Traktor 3 Reliability Issues on Win 10 (Music turns into loud "buzz" or won't play)

Kubrak

Exacly, I would say it often happens because USB, CPU or something goes to powersaving mode….

zephry

This has happened with my S4MK3. It has been after updates to Windows when I forget to restart. Or after Traktor updates with no restart.

Basically whenever I do any updates, to any software on my laptop, or any changes, like power plans, or driver updates in the Device manager. Anything at all I restart Windows.

The other time I had this happen was with updates on the background. At least twice I have had the loud buzz crash when I forget to disable automatic updates and the graphics driver updates while playing.

Long ago a had issues with Dpc Latency but the loud buzz crash never happened because of that. Just pops and slowed waveforms or freezes. This turned out to be my Support Software constantly checking for updates and monitoring my system.

One thing to possibly check is your Device Manager for any errors. And also go through every driver and manually search for the latest drivers via the web. Many times Windows doesn't update all of those.

The other thing to check for is Bios updates. Usually the support software will have any updates but they are never automated. Or check the support online for your specific model.

Oh and one last cause I forgot to mention. Make sure that no other external audio cards are connected. For instance I have a Steinberg audio interface that I always turn off. As well make sure the controller is connected directly to the laptop if possible, just in case the USB hub fails. If you do have to use a hub get one that also has external power.

zephry

Another tip. Always restart your laptop if it was left on or used for other things before playing live.

I can't emphasize enough to restart Traktor after any updates to Traktor or especially full installs. Restart Traktor after doing any mapping or Playlist organizing or changes in preferences like file handling. And after the Traktor restart. Maybe restart Windows just to be safe.

I also use a software called Driver Booster by iObit, it scans drivers and does a very good job of keeping things up to date. I have used this software for probably 6 or so years and use the paid version. Of course I disable it from running when using Traktor. It updates about 5 or so drivers every month that never gets updated with Windows updates. Sometimes I still find more drivers to update manually in the Device manager.

I also use a System Care software from iObit. Both these softwares are very reliable and save me a lot of time if I was to do everything manually.

I typically do updates and optimization at least twice a month.

zephry

Another thing to check is USB sleep. Make sure you open Device Manager in the Control Panel and go through all your USB ports and uncheck the "allow Windows to put the devices to sleep". You don't want an external drive with music on it to turn off. And you definitely don't want the controller to be monitored or turned off.

This used to be an option in power settings as well. So check to make sure it is not active in there too.

Always have your laptop plugged in. Sometimes depending on settings a laptop that is running on battery will cause ports to sleep or the system to run slower in general.

Hope somewhere in these tips is something that will help.

MrDelicious2

Thanks for all the ideas guys, I've checked all of the above before but will for sure to go back and double check again. It's Maddening!!!

Heisenberg

The tips about restarting etc. are good, but please never use tools like driver booster, that has often destroyed systems, take your time and get the drivers for your hardware directly from the manufacturer! 😅

zephry

https://community.native-instruments.com/discussion/comment/174428#Comment_174428

The manual update through the Device Manager does pretty much the same as Driver Booster by searching the net for drivers. That is why I suggested that technique for driver updates. You are correct every build and setup is different things can go wrong.

But yes, really any driver or windows update can go wrong. Always have you system backed up. I guess I should mention that first.

MrDelicious2

Update!

I went thru and checked everything again and no driver updates were found. I did find that the usb "let windows control…" was back ON (I had this OFF and have no idea how it got back on or when)? I ran a 6hr test with "cruise" and it didn't mess up. I'm not ready to declare victory yet, will wait for a few live gigs to do so. Thank You Guys, hopefully this is the answer!

MrD

Kubrak

That type of problems mostly is due to OS decides let something sleep to save energy…. Be it USB, some kind of controller or CPU core….