Problem

This article explains how to start SOLIDWORKS in the Safe Modes available in SOLIDWORKS Rx. Safe Modes are used to identify the cause of unexpected behavior in SOLIDWORKS.

Solution 1: Starting in Safe Modes (2025 and earlier)

1. Close SOLIDWORKS
2. Go to the Windows Start Menu and search for "SOLIDWORKS Rx 20xx"

3. In the SOLIDWORKS RX window that comes up, navigate to the section titled 'SOLIDWORKS Safe Modes' at the bottom
4. Choose "Click here to launch SOLIDWORKS in Software OpenGL mode" or "Click here to launch SOLIDWORKS while bypassing the Tools/Options settings" to launch SOLIDWORKS in the respective Safe Mode

A Safe Mode will only apply for the duration of one session. If SOLIDWORKS is closed after starting in Safe Mode and reopened normally, it will no longer be in Safe Mode.

Solution 2: Starting in Safe Modes (2026 and later)

1. Close SOLIDWORKS.

2. Go to the Windows Start Menu and search for "SOLIDWORKS Rx 20xx"

   

3. In the SOLIDWORKS RX Window that comes up, navigate to the "Troubleshoot" tab and then to the "Troubleshooting" section

   

4. Check the option for "Bypass your SOLIDWORKS Settings with Default Settings" or "Bypass your graphics card/driver with Software OpenGL". Once selected, click "Launch SOLIDWORKS". We recommend using one option at a time. This will help to narrow down the source of the problem.

A Safe Mode will only apply for the duration of one session. If SOLIDWORKS is closed after starting in a Safe Mode and reopened normally, it will no longer be in Safe Mode.

Software OpenGL Safe Mode

Software OpenGL mode is used to determine whether the graphics card or driver is the cause of the issue. This disables the graphics adapter hardware accelerator and enables graphics rendering using only software. Essentially, the graphics card/driver is bypassed.  RealView graphics is not available in Software OpenGL mode.

If an issue no longer occurs in Software OpenGL, we recommend checking if the Graphics Card is supported and on the most recent supported driver on the SOLIDWORKS Hardware Certification Page.

If the problem persists with a supported card on the correct driver, try launching in the other Safe Mode or contact technical support. 

Note: To use SOLIDWORKS in Software OpenGL mode for longer than one session, this setting can be permanently enabled by checking 'Use Software OpenGL' in Tools > Options > System Options > Performance. 

Launch SOLIDWORKS with Default Settings

This option will launch SOLIDWORKS with the default settings.  This includes toolbars and system options.  If unexpected behavior is resolved in this safe mode, it generally means one of two things.  

1. A setting changed from the default likely causes the problematic behavior. We recommend comparing the current settings to the default settings and identifying discrepancies to adjust.
2. The other possibility is that the settings are corrupt. SOLIDWORKS settings are stored in the registry, which can become corrupt for various reasons. In this case, we recommend performing a SOLIDWORKS registry reset to permanently restore settings to default, or contact technical support.    

For additional support, existing customers can submit a ticket or new customers can contact Hawk Ridge Systems.