Plugins Appear in Demo Mode Although My License is Activated

Mar 26, 2023

Learn what to do if your Waves plugins load in Demo mode even though your license for them is activated.

When no valid license is detected, Waves V14 plugins will load in Demo mode. In Demo mode, the plugins are functional but audio is periodically muted (with mutes synchronized across all instances of Waves plugins).

If your license is activated but your plugins still appear as if they are in Demo Mode, follow these steps:

Verify the license is activated on your computer or USB flash drive:
1. Launch Waves Central.
  Windows: via the desktop shortcut or Start Menu > All Programs > Waves.
  Mac: Applications > Waves Central.
2. Log into Waves Central using your Waves account information.
3. Select the Licenses page.
4. Select the Connected Devices tab. Use the arrow on the right to expand the list.
5. Check whether the missing plugin/s license is activated on one of the connected devices.
If the licenses are not activated on any of the connected devices, check whether they appear in the Not Activated tab. In this case, select the license/s and click ‘Activate’.
Make sure that the plugins that are in demo mode are part of your Waves Creative Access subscription.

If you are subscribed to the Waves Ultimate subscription, none of the plugins should be in demo mode.

If you are subscribed to the Waves Essential subscription, check which plugins you have a license for: it is possible that the plugins running in demo mode are not included in Waves Essential.
Click here to see a list of all the plugins included in Waves Essential.
If the plugin licenses are not found in the Not Activated tab, check whether they appear in a device under the Disconnected Devices tab. If they do, refer to this article.
If you are connected to the internet via proxy, temporarily disable it.
Windows:
Go to Control Panel > Internet Options.
On the Connections tab, click the LAN Settings button and uncheck Use proxy server for your LAN.

Mac:
Go to the System Preferences > Network > Advanced > Proxies tab.
Under Proxies, make sure nothing is checked in the list.

None of the above worked? Please contact Waves Tech Support.