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3ds Max: How to Fix “Failed to Load Texture File” Error

“Failed to load texture file: ” when rendering or opening a bitmap in the Material Editor in 3ds Max

Issue: Texture File Failed to Load

When rendering or attempting to open a bitmap texture file in the Material Editor, an error message appears, indicating that the specified texture or bitmap file failed to load. The path where the error occurs may vary, depending on which bitmap file 3ds Max cannot find.

“Failed to load texture file: <path>”

Failed to load texture file
Failed to load texture file

A Missing Map Files window may also appear in addition to the error in the Render Message: ART Renderer window:

A Missing Map Files
A Missing Map Files

Causes: Why Texture Files Fail to Load

The primary cause is that the file is no longer present in the indicated folder path.

Note: This can happen due to several reasons, including improper installation of 3ds Max stock images, accidental file deletion, renaming a file, or moving a file to a different folder.

Solution: Resolving the “Failed to Load Texture File” Error

Follow these steps to resolve the error:

  1. Ensure the file exists in the indicated error path location.
    • If the missing file has been renamed, change the file name back to the one noted in the error message so 3ds Max can locate and load the file.
  2. If the file is not in the indicated path, search your Windows PC for the file name using the Windows Explorer search bar.
"Failed to load texture file: " when rendering or opening a bitmap in the Material Editor in 3ds Max
Windows PC

Note: Consider using third-party search tools like Everything to find files stored in various locations on your PC.

  1. Once you find the file, move it to the correct location that 3ds Max is searching for in the error path.

If the file no longer exists on your PC, you have two options:

Remove the Bitmap Reference

  1. Remove the bitmap file reference from where it’s used within 3ds Max (e.g., Material Editor, applied to an object, etc.).
  2. Resave the scene.

Replace the Missing Bitmap File

  1. Download or re-add the bitmap texture to your PC.
  2. Name it identically to the file name listed in the error path and place it in the indicated error folder location.

By following these steps, 3ds Max should no longer display an error message related to missing bitmap paths.

See also:

  • “Maximum Nested Error Dialog Depth Reached” when launching 3ds Max
  • Layers In Scene Explorer Disappear In 3ds Max
3ds Max: How to Fix “Failed to Load Texture File” Error