Vault troubleshooting.

Find the symptom, try the fastest fix, then read the prevention note.

A message telling you to save your project first

Cause. Importing needs a project folder to copy files into, and saving a comp needs the project file. Import and Save word the message differently, but both mean the project has never been saved. Fix. Save the After Effects project (File → Save), then try again. Prevent. Save new projects before opening Vault.

”Open a comp first”

The message starts with NO_ACTIVE_COMP.

Cause. Import adds to the active comp, and none is active. The Project panel selection does not count. Fix. Click into a timeline so the comp is active, then import again.

Import is greyed out, or “Finish the current import first”

Cause. Only one import runs at a time, and a requirements dialog counts as one in progress. Fix. Wait for the current import, or close the dialog.

The requirements dialog lists fonts or effects

Cause. The comp was saved on a machine with fonts or plug-ins this one lacks. Fix. Install or activate them and import again. Copy list gives you the names. Choose Import anyway to continue and swap fonts afterwards. Prevent. Keep a note of plug-ins your reusable comps depend on.

”Asset name” needs After Effects 26.x

The dialog title shows your asset’s name in quotes, then the version it needs.

Cause. The comp was saved in a newer version than yours. After Effects cannot open it. Fix. Open the asset in the newer version and save a copy with File → Save As → Save a Copy As, or ask the author for a copy saved for your version. Then save it into Vault again.

A preset says to select a layer

Cause. Presets go on the first selected layer. Fix. Select one layer, then import.

Save says missing footage, a nested project or an image sequence

Cause. The comp uses something that cannot be packaged. Fix. The message names the file. Relink or remove missing footage, replace a nested project or sequence source with a rendered movie, and save again. The full list is on Storage and packaging limits.

”Add the required thumbnail before saving”

Cause. A thumbnail is required and capture has not finished or failed. Fix. Press Recapture thumbnail, or Choose image to use a png, jpg or webp. Check that the comp has a frame at the playhead.

The preview clip would not capture

Cause. Clips need the packaged Altar install, and a render or conversion can fail. Fix. Save without it. A thumbnail is enough. Try Capture preview clip again after checking the work area is a sensible length.

Over the size limit

Cause. The asset is over 250 MB, or the team library is full. Fix. Trim unused footage, replace heavy footage with a lighter version, or ask a team admin to clear space. Saving to Local has no such limit.

”Sign in to …” or the team is missing

Cause. Team libraries need a signed-in Altar account and a joined team. Fix. Sign in under Settings, then join with an invite code under Settings → Teams. Codes are single use and expire, so ask for a new one if it is refused. If you lost access to a team, Import says you no longer have access.

”Some libraries could not load”

Cause. A library did not respond (often a team, on a bad connection). Fix. Press Retry. The libraries that loaded keep showing meanwhile.

Local Library folder is not readable

Cause. The folder moved, was renamed, or is on a disconnected drive. Fix. Choose the folder again from the libraries menu (Change Local folder) or Settings → Vault, then Refresh.

”This item belongs to a previous Local folder”

Cause. You changed the Local folder and the card is left from the old one. Fix. Press Refresh in the Browse header.

Previews are missing or “Some previews could not load”

Cause. A poster or clip failed to load. Fix. Refresh retries each failed preview once.

”Make the panel wider”

Cause. The Vault panel is under 450 px wide. Fix. Widen or undock the panel.

Browse looks empty but you have assets

Cause. A filter, a Collection or a hidden library is narrowing the list. Fix. Press Clear filters, pick Any collection, and tick the library in the libraries menu. The count under the grid shows what is currently visible.

Still stuck

Use Send feedback at the bottom of the Vault rail and say what you did and the message you saw.