Helix LT will only boot up properly every other time it is switched on (literally) ???

[Pinkflydxx]

A months ago I purchased a used Helix LT and have been using it daily without a single issue whatsoever.  A few days ago, after completing an update (sorry but I don't remember which one exactly) I turned it on with the switch, and saw that while the EXP1/EXP2 LED’s came on and remained on, the main screen did not come on at all and Edit (via USB cable to my PC) would recognize any device and would not link. Pressing various buttons did not change the status, so I turned it off and waited a few seconds and then turned it back on again.   This time, the LT screen came on after a few seconds (which was normal) and the Helix Edit program recognized it, and linked up with it.  It operated without any noticable issues and I just considered it a "glitch in the matrix". However, for the past couple of days it is continuing this pattern: 1st attempt to power up, no main screen, now Edit linking, and EXP1 and EXP2 lights remain on. Turn it off, then back on again, and it boots up with visible screen and Edit linked - and working without any issues found. My system is: -  Windows 11 Home PC - SurfShark VPN, Norton, etc. were turned off to prevent interference during any of the updates and I have never encountered any issues during the few Helix updates I have done to any hardware or software.  They all appeared to install and function properly with no error or warning messages once completed. - 32Gb memory, plenty of disk storage I tried to resolve the problem with the simple things first: 1.  Checking the electric power cable connections going directly into a wall plug (not a power strip) - no impact 2.  Shut down and rebooting computer and LT at the same time - no impact. 3.  None of my PC's UBS ports are "hubs" (that I know of anyway), but I used a different USB cable, and a different USB input port on my PC - no impact. 4.  I then chose to reflash/reinstall the Helix's 3.80 firmware using Line 6 Updater program.  Backed up entire system, presets, and IR's before starting.  Once backups were done, used the Updater to reflash the 3.80 firmware, which took a few minutes, but finished without any errors or warning.  Then turned LT off and back on while holding down the #9 and #10 buttons to reset various internal items. NOTE:  The LT did NOT boot up (i.e. screen did not come on) on my first effort with the #9&10 reset method.  So turned it off, then back on and it came on fine, and began and finished the reset routine.  All my presets were gone with only factory presets remaining. I restored my backup of presets and IR's to the device and shut it off, then turned back on again.  -  NO IMPACT as main screen would not come on, Edit no linking - BUT turned off LT and back on again - WORKING PERFECTLY (same as before). Thinking I may have failed to follow the proper steps during the firmware flash, I then updated all Helix Software before any more attempts to resolve by software update/reinstall.  The next TWO firmware reflash were using the following Line 6 Support downloads and updates to: - 1.  Helix Edit to version 3.82   2. Helix Drivers  to most current date 3. Line 6 Updater to version 1.28, and 4. Line 6 Central 1.04 2. I followed the steps as outlined by several other persons, FIRST using the Line 6 Updater, and when that did not resolve the problem, then attempting the same steps with the Line 6 Central interface. In both the Updater and the Central methods, I reset the device with the #9 and #10 button reset technique, AND before reloading my system backup with presets and IR, I turned the LT off, then on again attempting to determine if perhaps any of my presets, IRs, or settings may be the source of the problem.  However, after finishing the reset technique without restoring any of my files, the LT displayed the exact same conditions as it did that prompted me to begin this journey - 1st attempt to switch on NO MAIN SCREEN, EXP1/EXP2 REMAIN ON, HELIX EDIT WILL NOT LINK - then turn of LT, and 2nd attempt to power up is perfectly fine with MAIN SCREEN ON, only EXP2 LIGHT ON, EDIT LINKING. and LT operates without a single reason for any reason whatsoever that there is a problem with it. I have gone ahead and restored my backups on the LT, and still the "EVERY OTHER TIME" condition exists - and I mean this in the most literal sense.  I have also tried the switching on / off test with various permutations and combinations of normal cabling (USB cable / different 1/4" cables, headphone cables in most every possible permutation and combination I can conceive. AND STILL THE POWER / BOOT UP / DEMON CURSE PROBLEM REAPPEARS and does SO EVERY OTHER TIME IT IS TURNED ON WORKING PERFECTLY WHEN THE EXACT SAME FLICK OF THE POWER SWITCH IS DONE TO START IT UP. FYI:  Although purchased used, this device mint condition when purchased and sits on my desk 95% of the time for programming, tweaking, etc.   I have only used it for 2 stage shows so far, with more coming soon.  When not on my desk or the stage, I keep it in a hard shell cased.  I have never dropped or damaged it, and it has no obviously dents, marks, that would lead me to believe that the previous owner treated it roughly.  operated perfectly until recently. It has never been mishandled dropped and I kept on my desk at home, or in a hard shell plastic case when transporting. I am hopeful you can lead me to the correct repair for it. I am literally at a loss of why this would occur is such a regular manner.  If software related, or even an internal electrical component, it would seem logical to believe it would be an "all or nothing" condition, yet it is happening in a manner more predictable than the Japanese Rail system. If anyone has any suggestions, or finds that I did not follow the proper step by step methods when reinstalling / reflashing the firmware, or knows of a part time Helix exorcist, I would be most appreciative of your input on what may be the next best step in diagnosing this problem, with the understanding that I am hoping to avoid the need to ship it off to a service center if at all possible.  I am handy with a solder gun, schematics, multi-meters, and general electrical and mechanical matters.  I am not afraid to open it up and look around inside if needed.  While I am capable at repair/replacement of electrical components, my skills in diagnosing and locating the exact faulty component(s) among the possible thousands found inside, is not as adequate as I would like. Thank you to everyone in advance for any information you may have and be willing to share with me.  Best wishes and ROCK ON!!! Gary

 

[silverhead]

You’ve done all the right things to recover it. Open a support ticket. Maybe it can be recovered but my guess is it’s headed for a service centre.

