The Focusrite Scarlett Solo (3rd Generation) is a compact and affordable audio interface that really packs a punch.
Unfortunately, certain users have experienced some trouble with the 3rd Solo release, but if that’s you, you’re in the right place!
Let’s dive into some troubleshooting tips to get your Scarlett Solo working!
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Your USB Ports May Not Be Offering Enough Power
The Focusrite Scarlett Solo (3rd gen) offers amazing portability – all you need is a laptop with USB ports and you’re good to go.
Unfortunately, issues can often arise because of this – the Solo draws all its power from a computer’s USB ports.
Here are some tips to get your Focusrite Scarlett Solo powered properly:
Check Your Connections
First things first, we need to check our cables and connectors!
- Make sure that the USB cable connecting the Scarlett interface to your computer is securely plugged in on both ends.
- Also, make sure to check that the cable isn’t damaged and the connectors aren’t dirty or worn.
- It’s also a good idea to try using a different USB cable or port to rule out any potential issues with the connection.
Use a Suitable USB Cable
The next item on the agenda is to check the type of USB cable you’re using.
- Ensure that you are using a short USB cable, preferably the one that came with your device or one that is shorter than 2 meters.
- Longer USB cables can cause dropouts and glitches, or even prevent your device from working properly.
Connect Your Interface Directly
We all long for a good connection – and your Focusrite Scarlett Solo(3rd gen) is no different!
- Connect your interface directly to its own dedicated USB port on your computer to minimize potential problems like noise, disconnections, or detection failures.
- Try to avoid using USB hubs as they can cause issues with audio devices.
- USB hubs can sometimes struggle to power audio interfaces adequately due to a limitation in power distribution.
If you’re still struggling with your Focusrite Scarlett Solo (3rd gen) not working properly with your USB ports, here are some more solutions to try on a Windows operating system:
Disable USB Selective Suspend: USB selective suspend is a feature that can sometimes cause problems with USB devices.
Here are the steps to disable USB selective suspend in your Windows computer’s settings:
- Search for “Edit power plan” in your computer’s settings.
- Click on “Change advanced power settings”
- Navigate to “USB settings”
- Disable the “USB selective suspend setting.”
- Make sure to disable it for both “On battery” and “Plugged in” options if you’re using a laptop.
Check USB Power Management Settings: USB Power Management is another option to try to solve your USB power woes.
Here’s how:
- Open the Device Manager.
- Expand “Universal Serial Bus Controllers”
- Right-click on each entry.
- Select “Properties” and go to the “Power management” tab.
- Deselect the option “Allow the computer to turn off the device to save power.”
- Apply this to each entry.
If an entry doesn’t have “Power Management” visible, you can ignore it.
RELATED: Focusrite Scarlett Solo Suddenly Stopped Working? 4 Fixes
You Need to Check Your Settings and Restart
If your Focusrite Scarlett Solo (3rd gen) isn’t working properly, it can be a very frustrating problem to have.
Here are some basic troubleshooting tips to try before diving deeper:
Restart Your Laptop or Computer
Restarting your machine can be an effective troubleshooting step for various issues, including USB power issues.
When you restart your laptop, it clears the system’s temporary files and refreshes all the hardware components, including the USB ports.
This can help resolve any temporary glitches or conflicts that might be causing the audio interface to stop working.
By establishing a fresh connection after the restart, you allow the system to properly recognize and initialize the USB devices connected to your laptop, including the audio interface.
Check the Focusrite and Computer Settings
Your Focusrite and Computer settings might be the issue, as simple as that sounds.
It’s a good idea to ensure that the audio interface settings are properly configured and not muted or turned down in the control panel settings of your laptop.
These things can happen at the strangest of times, so it’s important to check!
Sometimes, when repositioning cables or making adjustments to the Scarlett Solo, it’s possible to change the settings inadvertently.
This can result in the audio being muted or the volume levels being lowered, leading to a perception that your Solo isn’t working.
By checking the control panel settings, you can verify and adjust the audio levels or unmute your Scarlett Solo if necessary.
This simple step can help restore your Solo’s functionality, and ensure that it is properly recognized by your recording software.
Your Focusrite Install is Hanging on Windows 10
If you’re encountering issues while installing Focusrite Control for your Scarlett Solo (3rd gen) on Windows 10, you’re not alone.
There have been complaints from Focusrite owners who have had install issues on their Windows 10 OS.
Here are some troubleshooting tips to help you get past the installation hang and successfully set up your Scarlett Solo:
Stop the hung install with Task Manager: If the installation seems to be stuck on a screen for an extended period, you can use Task Manager to end the installation process.
- Press Ctrl+Shift+Esc on your keyboard to open Task Manager.
- Navigate to the “Processes” tab, locate the installer process related to Focusrite Control, right-click on it, and select “End Task.”
This will terminate the installation process and allow you to proceed with troubleshooting.
Unplug the Scarlett Solo and uninstall Focusrite software: After stopping the hung installation, unplug your Scarlett Solo from your computer.
- Proceed to uninstall all the Focusrite software related to the installation.
- You can do this by going to the “Control Panel” in Windows, selecting “Uninstall a program,” locating the Focusrite software entries, and uninstalling them.
- Make sure to restart your computer after the uninstallation process is complete.
Reinstall Focusrite Control: With the previous software uninstalled and your computer restarted, it’s time to reinstall Focusrite Control.
- Download the latest version of Focusrite Control from the official Focusrite website and run the installer.
- Follow the on-screen instructions and wait for the installation to complete.
Restart your computer: After the installation of Focusrite Control is finished, restart your computer once again.
This step helps ensure that any changes made during the installation are fully applied and integrated into your system.
Plug in your Scarlett Solo: Once your computer has restarted, connect your Solo to your computer using a USB cable.
Ensure that the device is securely connected.
Update system sound settings: Open your system sound settings and verify that your Scarlett Solo is recognized as the default audio device.
You should be able to hear sound through your monitors or headphones connected to the Solo.
RELATED:
Install the drivers before connecting the device
This is some important information for anyone starting out with the Focusrite Scarlett Solo and Windows, and info I wish I had known earlier!
You must always install the Focusrite drivers before connecting the Scarlett Solo to your computer.
This order of operations can help prevent any potential conflicts during the installation process.
General Pros and Cons of the Focusrite Scarlett Solo(3rd Gen)
Here are some pros and cons to consider for the Scarlett Solo:
Pros
The Focusrite Scarlett Solo (3rd gen) is a wonderful audio interface, perfect for a beginner to intermediate producer.
It’s easy to use, compact, and portable, meaning you can make music wherever you are!
The Scarlett Solo also offers high-quality sound and performance at a very affordable price, making it an attractive option for someone starting out on their production journey.
Cons
- As the Scarlett Solo is USB-powered, power issues can often arise.
- It’s easy to get your settings conflicted and confused.
- Users have experienced the Focusrite installation ‘hanging’ on Windows 10
