A blank project is opened in ArcGIS Pro

Description

In some cases, when opening an ArcGIS Pro project, the screen displays a blank project. The top ribbon is displayed but there are no panes or map views open, creating the effect of a blank project or a project not loading on the screen.

The image below shows a blank project opened in ArcGIS Pro.

Cause

Some changes are made to the application or system and the causes are possibly but not limited to the following:

• All maps and panes were closed, and the project was saved before exiting ArcGIS Pro.
• There was a recent Windows update on the machine.
• There was a recent upgrade or change to the ArcGIS Pro license.

Solution or Workaround

1. Open the project in ArcGIS Pro.
2. On the top ribbon, click the View tab > Reset Panes > Reset Panes for Mapping (Default). This opens the Contents and Catalog panes on the sides of the project.

Note:
Optionally, on the View tab, click Catalog Pane and Contents to open the Catalog and Contents panes.

3. In the Catalog pane, expand Maps to view all available maps in the project. Right-click the desired map and click Open.

The map is opened in the project, along with the Contents and Catalog panes.