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A (red) warning sign or key symbol is displayed at some content

Updated

Problem

In front of some content, for example in HALion, Groove Agent, or the MediaBay, there is a (red) warning sign or key symbol.

Stop_Sign.png

Background

These symbols indicate that the content is installed, but no license is active or available. Without a license, the content cannot be used.

Solution

Steinberg Licensing-based license

If you own a license for the content, make sure it is activated in the Steinberg Activation Manager. For content licenses, the Automatic License Management may not apply, and the license may need to be activated manually.

Follow these steps to activate the license:

  • Open the Steinberg Activation Manager.
  • Find your license entry for the content.
  • Click "Activate".

Once the license is activated, you can use the content. 

eLicenser-based license

Please check if you are still using an eLicenser-based license for the content in question. In case you are using an eLicenser-based license (e.g., with a USB-eLicenser), please note that the installation of the eLicenser Control Center is required to access the license.

However, since the eLicenser service was discontinued back in May 2025, the eLicenser Control Center is no longer installed automatically by the Steinberg Download Assistant. It may just be missing from your computer. 

Please see this Help Center article to learn how to enable the automatic installation of the eLicenser Control Center again: Steinberg Download Assistant 1.38.x without eLicenser Control Center installation

Once the eLicenser Control Center is installed, the eLicenser-based license can be used again.

I don't have a license but want to use the content

If you do not yet own a license but want to use the installed content, you can purchase a license on our website:

Products Overview

Sound & Loop Set Overview

I don't have a license and do not want to use the content

If you do not own a license and do not want to purchase one, you can remove the content so that it is no longer displayed in the MediaBay and in the respective instruments.

  • Open the Steinberg Library Manager.
  • Find the content you want to remove.
  • Click "REMOVE" in the content entry to delete the content.

The next time you start Cubase/Nuendo/Dorico, you may see one or multiple messages indicating that previously installed VST Sound Content is no longer available. Click "Remove" in these messages so that the program will no longer search for the deleted content at the next startup.

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