[Bug]: All VST3 and AU plugins fail scan

[joelassaizky]

What happened?

After updating to 1.0 and scanning plugins, nearly all of my vst3 and AU plugins failed validation with "Deactivated after failing to initialise properly" - only a handful of plugins passed. MacOS 15.7.3.

I can add them via the unverified menu and they work and are added to the plugin list.
The majority of plugins that failed used to pass the scan in the old 0.4.6 version

Version

1.0.0 (Latest)

Relevant log output

**********************************************************
Plugin Scanner
Log started: 21 Feb 2026 1:31:42am

Element v1.0.0 (GPL v3)
Copyright (c) 2017-2026 Kushview, LLC.  All rights reserved.


**********************************************************
Plugin Scanner
Log started: 21 Feb 2026 1:45:40am

[scanner] connection to coordinator established
[scanner] creating global objects
[scanner] setting up formats
scan: VST3: /Library/Audio/Plug-Ins/VST3/ANA2.vst3
scan: VST3: /Library/Audio/Plug-Ins/VST3/ANA2.vst3
scan: VST3: /Library/Audio/Plug-Ins/VST3/SigmaSoundStudiosDI.vst3
scan: VST3: /Library/Audio/Plug-Ins/VST3/SigmaSoundStudiosDI.vst3
scan: VST3: /Library/Audio/Plug-Ins/VST3/OSS.vst3
scan: VST3: /Library/Audio/Plug-Ins/VST3/OSS.vst3
scan: VST3: /Library/Audio/Plug-Ins/VST3/B-3 V2.vst3
scan: VST3: /Library/Audio/Plug-Ins/VST3/B-3 V2.vst3
scan: VST3: /Library/Audio/Plug-Ins/VST3/TDR Molotok.vst3
scan: VST3: /Library/Audio/Plug-Ins/VST3/TDR Molotok.vst3
scan: VST3: /Library/Audio/Plug-Ins/VST3/Chorus DIMENSION-D.vst3
scan: VST3: /Library/Audio/Plug-Ins/VST3/Chorus DIMENSION-D.vst3
scan: VST3: /Library/Audio/Plug-Ins/VST3/Filter MINI.vst3
scan: VST3: /Library/Audio/Plug-Ins/VST3/Filter MINI.vst3
scan: VST3: /Library/Audio/Plug-Ins/VST3/Brut.vst3
scan: VST3: /Library/Audio/Plug-Ins/VST3/Brut.vst3
scan: VST3: /Library/Audio/Plug-Ins/VST3/Mini V3.vst3
scan: VST3: /Library/Audio/Plug-Ins/VST3/Mini V3.vst3
scan: VST3: /Library/Audio/Plug-Ins/VST3/VCA Compressor.vst3
scan: VST3: /Library/Audio/Plug-Ins/VST3/VCA Compressor.vst3
scan: VST3: /Library/Audio/Plug-Ins/VST3/Rev PLATE-140.vst3
scan: VST3: /Library/Audio/Plug-Ins/VST3/Rev PLATE-140.vst3
scan: VST3: /Library/Audio/Plug-Ins/VST3/Vocoder V.vst3
scan: VST3: /Library/Audio/Plug-Ins/VST3/Vocoder V.vst3
scan: VST3: /Library/Audio/Plug-Ins/VST3/Speakerphone.vst3
scan: VST3: /Library/Audio/Plug-Ins/VST3/Speakerphone.vst3
scan: VST3: /Library/Audio/Plug-Ins/VST3/EnergyPanner.vst3
scan: VST3: /Library/Audio/Plug-Ins/VST3/EnergyPanner.vst3
scan: VST3: /Library/Audio/Plug-Ins/VST3/Master Plan v10.vst3
scan: VST3: /Library/Audio/Plug-Ins/VST3/Master Plan v10.vst3
scan: VST3: /Library/Audio/Plug-Ins/VST3/elysia nvelope.vst3
scan: VST3: /Library/Audio/Plug-Ins/VST3/elysia nvelope.vst3
scan: VST3: /Library/Audio/Plug-Ins/VST3/MSED.vst3
scan: VST3: /Library/Audio/Plug-Ins/VST3/MSED.vst3
scan: VST3: /Library/Audio/Plug-Ins/VST3/PitchFunk.vst3
scan: VST3: /Library/Audio/Plug-Ins/VST3/PitchFunk.vst3
scan: VST3: /Library/Audio/Plug-Ins/VST3/Cab-Lab 4.vst3
scan: VST3: /Library/Audio/Plug-Ins/VST3/Cab-Lab 4.vst3

