Computer crashes when using Autocad

[Anonymous]

Since a few days, I'm encountering many computer (Mac Sierra) crashes when using AutoCAD (student version). I had the issue when using Autocad 2018 but the issue remains when installing the version 2021. What can be the cause and how to resolve this? Thanks for the help.

[maxim_k]

Welcome to Autodesk Forums!

Hi Celine,

Do you mean your Mac crashes when you are using AutoCAD?
If yes, then what does it mean exactly? Do you have Kernel panics on your Mac or it freezes and you need to restart your Mac with power button?
Can you provide your Mac model and specs? Your AutoCAD version is .....?
When crashes occur? Randomly or in specific cases? I mean - can you reproduce such cases?

[Anonymous]

Hi, thanks for the help. 

Sometimes, my computer freezes and I need to close only Autocad but sometimes, my computer doesn't react at all (even the mouse) and I need to do a shutdown via the power button. My computer is macOS High Sierra with processor 2.7 GHz Intel Core i5 with memory 8 GB 1867 MHz DDR3. I'm using Autocad 2021 for students (I'm a student architecture). And it can happen all time, I can't reproduce it.

[maxim_k]

Go to AutoCAD Preferences -> General Tab -> Graphics section.
What option for "Change Graphics Engine" is active?
If it is "Metal" by chance, change it to "Open GL Graphics Profile".

How complex are your drawings?

[Anonymous]

Hi, it's "openGL core profile" but I can't change it. See screenshot. the drawing is not so complex, I also opened other autocad files to see if that works but it's always the same problem.

[maxim_k]

Did you migrate settings from 2018 version during AutoCAD 2021 installation?
If yes, then try to Reset AutoCAD and don't migrate settings when AutoCAD will ask you, then test how it works.

[Anonymous]

unfortunately the resetting doesn't seem to resolve the issue. I also noticed that the CPU is exceeding 100% when it crashes (see screenshot). Do you have any other solutions that I can try? thanks for the help.

[maxim_k]

This could be macOS High Sierra issue, but I'm not sure exactly.
Does it crashes if you launch AutoCAD and start to work in new drawing? If yes - how long you can work in AutoCAD until crash?

[Anonymous]

Hi,

I'm currently updating existing drawings in order to finish my project. Sometimes, it happens after 1 min of working but other times, after 1 hour of working. I can't find any reason why it crashes. I cannot connect it with certain actions in Autocad and I cannot find any regularity in the crashes. The crashes happens only with Autocad. Never had this issue with other programs.

[maxim_k]

With the symptoms that you describe are very difficult to diagnose the cause of the problem. Maybe this is due to specific data in your drawings, or the AutoCAD license verification system affects this...
Do you use Xrefs in your drawings? If yes, where you put external references - on local or on network drive?
Can you share one of your typical drawings here?

[Anonymous]

Hi, I have just send you a private message with the link to one of my drawings.

[maxim_k]

OK, will look at it today.

[maxim_k]

Hi Celine,

I looked at your drawing and have not found any critical issues with it. So it appears that the drawings itself are not the case of random crashes.
So you may try these solutions:
https://knowledge.autodesk.com/support/autocad-for-mac/troubleshooting/caas/sfdcarticles/sfdcarticle...

https://knowledge.autodesk.com/support/maya/troubleshooting/caas/sfdcarticles/sfdcarticles/autocad-a...

#10 from this article:
https://knowledge.autodesk.com/support/autocad-for-mac/troubleshooting/caas/sfdcarticles/sfdcarticle...

[Anonymous]

Hi, thank you! I would like to remove the autocad program and restall it but do you know if this count as a second installation ? Because I can only install the program 2 times with my student account.

[maxim_k]

>>>> if this count as a second installation ?
No, this will not be counted as second installation.