How can you identify the cause of a 2D CAD error?

Write down the error listed in the dialog. Look it up online. Some platforms require object enablers or additional applications to be installed into your AutoCad to function to work properly. You may also want to check for object enablers, your drivers to your video card, and how much resources you have on your terminal for the file. Something people tend to overlook is the process of exporting the original file to a dwg might have been improperly done or missing data. File structure and corruption is another issue you may need to address as well. Fixing issues like these take time which may force people to question the real value of using the file in the first place as budgets tend to be the deciding factor in projects.

I have a specific scenario regarding AutoCAD. Cleaning up your file and you go to purge, you want everything that isn't needed out of there. You purge until it begs you to stop. You head over to your model page and check settings, components, and elements. Whats this? There is a layer, block, or line type that won't go away? You use QSELECT to isolate or it tells you it doesn't exist!!! Ok you will eventually sort it out. Might be a layer in a block that was hidden, with a random line associated to it. Sometimes this doesn't work and you might need to writeblock out something. We've all been there, we all go a little crazy sometimes. You're not alone. If you can't find the issue, reach out to colleagues or industry professionals.

Layers that don't go away even after the drawing has been purged, are usually caused by layers that come with imported objects from other CAD programs such as Civil 3D and others. One way to remove those un-purgeable layers is to use "Laydel" which can delete layers and all objects in those layers. First, make current any layer other than the target layer. Then use command Laydel. Select object in target layer and answer yes. Object will be erased along with the layer containing it.

25 years experience of my work getting error message then read carefully ,error requires a systematic approach ,Check for overlapping lines, duplicate entities, gaps

In my 30+ years of experience using AutoCAD I’ve found it’s usually one of two things… 1- Poor Drawing Maintenance Be wary of any and all third-party apps as they can create metadata that can cause drawing bloat, interfere with core commands, and be detrimental to drawing stability. 2- Poor System Maintenance Outdated video card drivers, corrupt system files, insufficient file storage space, and outdated operating systems are just a few of the culprits that can unknowingly cause errors. Why do you think tech support always wants to confirm if you have the latest updates installed when you reach out? More often than not, clearing the %TEMP% folder in Windows can fix many issues that a user may run into with “corrupt” drawings.