**********************************************************
Plugin Scanner
Log started: 21 Feb 2026 1:50:08am

[scanner] connection to coordinator established
[scanner] creating global objects
[scanner] setting up formats
scan: CLAP: /Library/Audio/Plug-Ins/CLAP/FabFilter Pro-L 2.clap
scan: CLAP: /Library/Audio/Plug-Ins/CLAP/FabFilter Saturn 2.clap
scan: CLAP: /Library/Audio/Plug-Ins/CLAP/FabFilter Pro-DS.clap
scan: CLAP: /Library/Audio/Plug-Ins/CLAP/FabFilter Pro-MB.clap
scan: CLAP: /Library/Audio/Plug-Ins/CLAP/dpMeter5.clap
scan: CLAP: /Library/Audio/Plug-Ins/CLAP/FabFilter Micro.clap
scan: CLAP: /Library/Audio/Plug-Ins/CLAP/FabFilter Pro-R 2.clap
scan: CLAP: /Library/Audio/Plug-Ins/CLAP/FabFilter Pro-Q 4.clap
scan: CLAP: /Library/Audio/Plug-Ins/CLAP/FabFilter Simplon.clap
scan: CLAP: /Library/Audio/Plug-Ins/CLAP/FabFilter Volcano 3.clap
scan: CLAP: /Library/Audio/Plug-Ins/CLAP/FabFilter Timeless 3.clap
scan: CLAP: /Library/Audio/Plug-Ins/CLAP/FabFilter Pro-C 3.clap
scan: CLAP: /Library/Audio/Plug-Ins/CLAP/FabFilter Twin 3.clap
scan: CLAP: /Library/Audio/Plug-Ins/CLAP/FabFilter One.clap
scan: CLAP: /Library/Audio/Plug-Ins/CLAP/FabFilter Pro-G.clap
scan: AudioUnit: AudioUnit:Effects/aufx,2CB2,2cau
scan: AudioUnit: AudioUnit:Effects/aufx,2CB2,2cau
scan: AudioUnit: AudioUnit:Effects/aufx,6MD3,TCDK
scan: AudioUnit: AudioUnit:Effects/aufx,6MD3,TCDK
scan: AudioUnit: AudioUnit:Effects/aufx,6MD4,TCDK
scan: AudioUnit: AudioUnit:Effects/aufx,6MD4,TCDK
scan: AudioUnit: AudioUnit:Effects/aufx,6NL2,TCDK
scan: AudioUnit: AudioUnit:Effects/aufx,6NL2,TCDK
scan: AudioUnit: AudioUnit:Effects/aufx,6VS4,TCDK
scan: AudioUnit: AudioUnit:Effects/aufx,6VS4,TCDK
scan: AudioUnit: AudioUnit:Effects/aufx,76CM,ksWV
scan: AudioUnit: AudioUnit:Effects/aufx,76CM,ksWV
scan: AudioUnit: AudioUnit:Effects/aufx,76CS,ksWV
scan: AudioUnit: AudioUnit:Effects/aufx,76CS,ksWV
scan: AudioUnit: AudioUnit:Effects/aufx,8tXS,Ymau
scan: AudioUnit: AudioUnit:Effects/aufx,8tXS,Ymau
scan: AudioUnit: AudioUnit:Effects/aufx,@s22,Aubn
scan: AudioUnit: AudioUnit:Effects/aufx,@s22,Aubn

