Maxon Troubleshooting Guide

Read carefully—these steps will help you resolve plugin issues in After Effects.

Plugins not appearing in After Effects?

INFO:
  • If you’re using After Effects older than 2024, Maxon plugin installers (Red Giant/Universe) may not work as expected.
  • The following methods are for AE versions before 2024.

Windows - Automatic Method

Step 1
Launch PowerShell and enter the following command:
Get-ChildItem -Path "HKLM:\SOFTWARE\Adobe\After Effects"
Step 2
You’ll see your installed AE version listed under "Name".
PowerShell After Effects version example
IMPORTANT: Replace "XX.X" in the next command with your actual version number.
Step 3
Open PowerShell as administrator and run:
Copy-Item -Path "HKLM:\SOFTWARE\Adobe\After Effects\XX.X" -Destination "HKLM:\SOFTWARE\Adobe\After Effects\28.0" -Recurse

Make sure to use your version number instead of XX.X.

Step 4
Install the plugins (Red Giant & Universe). After installation, run:
Remove-Item -Path "HKLM:\SOFTWARE\Adobe\After Effects\28.0" -Recurse
Step 5
Close After Effects and use the service unlocker patch.

Windows - Manual Method

Step 1
Download and install After Effects 2024 temporarily.
Step 2
Run the plugin installers for Red Giant and Universe.
Step 3
Patch the plugins using the Service Unlocker.
Step 4
Open your main AE version and confirm everything works.
Step 5
You can uninstall AE 2024 when done.

MacOS - Automatic Method

Step 1
Download maxoninstallerfix: https://pixeldrain.com/u/YLwyGEPK
Step 2
Mount the plugin installer DMGs (don’t install yet).
Tip: Just double-click the .dmg files to mount them.
Step 3
Open Terminal.
Step 4
Type sudo sh (with a space), drag the maxoninstallerfix.sh file into Terminal, and press enter.

MacOS - Manual Method

Step 1
Install After Effects 2024.
Step 2
Run the plugin installers for Red Giant and Universe.
Step 3
Patch the plugins using RLM_MaxonApp2025.sh.
Step 4
Open your main AE version and check the plugins.
Step 5
You can remove AE 2024 if you want.

Your plugins are unlicensed:

Maxon plugin unlicensed error example

If you see a grey box when applying an effect, your plugin is unlicensed.

  • Open Maxon App and take an uncropped screenshot. In the top right, check if you’re logged in (your email will show).

If you’re logged in, log out and stay in RLM mode, then run the patcher again. RLM mode means you’re logged out.

Correct App Versions:
  • Mac: Maxon App version 2025.2.1
  • Windows: Maxon App version 2025.5.0

Mac: Show your terminal output after patching. Did you get any errors?

If you still see the grey box after patching, try clearing your cache.

Only some plugins are unlicensed:

Trapcode plugins (like Particular) are most often affected.

Is After Effects installed on a drive other than your main one? If yes, the patcher may not find and patch all files.

Download the patched files below and replace them manually:

Service Unavailable / Security Alert:

Maxon plugin service error example

Reinstall the Maxon App (.exe or .dmg), run the patcher, and check the app again.

  • Is your antivirus blocking "Red Giant Service"? If yes, restore it from quarantine. You can check for Red Giant Service here:
    • Windows:
      C:\Program Files\Red Giant\Services
    • MacOS:
      ~/Library/Application Support/Red Giant/Services/

Other issues:

If you run into problems not covered here, join our Discord and ask in 🛠️・editing-help.

— End of Maxon Troubleshooting Guide —Browse other guides in the sidebar for more solutions!