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 January-February 2026 with Microsoft Office 365 update 2601 and newer:
Solution:
AutoCAD 2023-2026 : Apply all the latest product updates.
AutoCAD 2023-2024:In addition to the product updates, apply the launch error Hotfixes available at the end of this article:
If needed, 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 of the article)
For errors installing AutoCAD Electrical due to compatibility with Microsoft Access Database Engine:
'AceRedist is missing' errors on launch:
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