You mentioned your prior version of Band-in-a-Box was 2014. That version was exclusively a 32 bit program while the 2021 program is available as both 32 and 64 bit. Is it possible that you're trying to use 32 bit plugins in the 64 bit program?

If you use Microsoft Explorer to navigate to the Band-in-a-Box directory folder you'll find two Band-in-a-Box programs. The 32 bit program is BBW.exe while the 64 bit program is BBW64.exe. You can create desktop shortcut icons for the program you're not using by hovering your mouse over a file, right click to open the right click menu and selecting "Send to Desktop - create a shortcut".

You may find the plugins work in the program you're not using.

Please give us an update with your findings.

Jim Fogle - 2025 BiaB (Build 1128) RB (Build 5) - Ultra+ PAK
DAWs: Cakewalk by BandLab (CbB) - Standalone: Zoom MRS-8
Laptop: i3 Win 10, 8GB ram 500GB HDD
Desktop: i7 Win 11, 12GB ram 256GB SSD, 4 TB HDD
Music at: https://fogle622.wix.com/fogle622-audio-home