What Happened to Fusion Builder?

Fusion Builder was renamed Avada Builder as part of Avada’s product updates. The original builder evolved into a more complete website-building system with two editing interfaces:

• Avada Builder: The traditional back-end editor, where you organize containers, columns, and content elements from the WordPress dashboard.
• Avada Live: The front-end visual editor, which lets you edit a page while seeing how it looks on your website.

Both interfaces are part of the Avada Builder plugin. You do not need to download separate plugins for each editing mode.

Avada also includes Avada Core, another required plugin that supports the theme’s functionality. Both components should remain compatible with your installed Avada version.

Avada’s official documentation explains the Avada Builder plugin and its editing interfaces.

Step 1: Download Avada From ThemeForest

Before installing Avada Builder, you’ll need the Avada theme files.

If you’ve already purchased Avada, you can use your existing ThemeForest account. There is no need to purchase another license just because Fusion Builder was renamed.

1. Visit ThemeForest and sign in to the account associated with your Avada purchase.
2. Open your account’s Downloads page.
3. Find Avada in your purchased items.
4. Click Download and select Installable WordPress file only.
5. Save the ZIP file to your computer.

Make sure you’re downloading the installable theme ZIP, not the complete package containing documentation and additional files. WordPress expects a properly packaged theme file when you upload it.

ThemeForest’s Avada download options. Choose the installable WordPress file for a standard WordPress installation.

Step 2: Install and Activate the Avada Theme

Once you have the ZIP file, you can install Avada from your WordPress dashboard.

1. Log in to your WordPress admin area.
2. Navigate to Appearance > Themes.
3. Click Add New Theme, then Upload Theme.
4. Click Choose File and select the Avada ZIP file.
5. Select Install Now.
6. After installation, click Activate.

The WordPress theme upload screen, where you select the Avada ZIP file and install it.

Important: If you’re installing Avada on an existing website, activating a different theme can change the site’s appearance and functionality. Back up your site first and test major theme changes in a staging environment whenever possible.

If Avada is already installed and active, skip this step. You should not reinstall the entire theme just to locate the builder.

Step 3: Register Your Avada License

After activating Avada, the next step is to register your installation.

Registration verifies your purchase and provides access to features such as automated updates, prebuilt websites, and Avada Studio content.

1. Return to your ThemeForest account and locate your Avada purchase code.
2. In WordPress, open the Avada Dashboard.
3. Find the registration section and follow the instructions to register your website.
4. Confirm that the dashboard displays your registration as active.
5. The registration interface can vary depending on your Avada version.

On current Avada installations, registering the theme also handles installation and activation of the two required plugins, Avada Core and Avada Builder, through the setup process. Avada’s installation guide explains this workflow.

Step 4: Check That Avada Core and Avada Builder Are Active

After registration, verify that the required plugins are installed.

From your WordPress dashboard:

1. Open Avada > Maintenance > Plugins or the corresponding Plugins/Add-ons area in your installed version.
2. Locate Avada Core and Avada Builder.
3. Confirm that both display an active status.
4. If an installation or activation action is available, follow the instructions provided by Avada.

Avada’s plugin management interface, showing Avada Core and Avada Builder and their installation or update status.

The exact navigation labels can change between Avada releases, but the required plugin names remain Avada Core and Avada Builder.

If your site uses an older version of Avada, avoid manually mixing newer builder files with older theme or core versions. These components are designed to work together.

Step 5: Open Avada Builder and Create a Test Page

Now that the theme and required plugins are active, it’s time to check whether the builder loads correctly.

You can do this without publishing anything.

1. In WordPress, go to Pages > Add New.
2. Enter a temporary title, such as “Builder Test.”
3. Open Avada Builder or select Live Builder, depending on the editor interface.
4. Check that you can access the builder’s editing tools.

The WordPress editing screen with the Avada Builder and Live Builder controls.

A new Avada page usually starts with a container. Containers hold columns, and columns hold content elements such as headings, images, buttons, and text blocks.

In Avada Live, you can start by selecting Add Container.

The Avada Live starter screen where you can add a container or begin with a prebuilt page.

Choose a simple container layout, add a Text Block element, and enter a short sentence. Save the page as a draft and preview it to check that the content displays correctly.

For more information about the layout system, see Avada’s Container Element documentation.

Avada Builder vs. Avada Live: Which Should You Use?

Once the builder is working, you have two ways to edit pages.

Avada Builder

Best for working with the page’s structure, sections, columns, and elements from the WordPress dashboard.

Avada Live
Best for making visual adjustments and seeing how content, spacing, and design changes look on the page.

Neither interface is universally better. The back-end editor can make complex layouts easier to organize, while Avada Live is helpful when you need to adjust visual details.

Both work with Avada’s page-building system, so you can choose the workflow that makes the most sense for the task.

Common Avada Builder Installation Problems

Even when the installation completes, you may run into a few issues when opening or using the builder.

Avada Builder Is Missing From the WordPress Dashboard

First, check whether the required plugins are installed and active.

Go to Plugins > Installed Plugins and look for Avada Builder and Avada Core. Also check whether Avada is the active theme.

If both plugins are active but you still cannot see the builder, open an existing page and look for the builder controls. Avada Builder may not be enabled automatically when opening pages or posts. Its activation behavior can be configured in the Avada Builder Options.

Also confirm that your WordPress user account has permission to edit the relevant content.

Avada Live Gets Stuck Loading

A builder that hangs on a loading screen does not necessarily need to be reinstalled.

Start with these checks:

1. Confirm whether the problem affects every page or just one.>
2. Check whether the issue started after a plugin, theme, or WordPress update.
3. Clear the site’s cache and your browser cache, then retry.
4. Check the Avada system status and hosting requirements.
5. If the issue continues, test for plugin conflicts in a staging environment.

Do not start by randomly deactivating plugins on a live business website. Some plugins handle important features such as payments, forms, and security.

If the problem started immediately after an update, identifying what changed is usually more useful than making several unrelated changes.

Avada Builder and Avada Core Have Different Versions

Avada Core and Avada Builder do not need matching version numbers, but they must be compatible with the installed Avada theme.

If your dashboard displays a compatibility warning, follow Avada’s recommended update sequence. Older installations may require specific upgrade steps.

Before updating, create a full backup of your files and database. For a production website, testing the update on staging is the safer approach.

What Happens If You Switch Away From Avada?

Avada Builder is designed for the Avada theme.

If you switch to another theme, pages built with Avada-specific elements and layouts may require additional work to display correctly or be rebuilt.

This is something to consider before changing themes, especially if your website contains custom landing pages or complex layouts.

Keep Your Avada Website Working After Installation

Installing Avada Builder is only the first step. Keeping it working means paying attention to compatibility, updates, backups, and the way changes affect your website.

Before making major updates, confirm that you have a recent backup and a reliable way to restore the site if something goes wrong. For websites with important forms, custom functionality, or online purchases, testing changes before deployment is especially important.

If you’re running into ongoing problems with Avada, or you need help keeping your WordPress website updated and functioning properly, MoDuet offers WordPress website support and maintenance services.

The goal isn’t just to get the builder installed. It’s to make sure your website continues to work after the installation is finished.