Autodesk Desktop Connector is shutting down - Could not load file or assembly

Issue:
Autodesk Desktop Connector crashes and generates a Customer Error Report (CER)

Causes:
The issue may arise due to various factors, including:

• Corrupt registries affecting Desktop Connector.
• Windows system failure.
• Conflicting services running in the background.

Solution:
Step 1: Preliminary Troubleshooting

• Disable VPN and try launching Desktop Connector again.

Step 2: Ensure Desktop Connector is Up to Date.

Step 3: Reset Desktop Connector Folders

1.     Rename the local Desktop Connector cache folder:

• Exit out from Desktop Connector

• Navigate to:

C:\Users\<username>\DC\ACCDocs

• Rename it to something like:

C:\Users\<username>\DC\ACCDocs_Backup\

• This preserves your existing files while resetting the local cache. 

2.     Delete Registry Keys related to Desktop Connector:

• Open Windows Registry Editor (regedit).
• Delete keys shown below:

• •  HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\SyncRootManager
  •  HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Desktop\NameSpace

3.     Run the Desktop Connector Reset Tool:

• Execute:

• • C:\Program Files\Autodesk\Desktop Connector\Reset\ResetDesktopConnector.exe

4.     Relaunch Autodesk Desktop Connector.

5.     Re-select projects:

• Open Desktop Connector and use the "Select Projects" command from the Home Screen. 

Step 4: Run System Check and Repair

1.     Open Command Prompt (cmd.exe) as Administrator.

2.     Run the following command to check and repair system files:

• Run the command sfc/scanow

Step 5: Identify and Kill Conflicting Services

1.     Perform a Net Pipe Scan to detect conflicting services. (See details below.)

2.     Identify any conflicting services.

3.     Kill the conflicting process using Task Manager.

4.     Relaunch Desktop Connector.

Note.: If the conflicting service is RTDashService.exe (Realtek DASH Client Service), consider updating the network controller driver or removing RTDashService.exe permanently to prevent future crashes.

*Performing Net Pipe Scan and detecting Conflicting Services 

(.net - Third party app breaks our WCF application - Stack Overflow)

About the Author

Sr Technical Support Specialist<br><br> Skilled in AutoCAD, Mixed-use, Renovation, Revit, and Sustainable Design. Strong arts and design professional with a BA in Urban design focused in Architecture from University of Washington.

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