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Troubleshooting ​

FAILED TO GET MSTN CONNECTION TO APPLICATION ​

Overview ​

You may encounter the following error in the Autodesk Vault Job Queue when using Minute Creator (also referred to as MinuteView Creator):

Error

FAIL: TITLE: DGN PROCESSING ISSUE FULL MSG: FAILED TO GET MSTN CONNECTION TO APPLICATION

This error typically appears during a Vault lifecycle transition (for example, Design Check to Design Approval) when a job attempts to process a MicroStation (DGN) file.

What This Error Means ​

This message indicates that Minute Creator was unable to establish a connection to MicroStation on the Vault Job Processor where the job was executed.

Minute Creator runs inside the Autodesk Vault Job Processor. Any task that processes DGN files relies on MicroStation being installed, licensed, and runnable on the specific Job Processor machine that picked up the job.

Key Point

The Job Processor could not start or connect to MicroStation. This is not a Minute Creator application error — it is an environment or licensing issue on the Job Processor machine.

How Minute Creator Uses MicroStation ​

  • Minute Creator is a Vault Job Processor plug-in
  • Jobs are executed under the Windows account configured for the Job Processor
  • When a DGN task runs, Minute Creator:
    1. Launches MicroStation
    2. Connects to it via automation
    3. Performs the required processing (PDF publish, checks, etc.)

If MicroStation cannot start cleanly for that user, the job will fail with this error.

Primary Causes ​

This issue is most commonly caused by one or more of the following:

1. MicroStation Not Installed on the Job Processor ​

  • The Job Processor machine must have MicroStation installed
  • Having it installed on another server or user PC is not sufficient

2. MicroStation Licensing Issues ​

The Job Processor user's MicroStation license may:

  • Be expired
  • Require re-authentication
  • Be assigned to a different user

Silent licensing failures will prevent automation from starting MicroStation.

3. Job Processor Running Under a Service Account ​

Many environments use a dedicated account such as DOMAIN\JobProcessor01.

Important

  • MicroStation must be tested while logged in as this exact account
  • A different user successfully opening MicroStation does not validate the setup

4. MicroStation Has Never Been Opened for That User ​

MicroStation often needs to:

  • Run once interactively
  • Accept licensing terms
  • Create initial user profile files

If this hasn't happened, automation will fail.

Step 1: Identify the Failing Job Processor ​

  • Check the Vault Job Queue error details
  • Note which Job Processor executed the failed job

Step 2: Log In Using the Job Processor Account ​

  • Log into the exact machine
  • Use the same Windows account that the Job Processor service runs under

Step 3: Launch MicroStation Manually ​

While logged in as the Job Processor user:

  1. Open MicroStation directly
  2. Confirm:
    • It launches without errors
    • No licensing prompts appear
    • A blank DGN can be opened successfully

TIP

If MicroStation cannot be opened manually, the issue is confirmed to be environmental and must be resolved before Minute Creator jobs will succeed.

Step 4: Resolve Any MicroStation Issues ​

This may involve:

  • Re-licensing MicroStation
  • Repairing the installation
  • Updating Bentley licensing services
  • Consulting your Bentley / UBT support partner

Key Takeaway ​

Summary

This error simply means the Job Processor could not start MicroStation. Once MicroStation is installed, licensed, and can be launched successfully by the Job Processor user, the Minute Creator job will resume normal operation.

When to Contact Support ​

If:

  • MicroStation launches cleanly under the Job Processor account
  • Licensing is confirmed valid
  • The issue persists

Then it may be appropriate to contact MinuteView Support with:

  • Job ID
  • Job Processor name
  • Vault version
  • MicroStation version
  • Exact error message

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