Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 3rd Gen new owner here. It's not working with Windows 10 or Ubuntu Studio.

[Honga Man]

I am continuing to search Google and YouTube as I post this, but I thought perhaps someone here may have had this problem and could explain what I need to do here. I've found some leads but nothing really helpful yet. I assume my USB drivers are up to date, but am still looking into this.

I understand all I am supposed to do is plug it in to a computer and it will appear on the desktop as a USB drive, and from there I can install the software and start using it.

I have two PCs running Windows 10 and another running Ubuntu Studio, which I think is not the newest version but still recent - within the last two years, certainly.

When I plug the USB-C cable into the Focusrite, all the lights on the front panel come on for a second and then turn off. This happens the same with all three computers and even a phone-charger cable I tried just to make sure the cable I was using is good.

Nothing appears on the desktops, such as an icon for a USB drive or anything else. From the videos I've seen, that is supposed to occur when plugging in the device.

Thanks for any ideas. I'll continue to search the web and update this thread if I figure it out.

 

[howardlo]

It will show up as an audio interface, not a usb drive. It can replace your internal sound card if you choose to do so. Have used my 2I2 for years from Windows XP to the latest Windows version with no issues. Maybe you should contact Focusrite.

 

[Honga Man]

Thanks. I'll call them when they're open tomorrow.

It's not showing up as an audio interface either, at least that I can find.

I found these instructions online:

Windows PC sound settings​

1. From your Windows taskbar, right-click the sound icon and select Playback devices.
2. Select your audio interface and then click Set Default.
3. Click OK to close the menu.

When I do that, there's nothing to choose other than my existing speakers on one PC and headphones on another.

 

[StoneH]

When I registered my 4i4, I downloaded the Focusrite Control which also installed the latest driver. I use a Solo with W10 and 4i4 with W11.

 

[Honga Man]

Thank you. Am I supposed to download software from their site first? Everything I've seen so far says there's an installer or a link or something I'm supposed to click on after plugging the device into a computer. I don't seem to have that option.

 

[StoneH]

Thank you. Am I supposed to download software from their site first? Everything I've seen so far says there's an installer or a link or something I'm supposed to click on after plugging the device into a computer. I don't seem to have that option.

Download the controller, run it, restart computer. I have never used the controller after the original install. I did have to select the interface with my DAW, but without a DAW, your PC instructions will work.

 

[loudboy]

You need the controller. I have a V2 Scarlett, and it's performed flawlessly.

 

[Bob Womack]

Thank you. Am I supposed to download software from their site first? Everything I've seen so far says there's an installer or a link or something I'm supposed to click on after plugging the device into a computer. I don't seem to have that option.

Yep. It installs drivers. It is very easy.

Bob

 

[Boreas]

After installing the drivers, use Device Manager to make sure the USB drive is recognizing the unit when you plug it in.

 

[Honga Man]

Thanks everyone! I haven't had time to continue on this, but I will by this weekend for sure. Hopefully sooner.

It seems so simple, but every video I saw, even unboxing ones, didn't mention that software had to be downloaded first.

 

[Bartholomew3]

You have to create an account and sign in, register the product then download the driver for that model interface. You can't just plug it in. Link below. I don't remember where the serial number is for registration, mine has numbers on a label on the bottom of the unit.

There is also other free software you can download once you are signed-in - some of it pretty good. The Scarlett and Red plugins are great, the rest was useless to me personally. Those 2 plugins can be a bit confusing to activate but you can e-mail customer service or I think I called a couple of times.

Please log in | Customer Portal

customer.focusritegroup.com

 

[swervinbob]

I just bought the same interface to use with my Windows 10 laptop as a remote recording device. On one of my USB drives it appeared as my sound device, but didn’t prompt me to create an account and load the software, nor did it show as an interface in Studio One. On my other USB drive it did. So now I’m set up in Studio One ready to go. This is just an older laptop that is going to be used to record a few vocal or acoustic guitar tracks in a better space than my apartment, where the tile floors are killing me. Then I’ll move the tracks to my iMac to mix.

 

[FortyEight]

yeah. make sure drivers are loaded. latest ones. i think i dl'd from their website when i first installed mine over a year ago. almost two.

 

[Ben Harmless]

I picked up an Novation Launchpad Mini recently, and it also came up as a USB drive when I plugged it in. This was the first time I'd had a piece of non-storage hardware do that. For that device, I just installed the software and the hardware became available. I don't recall even having to restart. Definitely try installing Focusrite Control and see what happens.

That said, the 2i2 should be detected and installed as a generic audio interface with 2-in and 2-out - and it should function that way, too. The only reason to install the Focusrite drivers is that they're optimized for the hardware, and will give you access to all the possible functions. Because it's not happening on any of the computers where you've tried it, I suspect you may have a rare faulty unit. The only other thing I'd say is that if you've been using front-panel USB ports, try one in back - sometimes those front ports struggle to put out the proper current. Also, USB3 ports can create interference when they operate things like wireless mouse receivers. You might try moving that stuff around. Still, the same behavior on three different machines makes me suspicious.