Experiencing AutoCAD freezing when you try to plot can be incredibly frustrating, especially when you’re on a deadline. This guide breaks down the common causes behind these issues and provides clear, step-by-step solutions to help you get back on track. Whether it’s a hardware limitation or a software glitch, we’ve covered you with practical fixes that will prevent future problems.

AutoCAD Freezes When Plotting: 19 Causes and Their Solutions – A Quick Troubleshooting Guide

AutoCAD Freezes When Plotting: Causes and Detailed Solutions

1. Insufficient System Resources

AutoCAD can freeze during plotting if your computer lacks the necessary system resources like CPU power, RAM, or disk space. The larger and more complex your drawing file, the more resources AutoCAD will require to function smoothly.

Solution:
Upgrade your hardware, such as adding more RAM or upgrading to a faster storage device (e.g., an SSD). If a hardware upgrade is not an option, try closing other programs running in the background to free up system resources for AutoCAD. This can help reduce the likelihood of freezing during plotting.

2. Corrupt AutoCAD Profile

A corrupt AutoCAD profile can cause unexpected freezes, including when plotting. Profiles store user settings, and if corrupted, they may affect key functions like printing.

Solution:
Create a new AutoCAD user profile by following these steps:

• Go to the “Options” menu in AutoCAD.
• Under the “Profiles” tab, select “Add to List.”
• Create a new profile and set it as current. This will reset all user preferences to default, potentially resolving the issue.

3. Outdated Graphics Drivers

Graphics drivers play a crucial role in rendering visuals during the plotting process. Outdated drivers can cause freezes, especially when dealing with complex drawings.

Solution:
Update your graphics drivers by visiting the manufacturer’s website and downloading the latest version. After updating, restart your computer and test AutoCAD again to see if the issue is resolved.

4. Damaged Plotter Configuration File

A damaged or misconfigured plotter file can cause AutoCAD to freeze when you attempt to plot.

Solution:
Reset the plotter configuration file by following these steps:

• Go to “Application Menu” and select “DWG Convert.”
• Click “Conversion Setups” and then “New.”
• Enter a name and choose “Standard” from the drop-down menu.
• In the Actions category, tick “Set default plotter to ‘None.'”
• Click OK and complete the conversion process. This will remove the damaged plotter configuration from the drawing.

5. Incompatible Printer Drivers

AutoCAD may freeze if the printer driver you’re using is incompatible with the software.

Solution:
Install the latest compatible printer drivers by going to the printer manufacturer’s website. Download and install the correct drivers for your specific model. Ensure the drivers are fully updated before attempting to plot again.

6. Complex Drawing Files

Drawings with excessive geometric data, numerous layers, or complex objects like hatches or surfaces can overload AutoCAD, causing it to freeze.

Solution:
Simplify your drawing:

• Reduce the number of objects and layers by turning off unnecessary layers during plotting.
• Explode complex objects into simpler components.
• You can also use AutoCAD’s “Purge” command to clean up unused layers, blocks, and styles, making the file less resource-intensive.

7. AutoCAD Software Bugs

Bugs in the AutoCAD software can cause freezing, especially when performing intensive tasks like plotting.

Solution:
Ensure you are using the latest version of AutoCAD by downloading any available updates or patches from the Autodesk website. If updates are unavailable, consider reinstalling the software to ensure all files are intact.

8. Third-Party Plugins or Extensions

Third-party plugins or extensions can sometimes conflict with AutoCAD’s plotting functionality, causing freezes.

Solution:
Disable or uninstall any unnecessary third-party plugins or extensions:

• Go to the “Plug-ins” or “Add-ons” section in AutoCAD and disable plugins one by one to identify the problematic one.
• Uninstall the plugin if you no longer need it.

9. Network Printer Connectivity Issues

AutoCAD may freeze if it is unable to communicate with a network printer due to connectivity issues.

Solution:
Ensure your network connection is stable and check that the printer is properly configured on the network. If the problem persists, try plotting to a local printer or exporting the drawing as a PDF and printing from a different software.

10. Corrupted Install of AutoCAD

If AutoCAD itself is corrupted, it can lead to freezing issues, including during plotting.

Solution:
Reinstall AutoCAD by first uninstalling the existing version and then reinstalling a fresh copy from Autodesk’s official website. Be sure to back up your settings and customizations before doing this.

