You add a SAMSON Extension through SAMSON Connect, open your molecular modeling workspace, and… nothing seems to have changed. It is a frustrating moment, especially when you are ready to use a specific tool. But an extension may be installed without appearing as a new app or editor, and a few checks can usually clarify what is happening.
Work through this sequence before removing or reinstalling anything. It helps distinguish an availability issue from a launch or discovery issue.
1. Check that the extension matches your setup
On the extension’s page, look just below its name for the operating systems and SAMSON versions it supports. An extension that is unavailable for your operating system or the version you are running may not appear as expected. If it is listed as unavailable for your platform, contact the SAMSON team rather than repeatedly trying to install it.
2. Restart SAMSON after adding it
If SAMSON was already open when you added the extension on SAMSON Connect, close and relaunch SAMSON. Newly added extensions are downloaded and installed when SAMSON starts. So, adding an extension in a browser while the application is running does not necessarily make it available immediately in that session.
On launch, SAMSON also checks for extension updates and installs them automatically. Extension updates are provided for the latest SAMSON version, so using an older application version can affect whether you receive the latest extension releases.
3. Look for what the extension actually provides
Not every extension adds a visible app or editor. Depending on what it contains, its functionality may instead be an importer, exporter, visual or interaction model, render preset, or command. Searching only the Apps list can therefore lead you to conclude that an extension is missing when it is present but offers a different kind of feature.
Check Home > Apps for apps and the editor menu on the left side of the viewport for editors. You can also use Find everything at the top of SAMSON to search for apps, editors, and commands. For other extension components, consult the extension’s description and documentation.
4. Use the log to check whether it loaded
If the platform, version, restart, and feature-location checks do not explain the issue, open Interface > Show log. Filter the log for the extension’s name. The entries can help you see whether SAMSON detected it and whether an issue occurred during loading. Red lines may indicate a problem.
If you find relevant errors, use the log’s Submit button to send the log to the team. Include your user email and a short description of what you expected to happen. That context makes it easier to investigate the specific extension and setup.
A quick recap
- Confirm the extension supports your operating system and SAMSON version.
- Restart SAMSON if it was open when you added the extension.
- Check for the extension’s actual feature type—not only apps or editors.
- Inspect the SAMSON Log and submit relevant errors with a brief description.
For more answers about installing, updating, and managing extensions, see the SAMSON FAQ.
Note: SAMSON and all SAMSON Extensions are free for non-commercial use. Get SAMSON.