> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.tackstudio.co/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Troubleshooting

> Common issues and how to fix them.

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion title="The panel shows a message instead of the controls">
    Align Pro checks your license against the Tack Studio app before it shows its controls. You’ll see one of two messages:

    * **"Open the Tack Studio app"**: Align Pro can’t reach the Tack Studio app on your computer. Make sure it’s installed and running, then click **Refresh** in the panel. If you don’t have it yet, click **Download the app**.
    * **"Activate using the Tack Studio app"**: the Tack Studio app is running, but no license is active. Either activate Align Pro in the app, or click **Purchase** to buy it, then click **Refresh** once complete.

    See [Installing tools](/the-app/installing-tools) for the full activation flow.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Clicking align or distribute does nothing">
    If the activation screen has appeared in place of the controls, see the first entry above. Otherwise, check your selection. Align Pro works on AV, shape, and text layers, but not 3D layers, and most distribute actions need at least two or three layers selected.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="A button or modifier is disabled">
    Some [Align to](/align-pro/align-to) targets and [modifiers](/align-pro/modifiers) conflict, and Align Pro disables the combinations that wouldn’t produce a meaningful result. For example, Align to Outside disables centering, and Align as Group disables every Distribute button. See [Modifiers: some combinations are disabled](/align-pro/modifiers#some-combinations-are-disabled) for the full list.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="The Distribute buttons are disabled">
    Distribute needs at least two or three selected layers depending on the [Align to](/align-pro/align-to) target, and is disabled entirely while **Align as Group** is active, since a rigid group has no relative spacing to distribute. Select more layers or turn off Align as Group.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Changing the spacing amount doesn’t seem to do anything">
    The spacing amount field only takes effect when [Align to](/align-pro/align-to) is set to **Key Layer**. For every other target, gaps are calculated automatically to fill the available space evenly. See [Aligning and distributing](/align-pro/aligning-and-distributing).
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Some theme options are disabled in Preferences">
    The **System**, **Dark**, and **Light** themes require After Effects 25 or later. On earlier versions, only **Darkest** is available.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Align Pro doesn’t appear in the Extensions menu">
    Align Pro requires **After Effects 18.4 or later**. Check your version (**Help > About After Effects**) and update if needed, then check **Window > Extensions > Align Pro** again. If it’s still missing, reinstall via the Tack Studio app.
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>