USB Connection Keeps Dropping

[cyberninja69]

My USB connection keeps dropping. I've tried it on 2 separate computers with multiple USB cables. It's clearly the Helix. I'm on the latest firmware (3.70). I didn't have this problem before the update. 

 

I'm lucky to get 5 minutes of playing and it just disconnects and says "connection interrupted" or "no device connected" at the bottom of helix edit.

[silverhead]

Did you also update HX Edit to v3.70?

[datacommando]

On 12/19/2023 at 6:27 PM, cyberninja69 said:

It's clearly the Helix.

Hi,

 

Not entirely sure how you reached that conclusion- USB is notoriously fickle about connections and not all USB cables the same. Some are not suitable for data transmission. There is a whole lot of voodoo involved with this stuff. 
 

I notice you said that “while you are playing”, HX Edit will display “connection interrupted" or "no device connected". What else is running at the same time? As noted earlier USB can be very temperamental.

 

Also, when seeking assistance it’s a big help to know what computer and operating system you’re using.

 

Hope this helps/makes sense.

[cyberninja69]

On 12/19/2023 at 2:25 PM, datacommando said:

Hi,

 

Not entirely sure how you reached that conclusion- USB is notoriously fickle about connections and not all USB cables the same. Some are not suitable for data transmission. There is a whole lot of voodoo involved with this stuff. 
 

I notice you said that “while you are playing”, HX Edit will display “connection interrupted" or "no device connected". What else is running at the same time? As noted earlier USB can be very temperamental.

 

Also, when seeking assistance it’s a big help to know what computer and operating system you’re using.

 

Hope this helps/makes sense.

 

Thanks for the reply. Yeah I guess I spoke too quickly about the helix itself (hopefully it's not a hardware issue). I think it may have been a driver issue. 

 

I'm not running other programs, testing on 2 separate laptops, not using a hub, no SD cards inserted, HX Edit is the only program open. 

 

I did some searching to find similar issues, and one user said that when he removed the HX Stomp driver everything started working for him (stable for days apparently). I just did that and so far, it's staying connected (fingers crossed - it's now been about 30 minutes).

 

Strange stuff for sure - maybe there's a conflict between the drivers or something? 

 

 

 

[datacommando]

On 12/19/2023 at 7:32 PM, cyberninja69 said:

 

Thanks for the reply. Yeah I guess I spoke too quickly about the helix itself (hopefully it's not a hardware issue). I think it may have been a driver issue. 

 

I'm not running other programs, testing on 2 separate laptops, not using a hub, no SD cards inserted, HX Edit is the only program open. 

 

I did some searching to find similar issues, and one user said that when he removed the HX Stomp driver everything started working for him (stable for days apparently). I just did that and so far, it's staying connected (fingers crossed - it's now been about 30 minutes).

 

Strange stuff for sure - maybe there's a conflict between the drivers or something? 

 

Hi,

 

I had a vague recollection of something to do with not just HX Stomp, but also the Helix Floor having disconnect issues. From what I dug up it seems that there is some issue with the Windows Power options > Suspend state.

 

 

This reminded me of a previous spate of USB disconnect posts reported here - (IIRC, one thing I suggested in there was to change Suspend state!).

 

Hope this helps/makes sense.

[cyberninja69]

On 12/19/2023 at 5:27 PM, datacommando said:

Hi,

 

I had a vague recollection of something to do with not just HX Stomp, but also the Helix Floor having disconnect issues. From what I dug up it seems that there is some issue with the Windows Power options > Suspend state.

 

 

This reminded me of a previous spate of USB disconnect posts reported here - (IIRC, one thing I suggested in there was to change Suspend state!).

 

Hope this helps/makes sense.

 

Thanks man. Unfortunately, I've already done that on both computers. It disconnected again after remaining connected for hours. Really strange behavior. Not sure what else it could be. Ugh. 

