Question 1

Which systems can run Night Sterling?

Accepted Answer

The current desktop build is available for Windows 10 and Windows 11 (64-bit). macOS and Linux are not offered yet. Download from the site and install when you have a compatible machine.

Question 2

How do I update to the latest version?

Accepted Answer

Download and install the latest build into the same directory as your original installation. By default this is C:\Program Files\Night Sterling. Projects and settings are preserved. The current version number is shown at the bottom of the Project Browser.

Question 3

How do I uninstall Night Sterling?

Accepted Answer

Open Control Panel → Uninstall a Program, select Night Sterling, and follow the prompts.

Question 4

Can I download previous versions?

Accepted Answer

Links for earlier mainline releases are listed under Resources when available. If you need a specific build, write to support@nightsterling.com.

Question 5

How can I reset the language?

Accepted Answer

Open the Project Browser → Settings → Language → Customise → the three-dot menu → Revert to default wordings.

Question 6

Night Sterling fails to start. What can I try?

Accepted Answer

Confirm you are on the latest build. Update GPU drivers (a generic Standard VGA driver will not work). Ensure audio output is enabled. Intel 945/G33/G31 chipsets are not supported. Install the DirectX End-User Runtime from Microsoft. If Windows Defender blocks the app, add an exception for the installation folder after a clean reinstall.

Question 7

The app reports that d3dx9_43.dll is missing.

Accepted Answer

DirectX libraries need updating. Download and run the DirectX End-User Runtime Web Installer from Microsoft.

Question 8

How do I activate Night Sterling?

Accepted Answer

Create an account, then sign in from inside the application with the same email and password. Activation follows automatically.

Question 9

My system drive was replaced and sign-in fails.

Accepted Answer

Hardware changes can trip licence protection. Install the Free edition on the new drive, then contact support with proof of purchase so we can reset the activation token.

Question 10

Error 4/5: cannot connect to the licensing server.

Accepted Answer

This usually means the installed version is outdated. Download the current build and try again.

Question 11

I see a “Licence expired” message.

Accepted Answer

Update to the latest version and confirm the system clock updates automatically. Clock drift blocks server validation.

Question 12

Can I activate without an internet connection?

Accepted Answer

A fully offline workflow is in development. For now, port 443 (TCP) must reach els.nightsterling.com. If the machine has no network, connect briefly — a mobile hotspot is enough — for the one-minute activation.

Question 13

“Requested project does not exist.”

Accepted Answer

The installed version is typically out of date. Install the latest build and activate again.

Question 14

What does Free export?

Accepted Answer

Free exports up to 1080p, including 1080×1920 for TikTok, Reels and Shorts. Creator and Pro add 4K, custom formats and advanced codecs.

Question 15

My export plays audio only in Windows Media Player.

Accepted Answer

Night Sterling writes modern codecs that some older players do not decode. VLC, or any current player with H.264/H.265 support, will play the file correctly.

Question 16

Does Free include auto captions and voiceover?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Free includes auto captions, transcript editing, a core voice library, background removal and 1080p export. Translate and dub, voice match, and script-to-assembly are on Creator and Pro.

Question 17

Can I edit TikTok, Reels and Shorts in Night Sterling?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Open a 9:16, 1:1 or 4:5 timeline, turn on the safe-zone overlay for the app you are posting to, and export 1080×1920 from Free. Creator and Pro add 4K vertical and a batch of every ratio from one master.

Question 18

Do captions or voice renders leave my machine?

Accepted Answer

Speech is transcribed into the open project. You burn captions into the picture or write SRT and VTT beside the master. Voice clips land on the timeline like any other audio.

Question 19

Will auto reframe crop an interview on its own?

Accepted Answer

It follows the face, product or action you mark. Every keyframe stays on the clip, so you can pin a line and let the frame travel again after it.

Question 20

Can I use a paid licence on more than one system?

Accepted Answer

Every Creator or Pro yearly or perpetual purchase includes a complimentary second activation — for a laptop and a desktop, or as a spare after hardware failure.

Question 21

I reinstalled the operating system. Is the licence lost?

Accepted Answer

No. Licences live on your account. Reinstall Night Sterling and sign in. If an error appears, use the second activation or write to support.

Question 22

How do I move a paid licence to another machine?

Accepted Answer

Install and sign in on the new system. If both activations are in use, contact support to reset the token.

Question 23

Does the Free licence expire?

Accepted Answer

Free licences ask for a simple sign-in every 90 days. Open the app and sign in to renew. The Free edition itself has no trial clock.

Question 24

Do perpetual licences expire?

Accepted Answer

A perpetual licence covers the major version you purchased, including minor updates, without a time limit. The next major version requires an upgrade licence.

Question 25

How do I change the card on a subscription?

Accepted Answer

Sign in on the website and update Billing. PayPal subscriptions are managed in PayPal.

Question 26

Will I lose projects when I update?

Accepted Answer

No. Installing over the same directory updates the application and keeps project files, presets and preferences.

Question 27

Are Free projects compatible with Creator and Pro?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Open the same project after upgrading and the additional tools appear on that timeline.

Question 28

Contour Shuttle Pro is not recognised.

Accepted Answer

Map the device to Night Sterling’s executable in the Contour Control Panel. Default path: C:\Program Files\Night Sterling. Restart the application after saving the profile.

Question 29

The Shuttle is recognised but some functions do not fire.

Accepted Answer

In Night Sterling open Tools → Editor Preferences → Import, then select the Shuttle mapping file from the installation folder.

Question 30

Which plans include the advanced effects pack?

Accepted Answer

Core effects ship with every edition. Advanced titling is on Creator and Pro. The complete pack is Pro.

Question 31

I installed an effects pack but cannot see it.

Accepted Answer

Confirm you are on the latest build and that the licence matches the pack. Restart the application, check Plugin panel filters, and verify the pack was installed for the signed-in user.

Questions, answered

Installation

Startup & troubleshooting

Activation

Exporting

AI and vertical

Licensing

Updating and upgrading

Hardware

Effects