I am sure I am not the only Windows 10 AXR4T user to have found that Windows does not recognise it when connected. Other posts refer to this problem. The ‘Known issues’ section of the User Manual lists it and offers a workaround relating to what order you turn on the unit or the PC. This makes no difference. I suspect that most if not all PC/W10 users, like me, are connecting the AXR4T’s Thunderbolt 2 to an adaptor to access a Thunderbolt 3 card on the PC, and that the adaptor/cable and Thunderbolt card are all working fine but Windows does not see AXR4T. Here’s how I solved it, through trial & error:
- unplug the AXR4T from the PC
- uninstall any TOOLS/driver software and install the very latest version (16th Jan 2020). Also download the latest firmware (same date)
- once the TOOLS is installed, restart the PC. It doesn’t matter if the AXR4T or the PC is switched on in what order.
- Assuming both are on and fully booted up, connect the thunderbolt cable from the unit to the PC
- Look down at the far right bottom corner of the Windows toolbar, where a tiny blue & white icon should be flashing
- Click on this tiny icon where you are asked to give the port permission to access the Yamaha (Steinberg) Thunderbolt inbound connection
- Give permission
- Now Windows will see the AXR4T
- Install the latest firmware (see above)
- It should work fine, ever & ever Amen.
My guess is that not expecting to see the tiny ‘permission’ icon, or being familiar with thunderbolt protocols, most habitual Windows users will not have noticed it and become increasingly frustrated at the PC’s inability to find the AXR4T when plugged in.
Hope that helps.