Vegas Pro 18/Windows 10 x64 - No VST plugin scanning after a crash

Andrew-Chase wrote on 6/27/2021, 3:32 AM

I have Vegas Pro 18 build 527, updated version of Windows 10 Enterprise x64.

Been working OK from December 2020 to April 2021. A couple crashes.

Windows 10 might have recently updated. IDK

Recently Vegas 18 no longer scans for VST plugins. Thusly, there are no VST plugins.

It would work for a while and then no plugins after about 5 Vegas crashes, VST plugins never to return.

Even doing a reset (press Ctrl-Shift during opening of Vegas 18 doesn't cause Vegas to scan the VST plugins directory. Tried different VST directories. No luck. Tried rebooting, no luck.

Doesn't scan upon startup and doesn't scan from the menu Preferences->VST Plugins->Refresh

After I uninstalled Vegas 18 and then removed all directories and Registry Entries and then reboot and reinstall, then VST plugins be seen again only to stop scanning again later

 

 

 

 

Comments

rraud wrote on 6/27/2021, 11:36 AM

Start by moving all the VSTs files to a temporary (non-VST) search folder and add the <.dll> VST files back in, a few at a time, I do it alphabetically, to narrow it down and identify the offender that hangs the VST search.
Unfortunately this can be an arduous process. I am not aware of an easier way to find the particular VST the hangs the VST search.

Andrew-Chase wrote on 6/27/2021, 2:43 PM

Should I do this even if I set the Default VST directory in Properties to an empty folder and leave the other Alternative Directories entries blank?

Andrew-Chase wrote on 6/27/2021, 2:57 PM

OK, it is back scanning with only a Default VST Directory entry and a couple safe plugins in that directory. BUT I had to reboot and reclear the Vegas registries and reinstall, and then reboot again. So maybe Vegas kept a hold of the VST .dlls during a crash and somehow something in the registry kept on keeping the hold after reboots. Wow

rraud wrote on 6/27/2021, 3:44 PM

maybe Vegas kept a hold of the VST .dlls during a crash and somehow something in the registry kept on keeping the hold after reboots

That is likely. And is why I usually recommend uninstalling using a third-party uninstaller that can remove left-over registry entries and other pertinent data the OS uninstall leaves behind, which in usually the root of recurring issues.

If you start adding plug-ins, add few a few at a time, so if it hangs again it is easier the identify the one that causes the hang. I have dealt with this issue a few times, since I am always looking for a better 'mousetrap' so-to-speak.
 

Andrew-Chase wrote on 6/27/2021, 6:36 PM

To get rid of Vegas from your system, (This really surprises me that after all these years, there are no warnings of VST load failures, and no complete Uninstall)

Be sure to note your serial number and email

Use the Windows Settings->Apps to uninstall Vegas Pro

Now delete the remaining footprints

Delete these directories assuming 64 bit Vegas Pro and Windows 10

C:\Program Files\Vegas\

C:\Program Data\Vegas

C:\Program Data\Vegas Pro

C:\User\{username}\App Data\Vegas

C:\User\{username}\App Data\Vegas Pro

Choose to open the regedit/Registry Editor on your PC, and delete those registry entries/directories belonging to Vegas Pro
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Sony Creative Software
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Wow6432Node\Sony Creative Software

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Sony Creative Software
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Wow6432Node\Sony Creative Software

REBOOT (for the new registry entries to take effect for the new install)

REINSTALL

Will need serial number and email

rraud wrote on 6/28/2021, 9:38 AM

Now delete the remaining footprints

Revo Uninstall (pro or free) can remove all the above data in one shot.