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Resetting Max with a clean install

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    If Max is not performing in a way that's expected, the first step is to do a clean install of the application. This process is deeper than a standard re-install, which simply overwrites existing files.

    Each version of Max and each OS has its own specific steps, so please make sure you're referencing both the correct Max and OS version for your setup.

    Max 9

    Mac

    • Download a new installer of the latest version of Max.
    • Back up any files you may have saved inside the Max application folder before proceeding to the next step.
    • Delete: /Applications/Max.app
    • Navigate to ~/Library/Application Support/. (To get to this folder: copy the path, switch to Finder, select Go > Go to Folder, paste the path and click Go.)
    • Delete the entire Cycling '74 folder. (Please note that deleting this folder will reset Max's preferences to the factory defaults, and remove your authorization. You will need to log in again under Help > User Account and Licenses to reauthorize Max.)
    • Reinstall Max using the installer you downloaded.
    • Restart your machine.
    • Launch Max. If Max crashes again, please open the crash report. If you see anything like com.cycling74.setplugpath 0x0000000115b13219 setplugpath_doscan_vst_plugs, then this is caused by a 32-bit plugin somewhere in your /Library/Audio/Plug-ins path, which Max cannot support. Try removing all the plugins from that location and restart Max. If it loads, add them back in small batches, restarting Max each time to see if one of the plugins causes a fail.
    • If this does not solve your problem, contact Support.

    Win

    • Download a new installer of the latest version of Max.
    • Back up any files you may have saved inside the Max application folder.
    • Navigate to the folder: c:\Users\[Your username]\AppData\Roaming\. Note that Application Data is an invisible folder and may need to be made viewable.
    • Delete the folder Cycling '74 and empty the Recycle Bin. (Please note that deleting this folder will reset Max's preferences to the factory defaults, and remove your authorization. You will need to log in again under Help > User Account and Licenses to reauthorize Max.)
    • Clean out Max using the add/remove Programs and Features Control Panel.
    • Reinstall Max using the installer you downloaded.
    • Restart your machine.
    • Launch Max. If this does not solve your problem, contact Support.

    Max 8

    Mac

    • Download a new installer of the version of Max 8 you wish to run.
    • Back up any files you may have saved inside the Max application folder before proceeding to the next step.
    • Delete: /Applications/Max.app
    • Navigate to ~/Library/Application Support/. (To get to this folder: copy the path, switch to Finder, select Go > Go to Folder, paste the path and click Go.)
    • Delete the entire Cycling '74 folder. (Please note that deleting this folder will reset Max's preferences to the factory defaults, and remove your authorization. You will need to log in again under Help > User Account and Licenses to reauthorize Max.)
    • Reinstall Max using the installer you downloaded.
    • Restart your machine.
    • Launch Max. If Max crashes again, please open the crash report. If you see anything like com.cycling74.setplugpath 0x0000000115b13219 setplugpath_doscan_vst_plugs, then this is caused by a 32-bit plugin somewhere in your /Library/Audio/Plug-ins path, which Max cannot support. Try removing all the plugins from that location and restart Max. If it loads, add them back in small batches, restarting Max each time to see if one of the plugins causes a fail.
    • If this does not solve your problem, contact Support.

    Win

    • Download a new installer of the version of Max 8 you wish to run.
    • Back up any files you may have saved inside the Max application folder.
    • Navigate to the folder: c:\Users\[Your username]\AppData\Roaming\. Note that Application Data is an invisible folder and may need to be made viewable.
    • Delete the folder Cycling '74 and empty the Recycle Bin. (Please note that deleting this folder will reset Max's preferences to the factory defaults, and remove your authorization. You will need to log in again under Help > User Account and Licenses to reauthorize Max.)
    • Clean out Max using the add/remove Programs and Features Control Panel.
    • Reinstall Max using the installer you downloaded.
    • Restart your machine.
    • Launch Max. If this does not solve your problem, contact Support.

    Max 7

    Mac

    • Download a new installer of the version of Max 7 you wish to run.
    • Back up any files you may have saved inside the Max application folder before proceeding to the next step.
    • Delete: /Applications/Max.app
    • Navigate to ~/Library/Application Support/. (To get to this folder: copy the path, switch to Finder, select Go > Go to Folder, paste the path and click Go.)
    • Delete the entire Cycling '74 folder. (Please note that deleting this folder will reset Max's preferences to the factory defaults, and remove your authorization. You will need to log in again under Help > User Account and Licenses to reauthorize Max.)
    • If your machine is running OS X 10.10 or earlier, navigate to Applications > Utilities > Disk Utility > and Repair Permissions for the volume where Max was installed. This step is not applicable for OS X 10.11 El Capitan and later.
    • Reinstall Max using the installer you downloaded.
    • Restart your machine.
    • Launch Max. If this does not solve your problem, contact Support.

    Win

    • Download a new installer of the version of Max 7 you wish to run.
    • Back up any files you may have saved inside the Max application folder.
    • Navigate to the folder: c:\Users\[Your username]\AppData\Roaming\. Note that Application Data is an invisible folder and may need to be made viewable.
    • Delete the folder Cycling '74 and empty the Recycle Bin. (Please note that deleting this folder will reset Max's preferences to the factory defaults, and remove your authorization. You will need to log in again under Help > User Account and Licenses to reauthorize Max.)
    • Clean out Max using the add/remove Programs and Features Control Panel.
    • Reinstall Max using the installer you downloaded.
    • Restart your machine.
    • Launch Max. If this does not solve your problem, contact Support.

    Max 6 and earlier

    Mac

    • Download a new installer of the version of Max 6 you wish to run.
    • Back up any files you may have saved inside the Max application folder before proceeding to the next step.
    • Delete: /Applications/Max 6 or /Applications/Max 6.1
    • Navigate to ~/Library/Application Support/. (To get to this folder: copy the path, switch to Finder, select Go > Go to Folder, paste the path and click Go.)
    • Delete the entire Cycling '74 folder.
    • If your machine is running OS X 10.10 or earlier, navigate to Applications > Utilities > Disk Utility > and Repair Permissions for the volume where Max was installed. This step is not applicable for OS X 10.11 El Capitan and later.
    • Reinstall Max using the installer you downloaded.
    • Restart your machine.
    • Launch Max. If this does not solve your problem, contact Support.

    Win

    • Download a new installer of the version of Max 6 you wish to run.
    • Back up any files you may have saved inside the Max application folder.
    • Navigate to the folder: c:\Users\[Your username]\AppData\Roaming\. Note that Application Data is an invisible folder and may need to be made viewable.
    • Delete the folder Cycling '74 and empty the Recycle Bin.
    • Clean out Max using the add/remove Programs and Features Control Panel.
    • Reinstall Max using the installer you downloaded.
    • Restart your machine.
    • Launch Max. If this does not solve your problem, contact Support.

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