Problems with Focusrite and Cakewalk

[Terry Runham]

I'm a newbie here and have a glitch that's really irritating me.  I've set up my Focusrite Solo with Cakewalk and everything works absolutely fine, but then if I reboot my (Windows 11) PC Cakewalk will sometimes not 'see' the Focusrite on its list of available devices.  Ocasionally if I switch from ASIO to WASAPI and back it might pick it up, but usually not.  Then sometimes if I reboot my PC and don't go into Cakewalk, my PC won't 'see' the Focusrite as its sound card until I start up Cakewalk.  So it's like Cakewalk isn't releasing the Focusrite for general use.

I'm hoping there's just a general setting that I've got wrong that's causing this, so any help, ideas or advice would be much appreciated.

Thanks

[OutrageProductions]

Have a basic look at your USB cables & connection integrity and at the port power settings in the OS. If Windows connects to the device, CbB will see it.

Edited February 4 by OutrageProductions

[mettelus]

Go into Windows Sound Settings, then Sound Control Panel in the upper right. Right click the Solo and then the "Advanced" tab at the top. Be sure both options in the "Exclusive Mode" section are unchecked. Also, be sure the sample rate/bit depth on that Windows screen for both playback and recording match what you assign within Cakewalk.

That said, be wary about using the Solo as the default device for general sound playback... the first application that uses it will lock the bit rate/depth on it, so it is very easy for your browser (or any app) to lock it to a bit rate that Cakewalk cannot use for your current project and shifting its settings can be problematic because it is already "in use."

Bottom line, Windows is the ultimate "gate keeper" for devices, so if Windows locks it out on you, Cakewalk cannot do anything to change that.

Edited February 4 by mettelus

[Terry Runham]

Outrage Productions and Mettelus - thanks so much for your suggestions.  Much for me to check but it certainly sounds as though there's plenty of places my Focusrite, DAW and Windows can get out of step.  Lots to look at tomorrow, so thanks a lot !

[Terry Runham]

Mettelus - I've tried your ideas now and, while it may be early days, it looks as though your suggestion of turning off Exclusive Mode was the answer I was looking for.  I've turned that off and switched back and forth between Cakewalk, VSTs, You Tube, general PC sounds and the switching has worked seamlessly.  So, crossed fingers, that was the answer and thank you !