Fixing SOLIDWORKS Routing Drag and Drop Failed

The “Drag and Drop failed” error is a common issue encountered when working with SOLIDWORKS Routing. This error is not caused by a software bug, but rather by a misunderstanding or misapplication of how SOLIDWORKS Routing is intended to function.

This issue typically arises when a user attempts to drag a component from the Routing Library into a route, but the component is already open in memory from a different location outside the library. As a result, the user does not see a preview of the component during the drag-and-drop action, and upon dropping it into the route, the system displays the “Drag and Drop failed” error and does not insert the component.

What Are The Symptoms?

The first indicator that the operation isn’t going to succeed occurs when the user drags a file from the Routing Library and it doesn’t show the preview in the graphics window. This is a good indication that something is wrong. If they then proceed to drop the file in the graphics window, it will throw the “Drag and Drop failed” error message on the screen.

Why Does Drag and Drop Fail?

This happens because an assembly finds and loads a routing component from a location outside the Routing Library. The user, not realizing that files are being loaded from outside the library, then tries to drag and drop a duplicate component from the routing library.

SOLIDWORKS can only have one instance of a file loaded in a session at a time, so the “Drag and Drop failed” error occurs. From the images below, we can see that the “connector (3pin) male” component is loaded from D:\Tech Support\Routingx\Electrical Routing Demo 2008\Parts folder, but the file with the same name we are trying to drag in is located in C:\ProgramData\SOLIDWORKS\SOLIDWORKS 2024\design library\routing\electrical. Since the file is already loaded in memory from a different location, the drag and drop fails.

Connector component location in memory

Connect component location in the Routing Library

How Do We Fix the Error?

To correct this and prevent it from happening in the future, we need to ensure that all SOLIDWORKS Routing components are loaded from the Routing Library. The first thing to check is if the file locations in the Routing Library Manager are correct. The Routing Library Manager can be accessed by turning on the Routing Add-in and going to Tools>Options>System Options>Routing>Routing File Locations. There will be a blue link to launch the Routing Library Manager. The first file location is the most important. It should be pointed to the top level of the Routing Library location.

Default Routing Library file location

If this is pointed correctly, check and make sure there is a Referenced Document location set to the same Routing library folder shown above. To check this, go to Tools>Options>System Options>File Locations>Referenced Documents.

If the locations above are set correctly, make sure the Routing Add-in is turned on, reopen the assembly, and then try the drag-and-drop operation.

What If It Still Doesn’t Work?

If it still doesn’t work, use the failsafe method below to force SOLIDWORKS to load the correct component.

1. Close all SOLIDWORKS files to ensure no references are being held in memory.
2. Open the individual components directly from the Routing Library before opening the assembly.
3. Open the assembly and it will use the files already open in memory.
4. Save the assembly. This should update the file pointers so that they open from the correct location the next time.
5. You should now be able to drag and drop the file from the Routing Library without issue.

If, after troubleshooting, you are still experiencing issues with SOLIDWORKS Routing, contact our Technical Support Team here.