SOLIDWORKS Frequently Asked Questions

The issue can appear if you:

• Use some custom scaling on your system.
• Use Windows compatibility mode settings to run SOLIDWORKS Installation Manager [Installation Wizard].
• Use 115% or greater text size.

Follow these steps to resolve the issue: 

1. Resize the text size to 100%.
   1. Press the Windows key from the keyboard.
   2. Type Make text size bigger and press Enter.
   3. Set the text size to 100%.
   4. Right-click the SOLIDWORKS setup file setup.exe and select Run as administrator.
   5. On the summary screen, tick the License agreement check box and click Download and Install
2. If the issue persists, perform the following steps:
   Change the scale and layout settings:
   1. Go to windows search and type settings and press enter.
   2. In the search window, type Change the resolution of the display and press enter.
   3. In the Display setting under the Scale and layout section, change the size of text, apps, and other items to 100%.
   4. Run the SOLIDWORKS setup file and check if it resolves the issue. Also, check by changing the size to 125% and 150%.
3. If the issue persists, perform the following steps:
   1. Right-click on the SOLIDWORKS Setup file and select Properties.
   2. Select the Compatibility tab.
   3. Uncheck Run this program in compatibility mode for: option.
   4. Select a 640 x 480 resolution and run this program as an administrator.
   5. Run the setup file and check the operation.
   6. Also, try changing the settings in change high DPI settings and check the operation again.
4. If the issue persists, perform the following steps:
   1. Right-click the SOLIDWORKS setup file setup.exe and select Run as administrator.
   2. Follow the on-screen instruction until reach the Summary screen.
   3. Click the Installation Manager [Installation Wizard] window and scrolled so you can see the Change options.
   4. Press the Tab key until the first Change option is highlighted.
   5. Press the Tab key four or five times and then press the spacebar key to accept the license agreement.
   6. You should now be able to select the Download and Install or Install Now option.

If the issue persists, contact the student support team.

For technical setup and usage questions, join the Maker | Support community .

For purchase, subscription or access issues, submit a Support Form .

Earning a SOLIDWORKS certification is the perfect way to validate your skills and take the next step in your career with industry-standard credentials like the CSWA or CSWP. Exams are available for $99 per attempt. Look for seasonal promotions to help you get certified for less!

Both the CSWA and CSWP exam vouchers are included with SOLIDWORKS Design Premium for Students.

There are several ways to learn how to use SOLIDWORKS Flow Simulation:

• Training with your reseller: Your reseller partner has CFD simulation experts on staff to teach you and your team the best practices for SOLIDWORKS Flow Simulation.
• Free training with MySolidWorks: MySolidWorks is the official SOLIDWORKS online portal with thousands of hours of training, learner paths, flow simulation guides, and more.
• Built-In tutorials: SOLIDWORKS Flow Simulation has built-in simulation guidance and tutorials to teach you best practices.
• The SOLIDWORKS Resource Center: We have a variety of white papers, eBooks, training materials, and on-demand webinars to help you master SOLIDWORKS Flow Simulation.

There are several paths to becoming a SOLIDWORKS Simulation expert!

• Training with your reseller: Your reseller partner has simulation experts on staff to help teach you and your team the best practices for SOLIDWORKS Simulation software.
• Free training available with MySolidWorks: MySolidWorks is the official SOLIDWORKS online portal with thousands of hours of training, learning paths, simulation guides, and more.
• Built-In tutorials: SOLIDWORKS Simulation software has built-in simulation guidance and tutorials to teach you best practices.
• The SOLIDWORKS Resource Center: There are a variety of e-books, whitepapers, training materials, and partner-led, on-demand webinars to help you master structural simulation and FEA.

The Administration Guide has some references and information about automating the installation using administrative images and silent installation.

To prepare, you should actively learn about the AI capabilities within your chosen CAD software. Experiment with features like generative drawings and predictive modeling. Focus on strengthening your understanding of the entire product development cycle, from concept to manufacturing. This positions you as an expert who directs the AI tool, not one who is replaced by it.

You can apply realistic materials, finishes, and lighting in SOLIDWORKS for Makers to showcase how your furniture will look before you produce it. These renderings are great for planning, visualization, or sharing your work online.

Visit the Made in 3D community to share your builds, get feedback and find inspiration.

Visit the Made in 3D community to share your builds, get feedback and find inspiration.

All commercial SOLIDWORKS Design Offer and SOLIDWORKS Design with Cloud Services customers will have access to SOLIDWORKS Virtual Companions (AURA and LEO) and their AI-powered competencies and skills with no additional license required. AI usage is measured through a consumption model using Tokens. View the getting started guide to learn how to access and utilize the SOLIDWORKS AI Virtual Companions. 

All commercial SOLIDWORKS Design Offer and SOLIDWORKS Design with Cloud Services customers will have access to SOLIDWORKS Virtual Companions (AURA and LEO) and their AI-powered competencies and skills with no additional license required. AI usage is measured through a consumption model using Tokens. View the getting started guide to learn how to access and utilize the SOLIDWORKS AI Virtual Companions.

There are two simple tests you can do:

1. Verify if your local machine can see the server machine over the network, open a DOS window and type the following command: ping [server_name]. If the server machine is accessible, you will get a reply message listing the IP address of the server. If the server machine is not accessible, you will get an error message stating "Bad IP address". A bad IP address can be caused by misspelling the server name, or by network connectivity problems.
2. Make sure more complex TCP/IP protocols are being routed properly, try doing a telnet to the port on the server where there FLEXLm server is residing, type: "telnet [server_name] [port_number]". The default SW FLEXlm port number is 16560. If you get an error message "connection failed", this indicates that there is insufficient TCP/IP routing between the client and the server. You will need to see your network administrator to get this resolved before SolidNetWork License will work.

This error can occur if prior license information is still available on your system, or if the installation is performed with a prior version serial number.

Try the following to troubleshoot:

1. Rename the FLEXnet folder and try the activation again:
   Go to C:\ProgramData\FLEXnet and rename the folder FLEXnet (may be to FLEXnet_old) (The ProgramData folder is a hidden folder. Either you can enable to show hidden folders from Folder options, or you can directly type c:\Programdata into the address bar and press enter to access this folder. You will be able to find the Flexnet folder.)

2. Try to activate again and if the error still occurs, confirm that a valid serial number is used for the SOLIDWORKS installation by modifying the installation. If the serial number is not a valid one, please change and input the correct serial number:
   1. Go to Start > Control Panel >SOLIDWORKS
   2. click ‘Change’ to modify the installation. Select ‘Modify the individual installation (on this computer)’ >click ‘Next’
   3. Under ‘serial number’ make sure that your valid serial number is in use
   4. If not, replace the serial number with a valid one and click ‘Next’
   5. Follow the instructions to complete the modification
   6. Rename the FLEXnet folder and try to activate again

If the problem still occurs, try doing a repair installation of SOLIDWORKS by following the steps below:

1. Go to Start > User Account > User Account Control Settings. Set it to “Never Notify”. Restart the system
2. Login as administrator
3. Turn off all anti-virus, popup blocker, ad-ware and spy-ware applications along with Windows Firewall
4. Go to Start > Control Panel >SOLIDWORKS and click ‘Change’ to repair the installation
5. Select ‘Repair the individual installation (on this computer)’
6. Click ‘Next’. Follow the instruction to complete the modification
7. Try activating again