**********************************************************
Plugin Scanner
Log started: 21 Feb 2026 1:53:01am

[scanner] connection to coordinator established
[scanner] creating global objects
[scanner] setting up formats
scan: CLAP: /Library/Audio/Plug-Ins/CLAP/FabFilter Pro-L 2.clap
scan: CLAP: /Library/Audio/Plug-Ins/CLAP/FabFilter Saturn 2.clap
scan: CLAP: /Library/Audio/Plug-Ins/CLAP/FabFilter Pro-DS.clap
scan: CLAP: /Library/Audio/Plug-Ins/CLAP/FabFilter Pro-MB.clap
scan: CLAP: /Library/Audio/Plug-Ins/CLAP/dpMeter5.clap
scan: CLAP: /Library/Audio/Plug-Ins/CLAP/FabFilter Micro.clap
scan: CLAP: /Library/Audio/Plug-Ins/CLAP/FabFilter Pro-R 2.clap
scan: CLAP: /Library/Audio/Plug-Ins/CLAP/FabFilter Pro-Q 4.clap
scan: CLAP: /Library/Audio/Plug-Ins/CLAP/FabFilter Simplon.clap
scan: CLAP: /Library/Audio/Plug-Ins/CLAP/FabFilter Volcano 3.clap
scan: CLAP: /Library/Audio/Plug-Ins/CLAP/FabFilter Timeless 3.clap
scan: CLAP: /Library/Audio/Plug-Ins/CLAP/FabFilter Pro-C 3.clap
scan: CLAP: /Library/Audio/Plug-Ins/CLAP/FabFilter Twin 3.clap
scan: CLAP: /Library/Audio/Plug-Ins/CLAP/FabFilter One.clap
scan: CLAP: /Library/Audio/Plug-Ins/CLAP/FabFilter Pro-G.clap
scan: AudioUnit: AudioUnit:Effects/aufx,2CB2,2cau
scan: AudioUnit: AudioUnit:Effects/aufx,2CB2,2cau
scan: AudioUnit: AudioUnit:Effects/aufx,6MD3,TCDK
scan: AudioUnit: AudioUnit:Effects/aufx,6MD3,TCDK
scan: AudioUnit: AudioUnit:Effects/aufx,6MD4,TCDK
scan: AudioUnit: AudioUnit:Effects/aufx,6MD4,TCDK
scan: AudioUnit: AudioUnit:Effects/aufx,6NL2,TCDK
scan: AudioUnit: AudioUnit:Effects/aufx,6NL2,TCDK
scan: AudioUnit: AudioUnit:Effects/aufx,6VS4,TCDK
scan: AudioUnit: AudioUnit:Effects/aufx,6VS4,TCDK
scan: AudioUnit: AudioUnit:Effects/aufx,76CM,ksWV
scan: AudioUnit: AudioUnit:Effects/aufx,76CM,ksWV
scan: AudioUnit: AudioUnit:Effects/aufx,76CS,ksWV
scan: AudioUnit: AudioUnit:Effects/aufx,76CS,ksWV
scan: AudioUnit: AudioUnit:Effects/aufx,8tXS,Ymau
scan: AudioUnit: AudioUnit:Effects/aufx,8tXS,Ymau
scan: AudioUnit: AudioUnit:Effects/aufx,@s22,Aubn
scan: AudioUnit: AudioUnit:Effects/aufx,@s22,Aubn

**********************************************************
Plugin Scanner
Log started: 21 Feb 2026 2:05:41am

Element v1.0.0 (GPL v3)
Copyright (c) 2017-2026 Kushview, LLC.  All rights reserved.


