F360 does absolutely nothing when clicking the icon to start the software

[CuttingEdgeManufacturing]

Hello all,

I cannot get any type of response out of F360 this morning. I use it daily for work, and have done so for the last 2 years.

today my computer was turned off, which is unusual, I generally don't shut down my computer except for weekends. So I'm guessing that my OS was updated in my absence and that is the most likely culprit unless F30 updated as well yesterday.

anyways i cannot get any type of response out of it, i have already restarted my PC, watching my task manager i cannot see a process starting up either. I'm lost and will be needing the software relatively soon. I'm weary of uninstalling/reinstalling because i have alot of tool libraries i dont have backed up, and alot of settings i dont want reset. is there any other options for me?

[jeff.pek]

Hi -

Can you tell us a little bit about your computer? What OS/version is it? 

You might try launching it directly -- I assume you're using some sort of shortcut. What do you see in the folder (assuming Windoes) %localappdata%\autodesk\webdeploy\production?

I'd expect you will see at least 2 folders there, with long alphanumeric names. The most recently modified one of those should contains a bunch of files and folders in it, including one named "fusion360.exe."

What happens if you launch that directly?

A tool that could be helpful in digging more deeply into what's happening is https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/sysinternals/downloads/procmon. You can set up a filter to see exactly what's happening inside the fusion360 process, if it does get launched at all.

It would also be interesting to see if there are any recent log files in %localappdata%\autodesk\autodesk fusion 360.

Jeff

[CuttingEdgeManufacturing]

Hi Jeff,
attached is screenshot of my PC Specs, i tried running from the localappdata folder as well, no change. in that folder the most recent alphanumeric number is from 1/19/22 so i ran it from that folder.

in the %localappdata%\autodesk\autodesk fusion 360 folder, there is 1 folder dated 1/19/22, the rest of the folders there are from 2021.

i ran the process monitor, not sure exactly how to use it yet but so far i dont see a process name with a filter of "Fusion" popping up at all.

[CuttingEdgeManufacturing]

i will note, in the process monitor, when i click the icon to start F360, the text in the bottom left of process monitor that keeps track of the events excluded by my filter jumps considerably every time i try to open F360.

[jeff.pek]

Thanks. Are you able to share with me the contents (zipped) of that Autodesk Fusion 360 folder under %localappdata%? 

To be absolutely sure about the process, do this in procmon:

When you start up procmon, bring up its Filter dialog (Ctrl+L), then set up a "Process Name" filter, giving you this:

Then click OK and let it go. Then go start Fusion (from the directory I mentioned), and see if anything shows up. I've never heard of a case where a process just doesn't start at all after double-clicking its program file.

Jeff

[jeff.pek]

Process monitor watches everything that's going on on the system, and you use the filter options to control what's presented. In addition to the process (etc.) filter, there's also filtering based on event type, controllable here:

You'll want to have at least the files filter enabled -- as in my screen-grab.

Jeff

[CuttingEdgeManufacturing]

yes absolutely nothing happens still. 

in the folder where you ask me to start fusion from, there is a fusionlauncher.exe when i try this instead it give me an error, not sure if this is suppose to happen.

[jeff.pek · Accepted solution]

Hmm. Not sure what to suggest. I wouldn't worry about the fusionlauncher thing. That's not expecting to be launched from that directory, so that message would be expected.

I would try a "clean reinstall", as documented here: https://knowledge.autodesk.com/support/fusion-360/learn-explore/caas/sfdcarticles/sfdcarticles/How-t...

Jeff

[CuttingEdgeManufacturing]

that is what i was afraid of. im trying to back up all my libraries and such first. trying to make sure i have everything accounted for before i do the reinstall

[jeff.pek]

It shouldn't do anything with your libraries, but sure, be safe about it.

One thing I notice is that it seems that the folder you pointed out is actually the previous version. The latest one should have the directory name "5f961055b6b4e87cb54d819910f25c62ea3df4be". You might be able to get away with just force-installing the newer build -- from the main install link in your account page -- and it should be able to handle the update on its own.

Jeff

[CuttingEdgeManufacturing]

actually already trying that. fingers crossed.

[CuttingEdgeManufacturing]

the reinstall fixed things. im back in. thanks. i was pretty nervous about doing the reinstall. I think i can do the fusion insider as well so would that be just as easy? for the advanced updates?

[jeff.pek]

Whew. Glad you're going again.

The insider thing is separate, aimed at early access to builds before broad release.

Jeff

[CuttingEdgeManufacturing]

yup its seperate, and i can do it, but i have been terrified of loosing my libraries and stuff so i didnt uninstall and do install the early access. might have to try that now.