"The pipe has been ended: 109 3dsmax adapter error - 3dsmax.exe process no response" when rendering with Backburner

Autodesk Support

Oct 9, 2023

Products and versions covered

Issue:

When working in 3ds Max, in the log file of the Backburner Server app, the following error appears: 
ERR Error message: 3dsmax adapter error : The pipe has been ended: 109 3dsmax adapter error.

 A variation of this could appear as: 
3dsmax adapter error - The pipe has been ended - 109 3dsmax adapter error - 3dsmax.exe process no response.

Causes:

Includes, but is not limited to:
  • This is a generic error message indicating a Backburner component is missing when opening the scene file in 3ds Max. The component may be missing from the File > Archive process or from the network setup itself.
  • The message can also indicate there are older remnant files within the Backburner User folder from previously installed versions, however, this error may come from several different sources.
  • Recent Windows 10 updates may have broken the network discovery options of the operating system.

Solution:

Below is a collection of the most up-to-date solutions available. The final solution may require one, or a combination of the following:

 

Match 3ds Max versions and updates

Issues occur when 3ds Max updates differ on each PC in the render farm. All versions of 3ds Max including the updates must match in order for Backburner to function correctly.


Reduce long object names

Scenes that contain objects with names that exceed 256 characters will cause failures when rendered through Backburner. Reduce the name length of these objects.


Reset Backburner

Resetting Backburner can help remove older files from the Backburner User folder which may cause adapter errors. See how to Reset Backburner user settings to default


Uninstall old versions of Backburner

If this has not already been done when installing a new version of Backburner, ensure that any older versions of the Backburner application has been uninstalled on all machines participating in the network render.
  • Go to the Windows Control Panel > Programs and Features, and uninstall any existing versions of Backburner. Then, run the latest Backburner installer again.
 

Check the Network Discovery settings in Windows 10

See "WRN Could not broadcast FIND_SERVERS request on..." when rendering with Backburner from 3ds Max after Windows 10 Update

 

Sign in as a different user

Test if the issue occurs in a different user login. This helps with troubleshooting to determine if the issue is the program, or a setting within the Windows User Account (WUA).
 


Reformat Windows OS

Some issues cannot be resolved by users or technical support specialists.
Windows updates, and settings deep within the Windows User Account (WUA) can permanently break a program.
In these cases, Windows must be reinstalled on the system to get functionality of that program back.
 


Note: If these issues continue with Backburner, consider replacing it with other 3rd-party network render management solutions. See Network render management software for 3ds Max and Maya.

     

    Products:

    3ds Max;

    Was this information helpful?

    Need help? Ask the Autodesk Assistant!

    The Assistant can help you find answers or contact an agent.

    Ask the Assistant

    What level of support do you have?

    Different subscription plans provide distinct categories of support. Find out the level of support for your plan.

    View levels of support