How to reinstall FabFilter plugins on a new computer.
FabFilter makes migration relatively straightforward, but you still need the correct installers, your personal license information, the right plugin formats, and any presets that live outside the plugin itself.
Fix the whole setup—not just one plugin file.
A dependable result accounts for software, formats, versions, licenses, presets, supporting files, and the sessions that depend on them.
Download fresh installers
Use the current official installers rather than copying old plugin files from the previous computer.
Restore the license key
FabFilter authorization is completed inside the plugin by pasting the full personal license information.
Verify every format
Install the VST3, AU, or AAX versions required by the DAWs and old sessions you actually use.
Before reinstalling FabFilter plugins
Open several important projects on the old machine and note which FabFilter products and plugin formats they use. A session that was created with a VST3 instance may not automatically substitute an AU or AAX instance, even when the product name is the same.
- Scan the old computer with FX Recall and save the plugin inventory.
- Sign in to your FabFilter account and confirm that your products and license information are available.
- Back up custom presets, DAW templates, channel strips, and session files.
- Check that the new operating system and processor are supported by the versions you plan to install.
Install FabFilter plugins on the new computer
Download the installers
Sign in to your FabFilter account or use FabFilter’s download page to get the latest supported installers for macOS or Windows.
Select the products and formats
Install the products you own and the formats your DAWs use. For most current Windows systems that means VST3 and possibly AAX; on macOS it may include AU, VST3, and AAX.
Use the installer’s normal locations
Unless you have a deliberate VST2 folder strategy, allow the installer to use standard locations. This makes DAW discovery and future maintenance easier.
Restart and rescan the DAW
Close the DAW during installation, reopen it afterward, and force a plugin rescan if the products do not appear immediately.
For standard VST3, AU, and AAX paths, see the audio plugin install locations guide.
Authorize FabFilter on the new computer
Open one of the installed FabFilter plugins inside your DAW. Choose Enter License from the evaluation dialog or the plugin’s Help menu, then paste the complete license text associated with your purchase.
- Copy the entire license information, including the product and licensee lines.
- Repeat the process where required for products that are not covered by the same license text.
- Keep a secure backup of the license information rather than storing it only in an old email inbox.
Move FabFilter presets and settings
Factory presets return with a normal installation, but user presets and custom workflow settings may need separate attention. Their exact locations can vary by operating system, product version, DAW, and whether the preset was stored by the plugin or by the host.
- Export especially important presets from inside the plugin when possible.
- Back up DAW preset folders and channel-strip templates.
- Open a representative group of sessions and confirm that automation, sidechain routing, and plugin state recall correctly.
Use the audio plugin reinstall checklist to verify each vendor before retiring the old computer.
FabFilter plugins missing after reinstall
The plugin is installed but not listed
Confirm that you installed a format supported by your DAW, check the plugin folder in the DAW’s preferences, and run a full rescan. On Apple Silicon, make sure the installed build is compatible with the way your DAW is running.
The plugin opens in evaluation mode
Open the Help menu, choose Enter License, and paste the complete license text. Confirm that no lines were omitted when copying it.
An old project reports the plugin as missing
Check whether the project used a different plugin format or an older major version. Reinstall the matching format and test again before replacing instances manually.
The DAW crashes during scanning
Update both the DAW and FabFilter plugins, remove obsolete duplicate versions, and rescan. Test one format at a time when narrowing down the cause.
Official resources
Related FX Recall guides
Frequently asked questions
Can I install FabFilter plugins on a new computer?
Yes. Download the official installers, install the formats you need, then enter your personal license information inside the plugin.
Do I need to deactivate the old computer first?
FabFilter’s standard authorization uses your license key rather than a single machine-bound activation workflow. Follow the current license terms for the number of systems you personally use.
Can I copy the FabFilter plugin files manually?
Fresh installation is safer because the installer places all formats and supporting files in the expected locations.
Does FX Recall reinstall FabFilter automatically?
No. FX Recall records what was installed and helps you track the rebuild; FabFilter’s official installers perform the installation.
Do not rebuild your plugin library from memory.
Scan your old computer with FX Recall, save a cloud-synced inventory, and track what still needs to be installed on the new machine.