Summary:
After a Windows update, my microphone stopped working in Traktor Pro 4 with a Traktor Kontrol S4 MK3. Audio routing became inconsistent: meters moved, devices appeared in Windows, but sound would not route correctly. The issue turned out to be a driver conflict between Focusrite and Traktor, not Traktor itself.
My Setup
- Controller: Traktor Kontrol S4 MK3
- Software: Traktor Pro 4 (v4.4.1)
- OS: Windows 11 (25H2 / build 26200)
- Audio Interface: Focusrite Scarlett Solo (3rd Gen)
- Use case: DJ + mic + OBS streaming
Symptoms
- Mic level visible in Windows Sound settings but not audible in Traktor
- Traktor Audio Device settings behaved inconsistently:
- ASIO mode showed “please connect audio device”
- WASAPI Shared Mode sometimes worked, sometimes didn’t
- Deck audio sometimes played, sometimes silent
- OBS showed no input even though Windows meters moved
- Everything worked one week earlier
What Did Not Fix It
- Rebooting
- Resetting Traktor settings
- Switching between WASAPI / ASIO / Exclusive modes
- Windows reinstall (keep files)
- Reinstalling Traktor alone
- Reinstalling S4 firmware alone
Root Cause
A stale / incorrect Focusrite USB audio driver was still present in Windows.
Windows was binding audio paths inconsistently between:
- Focusrite WDM
- Focusrite ASIO
- Traktor S4 MK3 ASIO
- WASAPI Shared Mode
This caused Traktor to appear functional while breaking mic + output routing.
The Actual Fix (Important)
This must be done in order.
- Uninstall ALL Focusrite software
- Focusrite Control
- Focusrite USB Audio Driver
(via Apps & Features + Device Manager if present)
- Uninstall Traktor Pro
- Reboot
- Install the latest Focusrite Scarlett Solo (3rd Gen) driver
- Install Focusrite Control
- Reboot when prompted
- Install Traktor Kontrol S4 MK3 ASIO Driver
- Reinstall Traktor Pro 4
- Connect devices in this order
- Focusrite → then S4 MK3 → then launch Traktor
Result
- Mic works correctly in Traktor
- Deck audio routes properly
- OBS receives clean signal
- ASIO mode works as intended
- System stable again
Key Takeaway
If you use multiple audio interfaces on Windows, an old driver can silently break Traktor even though:
- Devices show up
- Meters move
- No error messages appear
A full driver purge and clean reinstall is sometimes the only fix.
Final Advice
Once it’s working:
- Create a Windows Restore Point
- Avoid unnecessary driver updates
- Don’t hot-plug audio interfaces mid-session
If this helps even one person avoid days of frustration, it was worth posting.
