Audio filters missing (VST plugins remain on list, but not in project)

[Nikjacek]

Adobe Premiere Pro Version 23.6.0 (Build 65)

Windows 11 Home 22H2

Basic steps to reproduce the problem:

When I open a project that I last opened on Thursday, two VST plugins used in the project are offline. However, they still appear in the VST list. So I can still reapply fresh instances of them. But that means I lose the settings from the audio mix I did last week. If I open older versions of the project, then only one of the two plugins are offline, not both. I don't understand how it could have happened. Nothing has changed since Thursday.

Here's the error message I get when I open the project:

Audio Filter missing: L2 Stereo

Audio Filter missing: WLM Plus Stereo

Expected result:

The project I saved opens, and I can continue working on it where I left off.

Actual result:

Project cannot be opened with all of the previous work intact. Backup versions of the project — saved on previous days — also don't open correctly. The VST plugins, however, are still on the plugin list and can be applied as they were before, as fresh instances. So they aren't missing, despite the error message.

I can find a workaround today, but it's an annoying bug that has lost a lot of time on a project that was almost finished.

[mstegner]

I'm not sure what could cause this, but maybe this will help fix the issue:
1. Close and reopen Premiere, do no load a project.
2. Open "Preferences>Audio>Manage Audio Plug-ins..."

3. In the dialog that opens, put a check next to "Rescan exiting plugins"

4. Then hit "Scan for plugins"

When it is done, close and reopen Premiere and see if the effects load again.
Did Waves plugins get updated on your system?

[Nikjacek]

**Edit - I solved the issue, see the post flagged 'Correct Answer' - the issue was with Waves Central and not with Premiere**

Thank you.
I tried these steps, but unfortunately, the same problem persists.

The VST plugins were not missing before, and they still appear on the list after rescanning.
But Premiere doesn't recognise existing instances of the plugins in the project.

While I did not update Waves plugins on the system, I think I did install a Windows update a few days before this happened.

It does seem that the settings in those plugin instances are lost for good.
The project is delivered now, using an audio track from an old render to save time.
But, it is concerning that saving can't be relied upon when using VST plugins in Premiere.

[mstegner]

How old was this project? 

Roughly 2-3 years ago, Premiere and Waves stopped supporting the VST (VST 2.4) version of the Waves Plug-in, and only started supporting the VST3 (and Audio Units) version of the effects.  This was a joint decision between the two companies.

When you scan for effects in a current version of Premiere, you will only see the VST3 version of the Waves effects, not the legacy VST version.

Is it possible that you had created this project in an older version and not updated Premiere, and then updated and hit that change?
That is the only thing I can think of that would cause this.

[Nikjacek · Accepted solution]

I'm pleased to say I've fixed this. The solution was:

Open the separate Waves Central app and log in again.

Now the plugins are applied as normal in Premiere and the old projects load without issue.
Thanks for your help troubleshooting this.

[rt68216547]

Moving it to Discussions