Hardware Troubleshooting

Each problem below starts with its symptom, then lists fixes.

Art-Net issuesCopy Anchor Link

Nodes not discoveredCopy Anchor Link

The Art-Net node does not appear in Spectralite Controllers.

1. Check the physical connection. Confirm that the cables are seated and the link lights are on.
2. Check that the Mac and the node are on the same network range.
3. Check the IP configuration. Both should use static IPs in the same subnet.
4. The macOS firewall may block Art-Net, so turn it off for a moment.
5. Connect the Mac straight to the node, with no switch between them.

To check your network, run these commands in Terminal:

# In Terminal
ifconfig en0  # or en1 for different interface
ping [node-ip-address]

No DMX outputCopy Anchor Link

Spectralite discovers the node, but the fixtures do not respond.

1. Check that the universe configuration on the node matches Spectralite.
2. Check that the fixtures' DMX addresses are correct.
3. Make sure output is enabled in Spectralite.
4. Test the node with its built-in test function.
5. Swap in DMX cables that you know work.
6. Check that each fixture is in DMX mode.

Flickering or glitchesCopy Anchor Link

Output is unstable, flickering, or random.

1. Check for IP conflicts. Each device needs a unique IP.
2. Reduce network congestion with a dedicated lighting network.
3. Use Cat5e cable or better.
4. Some nodes cannot handle high refresh rates, so check the node's capacity.
5. Watch bandwidth. Large pixel counts need gigabit.

MIDI issuesCopy Anchor Link

Controller not detectedCopy Anchor Link

The MIDI device does not appear in the Devices pane of the MIDI Input dialog (Edit > Inputs > MIDI).

1. Check the USB connection, and try a different port.
2. Power cycle the controller. Turn it off, wait, and turn it on.
3. Check that the device appears in Audio MIDI Setup.
4. Try a different USB cable, since some cables only charge.
5. Restart Spectralite. A new connection sometimes needs a restart.

Controls not respondingCopy Anchor Link

Moving a control has no effect in Spectralite.

1. Assign a mapping. Open Edit > Inputs > MIDI and assign a mapping to the device from its dropdown.
2. Check that the MIDI channel settings match.
3. Check that the mapping exists in the Mapping pane of the MIDI Input dialog.
4. Use a MIDI monitor to confirm the messages arrive.
5. Check the controller's mode, since some controllers have several.

Wrong valuesCopy Anchor Link

Controls behave unexpectedly: values jump or run reversed.

1. Check the action type. For a relative encoder, use an Adjust action, such as Adjust parameter value.
2. Check that the input and output ranges are correct.
3. Check for duplicate mappings, such as the same CC mapped twice.
4. If the controller needs calibration, calibrate it.

Preview issuesCopy Anchor Link

Black previewCopy Anchor Link

The Preview panel shows nothing.

1. Check fixture addresses. Fixtures need valid patches.
2. Check that the layer is enabled and visible.
3. Check that the effect connects to the output node.
4. Check that preview is not disabled in settings.

Slow previewCopy Anchor Link

The preview lags or stutters.

1. Reduce preview quality: simplify the preview scene.
2. Simplify effects, since complex node graphs need more power.
3. Close other applications to free GPU resources.
4. Check your GPU's capabilities. Older GPUs may struggle.

Performance issuesCopy Anchor Link

High CPU usageCopy Anchor Link

The Mac runs hot and the fans spin up.

1. Reduce effect complexity. Fewer nodes use less CPU.
2. Lower preview quality to reduce the rendering load.
3. Turn off features that you do not use.
4. Update Spectralite, since updates bring performance improvements.

Memory issuesCopy Anchor Link

Spectralite slows down over time.

1. Restart Spectralite now and then during long sessions.
2. Close unused projects to free memory.
3. Reduce the history size, since Spectralite keeps history in memory during your session.
4. If the problem persists, report a possible memory leak to support.

Network issuesCopy Anchor Link

Packet lossCopy Anchor Link

Output is intermittent, or updates go missing.

1. Use wired Ethernet. Never run Art-Net over Wi-Fi.
2. Check cable runs. The maximum is 100m per segment.
3. Use quality switches. We recommend managed switches.
4. If bandwidth is the limit, reduce the universe count.

LatencyCopy Anchor Link

There is a noticeable delay between an action and the output.

1. Check the network path, and keep the number of hops low.
2. Use gigabit equipment, since 100Mbps may be the bottleneck.
3. Reduce preview quality to free processing.
4. Check node buffering, since some nodes add latency.

Buffer space errors (large installations)Copy Anchor Link

With very large pixel counts, you may see:

• Fixtures not responding or freezing
• Dropped frames causing stuttering or flickering
• Some fixtures working while others do not update
• Output working briefly then stopping

On macOS with the default system limit, this typically occurs with more than about 7,500 universes on one output.

The cause is the UDP socket buffer of the operating system. It may be too small to send all Art-Net data at once. Spectralite tries to raise the buffer size itself, but the OS sets a maximum.

To fix it, first check the current limit:

sysctl kern.ipc.maxsockbuf

To increase it until the next reboot, run:

sudo sysctl -w kern.ipc.maxsockbuf=20971520

To make it permanent, add this line to /etc/sysctl.conf:

kern.ipc.maxsockbuf=20971520

Spectralite sizes the buffer to hold two frames of every universe on the output. The buffer it requests depends on the universe count:

If the system limit refuses the 17 MB request, the buffer stays at 4.3 MB. That buffer holds one frame of about 8,000 universes, so output fails as the count approaches that figure. The value 20971520 (20 MB) shown above covers the largest buffer that Spectralite requests.

Still having problems?Copy Anchor Link

Gather informationCopy Anchor Link

Before you contact support, collect:

1. Your OS version.
2. Your Spectralite version.
3. The hardware in use.
4. Steps to reproduce the problem.
5. Any error messages.

Get helpCopy Anchor Link

• Check the community forums
• Contact support
• Include the information gathered above

RelatedCopy Anchor Link

• Art-Net Setup
• MIDI input
• Spectralite Controllers