11. Printer Driver Is Out of Date

Outdated printer drivers can prevent AutoCAD from completing the plotting process, leading to freezing.

Solution:
Update the printer driver by visiting the manufacturer’s website and downloading the latest version. Perform a clean reinstall if necessary, and then test plotting again.

12. Default PDF Viewer Not Set to Adobe

AutoCAD might freeze if the default PDF viewer is not set to Adobe Acrobat, especially when plotting to PDF.

Solution:
Set Adobe Acrobat as your default PDF viewer:

• Go to the “Default Apps” settings in Windows.
• Select Adobe Acrobat for handling PDF files. This will ensure better compatibility when plotting to PDF.

13. Invalid Plotter Applied to Model/Layout

An invalid or outdated plotter configuration applied to a model or layout can cause AutoCAD to freeze during the plotting process.

Solution:
Override the invalid plotter settings by:

• Going to “Page Setup Manager” in AutoCAD.
• Click “Modify” and select a valid plotter configuration or set the plotter to “None.” Save the changes and try plotting again.

14. Corrupted Windows Update Affecting Printing

Sometimes, a corrupted Windows update can interfere with printing, leading to freezes in AutoCAD.

Solution:
Reinstall Windows or perform a system restore to a previous state before the problematic update. This should restore the printing functionality in AutoCAD.

15. Large File Size or Complex Objects

Large file sizes or complex objects can overload AutoCAD during the plotting process.

Solution:
Optimize your drawing:

• Use the “Audit” and “Purge” commands to clean up the file.
• Use a plot spooler to manage large files and offload some processing from AutoCAD to the spooler. This can prevent the system from freezing due to large files.

16. Insufficient RAM or Outdated Hardware

If your system lacks sufficient RAM or has outdated hardware, AutoCAD may struggle to plot complex drawings, resulting in freezes.

Solution:
Increase the RAM or upgrade other hardware components such as your graphics card or processor. If you are unable to upgrade hardware, reducing the complexity of the drawing (as outlined earlier) may help.

17. Conflicting Applications

Other applications running in the background can sometimes conflict with AutoCAD, particularly during intensive tasks like plotting.

Solution:
Close unnecessary applications and processes using Task Manager before plotting. This will ensure that AutoCAD has maximum resources available for plotting.

18. Corrupted Page Setup

A corrupted page setup can prevent AutoCAD from executing the plot command, causing the software to freeze.

Solution:
Reset the page setup:

• Go to “Page Setup Manager.”
• Create a new page setup with the appropriate settings or import a known good setup from another drawing. This should resolve the issue.

19. Network Printer Issues

If AutoCAD is connected to a network printer and that printer is experiencing issues, AutoCAD may freeze when attempting to plot.

Solution:
Verify the network printer setup and ensure the printer is functioning properly. If the network printer continues to cause issues, switch to a local printer or export the file as a PDF to print using a different program.

Preventing Future Issues

To prevent future instances of AutoCAD freezing during plotting, follow these proactive steps:

1. Keep AutoCAD Updated
   Regularly check for updates and patches from Autodesk to ensure you are using the most stable version of AutoCAD. Set AutoCAD to automatically check for updates.
2. Regularly Update Drivers
   Ensure that your graphics and printer drivers are up to date. Visit the manufacturers’ websites periodically to download the latest drivers.
3. Optimize Drawings
   Before plotting, always run the “Purge” command to remove unused layers, blocks, and styles. Simplify complex objects and reduce the number of layers where possible.
4. Monitor System Performance
   Use Task Manager to monitor your system’s performance. Close any unnecessary programs to free up resources, and consider upgrading hardware such as RAM or hard drives if necessary.
5. Create and Use Standard Plot Configurations
   Save frequently used plot settings into named page setups to avoid configuration issues. This ensures consistency and prevents errors related to plotter configurations.
6. Backup AutoCAD Profiles and Settings
   Regularly back up your AutoCAD profiles and settings. If something becomes corrupted, you can easily restore them from a backup rather than starting from scratch.
7. Test Files Before Plotting
   If working with complex or large files, perform a test plot or export the drawing as a PDF before attempting to print. This can reveal issues early and prevent full freezes.

By following these steps, you can minimize the risk of encountering future freezing issues during plotting in AutoCAD.