How to reset AutoCAD Plant 3D to defaults

Autodesk Support

Jul 2, 2024


Products and versions covered


Issue:

AutoCAD Plant 3D respectively AutoCAD P&ID shows strange issues but only for one person on one specific machine. The issues themselves can be very different. Other persons on the same or different machine don't note these issues for the same project and the same drawing.

In this case the specific user profile of AutoCAD Plant 3D respectively AutoCAD P&ID is corrupted. It has to be reset.

You would like to know how to reset AutoCAD Plant 3D or AutoCAD P&ID to defaults.

Environment:

Only a specific user on one machine is affected.

Causes:

Corrupt AutoCAD Plant 3D user profile.

Solution:

Note: Make sure that you back up any customized AutoCAD Plant 3D/AutoCAD P&ID files before implementing this procedure. Therefore save the customized files of the mentioned paths to a different location.

Watch this video with audio:

 
In words:
Follow these four steps:
  1. Close AutoCAD Plant 3D.
  2. Delete the following folders in Windows Explorer:
    • %AppData%\Roaming\Autodesk\<version of AutoCAD Plant 3D / AutoCAD P&ID>.
    • %AppData%\Local\Autodesk\<version of AutoCAD Plant 3D / AutoCAD P&ID>.
<version of AutoCAD Plant 3D / AutoCAD P&ID>: for example: AutoCAD Plant 3D 2014.
 
Best practice: Copy the paths from above and paste it into the address bar of Windows Explorer to switch to the right folders.
  1. Delete the following registry key***:.
    • HKeyCurrentUser\Software\Autodesk\AutoCAD\<Release version>\ACAD-<Product version>:<language version>
      • Start - Run - REGEDIT - Enter.
      • Switch to the key above and press DEL on your keyboard.
<Release version>: R25.0:2025; R24.3:2024; R24.2: 2023; R24.1: 2022; R24.0: 2021; R23.1: 2020; R23.0: 2019; R22.0: 2018; R21.0: 2017; R20.1: 2016; R20.0: 2015; R19.1: 2014; R19.0: 2013; R18.2: 2012; R18.1: 2011; R18.0: 2010
<Product version>:  for AutoCAD Plant 3D: 2025:8117; 2024: 7117; 2023: 6117; 2022: 5117; 2021: 4117; 2020: 3017; 2019: 2017; 2018: 1017; 2017: 0017; 2016; F017: 2015; E017: 2014; D017: 2013; B017: 2012; A017: 2011; 9017
      for AutoCAD P&ID: 0016: P&ID 2017; F016: P&ID 2016; E016: P&ID 2015; D016: P&ID 2014; B016: P&ID 2013; A016: P&ID 2012; 9016: P&ID 2011
<Language version>: e.g. 407: German; 409: English
  1. Restart AutoCAD Plant 3D.
A progress bar pops up. This is the secondary installer. All deleted files and the registry key will be recreated.

********************************************************************************************************************
Warning: Improperly editing the Windows registry could render your operating system unusable. 
Microsoft provides a wealth of critical information that you need to know about the registry in the Microsoft Knowledge Base at http://support.microsoft.com/support. 
Use the Microsoft® Registry Editor at your own risk and only after backing up the registry.

Products:

AutoCAD P&ID; AutoCAD Plant 3D;


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