SYNSOACC.DLL Could Not Be Located: How to Fix in Cubase

The SYNSOACC.DLL file, developed by Steinberg Media Technologies, is critical for the effective functioning of Cubase, a Digital Audio Workstation (DAW).

If the DLL is missing, stored in an incorrect path, or not accessible due to low permissions, Cubase won’t launch, and you will get an error that reads, eLicenser POS Error Message: File SYNSOACC.DLL could not be located in the Windows system folders.

Before you proceed to the solutions, restart the computer, install all pending Windows updates, and disable any active third-party antivirus. For most, these basic checks will do the trick!

How do I fix the SYNSOACC.DLL could not be located error in Cubase?

1. Reinstall the eLicenser Control Center

1. Press Windows + R to open Run, type appwiz.cpl in the text field, and hit Enter.
2. Select the eLicenser Control Center entry here, and click on Uninstall.
3. Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the process and then restart the PC.
4. Now, go to Steinberg’s official website and download the latest version of eLicenser Control Center for Windows.
5. Run the setup, complete the installation, then reboot the computer and check for improvements.

When you get the SYNSOACC.DLL could not be located error while launching Cuba, Steinberg recommends reinstalling the eLicenser Control Center.

2. Run Cubase as an administrator

1. Right-click on the Cubase launcher (.exe file), and select Properties.
2. Go to the Compatibility tab, and tick the checkbox for Run this program as an administrator.
3. Click on Apply and OK to save the changes.
4. Restart the PC and verify whether Cubase now launches without throwing an error.

3. Manually add/replace SYNSOACC.DLL

If SYNSOACC.DLL is missing or corrupt, you can add/replace the DLL with a fresh copy from another PC. Just make sure both systems are running the same Windows iteration and architecture. As for its storage path, the SYNSOACC.DLL file location is one of these: C:\Windows\System32 C:\Windows\SysWOW64

Now, go to the same path on another PC > copy the DLL to a USB flash drive > connect the flash drive to the affected computer > move SYNSOACC.DLL to both the System32 and SysWOW64 folders > restart the PC > check for improvements.

4. Check the DLL’s permissions

1. Go to the DLL’s storage path, right-click on it, and select Properties.
2. Go to the Security tab, and click on Advanced.
3. Click on Change.
4. Enter your current user profile in the text field, click on Check Names, and then OK.
5. Tick the checkboxes for Replace owner on subcontainers and objects and Replace all child object permssions entries with inheritable permission entries from this object, if available.
6. Click Apply and OK to save the changes.
7. Go back to the Security tab, and click on Edit.
8. Click on Add.
9. Again enter the active profile in the text field, click Check Names, and then OK.
10. Select the newly added profile, tick the checkbox for Full Control, and click Apply and OK to save the changes.
11. Finally, reboot the PC and check for improvements.

If Cubase can’t load SYNSOACC.DLL due to missing permissions, you will need to gain full control of the file for the active user profile.

5. Whitelist SYNSOACC.DLL in your antivirus

1. Press Windows + S to open Search, type Windows Security, and click on the relevant result.
2. Click on Virus & threat protection.
3. Click on Manage settings under Virus & threat protection settings.
4. Now, click on Add or remove exclusions.
5. Click the Add an exclusion button and then select File from the list of options.
6. Go to the path where SYNSOACC.DLL is stored, select the DLL, and click on Open.
7. Finally, restart the PC and check whether Cubase launches.

If SYNSOACC.DLL keeps getting deleted every time you add the file, it’s likely that the antivirus flags the file as a threat. In this case, re-add the DLL to the designated directory and whitelist it in your antivirus.

6. Reinstall Cubase

When nothing else works, reinstall Cubase. Since SYNSOACC.DLL is used by Cubase and eLicenser Control Center and we have already reinstalled the latter, all that’s left is to eliminate issues with the former. And a reinstall will do just that!

If the error message persists, the last option is to contact Steinberg support through official channels.

In case you frequently encounter DLL-related errors, use a top-rated DLL repair tool to automatically detect and replace problematic DLL files!

For any queries or to share which fix worked for you, drop a comment below.