Skip to main content

"base.dcl" Can't Find File

When I run a command, I get the following AutoCAD Message dialog boxes:​

warning

"base.dcl"
Can't find file.

warning

Error loading dialog control file.

warning

Semantic error(s) in DCL file.
See file acad.dcl for details.

Cause​

One or more standard AutoCAD support file search paths have been removed.

Solution​

Manually restore the missing support file search path(s).

All of the support paths are located in your AppData folder. One simple way to find it is to open Windows Explorer, type %APPDATA% into the address bar, and press ENTER. The current folder will change to your AppData\Roaming folder.

You can also navigate to it manually: C:\Users\<User Name>\AppData\Roaming

The AutoCAD support folder will be located in one of the following folders within AppData\Roaming, depending upon your AutoCAD version:

AutoCAD
Version		Folder Path
2007...\Autodesk\AutoCAD 2007\R17.0\enu\Support
2008...\Autodesk\AutoCAD 2008\R17.1\enu\Support
2009...\Autodesk\AutoCAD 2009\R17.2\enu\Support
2010...\Autodesk\AutoCAD 2010\R18.0\enu\Support
2011...\Autodesk\AutoCAD 2011\R18.1\enu\Support
2012...\Autodesk\AutoCAD 2012 - English\R18.2\enu\Support
2013...\Autodesk\AutoCAD 2013 - English\R19.0\enu\Support
2014...\Autodesk\AutoCAD 2014\R19.1\enu\Support
2015...\Autodesk\AutoCAD 2015\R20.0\enu\Support
2016...\Autodesk\AutoCAD 2016\R20.1\enu\Support
2017...\Autodesk\AutoCAD 2017\R21.0\enu\Support
2018...\Autodesk\AutoCAD 2018\R22.0\enu\Support
2019...\Autodesk\AutoCAD 2019\R23.0\enu\Support
2020...\Autodesk\AutoCAD 2020\R23.1\enu\Support
2021...\Autodesk\AutoCAD 2021\R24.0\enu\Support
2022...\Autodesk\AutoCAD 2022\R24.1\enu\Support
2023...\Autodesk\AutoCAD 2023\R24.2\enu\Support
2024...\Autodesk\AutoCAD 2024\R24.3\enu\Support
2025...\Autodesk\AutoCAD 2025\R25.0\enu\Support

Once you have located the folder, you can add it back to the AutoCAD support file search path using the following steps:

  1. Copy the filepath from the Windows Explorer address bar.

  2. In AutoCAD, type OPTIONS at the command line.

  3. Select the Files tab.

  4. Select Support File Search Path ☰ in the list.

  5. Press the button.

  6. Paste the folder path into the field provided and press ENTER.
    You can also press the button and browse to the folder.

  7. Press the button to move the new support path to the top of the list.

  8. Press the button to close the dialog box and save the change.