Rescanning Sonnox VST3 Plugins in Cubase

Modified on Wed, 30 Jul at 4:12 PM

If your Sonnox plug‑ins are not appearing in Cubase or Nuendo, a plugin rescan to clear blacklist entries and cache often resolves the issue.

This guide covers the correct steps to force a rescan and restore missing plug‑ins using Steinberg’s latest interface (as of Cubase/Nuendo 10+).

Prerequisites

Cubase or Nuendo fully closed (not running in background).
Administrative permissions if needed.
Hidden files and folders visible (for cache removal if needed).

Step‑by‑Step Solution

1. Use the VST Plug‑In Manager

Open Cubase or Nuendo.
From the Studio menu, select VST Plug‑In Manager (or in older versions, via Devices → Plug‑In Manager).
Click the gear icon (settings), then choose Rescan All to refresh all plugin folders.

2. Reactivate Blocklisted Plug‑ins

Within the Plug‑In Manager, switch to the Blacklist tab.
Select any Sonnox plug‑in listed and click the Refresh/Reactivate button to allow Cubase/Nuendo to load it again.

Additional Steps (Advanced Troubleshooting)

If rescanning in‑software doesn’t work, you can manually clear plugin cache files:

macOS

Quit Cubase/Nuendo.
Go to ~/Library/Preferences/Steinberg/<Version>
Delete the files:
- vst3plugins.xml
- vst3blacklist.xml
Relaunch the DAW — this forces a full plugin rescan.

Windows

Quit the DAW.
Run: %appdata%\Steinberg\<Cubase_or_Nuendo_version>_64\
Delete these files:
- Vst2xPlugins Cubase (x86_64).xml
- Vst2xBlacklist Cubase.xml
Also remove VST3 cache files if present (vst3plugins.xml, vst3blacklist.xml).
Relaunch the DAW to force a rebuild.

Troubleshooting / Alternative Fixes

If Sonnox plug‑ins still don’t show up:
- Confirm the AAX/VST plugin files are installed in the correct default plugin locations.
- Make sure your iLok authorisation is active (see related licensing articles).
- If the plugin had previously caused a crash, it may remain blacklisted — reactivation is required.

FAQ / Common Questions

Q: Where is the “Rescan All” button in newer Cubase/Nuendo versions?
A: It’s located in the VST Plug‑In Manager settings—click the gear icon to access it.

Q: Does this process remove my project data or presets?
A: No, only plugin scan and blacklist cache files are cleared. Your sessions and settings remain unchanged.

Q: Cubase crashes during the rescan. What now?
A: This may indicate a problematic plugin. Manually removing caches or trashing preferences can help resolve persistent crashes.