**********************************************************
Plugin Scanner
Log started: 21 Feb 2026 2:08:14am

[scanner] connection to coordinator established
[scanner] creating global objects
[scanner] setting up formats
scan: CLAP: /Library/Audio/Plug-Ins/CLAP/FabFilter Pro-L 2.clap
scan: CLAP: /Library/Audio/Plug-Ins/CLAP/FabFilter Saturn 2.clap
scan: CLAP: /Library/Audio/Plug-Ins/CLAP/FabFilter Pro-DS.clap
scan: CLAP: /Library/Audio/Plug-Ins/CLAP/FabFilter Pro-MB.clap
scan: CLAP: /Library/Audio/Plug-Ins/CLAP/dpMeter5.clap
scan: CLAP: /Library/Audio/Plug-Ins/CLAP/FabFilter Micro.clap
scan: CLAP: /Library/Audio/Plug-Ins/CLAP/FabFilter Pro-R 2.clap
scan: CLAP: /Library/Audio/Plug-Ins/CLAP/FabFilter Pro-Q 4.clap
scan: CLAP: /Library/Audio/Plug-Ins/CLAP/FabFilter Simplon.clap
scan: CLAP: /Library/Audio/Plug-Ins/CLAP/FabFilter Volcano 3.clap
scan: CLAP: /Library/Audio/Plug-Ins/CLAP/FabFilter Timeless 3.clap
scan: CLAP: /Library/Audio/Plug-Ins/CLAP/FabFilter Pro-C 3.clap
scan: CLAP: /Library/Audio/Plug-Ins/CLAP/FabFilter Twin 3.clap
scan: CLAP: /Library/Audio/Plug-Ins/CLAP/FabFilter One.clap
scan: CLAP: /Library/Audio/Plug-Ins/CLAP/FabFilter Pro-G.clap
scan: AudioUnit: AudioUnit:Effects/aufx,2CB2,2cau
scan: AudioUnit: AudioUnit:Effects/aufx,2CB2,2cau
scan: AudioUnit: AudioUnit:Effects/aufx,6MD3,TCDK
scan: AudioUnit: AudioUnit:Effects/aufx,6MD3,TCDK
scan: AudioUnit: AudioUnit:Effects/aufx,6MD4,TCDK
scan: AudioUnit: AudioUnit:Effects/aufx,6MD4,TCDK
scan: AudioUnit: AudioUnit:Effects/aufx,6NL2,TCDK
scan: AudioUnit: AudioUnit:Effects/aufx,6NL2,TCDK
scan: AudioUnit: AudioUnit:Effects/aufx,6VS4,TCDK
scan: AudioUnit: AudioUnit:Effects/aufx,6VS4,TCDK
scan: AudioUnit: AudioUnit:Effects/aufx,76CM,ksWV
scan: AudioUnit: AudioUnit:Effects/aufx,76CM,ksWV
scan: AudioUnit: AudioUnit:Effects/aufx,76CS,ksWV
scan: AudioUnit: AudioUnit:Effects/aufx,76CS,ksWV
scan: AudioUnit: AudioUnit:Effects/aufx,8tXS,Ymau
scan: AudioUnit: AudioUnit:Effects/aufx,8tXS,Ymau
scan: AudioUnit: AudioUnit:Effects/aufx,@s22,Aubn
scan: AudioUnit: AudioUnit:Effects/aufx,@s22,Aubn

**********************************************************
Plugin Scanner
Log started: 21 Feb 2026 2:16:48am

Element v1.0.0 (GPL v3)
Copyright (c) 2017-2026 Kushview, LLC.  All rights reserved.


**********************************************************
Plugin Scanner
Log started: 21 Feb 2026 2:21:04am

Element v1.0.0 (GPL v3)
Copyright (c) 2017-2026 Kushview, LLC.  All rights reserved.


