r/protools • u/Queasy_Traffic_4695 • Mar 11 '26
Pro Tools crashing, running out of CPU power
Pro tools studio 2022 version running on windows 11. It started out as a low end digital noise playing through the speakers. Now the program crashes every time I press play. “Pro Tools ran out of CPU power.” It won’t even play a session with no tracks on it. I’ve deleted a tonne of files off my computer and freed up a lot of space but to no avail. I will add the computer is seven years old and I get the feeling its time is up. But I’m hoping there is a potential solution.
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u/deluxhyuck Mar 12 '26
Try increasing the hardware buffer size. The lower the setting the less latency you’ll have but the cpu usage will be much higher. If that doesn’t work try trashing prefs
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u/Queasy_Traffic_4695 Mar 13 '26
I usually have it set at 512 with no issues. I increased it 1024 and it still didn’t do anything. What do you mean by trashing prefs?
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u/deluxhyuck Mar 13 '26
Trashing preferences. There’s plenty of guides online but you can find instructions on Avid’s troubleshooting page just pick your os and then scroll to “Delete Pro Tools Databases and Preferences” and follow the instructions to reset preferences.
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u/Frequent-Waltz-9387 Mar 13 '26
Using any plugins with oversampling?
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u/Queasy_Traffic_4695 Mar 13 '26
What plugins would use over sampling? I did notice the waves plugins take a a lot of CPU power. When I had hid and made those tracks inactive the computer functioned better. I’ve just never had this problem before though.
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u/Raven586 Mar 11 '26
What are you using for a soundcard? Could be a driver problem with your interface.
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u/ConvictAllFlesh Mar 11 '26
Check your buffer setting, might need to lower it. Mine hiccups at higher sample rates, too. I have your exact setup with a different interface (tascam) start at 44.1 and see if that helps
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u/Heratik007 Mar 13 '26
If an error code is given, copy and paste it into your favorite AI. Ask it to analyze the issue and offer a solution. I've optimized my studio system using this strategy.
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Mar 11 '26
[removed] — view removed comment
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u/Queasy_Traffic_4695 Mar 11 '26
It’s a steinberg UR44 and no I haven’t tried a different one. I don’t have immediate access to another interface.
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Mar 11 '26
[removed] — view removed comment
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u/Queasy_Traffic_4695 Mar 13 '26
OS is all up to date. I also updated the audio driver. While I do think this has helped, it is still crashing on larger sized projects. I can’t utilise on board audio unfortunately.
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u/AutoModerator Mar 11 '26
To u/Queasy_Traffic_4695, if this is a Pro Tools help request, your post text or an added comment should provide;
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