How To Fix: Pro Tools Unable To Locate Hardware In Windows 10

Introduction – The Purpose Of This Guide

This guide, as the title suggests, explains how to fix the error: “Unable To Locate Hardware Tools” within Pro Tools 9 for Windows 10. In it, we will cover the causes behind this error, and discuss various steps you can follow to correct it.

This guide will require you to have a reasonably modest level of technical skills and an understanding of how Windows works at the general level.

You will be required to do things such as tinkering with program files, reinstalling device drivers, demonstrate basic troubleshooting skills, and have knowledge of how both Pro Tools 9 and Digi Driver works.

If you the reader possess all of the necessary skills and knowledge required to troubleshoot this problem, then continue reading. If not, then it is in your best interest to forward this article to someone more knowledgeable, lest you inadvertently make the problem worse.

Without further ado, here’s how to troubleshoot the error: “Unable To locate Hardware Tools” In Pro Tools 9.

How To Troubleshoot: “Unable To Locate Hardware Tools”

Ensure That Your Hardware Is Plugged In

Firstly, let’s perform a couple of really simple troubleshooting steps here. Often times the source of an issue is simply a piece of hardware that isn’t plugged in or powered on.

With that being said, make sure your hardware peripherals are indeed plugged in, and if necessary, powered on.

If that doesn’t work, then try plugging in your hardware directly into an open port on your computer. If you were using anything like a USB hub, monitor port, splitter, keyboard port, or docking station, then these devices could be inadvertently contributing to the problem.

Try ditching them and try again.

If neither of these two actions got you any success, then try using a different port on your computer, if possible. Doing this will reload the device drivers for your interface and refresh the connection.

Sometimes, unplugging and replugging a cable back in is enough to do the trick.

If your hardware interface involves the use of FireWire cables, then be sure to SHUT DOWN YOUR COMPUTER AND DISABLE THE 002 AND 003 DRIVERS before unplugging the cable(s). This is VERY important.

Reinstall And Run Digidrive

If you still haven’t found any success with the above methods, then you’re going to need to reinstall Digidriver and ensure that it is running. Go into “My Computer”, and then into the C drive (C:).

Next, navigate to “Program Files”. If you are told that the files are hidden, click to show the files.

Next, go into the “Digidesign” folder, and then into the “Drivers” folder. The full path should look like “This PC > C: > Program Files > Digidesign > Drivers.

Once you are in the right place, look for the Digidriver logo (a lowercase white d on top of an oval blue background) and double-click on it.

Click “Install”. Click “Install Anyway” if any additional boxes pop up. This step will ensure that your computer can detect and run the device drivers necessary to locate and use the hardware connected to your PC.

Manually Check For Device Drivers

There is a possibility that Digidriver could fail to update the device drivers for your hardware, or that Pro Tools could still fail to locate your hardware interface. If this happens, then you will need to manually install the drivers yourself.

Head to Device Manager. You can do this by right clicking on the Windows log, and selecting “Device Manager”. Once here, click on the Plus (+) icon next to “Sound Video & Game Controllers” to reveal the contents of this category.

For “Mbox 2”, you should see Digidesign Mbox 2 Audio Driver and “Digidesign Mbox 2 Midi Driver”. If either of them have a yellow “!” or “?” next to them, right click on them and select “Update Driver”.

If you are asked to connect to Windows Update to automatically search for and download drivers, click “No, not at this time”. Then click “Next”. IN the next window that appears, select “Install from a list or specific location” and click “Next”.

In the next window, choose “Don’t search. I will choose the driver to install” and click “Next”.

You will then be shown a list of drivers. Choose the appropriate driver and click “Next”. 

You’ll then be shown a window explaining what driver you are installing, and the corresponding hardware it belongs to. Click “Continue Anyway”.

Finally, click “Finish” in the next window.

If you couldn’t find the aforementioned drivers from earlier, look for them in the “Unknown devices or “Unused Devices” section. Once you’ve found them here, follow the same steps as listed above.

If you can’t find the drivers anywhere in Device Manager, then make sure that the M-box or 002/003 is plugged directly into the computer, and not through any hub, monitor, or keyboard. Then, follow the steps listed above.

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