My Focusrite USB-C audio interface stops working when I reboot my 2018 Mini

Focusrite has released updated drivers and firmware for their devices impacted by Apple macOS Sequoia.

https://downloads.focusrite.com/focusrite

Known Issue:

https://support.focusrite.com/hc/en-gb/articles/15437020104082-macOS-Sonoma-Sequoia-Recording-Input-Issues

If you still have trouble after updating, reach out to Focusrite support.

Thank you all for reporting this and we are sorry for the issues this problem is causing. We are aware of this issue on macOS Sequoia which affects some Mac systems and some Focusrite interfaces which use Focusrite Control. There seems to be no specific correlation between Mac model and the issue as when testing on multiple identical systems the issue has not occurred on both Macs. 

The issue seems to be that the Mac system can not or will not detect the interface as an audio device when it is connected to the Mac during a restart or boot-up up but it will still detect the unit on a hardware level in the USB device tree on the mac. 

Our software and QA teams are investigating the causes of this issue so that this can be fixed and we will update this thread, our macOS Compatibility article as well as any customers who have reported this issue via email to our support teams once the issue is resolved. 

In the meantime we recommend that Solo and 2i2 customers uninstall Focusrite Control from their system as all of the functions in the control software can be done from the front panel of the device or through other apps on the Mac. - How to uninstall Focusrite Control from your computer

For all other affected customers you will need to either unplug the USB cable from the interface or Mac and then reconnect this after your Mac has booted and you are logged in, or if you have a mains-powered interface turn the device off and back on after your mac has booted and you are logged in. 

-Focusrite

Make sure you are up-to-date with the latest Sequoia, at the time of this post; it is 15.2 (24C101).

I have an M1 Mac Mini and the Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 3rd Gen and I've not had the problem where I had to reconnect the USB-C cable on the Focusrite after cold booting or rebooting the M1 Mac Mini on Sequoia. However, I am using the USB-C -> USB Type A cable to the Mac.

While you wait for Focusrite to address the issue, check if you are using the USB-C -> USB-C cable. If so, try swapping it for a USB-C -> USB-A cable connecting the USB Type-A connector to your Mac.

On the new M4 Mac Mini you do not have USB-A ports. However, the two front USB-C ports ARE NOT THUNDERBOLT like the ones on the back. The two front USB-C ports are USB 3.1 Gen 2 due to the rated speed being 10Gb/s while Thunderbolt 4 is 40Gb/s and Thunderbolt 5 (M4 Pro Mini) is 120Gb/s on the rear USB-C ports.

The Focusrite Scarlett line-up doesn't use Thunderbolt, it transmits and receives a digital audio signal at USB 1.1 - 2.0 speeds. The only time Focusrite products need Thunderbolt is in their studio rack mounted products with many more inputs. Due to the complexity of Thunderbolt, try plugging the USB-C to USB-C cable to the front of your M4 Mac Mini instead of the back.

USB-C is a complex technology, using a plain USB-A port greatly simplifies things or a USB-C using USB 3.1 Gen 2. On a PC, it would be a USB Type-A connector colored red. Some PCs only provide USB-C using USB 3.1 Gen 2 or USB 3.2 at best. Some PC's have full Thunderbolt 4 / USB4.

At the same time keep an eye out for Focusrite's potential fix and keep macOS updated with any new dot releases as they become available.

I have an M1 Mac Mini w/macOS Sequoia 15.01 connected to a Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 (3rd Gen) Firmware 1605 and it's working perfectly fine in Sequoia, no issues whatsoever.

It is directly connected to a Dell monitor with a built-in KVM switch. I can toggle between Linux & macOS computers and the Scarlett switches over with no problems. I also do not have problems with the Scarlett 2i2 (3rd Gen) directly attached to USB 2.0 type A connector on the Mac Mini.

Check you aren't using a USB hub, docking station, etc. Doing so may result in your needing to resolve a hardware / firmware compatibility issue with Sequoia. Several manufacturers had to update their firmware / software to be compatible with macOS Sequoia and some vendors may still be working on the problem.

I hope you sorted out your issues by now. I was having a similar issue with my 2nd Gen 6i6 and Ventura 13.7.2 on a M2 Max Studio. I visited the Focusrite page and downloaded the latest software (not Firmware) for my interface and it appears to be working a lot better but it's too early to confirm that it’s rock-solid. When you have issues like this try using a shorter USB lead (particularly for USB powered devices without a seperate power supply).

！！！！！I meet the same problem in Focusrite 4i4 3rd and Yamaha MoDX with macOS Sequoia 15. However, after upgrading my MoDX's driver, it works!!! Meanwhile, the Focusrite 4i4 3rd still doesn't work, requiring unplugging and replugging the USB-C cable despite having updated the latest sound card drivers. Very frustrating, and I think this is not a job for Apple, but a problem for Focusrite to fix.

I have the same issue on a 2018 Mac mini. I'm using a Focusrite Scarlett Solo 3rd gen, plugged directly into one of the USB-A ports (as it comes with a USB-C to USB-A cable). The interface worked perfectly with Ventura and Sonoma. It is still detected at boot on a 2015 13 inch MacBook Pro running macOS Monterey. On macOS Sequoia and with this Mac mini, though, the interface is not detected at startup. If I unplug and plug back in, the interface shows up and works in apps like Logic Pro etc. If I reboot, it's missing again. I have tried other interfaces like the Presonus Audiobox USB, which is working just fine so it seems to be a specific problem with at least these Focusrite Scarlett devices and macOS Sequoia exclusively. Everything mentioned (VRAM, deleting plists...) did nothing to solve the problem. I also tried to plug the interface using various USB-C to USB-C cables into one of the 4 Thunderbolt 3 ports from the Mac mini, with no luck.

I too had similar issues with my 2nd gen Focusrite 6i6 and MacOS Ventura. Switching my audio interface off and on also worked for me.

Because third party developers can take a long time to catch up I usually stay one OS behind the latest. I wouldn’t be surprised if some of your plugins fail to validate in your DAW or function correctly.

Visit the Focusrite site for the latest update and the Mac App Store if you need to change to Sonoma for greater stability.

Go to Focusrite website and reach out. They have been responsive and some of their products needed a firmware update.

same!

another issue with Sequoia.

Have a Focusrite Scarett 6i6 (2nd gen) connected to my Mac Studio M2 Max.

Since upgraded to Sequoia, have to turn off/on the interface every time I start the computer.

Bummer.

Hope it gets fixed soon.

😞

I can confirm that uninstalling Focusrite Control using the method you described "fixed" the problem on my 2018 Mac mini. My 3rd gen Scarlett Solo does get detected at boot again. Of course it means losing Focusrite Control but like you say, on a Solo it's not a big deal. Thank you for reaching out to us and good luck on solving the issue fully.

I have the Mac Mini M4, and was frustrated by this problem as well, particularly because I just bought this thing! Where I have my mini makes it a bit of a challenge when I have to unplug and re-connect the USB cable into the port, so yesterday to make it easier on myself I decided to plug it into one of the front ports rather than the rear ports. I am *not* having the issue with my interface plugged into one of the ports on the front of the mini!

KM,