AutoCAD - Viewcube and navbar stops responding

[AdamAG99T]

After working on an autocad file for a variable amount of time the viewcube and navbar stop functioning completely, clicking on them simply causes an empty command in the command line. The only thing I've noticed about when it occurs is that it seems to often stop working after a MEASUREGEOM command, however I can also very often use a measuregeom command without any problems. I found an old thread on this issue that suggested following the directions on this page but doing so has not helped. Closing and reopening the file will cause the viewcube and navbar to start working properly again but it will eventually stop working after a while. The problem occurs on multiple different files as well. Any advice on how to avoid this error occurring would be appreciated.

I'm on the most recent version of autocad 2018 on Windows 10.  I've included a screenshot of my command line right before the most recent instance of the bug occurring 

[ The subject line of this post has been edited for clarity by @handjonathan Original: Viewcube and navbar stops responding ]

[natasha.l]

Hello @AdamAG99T, 

What type of object (2d or 3d) are you trying to use the MEASUREGEOM command on? How large is the file? 

Are you having issues picking points? The image of the command line does not show that you picked points? 

Try to reset the User Coordinate System (UCS) to the Orthogonal World Coordinate System (WCS) in Aut...

Please "Accept Solution" if a reply or replies have helped resolve the issue or answered your question, to help others in the community.

[AdamAG99T]

I am measuring a 3d object, and the file is only about 200kb, I will attach the most recent one I have had issues on but it is not isolated to just this file. Like I said before it is fixed when you reopen the file, and you can save perfectly fine when the viewcube is broken so there is a workaround.

I have no problems selecting points to measure or using other commands once the viewcube stops working.

I also noticed it seems to sometimes stop working once an autosave happens, particularly when a measure command is active, however it does not break the viewcube every time it autosaves while a measure command is active. 

I have tried resetting the UCS in the past, and while the UCS does successfully reset to the WCS it does not fix the viewcube.

[natasha.l · Accepted solution]

Hello @AdamAG99T, 

I can not replicate the issue on my AutoCAD 2019 version the UCS, autosave & measuring functions etc. are all fine. The viewcube is fine. 

I would try a clean uninstall of AutoCAD, install it again & update to the latest version. 

Please "Accept Solution" if a reply or replies have helped resolve the issue or answered your question, to help others in the community.

[MKKL]

Doing a search on this bug, it has been happening for many years and many versions of autocad, and has never been fixed. The solution? Reinstall autocad. What a cop out. I wonder what other major features of this program simply stop working that are not so easily noticed? It's telling that wasting valuable user's time restarting their program and/or reinstalling is their preferred solution. SMH.

[Anonymous]

Well, this is the case when a monopoly in the design industry focuses on sales and revenue more than actually technically supporting the software with HELPFUL updates. Autodesk has the WORST tech support I have ever dealt with period.

I have also had this problem repeatedly. 

With Absolutely NO answer. and your correct this is not the first version of cad that has had this problem. Years of the same problem with no fix?? SUPPORT YOUR SOFTWARE!!

[charbel.hindi]

hello did you find a solution for this problem ?  i have the same problem.

[robbie_in_oz]

Totally agree with @MKKL and @Anonymous. This issue has persisted for many years and AutoCad releases. And no amount of reinstalling or updates has ever resolved this issue. Even when I was paying annual maintenance fees, always updated to the latest release and updates, this issue was still there!

The View Cube and Navigation Bar, basically turn into nothing more then a raster image, that is unresponsive. Kind of like when Road Runner paints a tunnel on the side of a mountain. Useless!

[Jeremy.Moll]

I have found adding a New Template then deleting it helped fix my ViewCube to start working again... weird fix for me but works. I am working with Advance Steel 2023

[Kestutis_Jankunas]

Worked for me as well, thanks!

Had to click the plus to create new layout, then open it, then delete it, then go back to model and it started to work again, will see for how long 😄

[steven.copeland]

+1

Also fixed it for me in Advance Steel 2023

[jacob.mcafee5XPQ5]

What ended up working for me (using MEP) , was to right-click on the viewcube and open viewcube settings.  Then uncheck two items, 'Zoom to extents after view change' and 'Use view transitions when switching views' .  I hope this helps someone else cause I definitely wasn't going to reinstall, even if I export all my settings for importing afterward. It's just not the right answer.

[MKKL]

Thanks for the reply I also hope it helps some people. For me, unchecking those boxes made no difference. The view cube will simply go away after a period of time, usually after 15m or less and I have to go to the toggle, uncheck "ViewCube" and then recheck it to get it to come back. Repeat all day long. Every. Single. Day. I do a lot of 3D work with Plant3D and the viewcube makes 3D work much easier, so it is necessary to keep using it. This seems to be a problem either you have or don't have and seems un-replicable and unfixable by autodusk. 

[aparsonsWE2TG]

May be overly obvious to some but I was banging my head against my desk before I figured out that I need to unlock my viewport in order to use the viewcube.... May not be the issue/solution to all but work a quick check to see if it is locked.

[dkoppes]

I just installed AutoCAD MAP 3d 2024. I had to uninstall 2025 because all of a sudden it didn't like my LISP routines.

... anyway just installed MAP 3d 2024 and still no NavCube.

to the Developers:  Please fix existing bugs in current version before releasing the next years release.

D

[pendean]

---

@dkoppes wrote:

...to the Developers:  Please fix existing bugs in current version before releasing the next years release....

---

No one here is that, they will not see your message.

Here are ways to open a support case with Autodesk if you are on subscription to seek out Autodesk Support's help:
https://www.autodesk.com/support/account/manage/use/support#:~:text=com/plans.-,Contact%20support,-S...
and
https://www.autodesk.com/support/technical/article/caas/sfdcarticles/sfdcarticles/Contacting-a-techn...

[aprajapati3C]

I am facing this issue since i started using Plant 3D 4 years back. Restoring the viewport works for me. Can be done in 2 ways,

Click on Restore Viewport and then Maximize the viewport.

  

Or go to Visualize tab and click on Restore twice.