[datacommando]

On 1/24/2026 at 6:49 PM, Pinkflydxx said:

4.  I then chose to reflash/reinstall the Helix's 3.80 firmware using Line 6 Updater program.  Backed up entire system, presets, and IR's before starting.  Once backups were done, used the Updater to reflash the 3.80 firmware, which took a few minutes, but finished without any errors or warning.  Then turned LT off and back on while holding down the #9 and #10 buttons to reset various internal items.

Hi, Gary,

 

It looks like you have tried all the usual/regular “fix it” routines that can be done by the general user, without any success.

 

One thing that I noticed is that you say that you managed to do a clean reinstall the 3.80 firmware, Then when it finished you did a reboot with FS9 & 10 held down, which should perform a Global reset, clear the IRs and reset the setlist to the factory default.

 

You didn’t mention that after the firmware updated and your LT restarted - did it do through the updating presets routine? This can take quite a while, so you would’ve noticed if it did. The reason I ask is because, if there was some reason that this part of the update was missed, then you can force the upgrade of the presets to the current format, by holding down FS10 & 11 while turning on the power to the Helix. If you haven’t tried this, it may be worth a shot, because an incomplete preset rebuild has previously been known to cause weird things to happen.
 

Sadly, that’s all I’m able to offer, other than agreeing with @silverhead, in the post above - it might need a Service Tech to check it out, as it would be beyond the scope of most users.

 

Hope this helps/makes sense.

[Pinkflydxx]

Silverhead and Datacommando:

Thanks for the replies.

Silverhead:
I did open a ticket and hoping the techs will get back with me soon (and with a means to avoid sending it to a service center).  Awaiting their response.

Datacommand:
I considered a "funky" preset may be causing, or part of, the problem.  My thought was to test if the unit would bootup properly with only the factory setting.  So immediately after the 9/10 reset procedure completed, and when the unit successfully booted up, I believe that it did go through the "reloading presets" process (with only reloading the factory installed presets and not my library of presets).  I say "I believe" because I went through quite a few resets, reloads, restores, during my attempts to resolve this issues, it was difficult for me to remember the steps I did in proper order.  However, I do know that I sat through several "presets loading" routines during my attempts, with the belief the LT did this procedure (as it does it without my initiation all other times) - but.... I could not testify that I actually remember that it DID perform this action on that specific occasion.  Sorry, its been a long evening of internet researching and trying to find anyone that has encountered this exact problem (and while there have been others with various booting issues, I am surprised that I have been unable to find anyone that has encountered this "every other time" scenario).  If I am able to eventually resolve it, I am staking my claim for the right of naming this malfunction. 

With the unit only having the factory installed presets installed, I turned it off and on a few times, and sadly the issue continued  (first time no screen on boot, 2nd time bootup and operationally fine, 3rd time no boot, 4th bootup fine. ad infinitum).

 

After restoring the system backup (with my presets and settings), whenever the unit cycled through the boot process successfully, the "reloading presets" process DID run and all my presets and settings appeared to be installed properly.  Since it the problem was repeated on the factory reset AND a restored backup, this may not be an absolute conclusion to remove the presets as culprits, it is moving it down on the "highest suspected" list (at least for now).

It is difficult for me to understand WHY it is a predictable problem which occurs on every other switching ON and OFF of the unit.  Most electronic issues present themselves in an ALL or NOTHING manner, or after some warmup time, or even after a series of functions or operations accumulate glitches that ultimately lead to some type of failure.

If I find the cause of the problem, I will post, and again, I thank you, and other potential respondees that can offer any advice or suggestions.  Best wishes and ROCK ON!

[Pinkflydxx]

UPDATE:  I opened up the LT and used a multimeter to test the power supply unit's input and output voltages.  These are the measured results:
INPUT:  
   PIN 1 to PIN 2:  122 VAC

OUTPUT:
   PIN 1 to PIN 3   12.42VDC
   PIN 1 to PIN 4   12.42VDC
   PIN 2 to PIN 3   12.42VDC
   PIN 2 to PIN 4   12.42VDC

Measurements of both the input and outputs were done when the unit did NOT boot up properly, AND when the device did boot up properly and was fully functional with no issues.  Lastly, while inside, I made sure all terminal and molex connections were clean and making good contacts:
- from the incoming power cable,
- throught the rocker switch,
- input molex connector on PSU,

- output molex connector on PSU,
- molex connector on circuit board (from PSU)

I have read that there "could" be a startup sequencing glitch that may be causing the problem, but cannot confirm nor know where or how to diagnose this possibility>

Thanks again for everyone's assistance.

[datacommando]

On 1/25/2026 at 9:13 PM, Pinkflydxx said:

I have read that there "could" be a startup sequencing glitch that may be causing the problem, but cannot confirm nor know where or how to diagnose this possibility>

Hi, again,

 

All I can add to this is to say that although I have been using my Helix floor and viewing/contributing to these forums since 2016, this is a phenomena which I have never encountered, or seen mentioned prior to this. 
 

Sorry, I’m not able to assist any further, you need to contact Line 6 Customer Support.