Fixing AutoCAD jerky lag, freeze, and slow running

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Guide to fixing AutoCAD hanging, lagging

I - Causes of AutoCAD Lag, Freezing

II - How to Fix AutoCAD Lag, Stuttering

1. Enable Hardware Acceleration in AutoCAD

2. Update graphics driver

3. Set priority level for software

4. Software Updates

5. Alternative Troubleshooting Methods

AutoCAD is a popular technical drawing software in the mechanical, architectural, and construction industries. During installation, AutoCAD also requires users to install it on a computer with standard configuration to avoid errors, among which AutoCAD jerky lag, freeze, and slow performance are the most common.

AutoCAD is renowned CAD software, used by architects, engineers, and construction professionals to create visual 2D and 3D drawings. To install and use AutoCAD, your computer must meet certain configuration requirements.

Guide to fixing AutoCAD hanging, lagging

However, even with a high-end computer configuration, you may still encounter AutoCAD lag, stuttering issues during usage. In this article, we will explore the causes of lag and stuttering on AutoCAD and some ways to improve AutoCAD performance.

I - Causes of AutoCAD Lag, Freezing

The lag and stuttering phenomenon on AutoCAD can occur due to several reasons such as:
- Outdated graphics drivers.
- Disconnected or slow network.
- A corrupted file.
- Graphics configuration not optimized for the computer.
- Opening too many working tabs, causing GPU overload.

II - How to Fix AutoCAD Lag, Stuttering

1. Enable Hardware Acceleration in AutoCAD

While working with AutoCAD, if you encounter issues such as slow mouse movement, program continuously pauses or freezes, slow opening of drawing files, or AutoCAD commands hanging during execution, you can enable hardware acceleration in AutoCAD with the following steps:

1.1. For AutoCAD versions 2015 and later

Step 1: In the AutoCAD interface, type the command 3DCONFIG on the Command line and press Enter.
Step 2: In the Graphics Performance window, enable the Hardware Acceleration option to On mode and select all the effect settings below.

Step 3: Then, you click OK to save the changes.

Another way to activate hardware acceleration feature in AutoCAD is to use the OP (OPTIONS) command. Below are the steps to follow:

Step 1: Type the command OP (OPTIONS) and press Enter.
Step 2: In the Options window, click on the System tab and select Graphics Performance.
Step 3: The Graphics Performance window appears similarly. Here, you enable the Hardware Acceleration option to On mode and select all the effect settings below.

Step 4:click OK > Apply

1.2. For AutoCAD versions 2014 and earlier

Enabling hardware acceleration feature in older versions of AutoCAD, such as AutoCAD 2014 and earlier, differs slightly. If you are using one of these versions, follow these steps:

Step 1: In the AutoCAD interface, type the command OP (OPTIONS) and press Enter.
Step 2: In the Options window, click on the System tab and select Performance Settings.
Step 3: In the next window, click on the Manual Tune button.

Step 4: In the Manual Performance Tuning dialog box, you check Enable hardware acceleration.

Step 5: Finally, click OK to save the changes.

Note: This feature can only be used if your graphics card supports OpenGL, 2D, and 3D graphics API. Otherwise, the hardware acceleration option will be grayed out or not functional.

2. Update graphics driver

As mentioned above, outdated graphics drivers are also one of the causes of AutoCAD lagging and running slowly. Updating the graphics driver is crucial for smooth computer operation and compatibility with new graphics processing environments. To update the graphics driver on your computer, follow these steps:

Step 1: Type device manager in Windows Search and select Device Manager from the search results to open the device manager.

Step 2: Find and click on Display adapters.

Step 3: Right-click on your graphics card and select Update driver.

Step 4: Next, click to select Search automatically for drivers (or Search automatically for updated driver software) and the system will automatically search and update the latest version of graphics driver for you.

3. Set priority level for software

Windows allocates CPU resources among all running processes based on their priority level. If a process (application) has a higher priority level, it will receive more CPU resources for better performance compared to a process with a lower priority level.

In Task Manager, you can set the priority level for AutoCAD to ensure the program's performance. Follow these steps:

Step 1: Press the Ctrl + Alt + Del key combination to open Task Manager.
Step 2: Click on the Details tab and select acad.exe.
Step 3: Right-click on acad.exe and choose Set Priority from the context menu.
Step 4: Then, select Realtime as the highest priority level.

Changing the priority level will only affect the current AutoCAD session; after you exit AutoCAD or restart your PC, the settings will revert to default.

4. Software Updates

Updates often bring new features as well as bug fixes. Therefore, you should always update software with the latest service packs and bug fixes for smooth performance.

5. Alternative Troubleshooting Methods

- If using wireless peripherals such as a mouse or keyboard, ensure the battery level is sufficient.
- Check your network connection.
- Clear the AutoCAD graphics cache by entering CACHEMAXFILES on the command line and setting it to 0, then restart AutoCAD. (Reset CACHEMAXFILES to a value of 256 after restarting).
- Disable antivirus software.
- Uninstall and reinstall AutoCAD.

AutoCAD experiencing jerky, laggy behavior that slows down your workflow. If you encounter this issue, follow the troubleshooting methods shared by Mytour in the article to resolve it. Additionally, refer to the latest AutoCAD 2021 Installation Guide here if you haven't installed the software on your computer yet.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the common causes of lag and freezing in AutoCAD?

Common causes of lag and freezing in AutoCAD include outdated graphics drivers, slow or disconnected network, corrupted files, and unoptimized graphics configuration. Additionally, having too many working tabs open can overload the GPU, contributing to performance issues.

How can I enable hardware acceleration in AutoCAD for better performance?

To enable hardware acceleration in AutoCAD, type 3DCONFIG in the command line, then turn on the Hardware Acceleration option in the Graphics Performance window. For older versions, use the OP command, navigate to the System tab, and check the Enable hardware acceleration option.

What steps should I follow to update my graphics driver for AutoCAD?

To update your graphics driver for AutoCAD, open Device Manager, locate Display adapters, right-click your graphics card, and select Update driver. Then choose the option to search automatically for drivers to ensure compatibility with the latest graphics processing environments.

How can I set AutoCAD’s priority level in Windows for improved performance?

You can set AutoCAD’s priority level by opening Task Manager, selecting the Details tab, right-clicking on acad.exe, and choosing Set Priority. Then, select Realtime for the highest priority level, ensuring AutoCAD receives more CPU resources during operation.

What are some alternative methods to troubleshoot AutoCAD lagging issues?

Alternative troubleshooting methods for AutoCAD lagging include checking wireless peripheral battery levels, ensuring a stable network connection, clearing the graphics cache, disabling antivirus software, and if necessary, reinstalling AutoCAD to resolve persistent issues.

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