Hardware acceleration cannot be enabled in AutoCAD products

Autodesk Support

Feb 19, 2025

Products and versions covered

Issue:

When trying to turn on video hardware acceleration in AutoCAD products, the setting is dimmed and disabled. It cannot be turned back on.
  • The Video Card and Driver Version are blank.
  • Virtual Device is shown as GDI<...>.hdi(Software)
  • The following message may be shown on the Start tab:
    • You can improve graphics performance by turning on Hardware Acceleration.
  • In AutoCAD 2025, the following message may be shown on the Graphics Performance dialog > Diagnostic tab:
    • Hardware acceleration is off. This may result to reduced graphic quality and performance.
  • One of the following messages may be shown on the Graphics Performance dialog.
    • Changes are not allowed in Safe Mode.
    • Effects unavailable for graphics hardware.
Image - Graphics Performance dialog box hardware acceleration disabled - safe modeImage - Graphics Performance dialog box 3d display settings

Causes:

Environment-related causes

  • The graphics driver is damaged.
  • Incompatible or outdated graphics driver or video card.
    • Note: AutoCAD cannot use hardware acceleration with all graphics cards.
  • The program is being used over remote access or from operating system emulation software. 
    • Note: This includes, but is not limited to, Microsoft NetMeeting, Microsoft Remote Desktop, or VMWare Workstation. Running the NetMeeting service will cause hardware acceleration to be unavailable in AutoCAD even when a NetMeeting session is not active. Hardware acceleration is not supported within these versions or while the NetMeeting service is running.
  • Corrupted Microsoft Windows update and Windows user profile.
  • System level damages.
  • WMI (Windows Management Instrumentation) software corrupt or damaged.
    • Note: to confirm if this is the cause, go to Start > System Information. The first page will show "The Windows Management Instrumentation software cannot be accessed. The Windows Management files may have been moved or are not present.".

AutoCAD-related causes

  • The shortcut icon used to start the program contains the /NOHARDWARE switch in it.
  • AutoCAD was installed over a remote access session.
  • AutoCAD not running with DirectX.

Solution:

Environment-related solutions

  • Update the graphics driver on the system. See How to update to the latest certified video driver.
  • Update to the latest Windows operating system. See Get the latest Windows update - Microsoft.
  • If the operating system cannot display system information (Windows Start > RUN > Enter MSINFO32), DirectX information (DxDiag dialog), BIOS, or hardware information correctly, repair the Windows Management Instrumentation software:
    1. Open Command prompt(CMD) as administrator.
    2. Run below two commands to repair WMI.
      • C:\Windows\System32\wbem\Mofcomp.exe C:\Windows\System32\wbem\cimwin32.mof
      • C:\Windows\System32\wbem\Mofcomp.exe C:\Windows\System32\wbem\en-US\cimwin32.mfl

AutoCAD-related solutions

  • Check the properties of the shortcut/icon used to start the program. On the Shortcut tab, look in the Target line. If the "/nohardware" switch is present, remove it.   
Image - AutoCAD shortcut - nohardware switch                                                     
  • Reset AutoCAD to defaults. See How to reset AutoCAD to defaults. 
  • Enter the GRAPHICSCONFIG command in AutoCAD and click "Restore Defaults".
  • Check that the graphics hardware database file is present.
    • AutoCAD 2020 and earlier: C:\Users\Public\Documents\Autodesk\AutoCAD 20xx\Rxx.x\PTXML
    • AutoCAD 2021 and later: C:\ProgramData\Autodesk\AutoCAD 20xx\Rxx.x\<language>\PTXML
  • Check that the driver path is set in AutoCAD.
    1. Go to the Files tab in Options.
    2. Expand the line for Device Driver File Search Path.
    3. Make sure that the path is set as C:\Program Files\Autodesk\AutoCAD 20xx\drv.
  • Reset the Performance Tuner in AutoCAD.
    1. Close all Autodesk programs.
    2. Press Windows + R on the keyboard to bring up the Run window, enter REGEDIT, and click OK.
    3. In the Registry Editor, browse to and select the following registry location:
      • HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Autodesk\AutoCAD\Rxx.x\ACAD-xxxx: 40x\3DGS Configuration
    4. Double-click the FirstRun entry and change its value to 0 (zero). 
    5. Close the Registry Editor and start AutoCAD.
  • Try different DirectX versions.

Other solutions

Warning:

Problems caused by improperly editing the Windows registry could render your computer operating system unusable. Microsoft provides a wealth of critical information that you need to know about the registry in the Microsoft Knowledge Base. Use the Microsoft Registry Editor only at your own risk and only after backing up the registry as outlined for your operating system in the Microsoft article.  How to back up and restore the registry in Windows and in the related solution. How to back up the system registry. Additional information about the registry is also contained in the Help topics in the Microsoft Registry Editor.

Products:

Advance Steel; AutoCAD Products;

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