AutoCAD Electrical launch errors-Microsoft Access Database Engine cannot be located or driver ‘AceRedist’ is missing

Joanna Gryszka

Issue:

AutoCAD Electrical launches but errors pop-up that the ‘Microsoft Access Database 2016’ install or ‘AceRedist’ driver is missing

Causes:

Microsoft Access Database Engine is not installed
A recent Office 365 update is causing the error to reoccur
Microsoft Access Database Engine is installed but the AceDriverTest.exe fails to validate it
Corrupt Microsoft C++ installation

See this Autodesk article: https://www.autodesk.com/support/technical/article/caas/sfdcarticles/sfdcarticles/Launch-Issues-in-AutoCAD-Electrical-2021.html

Update on September 1st 2022 for AutoCAD Electrical 2023 only :

Install the AutoCAD Electrical 2023 Update 2023.0.1 to fix the defect 'Install Access database engine dialog box no longer displays a false alarm for some scenarios when launching AutoCAD Electrical.'

Solution:

Try one of the suggestions to uninstall Microsoft Access Engine 2016 and repair/install Microsoft Office 365.

Uninstall and reinstall Microsoft Access Database Engine.

Uninstall Microsoft Access Database Engine 2016 from Installed Apps

Repair Microsoft Office or install Microsoft 365 Access Runtime.

2. Reinstall Microsoft C++ Libraries: https://www.autodesk.com/support/technical/article/caas/sfdcarticles/sfdcarticles/How-to-remove-and-reinstall-Microsoft-Visual-C-Runtime-Libraries.html

3. Add the following file to your anti-virus exception list :

AceDriverTest.exe(see the 'Configuring Antivirus' note at the end)

For errors installing AutoCAD Electrical due to compatibility with Microsoft Access Database Engine:

https://knowledge.autodesk.com/support/autocad-electrical/troubleshooting/caas/sfdcarticles/sfdcarticles/Microsoft-Access-Database-Engine-compatibility-issues-with-AutoCAD-Electrical.html

'AceRedist is missing' errors on launch:

https://www.autodesk.com/support/technical/article/caas/sfdcarticles/sfdcarticles/The-driver-AceRedist-is-missing-when-launching-AutoCAD-Electrical.html

About the Author

Manufacturing Technical Support Specialist<br><br>Joanna has over eight years of experience working with Autodesk products. She started supporting core AutoCAD and network installations of all Autodesk products. She now has five years of experience with Inventor. <br> She graduated from Mechanical Engineering and has been providing solutions to clients and dedicating her knowledge to the Solution Center since then.
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