All versions freeze on startup

[GLDevco]

I've got a weird one - I have 2027 and 2026 on my computer, and even 2025.  When I start AutoCAD, either from the shortcut, opening a file from Explorer, or even from the NVIDIA app, the program freezes after a few seconds of opening.  I have reinstalled these versions, ensured I am up to date on the OS, and performed a clean installation on my NVIDIA card. (RTX 3080).  I also reset everything in AutoCADD to the default.  When I did the clan install, AutoCAD worked for one session, then gave up on me.  Another weird detail: AutoCAD Maps 2026 works!

I'm attaching this weird detail as well. The program freezes as the Autodesk Assistant dialogue tries to fade out; see the attached picture.  I do have another machine that I just put 2027 on, and it seems to operate normally.  It doesn't have the same NVIDIA card, but it does have the exact same driver.  Revit and other Autodesk products are working just fine.

Any thoughts on what else I should try?

[austinmrTW5TT]

Didn't have to delete it, just renamed it to something else, in my case I went with Renamedfile.dll

[tom2S3HC]

Thank you for posting this comment. 

Long story short, the Windows update uninstall was not an option and the DLL rename got us working, again (2025, 2024 did not launch still).  I think we would have spent quite a bit of time trying to deal with this, today if not for your comment here.

[fvossHMDGV]

@austinmrTW5TT for the win!!  This was perfect.  I just changed the extension so it is now AdDownloaderCore.baddll.  Now I don't have to re-remove KB5083769 every week.

[GLDevco]

I'll try this one - I've had my updates paused because of this issue.

[sdesjardinsEELUC]

I got exactly the same here using AutoCAD 2025, English x64, than I have updated all the updates from Microsoft, from DELL and even updated the NVIDIA graphic pilot...  tried AutoCAD, 2024, 2025, 2026 and 2027... all the same result...

Really frustrating

[peter_plpm]

Hi check out messages 16 and 23 this forum

This seems to be the goto workaround for now.

It has worked for me and I was then able to switch updates back on which has now downloaded KB5083769 and Acad is now running OK.

Thanks to austinmtTW5TT & fvssHMDGV

[prabhakar_sa]

Thanks, this step worked for me and Civil 3D is running smoothly now.

[chad19]

This worked for me - for now. Civil 3D 2025 would freeze after launch. I uninstalled the Windows update as described by others and things worked again for a few days. Then the freezing started again. I renamed the file as described by @austinmrTW5TT (I just added my initials after the file name). Boom, CAD is working again. Not even a reboot. Let's hope this sticks! Thank you.

[robbYYJ6L]

Can confirm any name should work. I just renamed mine AdDownloaderCore2_ElectricBoogaloo.dll and I'm back up and running

[sdesjardinsEELUC]

Thank you... It worked for me as well!!

[samsamdboy]

I have the same issues and it says that i do not have the file mentioned earlier in the messages. I got no clue why nor how but if anyone as a solution I'm more than happy to try it.

[gtonks]

Thank you, half a day wasted trying various workarounds and this one appears to be working 

[jmonium]

Had this problem occur this week too. Spent hours doing all the above, messing with office, access runtime (why is autocad dependent on office?), clean reinstalling, installing different versions.

What I had to do was run the program as an administrator. We'll see how long that works.

[carl]

None of this worked for me. ACAD stopped loading after a windows security update  to the malware removal tool, KB2267602 Version 1.449.583.0

[carl]

Further, another update was installed to the malware removal tool, KB890830. Neither of these updates can be found on the system in order to uninstall 😮

Tried via "uninstall Updates" in settings, as well as command prompt as administrator, NO success.

[jmonium]

Try killing AceDriverTest.exe while it’s hanging. If it works, it may be an office conflict thing they’re working on. 

[GLDevco]

I have let the updates continue, and I appear to be unaffected after renaming the files per messages 16 and 23.  I noticed there have been a few updates on the licensing side from Autodesk over the past few weeks, which could be a part of it too, not sure.

[carl]

It worked! Thank you! We wasted about four hours on this so far...😥