Maya is always growing and changing—just like the world of 3D design. Because it’s constantly evolving and adapting to new hardware and industry demands, things can occasionally get a bit bumpy. You might run into issues like:
- Maya Crashing Constantly
- The Viewport workspace is Unusable
- Tools are not working as expected
But don’t worry. Most of these issues can be tackled with a few smart troubleshooting steps. Let’s break down some common problems and how to fix them.
Maya Crashing Constantly
Crashes are frustrating, but there’s always a reason behind them. Here are some usual suspects to check out:
- Corrupted Maya Preferences
Preferences can get messy after a while. Resetting them often does the trick.
- Follow this guide to reset Maya preferences to default Reset Maya Preferences to Default.
- A Preferences folder will be created the next time Maya is launched. Make sure to select “Create Default Preferences” when prompted.
- If possible,systematically reapply your custom preferences into the new folder one step at a time. This approach will help pinpoint which specific preference caused the corruption.
- Unsupported or Outdated GPU.
Maya loves a powerful graphics card, and using an unsupported one can lead to trouble. The list of approved cards can be found here: Certified Graphics Cards for Maya
To find out what Graphics Card you’re using, follow the instructions for your specific operating system:
- Finding the Graphics Card Information for Windows
- Finding the Graphics Card Information for Linux
- Finding the Graphics Card Information for Mac
- Graphics Card Drivers Might Be Outdated
Graphics card drivers get updated pretty often—especially if you’re using a widely supported card. To make sure you’re running the latest version, just look up the name of your card online (see the earlier instructions to find that info) and then head over to the manufacturer’s download page. Once you’ve found the newest driver, install it and you’re good to go!
Note: Mac automatically updates drivers with OS updates
Certified GPU Driver Download pages for Windows or Linux cards can found here:
- Unplug Problematic Peripheral Devices
Sometimes extra gadgets like tablets, 3D mice, or VR gear aren’t on their best behavior with Maya. To determine if a peripheral device is the cause of the crashing, try disconnecting them to see if the crashing stops. These devices also have drivers and are updated frequently. Search online for the device to see if there is an update available.
Example: Wacom Tablet Driver Downloads (not applicable for all tablets)
Note: It is the responsibility of the company to make the device compatible with Maya as we do not have access to their developmental resources. Compatibility issues must be reported to the appropriate support channels.
- Make Sure Maya Is Fully Updated
Don’t forget about Maya’s own updates! Check your Autodesk Account for the latest patches and hotfixes. See what version you have by going to Help > About Maya inside the app.
A new window opens listing the specific version installed:
- Follow this guide to find updates: Where to find Maya Updates
Note: Updates are not automatically installed when downloading Maya. Updates are separate installs that must be manually selected for the appropriate operating system.
- Corrupted Maya Scene:
If Maya behaves well in a fresh scene but crashes in a specific one, that file might be corrupted. To begin troubleshooting, try recreating the scene/workflow in a new scene. If it is still crashing, follow these suggestions to determine the root cause:
- Import the crashing scene into a new scene – the importing process could clear out the corrupted node. Save as a new scene if successful.
- Use the Optimize Scene Size tool to clear out unnecessary elements. Click the Options Box to manually select what nodes to be removed.
- Note: The Optimize Scene Size operation cannot be undone. It is highly recommended that a backup of the scene is saved before using this tool.
- Submit a CER Report
When Maya crashes, a Crash Error Report (CER) might pop up (see image following image). These reports are sent into an Autodesk Database that tracks crash reports. If the problem is a known issue, these reports attach that issue ID# to the crash report.
- To learn the results of the CER, fill out the report, then create a Technical Support case. A specialist looks up the crash information either by the email address it was submitted with, or the report number.
- The Viewport workspace is Unusable
The Viewport is heavily influenced by your GPU (and a bit by your CPU). If the graphics card is unable to support Viewport 2.0 (see Certified Graphics Cards), try these following links to optimize the viewport setup:
- Revert to Legacy Viewport
- Optimize Viewport 2.0
- Change the UI rendering engine (improvements vary based on the system. Restart Maya to apply the settings changes and test performance).
- Run Viewport 2.0 in DirectX Mode
- Run Viewport 2.0 in OpenGL – Core Profile Mode
- Working in Viewport 2.0
Tools are not working as expected
Most tools within Maya can be customized to the preference of the user. Sometimes tools get customized accidentally and stop working as expected. Don’t panic!
- To reset all tools to their default settings, follow this guide: Reset Maya to Default.
- To reset tools individually, click the options box associated with that tool, click Edit, then Reset Settings
- For the manipulators (move, scale, rotate) on the left side of the Maya workspace, double-click the tool icon and hit Tool Settings Window. Click Reset Tool at the top of the Settings window.
If All Else Fails: Consider a Clean Reinstall
If none of the above helps, Maya might just need a fresh start. Doing a clean uninstall and reinstall can give you a blank slate. For step-by-step instructions, check out the Perform a Clean Uninstall