 

[themetallikid]

I have had more disconnection issues since 3.7, nothing different with my setup, than i've had in helix's lifetime with me.  I"ve never had disconnection issues unless my cord is bumped and wiggles a bit, but since 3.7, i get random disconnects.  without touching the cable, i can click reconnect and it does so fine for whatever period it wants.  i'm usually jamming so HX edit is not the primary window open, but again, had 0 issues with pre 3.7.   

[datacommando]

On 12/19/2023 at 10:41 PM, cyberninja69 said:

 

Thanks man. Unfortunately, I've already done that on both computers. It disconnected again after remaining connected for hours. Really strange behavior. Not sure what else it could be. Ugh. 

 

 

On 12/19/2023 at 10:59 PM, themetallikid said:

I have had more disconnection issues since 3.7, nothing different with my setup, than i've had in helix's lifetime with me.  I"ve never had disconnection issues unless my cord is bumped and wiggles a bit, but since 3.7, i get random disconnects.  without touching the cable, i can click reconnect and it does so fine for whatever period it wants.  i'm usually jamming so HX edit is not the primary window open, but again, had 0 issues with pre 3.7.   

Sorry guys - I really don’t know what else to suggest as it’s not something that I’m experiencing.
 

Maybe it’s because I’m using a Mac, or I could be living on a ley line. I said there is a lot of voodoo around USB - I will file this under “weird and mysterious”, but will keep searching.

 

[cyberninja69]

On 12/19/2023 at 5:59 PM, themetallikid said:

I have had more disconnection issues since 3.7, nothing different with my setup, than i've had in helix's lifetime with me.  I"ve never had disconnection issues unless my cord is bumped and wiggles a bit, but since 3.7, i get random disconnects.  without touching the cable, i can click reconnect and it does so fine for whatever period it wants.  i'm usually jamming so HX edit is not the primary window open, but again, had 0 issues with pre 3.7.   

 

That's exactly my experience as well. No issues at all until I updated to 3.70 :(

[somebodyelse]

Direct connection or via a hub?

 

The Helix is USB2. USB2-USB3 can be temperamental, despite the compatibility claims, especially when you introduce a third party USB hub.

Advice I was given a few years ago was to make sure my music gear was connected direct and not via a USB hub whenever possible.

[datacommando]

On 12/20/2023 at 7:08 AM, somebodyelse said:

Direct connection or via a hub?

No hub involved, as noted in an earlier comment from the OP, although it is usually a prime suspect in these situations, along with driver conflicts and bad cables.

[alancath]

Did you ever solve this? I've had this problem for 3 years running - I just live with it. Just tried another cable which made no difference. My Helix is connected directly to my Mac Studio, but the cable is 10' long (I can't relocate either the Helix or the Mac Studio so they'd be closer so I could use a shorter cable).

[DunedinDragon]

What I've found for years now is, IF you have a proper cable that fits correctly, and IF it's plugged into a REAL USB port and not  an internal hub port (which depends on the computer) I've never had a problem with either of my Helix Floor units.  I do know those type of USB B hub can be particularly picky about when you plug into it, but mine have always worked fine as long as I'm careful when I plug into my Helix.  It's important to understand that not all ports on a computer are direct USB ports.  Sometimes they're often defined as part of an internal USB port collection which acts as a hub and not a pure connection.  Typically the only way to really  be sure is to examine the way it's defined in your Device Manager.  As long as it's a standalone USB entry it's always worked for me even if I use an external hub.

 

Currently on both my PC and my laptop I plug in my hubs to a powered USB Type A (3.0) and have no problems using any of those ports to plug into my Helix.

[craiganderton]

On 1/15/2025 at 10:30 AM, DunedinDragon said:

It's important to understand that not all ports on a computer are direct USB ports.  Sometimes they're often defined as part of an internal USB port collection which acts as a hub and not a pure connection.  Typically the only way to really  be sure is to examine the way it's defined in your Device Manager.  As long as it's a standalone USB entry it's always worked for me even if I use an external hub.

 

Excellent point. BTW for those who can't deal with Device Manager, it's often the case that the USB connection closest to the power supply will be the best option, and USB connections on the front panel are the worst option. That's not always true, but is most of the time.