AutoCAD locks up

[colbyroper]

For the past 4 years AutoCAD locks up while working, it locks up my whole computer and have to force shutdown on my computer. Then loosing any unsaved work and have to open up everything I had open before. Restarting and Opening up everything I had before takes a good 15-20 minutes then have to redo anything in the file that doesn't save. It doesn’t matter what size the file is and doesn’t do it during a certain operation, it is random. It happens multiple times a day when I have to use AutoCAD and is very frustrating. Is there a fix for this yet, Please help. Thanks.

[Anonymous]

If your whole computer is freezing have you thought it could be a computer issue not an Autocad one?

[paullimapa]

I'm surprised you've lasted 4 years without troubleshooting this sooner.

The way you're describing these random crashes, no one can really give you a definitive answer.

Perhaps it's your computer hardware that's giving you the problem?

Could also be the Operating System?

Is your computer connected to a network?

Are these drawings that randomly causing the crash all accessed from the local hard drive?

In addition to answering the above questions, it would be helpful for you to provide hardware specs, Windows OS, AutoCAD version (ABOUT screen) for any kind of troubleshooting process to begin.

[dmfrazier]

Have you tried searching any Autodesk support resources, such as:

https://www.autodesk.com/search?qt=crash%20lock&sort=Relevance&sn=en_US&us_op=dotcom

Are you using a workstation-class computer that exceeds the recommended system specs?

Are you running any other high-demand software at the same time?

Are you working with large, complex 3D models in AutoCAD?

[colbyroper]

Thank for the reply, It only happens with AutoCAD.  CAD will lock up and will try to go into task manager to stop any Autodesk files running, then whole computer will freeze.

[colbyroper]

Thank you for the reply. Haha, yea I have waited a while, but don’t use CAD all the time and only started having this issue when 2021 came out. Versions before 2020 I never had a problem with. I can just deal with it, it only crashed once today. This Past year I have been using CAD a lot more so it is more noticeable than in the past.
I’m not sure how to diagnose if it is hardware or windows issue, I’m sure I’ll have to take it in somewhere for someone to look at it. Computer isn’t connected to a network. It has crashed from local HD and form my clients dropbox.
Specs: Windows 10 Pro OS, 1TB SSD common drive with 330GB free space, 2.4 - 8 core Xenon CPU, 3080 TI GPU, 128GB Ripjaw RAM, 1000W PSU.

[colbyroper]

Thanks for the reply.  Computer is beyond base specs needed to run software and only running AutoCAD today.  Sometimes I do have other software idling in the background while working on the file because I am using both at the same time such as Revit and Bluebeam.  The files are small and only 2d CAD.  I can work with Revit and 3ds Max all day back and forth with no issues.

[paullimapa · Accepted solution]

Since your GPU is not certified that could be a cause https://www.autodesk.com/support/system-requirements/certified-graphics-hardware/autocad

One thing you can do to troubleshoot is to disable hardware acceleration

At the AutoCAD command prompt enter GRAPHICSCONFIG and then switch Hardware Acceleration from On to Off

[Valentin_CAD]

@colbyroper ,

Consider the suggestions on this link:

• AutoCAD products randomly crash or freeze

[colbyroper]

Hey Valentin-WSP.  Thanks for your feedback.  I do keep up with graphics drivers every month and windows updates.  I will look into the suggestions that are below the highlighted area.

[colbyroper]

Hey paullimapa.  Thanks for your reply.  I will check out the GPU acceleration.  I was having the same issue with my old 1080ti card before it died, my client has a 3090 and doesn't have any issues.  I see they are not on the list of cards.
Basically quadro cards are excepted and not gaming cards is what I am seeing on the list of Nvidia.
https://www.autodesk.com/support/system-requirements/certified-graphics-hardware/autocad

[paullimapa]

Also bear in mind that though many brand name cards like those used on gaming computers have not been tested by Autodesk for certification and therefore not shown on the list, it doesn’t not mean that they won’t work. But of course the potential of running into problems would occur if you  do end up using the noncertifed graphics cards. 

[colbyroper]

I appreciate the information, good to know when building my next computer.  Haven't had any troubles with Max or Revit and the RTX's are good for rendering from what I've heard.

[colbyroper]

Paullimapa
Going into graphicsconfig and disabling hardware acceleration worked.  I haven't had AutoCAD lock up since I did that, just a few visual differences, but worth it.

[paullimapa]

Excellent that worked out for you…cheers!!!

[JchampionR3Q7E]

This was happening to me as well. But only when I had a very large amount of 3D objects in a drawing.

I followed Your instructions. It did make the regen time faster. But now when I move an object or zoom, it is very jerky. Rather than smooth. But that is much better than 10 minutes to go through a couple commands then regen. then save.

Thank You for your help.