Ableton Live - my plug-ins aren't showing up

Compatibility

PROCESS.AUDIO plug-ins are compatible with Ableton Live 8 and above in 64-bit mode ONLY.

PROCESS.AUDIO plug-ins are 64-bit only. So make sure you are NOT running your DAW in 32-bit in a 32-bit environment. Ableton Live 8 and 9 need to be installed with their 64-bit installers whereas Ableton Live 10 is already 64-bit only.

Step 1: Check Plugin Locations

Make sure your plug-ins are installed in the correct and default locations.

Live 8 and 9 only use VST2 plug-ins whereas Live 10+ can use VST3 plug-ins.

macOS

• /Library/Audio/Plug-Ins/Components/ — AU
• /Library/Audio/Plug-Ins/VST/ — VST2
• /Library/Audio/Plug-Ins/VST3/ — VST3 (Live 10+ only)

Windows

• C:\Program Files\VSTPlugins — VST2
• C:\Program Files\Common Files\VST3 — VST3 (Live 10+ only)

Step 2: Run as Administrator (Windows)

Close Ableton, and then right-click and select Run as Administrator (you will only have to do this once). If the plug-ins show up at this point, you're set. If not, move on to the next step.

Step 3: Check Plug-In Sources Settings

Open Live's Preferences → Plug-ins (Live 10.1 and later) or Preferences → File Folder (all Live versions until 10.1). Spot the Plug-In Sources section (usually at the bottom of the pane).

Windows

• If using Live 10+ and VST3, enable the System folder. This is where your PROCESS.AUDIO plug-ins are installed by default (C:\Program Files\Common Files\VST3).
• If using a VST3 or VST2 Plug-in Custom Folder, make sure your PROCESS.AUDIO plug-ins are actually installed in this folder and switch it on (usually C:\Program Files\VSTPlugins).

In any event, make sure to switch Off both VST2 and VST3 locations first, hit Rescan, then switch them back On and hit Rescan again.

macOS

• If using Audio Units (AU), switch Use Audio Units on.
• If using the VST2 or VST3 Plug-in system folder, switch this on.
• If using a VST3 or VST2 Plug-in Custom Folder, make sure your PROCESS.AUDIO plug-ins are actually installed in this folder and switch it on (usually /Library/Audio/Plug-Ins/VST/).

Tip: Hit Rescan while pressing the Option key. It will force a deeper full rescan.

In any event, make sure to switch Off both VST2 and VST3 locations first, hit Rescan, then switch them back On and hit Rescan again.

Step 4: Reinstall (If Everything Fails)

If everything fails, remove the plug-ins manually, trash the plug-ins, rescan, re-install them with the PROCESS.AUDIO installers and hit rescan again.