Waves plug-in FAQ

In this guide, we will answer some of the most frequently asked questions about Waves plug-ins such is why your Waves plugin isn’t showing up, how to recover licenses, and some basic software troubleshooting. Learn more on our Waves Software Activation Instructions page.

1. Activation and Installation
2. Troubleshooting

Activation and Installation

Why is my Waves plug-in not showing up in my DAW?

There can be one of a few reasons in which your Waves plug-ins isn’t showing up within your DAW. The first and most important thing to check is that the current version of Waves you’re running is compatible with the DAW its being used in. Visit the compatibility chart here. If you have confirmed your DAW is compatible and the Waves plug-in still isn’t showing up, follow the steps outlined in the Waves DAW guides here.

License Cloud

1. Launch the Waves Central app on the computer you’re transferring licenses from, log in to your Waves account, and then click Manage Licenses.
2. Click your computer in the Select Source section, select any plug-ins you wish to transfer, and then click My License Cloud in the Send licenses to section.
3. Click Send Licenses to send the licenses to the cloud.
4. Launch the Waves Central app on the computer you’re transferring to, log in to your Waves account, and click Manage Licenses
5. Click My License Cloud in the Select Source section, select the plug-ins you wish to transfer, and then click the computer in the Send licenses to section.
6. Click Send Licenses to complete the transfer.
   USB thumb drive
   1. Connect a USB thumb drive to the computer you’re transferring from, launch the Waves Central app, and then click Manage Licenses.
   2. Click the computer icon (or wherever your licenses are stored) in the Select Source section, select any plug-ins you wish to transfer, and then click the USB icon in the Send licenses to section.
   3. Click Send Licenses to send the licenses to complete the transfer.

How do I transfer a Waves license to another computer?

You can transfer licenses between computers one of two ways; via the Waves License Cloud or with a USB thumb drive. If you do plan on using a USB thumb drive, be sure to format it to FAT32 before sending licenses to it.

USB thumb drive

1. Connect a USB thumb drive to the computer you’re transferring from, launch the Waves Central app, and then click Manage Licenses
2. Click the computer icon (or wherever your licenses are stored) in the Select Source section, select any plug-ins you wish to transfer, and then click the USB icon in the Send licenses to section.
3. Click Send Licenses to send the licenses to complete the transfer

1. Launch the Waves Central app on the computer you’re transferring licenses from, log in to your Waves account, and then click Manage Licenses.
2. Click your computer in the Select Source section, select any plug-ins you wish to transfer, and then click My License Cloud in the Send licenses to section.
3. Click Send Licenses to send the licenses to the cloud.
4. Launch the Waves Central app on the computer you’re transferring to, log in to your Waves account, and click Manage Licenses.
5. Click My License Cloud in the Select Source section, select the plug-ins you wish to transfer, and then click the computer in the Send licenses to section.
6. Click Send Licenses to complete the transfer.

License Cloud

1. Launch the Waves Centralapp on the computer you’re transferring licenses from, log in to your Waves account, and then click Manage Licenses.
2. Click your computer in the Select Source section, select any plug-ins you wish to transfer, and then click My License Cloud in the Send licenses to section.
3. Click Send Licenses to send the licenses to the cloud.
4. Launch the Waves Centralapp on the computer you’re transferring to, log in to your Waves account, and click Manage Licenses. 
5. Click My License Cloud in the Select Source section, select the plug-ins you wish to transfer, and then click the computer in the Send licenses to section.
6. Click Send Licenses to complete the transfer. 

How do I reactivate or recover a Waves license?

If the Waves licenses stored on a USB drive or computer that is damaged, lost or stolen, you have the ability to recover and reactivate your license(s). Unless you are reactivating a license to the same computer which has crashed, you can only recover the licenses once per year. 

1. Launch the Waves Central app and log in to your Waves account.
2. In the Menu bar, select Licenses and then Recover licenses.
3. In the Select Source Disconnected Device section, click on the device which was lost, stolen, or damaged. 
4. Select the licenses to recover, click the source you wish to send your license(s) to, and then click Send Licenses.

Can I have Waves plug-ins activated on two computers?

Check out the Waves support article to learn more about how to register your additional license(s) (Waves Update Plan Required). Please note that registration of the second license is NOT automatic. For more information, please review the terms and conditions.

If, by any chance, you don’t have a second license and your other computer is compatible with the latest version of Waves, you can transfer the licenses to either the Waves License Cloud or a USB flash drive.

How do I install Waves plug-ins to a custom folder?

During the installation process, Waves plug-ins are installed to a pre-determined default folder. If you wish to move them to a custom plug-in folder you will need to copy the WaveShell VST file. Follow these steps to move your plug-ins.

1. Navigate to the default Waves VST file location:
   • PC: C:\Program Files\VSTPlugins (64-bit) or C:\Program Files (x86)\VSTPlugins (32-bit)
   • Mac: Macintosh HD > Library > Audio > Plugins > VST
2. Copy the WaveShell-VST (version number) file and then paste it into your custom plug-ins folder.

Where are the Waves Instruments sample folder located?

When you first load a Waves instrument, you will be prompted to select the sample folder. By default, the sample libraries are installed to:

• PC: C:\Program Files (x86)\Waves\Data\Instrument Data\(product name)
• Mac: Macintosh HD > Applications > Waves > Data > Instrument Data > (product name)

If you wish to move these sample libraries to a different location such as a dedicated external hard drive, simply copy the instrument folder and paste it to a different location.

Troubleshooting

Why am I receiving an error saying “No valid licenses found”?

This issue occurs if your licenses aren’t activated on the computer you’re using, if the USB thumb drive which your licenses are stored on isn’t connected, or if you’re using the incorrect version of Waves Central. Follow these steps to fix the error.

1. Launch the Waves Central app, navigate to the Licenses tab, and verify that all product licenses are activated on the correct device.
2. Verify the version of each of your plug-ins by going to the My Products page in your Waves account. 
3. Verify you don’t have the plug-in installed as both Version 9 and Version 10.
4. If you have a variety of Version 9 and Version 10 plug-ins, you can download, unzip, and launch the V9-V10 Organizer app for PC or Mac.
   • If your Waves version is older than V9, you will need to uninstall and reinstall the correct version of Waves Central from the legacy page here.

Knowledge Base