Issue:

One or more of these issues might appear:

• 3ds Max fails to launch after installation.
• 3ds Max displays the splash screen but doesn’t continue.
• 3ds Max closes without any warning or explanation.
• 3ds Max may also crash intermittently showing the CER (Customer Error Report) window.

Environment:

• Windows 10
• Windows 11

Causes:

Causes include, but are not limited to:

• Windows Permissions/Services.
• Incompatible graphic card.
• Old graphic drivers.
• Corrupted installation.
• Firewalls and/or Anti-Virus programs are preventing 3ds Max from launching properly.

Note: This issue can seem to occur ‘randomly’ but can sometimes be the direct result of a Windows Update (silent or scheduled).

Solution:

Install Security Tools

• Install the Security Tools and check that a message pops up saying the corruption is detected.
• Clean the corruption and save the scene as a new file.
• If the scene came from a colleague or vendor be sure to notify them that they are providing faulty scenes. 

Restart or check if the Autodesk Desktop Licensing Service is running (2020 and later)

See How to check the status of Autodesk Desktop Licensing Service. 

Uninstall and Reinstall the Autodesk Desktop Licensing Service (2020 and later)

1. How to uninstall Autodesk Desktop Licensing Service.
2. How to download and install Autodesk Desktop Licensing Service.
3. Run 3ds Max again. 

Update 3ds Max

1. Log into your Autodesk Account.
2. Download and install the laste update for your version of 3ds Max.

Run as Administrator

Make sure Windows Permissions are set so 3ds Max is allowed to run in Administrative mode. 

Check if graphic card is supported to run the program

Find information about supported graphic hardware here: 3ds Max Certified Hardware.
 

Upgrade graphic drivers  

How to update to the latest certified video driver 

Adding Exclusions for Windows Firewalls and Anti-Virus Software 

Anti-Virus Software or Protection Packages can sometimes block 3ds Max from launching or connecting to an internet connection. See if 3ds Max has been set to be excluded from any programs meant to keep the machine safe. If the program is excluded, it is not seen as a potential threat to the system and can run properly. You may temporarily disable Firewalls or Protection Software, to check if they are indeed the cause. Please note this may include Anti-Virus software and also native Windows Defender and Firewalls.

Adding specific IP addresses to a Proxy Server 

If an IT network is setup, please check that List of IP addresses/IP ranges for Autodesk Named User Licensing and Single Sign-On are included so 3ds Max can make these network connections. 3ds Max does ping Autodesk servers regularly for activation/licensing information, Welcome Screen options and A360 among other things, and this can definitely affect the launching of 3ds Max if certain IP addresses have been blocked or aren’t otherwise available.  Additionally, with Windows permissions and Anti-Virus monitoring avoid control over the local components of the Autodesk software. This includes items located in Program Data and the User Profile such as:

• C:\Program Files\Autodesk\3ds Max…XXXX
• C:\Program Files\Common Files
• C:\Users\”USERNAME”\AppData

Note: It may be necessary to reboot the machine after performing the steps above.

Clean uninstall and reinstall 3ds Max 

Perform a clean uninstall and then reinstall the software through a Windows administrator account.