[SOLVED!] User Privileges Insufficient to Start a Low Level Driver

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Don’t panic when you bump into some errors while trying to run any software. Unless it’s a critical issue, some errors will help you deepen your understanding of your tool. If you visit online forums, there’s a common question being asked regarding the error message: user privileges are insufficient to start a low level driver.

Users encountered this error while using different software, like Ableton, Pro Tools, Cubase, Renoise, and many more. This means, it’s not software-specific, but rather on the rights the user has when accessing these tools. To give a more concrete solution to this problem, it’s important to understand why such an error happens.

Why this Error Occur?

There are quite a few reasons why you get an installation error. Among the most common reasons are the following:

You don’t have admin rights on your computer. The applications require users to have full admin rights in the computer that they are using. Hence, if you have lower access rights, you won’t be able to run the software where you encounter the error, no matter what you’ll do.

Error with the old iLok/Interlok Drivers. Now, suppose you are using the software, and all of a sudden you get this error. This is because of the problem with the old iLok drivers. You might need the latest iLok License Installer to fix this issue.

User Privileges Insufficient to Start a Low-Level Driver

Lastly, necessary iLok Drivers are not installed. If the error arises when you are trying to use certain plugins, then it could be that some iLok drivers are missing. This also needs a fresh installation of the updated iLok License Installer for it to work.

How to Get Rid of this Error Once and for All?

Suppose you have several apps on your computer that use the iLok license. If only one is affected, for example, Ableton, this doesn’t mean the rest of your apps won’t be affected. Therefore, rather than just having solution patches, it’s important to go to the roots and solve this problem once and for all.

Basic Troubleshooting Steps

Sometimes, a simple reboot of your computer can help fix the problem. So, it’s important to make sure that everything else is working fine before going deeper into getting admin rights, installing drivers, and stuff.

  1. Since you are using USB ports with your iLok device, make sure that you turn off Power Saving Mode.
  2. Plug in the iLok to the same USB port used when you installed the iLok License Manager (this is just to make sure that the port is really working), as suggested in the Avid forum.
  3. Check the ILM if it’s the correct version.

Still, the error persists? Let’s get into the more advanced troubleshooting steps.

Set Your Computer Access to Administrator

This is the first thing you must confirm. You must log in locally as an administrator. To check if you have admin rights, go to Start>Settings>Accounts. Under your name, you can see if you are an Administrator.

Run the App with Administrator Rights

When you launch the app, try to open it with admin rights. You just need to add a few steps. Navigate to the app where you get this error, right-click and select Run as Administrator. If you are trying to open the app from the Start menu, right-click on the app, click More, and you can now see the Run as Administrator option. If this solves the problem that you have, then, it’s better to do this just once.

In case you can’t find the app (or the shortcut), go to Start and search for the app. Lastly, if you don’t want to search for the app, go to Start and look for the app. Right-click on the app, then select More>Open File Location. This will direct you to the exact folder where the app is found.

User Privileges Insufficient to Start a Low-Level Driver

Simply right-click on the app and go to Properties. A dialog box will be displayed. Select the Compatibility tab and tick the Run this program in compatibility mode for: checkbox. Finally, select the Windows version where you want this app to run. Click Apply button, then OK button.

Ensure You Have the Right iLok Driver

Now, right-click Start and select File Explorer. Navigate to This PC, right-click and select Properties. A pop-up window will open showing all the specs of your computer. Check the System Type, whether it’s 32-bit or 64-bit. Now, check the version of Windows you have. Remember these details, so you can download the appropriate driver.

Now, go to iLok.com and navigate to Free Download License Support links. If your computer runs on 32-bit, select 32-bit and take note also of the Windows version. Otherwise, you have to get the 64-bit version. Once you download the right version for your Windows, you shouldn’t encounter this problem anymore.

Uninstall/Re-Install iLok Drivers

If you suspect that the error is caused by an old iLok driver, you can simply get the latest version and update your iLok. But, if the error still shows, then, it needs more than just a straightforward version update.

Uninstall the iLok/Interlok Driver
  1. Go to Control Panel>Programs>Programs and Features.
  2. Look for iLok or Interlok and click Uninstall.
  3. Restart your computer for the changes to take effect.
  4. Go to iLok.com and download the latest iLok License Manager.
  5. Once done, extract the file and can see Old Installer folder inside the LicenseSupportInstaller.
  6. Open the Old Installer folder, and you’ll find the Interlok driver installer.

This should conclude all the problems you have related to user privileges.

Conclusion

The installation error: User privileges insufficient to start a low level driver are primarily related to the iLok driver and admin rights. You may have an outdated iLok driver, or you don’t have all the necessary drivers for the successful operation of the app you’re trying to launch.

User Privileges Insufficient to Start a Low-Level Driver

Thankfully, experts have shared their proven fixes and this article has compiled all the working solutions to this problem. One of the solutions explained above should be able to help you. Yet, if you have another solution, you are all welcome to share your ways with us.