HEC-RAS Engine Loading Error

This article describes how to fix the HEC-RAS analysis engine loading error when launching the GeoHECRAS software.

While GeoHECRAS is starting up, it checks to see if everything is properly installed and functioning. Part of that startup check is to make certain that the HEC-RAS controller and analysis engine DLLs are registered for use with GeoHECRAS. If not, the software will display the following error message.

Sometimes installing other software or other versions of HEC-RAS can cause Microsoft Windows registry entries for the HEC-RAS controller and analysis engine DLLs to be changed so that GeoHECRAS cannot access them.

The following methods can be used to resolve this issue.

Method 1 – Update HEC-RAS Registry Entries

This method uses a batch file to update the HEC-RAS registry entries so that GeoHECRAS can load the HEC-RAS controller and analysis engine DLLs.

Exit GeoHECRAS if it is running.
Download the file HECReg.txt from here. (To download the file, right click on the text “here” and then select Save link as… from the context menu options.)
Start Windows Explorer and navigate to where the file has been saved to.
Rename the downloaded HECReg.txt file to HECReg.bat.
Right click on the HECReg.bat file and select Run as administrator from the context menu options.
A User Account Control message box will be displayed.
Click on the Yes button.
The batch file will update the registry entries and then quit.

Method 2 – Reinstall GeoHECRAS

If Method 1 did not work, then uninstall and reinstall GeoHECRAS. This should correct the issue.

Method 3 – Forceful Reinstall GeoHECRAS

In certain conditions, a simple reinstall of GeoHECRAS will not correct the issue. In this situation, a forceful reinstall of the software will correct the issue.

Uninstall GeoHECRAS.
Click on the Windows Start button to display the Windows Start menu.
Open the Run dialog box and type CMD. Then click on the [OK] button. A command window will be displayed.
Type the following at the command prompt (as a single line of text): reg delete “HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\VB and VBA Program Settings\C:\Program Files (x86)\CivilGEO” /f
Press the Enter key.
The command prompt should display the message The operation completed successfully.
Close the command window and reinstall GeoHECRAS.

Method 4 – Contact Technical Support

If the previous methods did not work or you want assistance, please contact our technical support. A team member will gladly assist you by logging on to your computer remotely and performing the necessary steps to correct the issue.