Plugins Not Showing Up in Your DAW

If your plugins show as installed in Complete Access Hub but don't appear in your DAW, or a session reports them as "not found," the cause is almost always one of these three:

🎛️ Cause 1: Your DAW's plugin format isn't selected in Complete Access Hub

Complete Access Hub only installs the plugin formats you've selected, and it removes any formats you haven't. If the format your DAW uses isn't checked, the plugin will show as installed in Complete Access Hub but won't appear in your DAW.

The first time you click Install on an individual plugin, or click Install All, Complete Access Hub asks which formats you'd like to install by default. You can change this at any time in Settings.

How to check and change your plugin formats

1. Open Complete Access Hub and click the Settings ⚙️ icon.
2. Under Plugin format, check the box for every format your DAW uses (see the table below). If you use more than one DAW, select the formats for all of them.
3. Any installed plugins that don't match your new selection will be flagged for an update. Open the Update menu and update them so the missing formats are installed.
4. Rescan plugins in your DAW (see How to rescan plugins in your DAW), then reopen your session.

🎚️ Which plugin format does my DAW use?

Each DAW only loads certain formats. AU is Mac only, and AAX is Pro Tools only.

• AU Audio Units. Mac only. Required for Logic Pro, and also used by several other Mac DAWs.
• AAX Pro Tools only, on Mac and Windows.
• VST3 Mac and Windows. Recommended for most modern DAWs.
• VST2 Mac and Windows. For older DAWs and legacy plugins.

A session looks for the same format it was saved with. For example, if a project was built with the AU versions of our plugins and only VST3 is installed now, your DAW will list those plugins as missing. If you're not sure which format a session used, select every format your DAW supports.

For supported DAW versions and system requirements, see Supported Digital Audio Workstations.

Confirming which formats are installed (Mac)

Each format installs to its own folder. To check one, open Finder, choose Go > Go to Folder, and paste the path below.

If a plugin is missing from the folder for your DAW's format, go back to How to check and change your plugin formats.

🔑 Cause 2: The plugin was scanned before its license was activated

If your DAW scans a plugin before a valid license is found, it can fail the plugin and block it. The plugin then stays hidden, even after the license is activated. Once the license is in place, a rescan is all you need.

1. Open iLok License Manager and confirm the license for the plugin is activated, either to iLok Cloud, an iLok USB, or your computer.
2. Make sure iLok License Manager is up to date. You can download the latest version from ilok.com.
3. Rescan plugins in your DAW (see How to rescan plugins in your DAW).

🚪 Cause 3: The plugin was installed while your DAW was open

If your DAW is open while a plugin installs or updates, the plugin may not scan in.

If it's already happened, quit your DAW, reopen it, and rescan your plugins.

🔄 How to rescan plugins in your DAW

Choose the article for your DAW:

• Ableton Live
• Bitwig Studio
• Cubase
• Digital Performer
• FL Studio
• Logic Pro
• Pro Tools
• Reaper
• Reason
• Sonar / Cakewalk
• Studio One

You'll find all of our troubleshooting articles in the Troubleshooting section.

💬 Still missing?

If your plugins still don't appear after checking all three causes, submit a request and include:

• Your DAW and its version
• The names of the missing plugins
• A screenshot of your plugin format settings in Complete Access Hub
• Your System Report (Mac)

How to save a System Report on a Mac

1. Click the Apple menu and select About This Mac.
2. Click More Info…, then scroll down and click System Report… On older versions of macOS, the System Report button is right in the About This Mac window.
3. In the System Report window, go to File > Save. This may take a minute.
4. Attach the saved file to your request.