5 Common SOLIDWORKS Installation Issues

Whether you’re a first-time installer or a seasoned pro, this guide walks you through 5 of the most common SOLIDWORKS installation issues and how to resolve them quickly, so you can get back to designing with confidence. Installing SOLIDWORKS should be simple—but every now and then, unexpected messages or confusing prompts can throw a wrench into the process.

At Converge, we’ve seen (and solved) these installation headaches, and much more—so here’s a quick guide to help you power through the most common ones we've encountered.

Issue #1: Blank White Screen on the SOLIDWORKS Installation Manager  

The Symptom:
When launching the SOLIDWORKS Installation Manager, you’re met with… nothing. Just a blank white screen with the red header.

The Cause:
This usually happens when Windows blocks HTML content inside the installer’s zip file—specifically the files used to render the installer interface.

The Fix:

1. Right-click the file downloaded from the SOLIDWORKS downloads page (e.g., SolidWorksSetup.exe) and select Properties.

2. In the Properties window, find the small checkbox at the bottom that says “Unblock.” If it’s there, check it and click OK.

Then continue with the steps below to ensure no HTML files are blocked within the extracted installation files:

3. Browse to the extracted install location:
   \sldim\lang\english\HTML\

4. Right-click on frameset.html and select Properties.

3. If you see an Unblock button, click it.

4. Repeat for other .html files in that folder if needed.

5. Relaunch the SOLIDWORKS Installation Manager.

📌 Note: If you unblock the main .exe before unzipping it, as in steps 1 and 2, you may not have to do any of this after extraction!

Issue #2: “Product list is Restricted to Administrators” on 3DEXPERIENCE Login  

The Symptom:
A user receives the message "Product list is Restricted to Administrators" when logging into the 3DEXPERIENCE Platform for the first time. This usually happens during the process of retrieving a newly purchased SOLIDWORKS license and accessing the download media.

The Cause:
This issue typically occurs when a new user is logging in for the first time after purchasing a SOLIDWORKS license via the 3DEXPERIENCE Platform. The system restricts access to the product list under certain conditions—possibly related to permissions or user role setup.

The Fix:
🛠️ Resolution steps coming soon.
We're currently investigating this issue and will update this section with the appropriate fix as soon as it's confirmed.

Issue #3: “An application is contacting the 3DX Launcher…” Message  

The Symptom:
When accessing the 3DEXPERIENCE Launcher, a message pops up that seems like an error. It reads:
“An application is contacting the 3DX Launcher…”
This can be confusing for new users who aren’t sure if something has gone wrong.

The Cause:
This message isn’t actually an error. It’s just the system asking whether to allow the 3DEXPERIENCE Launcher to run every time it's needed.

The Fix:

1. When you see this message, don’t worry—everything is working as expected.

2. Simply click “Always” to allow the Launcher to run automatically going forward.

✅ This will prevent the message from popping up again and ensure smooth access to your 3DEXPERIENCE apps and downloads.

Issue #4: “A Newer Version of This Application Is Already Installed” During Installation  

The Symptom:
During the SOLIDWORKS installation process, users may receive a message that says:
“A newer version of this application is already installed.”
At first glance, this can look like an error or a blocker.

The Cause:
This is not an error—it’s a warning. It simply means that a newer version of SOLIDWORKS (either a newer Service Pack or a different year/version) is already installed on the system.

The Fix:

1. Don’t panic—this message is expected if you're installing an older version alongside a newer one.

2. Click “OK” to dismiss the message and continue the installation.

3. SOLIDWORKS supports multiple versions installed on the same machine, as long as they’re installed in separate directories.

📦 Best Practice Tip: When installing a second version, always:

• Update the Installation Location to include the version year (e.g., C:\Program Files\SOLIDWORKS 2022)

• Update the Toolbox/Hole Wizard Location the same way to avoid file conflicts.

This helps avoid overlap and keeps your systems organized for future updates or rollbacks.

Issue #5: “SOLIDWORKS VBA 7.1 Installation Error” Appears During Install  

The Symptom:
While installing SOLIDWORKS (particularly an older version like 2022 or earlier), users may encounter an error message multiple times during the install process that says:
“SOLIDWORKS VBA 7.1 installation error.”

The Cause:
This error shows up when a newer version of SOLIDWORKS (e.g., 2025) is already installed on the system. Since SOLIDWORKS relies on multiple versions of Visual Basic for Applications (VBA), older installers can conflict with the newer, existing VBA instances on your machine.

🔁 Why it happens three times:
SOLIDWORKS installs three different VBA modules, and each one attempts to install separately—hence, the same error shows up three times in a row.

The Fix:

1. This is a known and non-blocking issue. Simply click “OK” through each of the three error messages.

2. The installation will still complete successfully.

ARTICLE BY Phillip Lewis, CSWE