How to Solve Stuck Progress Bar in Waves Central

Jun 23, 2026

If the installation process in Waves Central gets stuck, follow these steps.

First, abort the installation by clicking on the “x” icon on the top-right corner of the installation window:

Then, try each of the following steps, one at a time, then try to install again. If the issue persists, move on to the next step.

Make sure that you have a stable internet connection.
If your connection is stable but the issue persists, try to connect to a different Wi-Fi network or replace the network (Ethernet) cable.
Access Waves Central Settings tab, then press Run next to Fix permissions and ownership.
Access Waves Central’s Settings tab, then press Clear next to ‘Clear Central cache’.
Restart your computer.
If you’re installaing products that include samples (i.e., an Instrument, COSMOS Sample Finder, InTrigger Drum Replacer, any bundle that contains them, or Waves Creative Access), follow these steps:
1. If you have a perpetual license (V9-V17)
  1. In Waves Central > Install Products Page, reselect your products, but make sure to de-select SD/HD from the product selection.
  2. Click “I understand” in the notification that no samples will be installed.
  3. Click Install or Install & Activate.
  4. Once installation is done, download all of the samples, or the required sample library for your product here.
2. If you have a Waves Creative Access license or trying to demo Waves Creative Access
  1. In Waves Central>Creative Access Page, click on Install & Activate (Or Install Demo).
  2. In the popup window, set Install the samples to off:
  3. It will now read Don’t install samples.
  4. Click Install & Activate (Or Install Demo).
3. Once installation is done, download all of the samples, or the required sample library for your product here.
Make sure the system Time and Date are correct. If they are not, set them correctly and then relaunch Waves Central.
If you are using a firewall or antivirus software, add an exception for Waves Central in the software’s settings, or temporarily disable these programs one by one to verify that Waves Central is not being blocked.
The following applications may interfere with Waves Central. If any of them are installed on your system, temporarily disable them:
AdAware, AhnLab V3, Backblaze, Comodo, F-Secure, Hyper-V, Little Snitch, LuLu, MacKeeper, MagicPrefs, Nero Video Downloader Ultimate Pro, Premier Opinion, Radio Silence, SecureIT, Security Suite, STOPzilla antivirus, Wacom Controllers, Witch, Ziggo Safe Online.
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.
If you are connected via a business network, Waves Central might be blocked by your IT policy. Ask your IT deprtment for assistance.

In case the installation fails, refer to this article.

None of the above worked? Please contact Tech Support.