How to Fix Revit Crashing on Startup

BIM Software Tip: How to Fix Revit Startup Crashes

If you are experiencing crashes when launching Revit, the common causes typically include:

1. Your graphics card does not support 3D acceleration.

2. The graphics card supports 3D acceleration, but the driver settings are incorrect.

3. The Autodesk licensing process has been disabled by optimization software.

4. Revit is incompatible with the current version of Internet Explorer on your system.

5. Incomplete uninstallation and reinstallation of Autodesk Revit.

Solutions:

1. Graphics Card Does Not Support 3D Acceleration:
Disable 3D acceleration by modifying the Revit.ini file. Open this file, search for UseGraphicsHardware, and set its value to 0 (i.e., UseGraphicsHardware=0). If this entry is missing, add it manually.

2. Graphics Card Supports 3D Acceleration but Driver Configuration Is Incorrect:
Update or reconfigure your graphics card driver. It is recommended to download the latest WHQL-certified driver directly from your graphics card manufacturer’s official website.

3. Autodesk Licensing Service Disabled by Optimization Software:
Some security or optimization programs (such as 360 Security Guard or Kingsoft Guard) may disable the Autodesk licensing service. To fix this, disable the optimization software’s restrictions on the FLEXnet Licensing Service 64 or FLEXnet Licensing Service. Then, open Control Panel > Administrative Tools > Services, locate the service, and set its startup type to Automatic or Manual.

4. Revit Incompatible with Current Internet Explorer Version:
Although rare, Revit may not work properly if your system’s Internet Explorer version is incompatible. For example, if you upgraded from Windows 7 SP1 to IE10, try rolling back to IE9. To do this, go to Programs and Features > View Installed Updates, uninstall Windows Internet Explorer 10, and then restart your computer.

5. Incomplete Uninstallation and Reinstallation of Autodesk Revit:

To fully uninstall Revit 201X and remove all residual files, follow these steps. Before proceeding, back up any custom family or template files. Log in as a local administrator and disable antivirus software.

Uninstallation Steps:

On Windows XP:

• Go to Control Panel > Add or Remove Programs and uninstall the specific Revit 201X products.
• Remove the following Autodesk 201X libraries from the system:

On Windows Vista and Windows 7:

• Go to Control Panel > Programs and Features and uninstall the specific Revit 201X products.
• Uninstall the following components:

• Autodesk Material Library 201X Medium
• Autodesk Material Library 201X Base
• Autodesk Material Library 201X Product

After uninstalling, delete the following folders using Windows Explorer:

Windows XP (32-bit and 64-bit):

C:Program FilesAutodesk Revit 201X

C:Documents and Settings%username%Application DataAutodeskREVIT201X

C:Documents and Settings%username%Local SettingsApplication DataAutodesk RevitAutodesk Revit 201X

C:Documents and SettingsAll UsersApplication DataAutodeskRVT 201X

Windows Vista and Windows 7 (32-bit and 64-bit):

C:Program FilesAutodesk Revit 201X

C:ProgramDataAutodeskRVT 201X

C:Users%username%AppDataLocalAutodesk RevitAutodesk Revit 201X

C:Users%username%AppDataRoamingAutodesk Revit201X

Note: The above paths may vary depending on your Revit version and custom installation locations.

Deleting Residual Registry Keys:

Warning: Editing the Windows registry incorrectly may cause serious system issues. Always back up your registry before making any changes.

This caution is supported by Microsoft, which provides detailed information on registry management in the Microsoft Knowledge Base.

To proceed:

1. Open the Registry Editor: Click Start > Run, type regedit, and press Enter.
2. Locate and delete the following registry keys:

For 32-bit Windows XP, Vista, and Windows 7:

HKEY_CURRENT_USERSoftwareAutodesk RevitAutodesk Revit 201X
HKEY_CURRENT_USERSoftwareAutodesk Revit201X
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESOFTWAREAutodesk RevitAutodesk Revit 201X
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESOFTWAREAutodeskRVT 201X
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESOFTWAREAutodesk Revit201X

For 64-bit Windows XP, Vista, and Windows 7:

HKEY_CURRENT_USERSoftwareAutodesk RevitAutodesk Revit 201X
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESOFTWAREAutodeskRVT 201X
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESOFTWAREAutodesk Revit201X
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESOFTWAREAutodesk RevitAutodesk Revit 201X

Note: Registry key names may vary slightly depending on the Revit product version.

After completing these steps, restart your computer and attempt to reinstall Revit.

Additional Notes for Students:

If you cannot locate the required *.MSI file for uninstallation, find the installation media and copy the corresponding *.MSI file to the prompted path, usually a temporary folder, before uninstalling. Some MSI files, which contain installation and uninstallation instructions, are saved on your system disk after installation.

Be cautious when using system cleanup or optimization software that removes files from the system disk, as this may delete essential MSI files and cause uninstall failures—even when using registry-based uninstallation methods.

If the MSI file is missing and you cannot find the correct version on your installation media, the only solution may be to manually uninstall. This involves closing all uninstall-related processes, deleting the uninstall folder, and manually removing all related registry keys. This process is complex and time-consuming.

Alternatively, you can use the Microsoft official troubleshooting tool available at: __AI_S_TURL_0__

About this tool:

• Removes invalid registry entries on 64-bit operating systems.
• Controls Windows registry keys during upgrade or repair processes.
• Resolves issues preventing the installation of new software.
• Fixes problems related to uninstalling programs completely and blocking new installations or updates.

xuebim

Follow the latest BIM developments in the architecture industry, explore innovative building technologies, and discover cutting-edge industry insights.

← Scan with WeChat