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

Just FYI all, I've been on the horn with Apple, with whom I did a number of trouble-shooting steps. Not resolved, so a case/ticket number was generated. Then was requested to contact Focusrite, too, which I did, with another case/ticket number generated there. My understanding is that it's being looked into and I will be apprised of any progress in the not-too-distant future. Will post updates here if it isn't yet resolved. I know this isn't really useful information-- just sharing the experience, I guess, in case it's useful to others.

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.

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.

😞

Just wanted to add that deleting the audio preferences and resetting the NVRAM - as recommended by the Focusrite support - doesn‘t help, either. Even more, Focusrite support tells me they are not aware of any issues …

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

Same here Scarlett 4i4 + M1 Mac Studio.

😞

Yeah I didn’t really expect it to change anything as Focusrite as only now acknowledged the issue, so I guess if there’s something that has to be fixed on the macOS side, it was already too late to make it to 15.1. At least they are « investigating » now.

So, everything's in place on startup? Thanks for the info--I'll pass it along to whoever is working on my ticket at Focusrite; I'll send it to Apple, too. FYI, I did go through troubleshooting steps with Apple involving unplugging from a hub and then directly into the Mac Mini. No go. Interesting that you've got yours plugged directly into the screen monitor? Btw, Apple told me they send out upgrades to third-party vendors/suppliers months in advance of release so vendors can work out their bugs. So, curious-er and curious-er. Also (to others): I've taken to unplugging the Scarlett as part of the shut-down routine to avoid the hassle of the not remembering and then having to do all the workaround steps after startup.

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.

Same here with macOS Sequoia v15.0.1 (24A348) and a Focusrite Clarett 2Pre USB.

I have to switch it off and on whenever I launch/reboot my MacBook Pro (15" 2018).