I've had said annoying issue for some time now,
believe after Live 9.7 update is when it started. Sorry for the long message, but I've tried to be thorough in my troubleshooting and detailing of before bugging you guys, all the same hope it's helpful to narrow down potential causes and/or help anyone else that may be experiencing the same thing.
Below noted in form, but just in case you need more info -
- - Computer is approximately year old HP laptop running Windows 10 Enterprise with enough SSD disk space and 8GB RAM.
- Has latest Windows and HP updates downloaded and installed/applied.
- All Live, currently 9.7.1, and Push 2 updates have been installed/applied as well. No other notable machine/Windows errors, though once in awhile Live itself will lock up, become non-responsive, and need to be "End Task"'ed. This resolves Push 2 issue less than a quarter of the time by doing so.
I haven't found the root of the Live freezing and non-responsive issue, and seems to solely be Live, no issues with other apps, but all the same will detail the Push 2 issues (and troubleshooting of them) as maybe they are related, but also maybe not, as Push itself doesn't seem to cause Live issues or crash it, just simply stops responding itself. Though could possibly be Live causing the Push 2 non-response of course. Anyway . . .
After stepping away for more than 30-60 minutes from computer, Push 2 is no longer functioning or responsive with Live, though all same track lights are lit as if it would be responsive on both the pads and screen. Computer is not sleeping, but powered on the whole time via docking station No background/"inactive" Windows processes of note, or at least that I'm aware of nor see pegging Windows in Task Manager when troubleshooting. Push 2 is connected via the factory Ableton USB cable, and connected to power the whole time. Have tried alternate USB cables to no avail/difference.
Troubleshooting and/or resolutions tried after Live becomes non-responsive:
Loaded a new song, reloaded the current song, or closed and re-opened Live -
Push will change, but no longer be responsive and will show Push logo, then go to blank screen. Sometimes stays at the Push logo.
Turned Push off/on -
Usually will show Push logo, then go to blank screen. Sometimes stays at the Push logo.
Tried selecting different MIDI and Audio tracks -
No change. Though on occasion it will take 60 to 120 seconds or longer and display the track selected via mouse, though still not sending/receiving messages when pads pushed or knobs turned.
Removed/re-seated USB on both Push and Laptop (both docking station and laptop USB ports) -
No change
Removed/re-seated power -
No change
Checked Live’s Preferences settings -
Under Link-MIDI section MIDI has -
"Push2" for Control Surface under 1st item, with Input being "Ableton Push 2" and Output being the same. Note there is also an "Ableton Push 2 (Port 2)" listed as a selectable item under both Input and Output, but changing to those options makes no change with Push 2 responsiveness, nor changes to or adds that in the “MIDI Ports” section.
Setting all Push 2 options to "None" and powering it off and back on per the Ableton KB “Push 2 won't load beyond logo screen (Win)” does re-load the preferences, but doesn't resolve the initial non-responsive issue. Also note, after a laptop reboot, “Ableton Push 2” is the Input/Output setting listed, though “Ableton Push 2 (Port 2)” is still available in the drop-down list - and “Push 2 (Live)” have never seen listed as an option, though it is noted in the aforementioned KB.
Turning off Push 2 power and/or disconnecting USB, the Input/Output items turn dull gray (and go back to bold gray/white when powered on or USB reconnected, though again, not otherwise displaying track’s info or responsive).
Under "MIDI Ports" in the same section -
"Input - Ableton Push 2 (Port 2)" is in red (regardless of USB or power) and "Track" is "On" while "Sync" and "Remote" are "Off". There is no “Ableton Push 2” listed, just “Ableton Push 2 (Port 2)”, though again the Input/Output alternative options are showing up in Control Surface as mentioned above.
“Output - Ableton Push 2 (Port 2)” is in regular grey color with Track, Sync, and Remote all set to “Off”. Turning any of the three to “On” turns “Ableton Push 2 (Port 2)” to red, though obviously doesn’t change Push 2 itself in regard to pads, screen, or responsiveness.
Checked Windows (10) Device Manager -
Ableton Push 2 is listed under "Sound, video and game controllers" with no error/splat. Attempted “uninstalling” Ableton Push 2 from it and re-scanning and letting Windows “reinstall” Ableton Push 2. No change results in doing this.
Re-loaded current song, new song, and blank template -
No change.
Closed and re-opened Live -
Only sometimes resolves the issue.
Rebooted laptop -
Resolves issue 99% of the time, with Live settings listed as “Push2” for "Control Surface", and "Ableton Push 2" for both Input and Output. If issue still not resolved after reboot, setting all Push 2 options to "None" and powering Push 2 off and back on per the Ableton KB “Push 2 won't load beyond logo screen (Win)” does resolve the issue.
One other thing of potential note, is that if I stay at the computer doing other things besides using Live or Push 2 for a while, largely just web surfing or watching Ableton Youtube videos
, and then go back to the song/project I’m working on later via hitting “Play” on Push 2 or in Live, the track is very “slow” and “crackly” implying Live is too bogged down to play the track and Push 2 is equally slow to respond - to resolve this, I go into Live Preferences, the Audio section, and click on Hardware Setup (I’m using an NI Komplete Audio 6 with up to date drivers) and change the “USB Buffer” from either 2 ms to 3 ms, or 3 ms to 2 ms, and Live/Push 2 then work again fine at proper speed with no crackling or slowness with Push 2.
Ok, and that's all up to date methinks. Oof! Apologies again for the long message, but hope it's helpful at least.
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