"Customization file load failed. File not found: [filename]" when launching AutoCAD Products

Autodesk Support

Feb 19, 2025


Products and versions covered


Issue:

When launching an AutoCAD Product or DWG TrueView, the following message is displayed:

Customization file load failed. File not found:
C:\Users\username\AppData\Roaming\Autodesk\AutoCAD 20xx\Rxx\language\Support\acad

Customization file load failed. File not found

or

Customization file load failed. File not found: acad

Customization file load failed. File not found: acad

Note: The message box title and the file path will vary depending on the specific product.

Also:

  • AutoCAD Product may still start, but interface elements such as the ribbon, tool palettes, and workspaces, may be missing.
  • The following might also be shown: "Unable to open customization file...".
 
 

Causes:

  • An AutoCAD Toolset ARG file has been installed into AutoCAD.
  • Damaged or missing AutoCAD settings files.
  • Settings are saved in a restricted location. 
  • Launching the software from a restricted user account.
  • Windows roaming profiles. 
  • Wrong setting in acad<version>doc.lsp-file.

Solution:

Do one or more of the following:

To find out if the installed ARG file from an AutoCAD Toolset

An ARG file cannot be imported from an AutoCAD Toolset (for example AutoCAD Architecture, AutoCAD Mechanical) into AutoCAD or AutoCAD LT.
To find if an ARG file is from an AutoCAD Toolset, do the following:

  1. Open the ARG file in a text editor such as Notepad.
  2. Browse to the HKEY information.

This will show the version (for example, R24.3 for 2024 version software) and the type of ARG it is. For example, an AutoCAD Architecture ARG will show the following information:

"ProfileAKA"="Architectural Desktop - Imperial".
"UserName"="<username>".
"NFWState"=dword:00000001.
"WorkspaceNameAtProfileSave"="Architecture".


Missing/corrupted configuration files

Try any of the following:


Permissions restrictions

Follow these steps:

  1. Remove permission restrictions from the current Windows user.
  2. Reboot the system.
  3. Run AutoCAD again.

Note: In Windows 10, restricted users are prevented from modifying files, folders, and registry entries outside their user profile. To support restricted user accounts, all customizable AutoCAD files and registry settings are stored within the user profile. Users must have Full Control permissions to all files and folders in the C:\Users\username directory. Also, users must have Full Control permissions to all registry keys and values in the HKEY_CURRENT_USER key in the registry. Restrictions that limit a user’s permissions to these locations could cause failures in the AutoCAD secondary installer or within the program itself. See Unable to run AutoCAD as a restricted user.


Wrong statement in acad<version>doc.lsp-file

  1. In File Explorer navigate to <AutoCAD Plant 3D program folder>\Support\en-US.
  2. Open acad<version>doc.lsp-file with an editor.
  3. Check for the command "CUILOAD" in this file and delete or comment out this row.
    • You might create a text file, which you rename to acad.lsp-file in C:\Users\<username>\AppData\Roaming\Autodesk\AutoCAD 2024\R24.3\enu\Support. Paste here the CUILOAD-statement from acad<version>.lsp. The acad.lsp-file will be executed only once when launching the AutoCAD product by default (Options - tab "System" - button "Security Options").
  4. Save the file.


Citrix environment

  • Citrix user accounts need to have access to the AutoCAD installation files so that AutoCAD can initialize itself properly when run for the first time.
  • Use the Citrix PostInstall Script to populate the necessary AutoCAD folders and registry keys specific to the user. See AutoCAD Map 3D Citrix Post Install Script.
Note: These scripts automate registry and user profile changes after AutoCAD installation. Even though they were written for AutoCAD Map 3D or older Windows Server, they apply to newer Windows/AutoCAD versions and all AutoCAD-based products (for example, Plant 3D, Architecture).

Products:

AutoCAD Products; Fabrication CADmep; DWG TrueView; Advance Steel;


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