Share

Guide: How to Repair Corrupt AutoCAD Files

Issues:

How to repair a damaged or corrupted AutoCAD drawing (.dwg) file. A drawing may have one or more of the following symptoms:

  • Drawing file does not open.

  • Drawing file opens with errors.

  • File hangs or crashes AutoCAD.

  • Slow performance when editing a file.

  • Error messages appear when working in a file.

  • Commands do not work or are delayed.

  • Unexplained increase in file size.

  • Display or regen problems.

  • Drawing elements missing or shown incorrectly.

  • Recovered version of the drawing opens but is blank.

Causes:

  • Third-party software is running within AutoCAD.

  • Non-Autodesk or non-RealDWG product created or saved the file.

  • AutoCAD terminated while saving a drawing file, such as during a power surge or outage.

  • Old drawings have been used repeatedly over a long time period.

  • Network anomalies have occurred (such as transmission errors, file locking, and latent writing of data).

  • Storage media has degraded (such as bad sectors on a hard drive).

  • System RAM is failing or defective.

  • Operating system issues exist.

First steps:

Can you open the drawing?