**********************************************************
Plugin Scanner
Log started: 21 Feb 2026 2:21:23am

[scanner] connection to coordinator established
[scanner] creating global objects
[scanner] setting up formats
scan: CLAP: /Library/Audio/Plug-Ins/CLAP/FabFilter Pro-L 2.clap
scan: CLAP: /Library/Audio/Plug-Ins/CLAP/FabFilter Saturn 2.clap
scan: CLAP: /Library/Audio/Plug-Ins/CLAP/FabFilter Pro-DS.clap
scan: CLAP: /Library/Audio/Plug-Ins/CLAP/FabFilter Pro-MB.clap
scan: CLAP: /Library/Audio/Plug-Ins/CLAP/dpMeter5.clap
scan: CLAP: /Library/Audio/Plug-Ins/CLAP/FabFilter Micro.clap
scan: CLAP: /Library/Audio/Plug-Ins/CLAP/FabFilter Pro-R 2.clap
scan: CLAP: /Library/Audio/Plug-Ins/CLAP/FabFilter Pro-Q 4.clap
scan: CLAP: /Library/Audio/Plug-Ins/CLAP/FabFilter Simplon.clap
scan: CLAP: /Library/Audio/Plug-Ins/CLAP/FabFilter Volcano 3.clap
scan: CLAP: /Library/Audio/Plug-Ins/CLAP/FabFilter Timeless 3.clap
scan: CLAP: /Library/Audio/Plug-Ins/CLAP/FabFilter Pro-C 3.clap
scan: CLAP: /Library/Audio/Plug-Ins/CLAP/FabFilter Twin 3.clap
scan: CLAP: /Library/Audio/Plug-Ins/CLAP/FabFilter One.clap
scan: CLAP: /Library/Audio/Plug-Ins/CLAP/FabFilter Pro-G.clap
[scanner] connection lost

[mfisher31]

That's in stable 1.0.0? This one: https://github.com/kushview/element/releases/tag/1.0.0 ?

[joelassaizky]

That's in stable 1.0.0? This one: https://github.com/kushview/element/releases/tag/1.0.0 ?

Yes.

[jamesremuscat]

I'm encountering this too - just installed Element for the first time using element-1.0.0-linux-x86_64.deb, and most of the scanned VST3 files fail in the same manner (including KV-Element-FX.vst3!).

They work in other VST hosts (Reaper, Carla) - they are a mixture of native and Win64 via yabridge. Some of them work when I add them to the session graph, others crash the app hard:

element: /__w/yabridge/yabridge/build/../src/plugin/../common/process.cpp:290: Process::StringResult Process::spawn_get_stdout_line() const: Assertion `waitpid(child_pid, &status, 0) > 0' failed.
Killed

Still others then crash the app hard when I try to close the plugin window having added them (the app simply logs Killed to stdout).

Unlike the OP, I can't provide a useful log as it seems the plugin scanner isn't logging correctly - this is the entirety of the file despite scanning a long list of plugins:

**********************************************************
Plugin Scanner
Log started: 24 Feb 2026 9:47:51am

Element v1.0.0 (GPL v3)
Copyright (c) 2017-2026 Kushview, LLC.  All rights reserved.


**********************************************************
Plugin Scanner
Log started: 24 Feb 2026 9:48:06am

[scanner] connection to coordinator established
[scanner] creating global objects
[scanner] setting up formats
scan: CLAP: /usr/lib/clap/KV-Element.clap
scan: CLAP: /usr/lib/clap/lsp-plugins.clap
scan: CLAP: /usr/lib/clap/KV-Element-FX.clap
[scanner] connection lost

These are the failures:

[joelassaizky]

What I've noticed is that if a particular plugin fails scan, all subsequent plugins after that also fail. By watching and taking note of which ones get "stuck" and removing them from the VST folder, the scanner has been able to pick up the majority of my plugins now.

[mfisher31]

Hmmm. That is all strange as none of this happens on any of my Mac/PC/Linux machines. I haven't ever tried Ya Bridge before, so that's could be a compatibility problem I need to work out for Linux. But doesn't explain why this is happening on mac os. Anyhow, I'll check it out as soon as I can. Tallied this issue up for a 1.0.x patch release.

[mfisher31]

Question @jamesremuscat and @joelassaizky . Is this happening in the Plugin version of Element, The Standalone, both?

[joelassaizky]

I've only tried in standalone.

[jamesremuscat]

Likewise, only standalone. I can't see a way to do a plugin scan with Element running as a plugin itself...

At least some from the "Unverified" menu that cause a hard crash in standalone mode work fine when Element is running as a plugin (using Carla as a host).

[xenicle]

Question @jamesremuscat and @joelassaizky . Is this happening in the Plugin version of Element, The Standalone, both?

In the plugin scan is locked for ever : (at least on NixOs)