Suddenly Can't Overdub: Error -9985

Suddenly I can’t record a second track when overdub is on. I used to just fine. Nothing changed. I am running Windows 7 on a very powerful machine (i7, 32GB DDR4 ram), so my hardware is no problem. Using a Focusrite Saffire 6 USB as my interface. All of the sudden I get a message that says

Error opening recording device.
Error code: -9985 Device unavailable.

Before I was just getting the error message, but now it’s dumping debug reports. I attached it here.

Anyone knows why this is happening? Last week I was recording tracks just fine. Now I can’t punch in to repair a recording if I can’t use overdub.
Audacity_dbgrpt-48836-20191024T200309.zip (88.6 KB)

“Something” changed, otherwise it would still be working. I think what you mean is that you didn’t change anything, at least not knowingly. So it could be due to a Windows update, or something that you changed inadvertently, or something that another application changed, or a hardware fault, or a connector come loose, or …

The first thing I’d suggest is to try the most obvious. Shut down the computer, disconnect the USB lead to the Focusrite Saffire and visually inspect the lead and connectors (in good light). If that looks OK, reconnect it and ensure that the lead plugs in securely at both ends. If the computer USB connector appears at all loose, try plugging into a different USB socket. If you have another USB lead (one that you know is good), you could try temporarily changing the lead. Restart the computer, wait for it to fully boot up, and test.

Hi. you solved? same problem. same sound card

Hi. i have the same problem as deaf to light. i reinstalled the drivers. i reinstalled audacity. i changed the cable. I went to tweak some settings. I can only overdub when I uncheck ‘overdub’. but so I don’t hear the first trace.
please please please … help. thank you so much.

Open the Windows Sound control panel and ensure that the sample rate for the Focusrite is the same in both the Recording tab and the Playback tab.

Open the Windows Sound control panel and ensure that the sample rate for the Focusrite is the same in both the Recording tab and the Playback tab.

And do post back if that solves it. There are several posters with the same problem.

This is a forum, not a help desk. Users helping each other.

Koz

Thanks steve. thank you very much.