How to Enable Virtual Instruments and Audio Units in Ableton Live

Updated on January 11th, 2024

If you aren't seeing all of your installed plug-ins listed in the Plug-Ins section of the Ableton browser, it may be because you don't have all virtual instruments (VSTs) or audio units (AUs) enabled. To ensure you have them all enabled, take the following steps:

  1. Open the Ableton Preferences menu, and click the Plug-Ins tab
  2. Ensure the following are set to On:
    •  Use VST2 Plug-In System Folders
    •  Use VST3 Plug-In System Folders
    •  Use Audio Units
Screenshot of Plug-ins tab of Ableton Preferences
  1. Click the Rescan button on the Rescan Plug-Ins line

You may also want to enable the VST2 Plug-In Custom Folder and VST3 Plug-In Custom Folder options if you have plug-ins saved in a location other than the default. In that case, click the Browse button to select the appropriate location where those plug-ins are stored, then click the Rescan button again.

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