles tab set current.  These are the out-of-the-box profiles created when installing with the Global, US Imperial, and US Metric content packs installed.

The AutoCAD profile is an AutoCAD-only profile, and would give you the Home ribbon tab shown in your first image.  AEC commands will not be recognized when that profile is current.  All of the others are AutoCAD Architecture profiles and will have the Home ribbon tab in your second image.  You may have other profiles current, depending on what content packs you have installed and whether any custom profiles have been created.

[kelly_matlock]

Thanks so much for your help!! I was afraid of asking the question and getting a snarky response, but you've been so thorough.