Missing tool palette groups in AutoCAD Architecture or AutoCAD MEP

Autodesk Support

Feb 24, 2025

Products and versions covered

Issue:

After installing AutoCAD Architecture or AutoCAD MEP, some of the default tool palette groups and their content are missing. Some examples are:

Design
Document
Detailing
Visualization

Although an expected tool palette group is available, its content might be incorrect.

Causes:

Certain tool palette groups are only available in certain profiles, by default.
Certain Content Packs may not be loaded.
3rd party tool palette content.

Solution:

Make sure the appropriate profile is set current

Open the OPTIONS dialog and select the Profiles tab.
Double-click the profile associated with the tool palette groups that needs access.

If the profile needed is not available in the Profiles tab

Load the Content Pack:

Close AutoCAD Architecture or AutoCAD MEP.
Click on Start > Control Panel > Programs and Features.
Double-click AutoCAD Architecture 20XX or AutoCAD MEP 20XX.
Select Add or Remove Features.
Check the boxes for all Content Packs to be installed (ex. Imperial, Metric, Global, etc.).
Click Next, then Update.

Reset to defaults - If the above suggestions do not help, try resetting AutoCAD Architecture to defaults. See: How to reset AutoCAD to defaults.
Uninstall and Reinstall AutoCAD Architecture. See: Remove Autodesk Software | Individual Installation and Install Autodesk Products | Individual Installation

Default Tool Palette Groups (AutoCAD Architecture 2015 and AutoCAD MEP 2015 used for example):

AutoCAD Architecture (Global) AutoCAD MEP (Global)

AutoCAD Architecture / MEP as ACAD Tool Palette Groups

AutoCAD Architecture Imperial and Metric Tool Palette Groups

AutoCAD Architecture as AutoCAD AutoCAD Architecture (Imperial)
AutoCAD MEP as AutoCAD AutoCAD Architecture (Metric)

AutoCAD MEP Imperial Tool Palette Groups