Ansyswbu.exe Encountered A Problem. A Diagnostic: File Has Been Written

The crash occurs only when a specific plugin is loaded or used.

If you encounter this error repeatedly despite following the steps above, consider evaluating your workstation specifications against ANSYS’s hardware requirements, and ensure you are running a certified graphics driver configuration. Simulation stability begins with a stable foundation. Last updated: For ANSYS Workbench releases 2022 R1 through 2025 R1. Always consult the ANSYS Customer Portal for release-specific known issues and hotfixes.

This error typically appears mid-simulation, during mesh generation, or even while simply opening a project. It forces an immediate shutdown of the Workbench user interface (WBU), leaving engineers scrambling to recover unsaved data. While the promise of a "diagnostic file" suggests a straightforward fix, the reality is that the root cause can range from insufficient RAM to corrupted project files, graphics driver conflicts, or licensing issues. The crash occurs only when a specific plugin

The diagnostic file shows std::bad_alloc or memory-related exceptions. Also, you may notice system slowdowns before the crash.

| Keyword | Meaning | |---------|---------| | EXCEPTION_ACCESS_VIOLATION | Memory access issue (often hardware or driver related) | | STACK_OVERFLOW | Infinite recursion or very deep command calls | | Out of memory | Insufficient RAM or virtual memory | | Failed to load DLL | Missing or corrupted dependency | | Graphics driver | GPU-related failure | | Corrupt project file | Issue with .wbpj or .mechdb file | Last updated: For ANSYS Workbench releases 2022 R1

If you cannot interpret the file, save it and contact ANSYS Support—they will ask for it. 1. Insufficient System Memory (RAM / Virtual Memory) Why it happens: ANSYS Workbench can consume 8-32 GB of RAM depending on model size. When memory runs out, ansyswbu.exe crashes when trying to allocate additional space—for example, when updating a mesh or refreshing a result.

Multiple users on the same machine experience the crash. Even simple operations cause failure. It forces an immediate shutdown of the Workbench

The crash occurs when opening a specific project, but new projects work fine. Diagnostic file may show XML parsing error or unexpected end of file .