Fusion will not start - can't find Qt platform plugin "windows" ...?

[mbostonsprint]

As title says, I can't get Fusion to start from the desktop icon. I get a Fusion 360 error message dialog box  stating the following:

<<<This application failed to start because it could not find or load the Qt

       platform plugin "windows"

       in " ".

Reinstalling the application may fix this problem.>>>

It was working fine a week or two ago on this machine. I know there were some Windows updates that occurred within the last few days, so I did a System Restore to 6/8 before last update, and still have the same non-function issue.

Is this indeed a case of needing to reinstall Fusion? If so, what is best practice for the process?

[Phil.E · Accepted solution]

Assuming you have already restarted your computer...

Try this to uninstall cleanly: 

https://knowledge.autodesk.com/support/fusion-360/troubleshooting/caas/sfdcarticles/sfdcarticles/How...

[mbostonsprint]

Thanks for the link. Used the cleaner, and it has apparently been successful. Regarding the re-installation, the process seems a bit more obtuse than necessary, based on the info on "Account" page. It would seem logical that where everything is marked "Included" except for the item "Early-Adopter-Legacy, 1 seat- subscription-single user", that the item thus marked would be the selection for downloading that would include everything else. But, that "download now" button takes you to the generic Fusion download screen with "Subscribe" or "Free Trial" choices. Anyway, thanks for the assist. Looks like I'm back in business, with a hope that nothing weird has occurred with my account status or F360 version access.

[Phil.E]

Nothing about installation changes your account status. When you log in you'll see the normal Fusion 360 experience you expect.

[susibiker]

Saved my sanity. Thank you very much. And thank you to mbostonprint for starting the thread. 👍 Susi xx

[Anonymous]

Thank you for your help. Following the procedure of cleanuninstall zip program, I have managed to reinstall the Fusion360 again. However, I can't open any of my previous projects/designs that are saved in the cloud platform. Upon accessing the Fusion cloud in browser, I can still see all my projects but they wont open (as if they are not synced) in the DESIGN of the local app. Can you please suggest a solution? Is it related to time Fusion360 needs to sync all the projects or something has to be done on my part in order to make it functional again.

Thanks in advance.

[Phil.E]

@Anonymous 

To be clear: you are for sure logged into the correct account? Both on web and in Fusion 360 app?

Can you provide a screen capture image of your data panel in Fusion 360 app, as well as the web browser showing the same projects?

What is the message you are getting about "sync" and where is it coming from? (which app, the web or desktop)

It might just take a little time for things to connect, but unless you have very slow internet speeds, it shouldn't take too long. Have you left Fusion 360 running during this time?

[chris9AKLJ]

I ran into the very issue when using the "insert manufacturer part" option and subsequently trying to import a selected part from a manufacturer´s catalogue through the Part Community into Fusion360. The proposed solution for a clean deinstallation and a new installation, started logged-in from my account worked flawlessly, thank you very much!

Chris

[Anonymous]

I found another solution to the problem.

I had the same problem. However, a clean un- and re-install did not work for me, so I dug deeper. On another forum, I found a step-by-step-guide to figure out, which other program you may have recently installed that did cause this error message. In the last step (step 11), the cmd echos the path where the problematic .DLL is located. Thats how I found out, which program caused this.

https://forum.qt.io/topic/90293/could-not-find-or-load-the-qt-platform-plugin-windows-in/7 

In my case, it was the installation of Delft3D by Deltares and with the uninstallation (as I no longer needed the program) my problem was fixed. A re-install should have also worked.

Hope this helps someone else!

Regards, 

 Maxi

[Anonymous]

A quicker solution for me, not sure how long it will last though.  I ran fusion in comparability mode for windows 7, it launched after several minutes of chugging.  Closed it, disabled comparability mode and it launched quickly as expected and I've been good so far. Fingers crossed, just didnt have tons of time to uninstall and deal with all that with a deadline quickly approaching.

[Anonymous]

thanks leenagar! this fixed my problem very quick!!!

[Anonymous]

Thanks i uninstalled Deflt3D and it worked

[xidoulis1]

Thanx  leenagar it worked immediatelly!