Problem

On occasion, users may find that the connection between SOLIDWORKS and the 3DEXPERIENCE Platform becomes broken or otherwise interrupted, resulting in a lack of communication between the two systems. This may be observed in the form of an error message "Cannot proceed with your request. Failed to establish connection with 3DEXPERIENCE server", or users may see that the connection to the platform loads indefinitely without completing. This article walks through some common troubleshooting steps to restore this connection.

Solution 1: Checking Eligibility for the Connection

Before we take steps to repair/restore the connection, make sure that the connection is not being blocked by network security solutions like a firewall, Virtual Private Network (VPN), proxy server, or Zero Trust Network Access (ZTNA).

1. Run the Cloud Eligibility Checker provided by Dassault Systèmes to ensure your environment meets the requirements for the connection to the 3DEXPERIENCE Platform.
2. If the environment fails the eligibility check, please see QA00000302341 in the Dassault Systèmes Knowledge Base for more information on domains and ports that need to be open for the connection to be successful. This article is also attached as a PDF at the bottom of the article.
3. Once the environment meets the compatibility requirements for the connection, we can move on to the troubleshooting steps to restore this connection.

Solution 2: Restoring the Connection (SOLIDWORKS 2026 and newer)

1. Reboot the machine to stop the 3DEXPERIENCE PLM services that may be running
2. Clear the web browser's Cache and Cookies (these steps vary between browsers)
3. Launch SOLIDWORKS Rx
4. Select the Troubleshoot tab.
5. Under the 3DExperience Troubleshooting header, select the checkboxes for "Restart connector processes", "Clean embedded browser caches", and "Clean the 3DExperience temporary directory"

6. Select the "Launch SOLIDWORKS" button

   

Solution 3: Restoring the Connection (SOLIDWORKS 2025 and older)

1. Reboot the machine to stop the 3DEXPERIENCE PLM services that may be running
2. Clear the web browser's Cache and Cookies (these steps vary between browsers)
3. Rename the following directories in steps 4-6 by appending .old to the end of each of them as shown in the image below
4. %appdata%\DassaultSystemes\CATSettings
5. %localappdata%\DassaultSystemes\CATTemp
6. %localappdata%\Temp\swcefcache

Note: If you are not familiar with this syntax, %appdata% is equivalent to C:\Users\<username>\AppData\Roaming, and %localappdata% is equivalent to C:\Users\<username>\AppData\Local

7. Launch SOLIDWORKS Connected (3DEXPERIENCE SOLIDWORKS) or Design with SOLIDWORKS (Collaborative Designer for SOLIDWORKS) from the 3DEXPERIENCE platform: https://eu1-ifwe.3dexperience.3ds.com/

At this point, most connection issues should be resolved, and the communication between SOLIDWORKS and the 3DEXPERIENCE platform should be restored. If Design with SOLIDWORKS or Collaborative Designer for SOLIDWORKS is still having connection issues, please continue below.

Solution 4: Uninstalling & Reinstalling the xCAD Connector (Design with SOLIDWORKS / Collaborative Designer for SOLIDWORKS ONLY)

If the above steps failed to restore the connection between SOLIDWORKS and the 3DEXPERIENCE platform, we can try uninstalling and reinstalling the application that provides this connection. This is only applicable to users with Design with SOLIDWORKS or Collaborative Designer for SOLIDWORKS. For users using SOLIDWORKS Connected or 3DEXPERIENCE SOLIDWORKS, this step is NOT applicable and is not advised.

1. Reboot the machine to stop the 3DEXPERIENCE PLM services that may be running
2. Clear the web browser's Cache and Cookies (these steps vary between browsers)
3. Rename the following directories in steps 4-6 by appending .old to the end of each of them as shown in the image below
4. %appdata%\DassaultSystemes\CATSettings
5. %localappdata%\DassaultSystemes\CATTemp

6. %localappdata%\Temp\swcefcache

   

7. Before re-launching SOLIDWORKS from the Platform, uninstall the xCAD Connector application by going to Windows Start Menu > Add or Remove Programs
8. Locate and uninstall "Dassault Systèmes xCAD Connectors 3DEXPERIENCE R202Xx"

9. Once the uninstallation is complete, launch Design with SOLIDWORKS (Collaborative Designer for SOLIDWORKS) from the 3DEXPERIENCE platform: https://eu1-ifwe.3dexperience.3ds.com/. This will prompt the reinstallation of the xCAD Connector.

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