How do I find out if an Extension is causing problems?

If SketchUp Pro is unstable, behaving erratically, or even crashing, it's a good idea to check whether an extension is installed that is causing these problems.

To do this, start SketchUp Pro with the extensions disabled. This can be done in three ways:

The Extension Manager method

This method only works if SketchUp is still starting. In case of a crash on startup, please try the folders method.

The advantage of this method: work clearly via the program's own interface.

In SketchUp, go to Extensions > Extension Manager.

Next to every extension you will find here, there is usually a slider displaying "Enabled". Click the extension sliders to disable them. For a thorough test, you can start by disabling all extensions. Then close SketchUp and restart SketchUp. Does this go smoothly? Then re-enable the extensions one by one, always restarting SketchUp in between.

The Ruby method

This method only works if SketchUp is still starting. In case of a crash on startup, please try the folders method.

Advantage of this method: really all extensions are disabled. The other methods are unable to disable SketchUp's own extensions (Sandbox, Trimble Connect & Dynamic Components).

1. In SketchUp Pro, open the Ruby Console Window (Extensions > Developer > Ruby Console)
2. Type exactly: Sketchup.plugins_disabled = true
3. Now quit SketchUp Pro and restart it

All extensions should now be disabled. Now try if you still see the problems. If not, then an extension is indeed the culprit. To isolate the plugin causing the problem:

1. In SketchUp Pro, open the Ruby Console Window (Extensions > Developer > Ruby Console)
2. Type exactly: Sketchup.plugins_disabled = false
3. Now quit SketchUp Pro and restart it

SketchUp Pro should now start with plugins again. Now uninstall the installed extensions one by one and always start SketchUp Pro in between and close SketchUp again. If the problem disappears, you have found the offending plugin.

You can use either the Extension Manager method or the folders-method to uninstall & install individual extensions.

The folders method

Advantage of this method: also works if SketchUp crashes at startup.

WINDOWS In the folder C:\Users\[your username]\AppData\Roaming\SketchUp\SketchUp 20xx\SketchUp\Plugins you will find most installed extensions.

MAC The folder ~/Library/Application Support/SketchUp 20xx/SketchUp/Plugins contains most of the installed extensions.

(replace 20xx with your version of SketchUp)

Make a duplicate of this folder, then empty the original folder. Launch SketchUp. 

Is this going smoothly? Then put the extensions back one by one, always restarting SketchUp in between to check whether SketchUp still behaves correctly. Each extension consists of a folder and a corresponding file with the file extension .rb