[SOLVED]
I am posting this because it took me many hours and repeated Windows crashes to isolate the problem.
SETUP:
- Windows 11
- Traktor Pro 4
- Traktor Kontrol S2 MK3
- RME Babyface Pro as main audio interface
- S2 MK3 used only as controller
PROBLEM:
Traktor started freezing after a few seconds/minutes, followed by a complete Windows crash:
DPC_WATCHDOG_VIOLATION (0x133)
I discovered that when the S2 MK3 was connected, Traktor automatically selected the S2 MK3 audio device instead of my RME Babyface. Sometimes it even switched automatically between the S2 and Babyface audio devices.
I tested this repeatedly:
S2 controller + RME Babyface audio = STABLE
Switching Traktor audio to S2 MK3 = Traktor freezes, followed by DPC_WATCHDOG_VIOLATION.
SOLUTION:
I disabled ONLY the audio part of the S2 MK3 in Windows Device Manager. The S2 itself remains enabled and works normally as a controller.
Device Manager → Audio inputs and outputs:
- Disable:
Speakers (Traktor Kontrol S2 MK3) - Disable:
Microphone (Traktor Kontrol S2 MK3)
Then under:
Device Manager → Sound, video and game controllers
I kept the Traktor Kontrol S2 MK3 controller available so the hardware can still be used normally with Traktor.
After disabling the two S2 Windows audio endpoints, Traktor stopped automatically switching to the S2 audio device.
My working setup is now:
Audio Device = ASIO Fireface USB (RME Babyface Pro) (better Sound quality)
Controller = Traktor Kontrol S2 MK3
S2 MK3 Windows audio inputs/outputs = DISABLED
Since making this change, the S2 works normally as a controller and Traktor has been stable without the DPC_WATCHDOG_VIOLATION crashes.
IMPORTANT:
Do not disable the complete S2 device if you still need it as a controller. Disable only its Windows audio input/output devices.
Hopefully this helps anyone experiencing the same crashes.
