Troubleshooting: “An Error Has Occurred” and Application Closure in 3DS Max

Step 1: Resetting Your 3DSMax User Preferences

If you’ve modified your 3DSMax preferences, restoring them might resolve the closure issues.

Pro Tip: Always backup your settings before resetting.

1. Close the 3DSMax application.

2. Press Windows + E to launch File Explorer and navigate to:

C:\Users\%username%\AppData\Local\Autodesk\3dsMax\

If the AppData folder is hidden, follow the steps to unhide:

1. Open the menu bar in File Explorer and click on the Options.
2. Switch to the View tab, select “Show hidden files, folders, and drives”.
3. Click Apply and then OK.

3. Access the 64-bit folder.

4. Locate and right-click the ENU folder (the name may reflect your language, e.g., DEU for German) and rename it to ENU_old.

Restart 3DSMax to see if the issue is resolved.

Step 2: Disabling the PhysX Plug-in

If you’re using a Windows 11/10 Preview Build, disabling the PhysX plug-in may address the error.

1. Exit the 3DSMax application.

2. Navigate to: C:\Program Files\Autodesk\3ds Max 2024\stdplugs

3. Find the PhysX.dlm file and rename it to PhysX.bak.

4. A prompt might appear regarding file type changes; click Continue.

5. Ensure your system is updated by going to Settings > Windows Update and selecting Check for updates.

After completing these steps, relaunch 3DSMax.

Step 3: Eliminating Temporary User Folders

Sometimes leftover user-specific folders create conflicts and cause crashes.

1. Open File Explorer and go to:

C:\Users\%username%\AppData\Local\Autodesk

2. Delete the 3dsmax folder.

3. Then, navigate to:

C:\Users\%username%\AppData\Roaming\Autodesk

4. Locate and delete the max or maxdes folder.

5. Launch 3DSMax as an administrator to check if the problem persists.

Step 4: Updating Your GPU Driver

Outdated GPU drivers may result in application instability.

For NVIDIA Users:

1. Launch the GeForce Experience application.

2. Click on the Drivers section to check for updates.

3. If an update is available, click Download.

4. After downloading, opt for Express Installation to apply the update.

For AMD Users:, use the AMD Adrenalin software or download the latest driver from the AMD Downloads Center.

Step 5: Disabling 3DSMax Plug-ins

Eliminating faulty plug-ins might be necessary to fix the closure issue.

1. Exit the 3DSMax application.

2. Navigate to:

C:\Program Files\Autodesk\3ds Max

3. Locate the Plugins folder.

4. Rename this folder to Plugins_BAK.

5. Create a new folder and name it Plugins.

After these steps, restart 3DSMax and observe its performance.

Step 6: Opting Out of Windows Preview Builds

If you are a Windows Insider, bugs may frequently occur. Consider opting out of the program for stability.

Switch to a stable build of Windows to enhance compatibility with 3DSMax.

Why does my 3DSMax keep closing unexpectedly?

How can I access hidden files on Windows?