You add an extension through SAMSON Connect, open SAMSON, and expect to find a new tool—only to see nothing different. It is a frustrating moment, especially when you are ready to continue a molecular modeling task. The key is that an extension may not appear as a standalone app or editor, and newly added extensions are installed the next time SAMSON launches. A short, ordered check can help identify what is happening.
Start with compatibility
Before changing anything, open the extension’s page on SAMSON Connect and check the availability information shown beneath its name. Confirm that it supports both your operating system and the version of SAMSON you are using. An extension that is unavailable for your platform or version will not become usable just because it appears in your account.
If the page indicates that the extension is not available for your operating system, contact the SAMSON team through the SAMSON Connect Forum or by email at contact@samson-connect.net.
Restart SAMSON if it was already open
SAMSON downloads and installs newly added extensions on launch. If you added an extension while SAMSON was running, close and restart the application so it can perform that installation. Then check again. This simple step is easy to miss because adding an extension on the website does not necessarily make it appear immediately in an already-open session.
Look for the extension’s actual contribution
Not every extension adds an app or an editor. Some provide importers, exporters, visual or interaction models, render presets, or commands. So, not seeing a new item in Home > Apps does not by itself mean the extension failed to install. Editors are listed in the editors menu on the left side of the viewport, while apps are available from Home > Apps. You can also search for apps, editors, and commands with Find everything at the top of SAMSON.
Check the extension’s description and documentation to learn what it provides. The extension’s SAMSON Connect page and the Extensions Tutorials are useful places to look. This helps distinguish an installation problem from an extension that adds a different kind of functionality than you expected.
Use the SAMSON Log to narrow it down
If the extension is compatible and you have restarted SAMSON, open Interface > Show log. Filter the log for the extension’s name and look for messages that indicate whether it was added or whether an issue occurred. The documentation notes that problem-related extension lines are colored red.
If you find an error, use the log’s Submit button to send it to the team. Include your user email and a description of what you were trying to do. That context makes the report more useful than a log alone.
Keep versions in mind
Extension updates are checked and installed automatically when SAMSON launches, but extensions are updated only for the latest version of SAMSON. If you are using an older SAMSON version, an extension may not have a compatible release for it. Check the extension’s stated availability and consider updating SAMSON if a newer version is available.
In brief: verify operating-system and SAMSON-version compatibility, restart the application after adding the extension, search for the right type of functionality, and inspect the log if it still seems absent. For the full FAQ and related guidance, visit the SAMSON FAQ.
Note: SAMSON and all SAMSON Extensions are free for non-commercial use. Get SAMSON.