Try to open the drawing file directly instead of using the Recent Documents menu.

However, there are a few things that may get it to open:

Otherwise, this message indicates that the drawing file has been damaged beyond use. Refer to the table below for specific details on the file formats supported by various AutoCAD releases. If this turns out to be the issue, request that the drawing be saved to a version that is compatible with the AutoCAD you are using. For example, a drawing created in AutoCAD 2015 will not open in AutoCAD 2012.

Start by verifying that the drawing file you are trying to open was not created in a newer version of AutoCAD, with a newer file format than the version you are currently using.

Your drawing may show the message “Drawing file is not valid,” display a message about errors being found, hang or crash during the open process, or simply may not appear in AutoCAD after you have selected to open it (i.e., you open it but all you ever see is the default “Drawing1.dwg” or another file that you currently have open). If the drawing file (DWG) will not open at all: Use the following guidelines and instructions to clean, repair, and recover your drawing.

Repair autocad file online