Audio
Allen & Heath SQ-5 troubleshooting
The Allen & Heath SQ-5 problems live-event techs bring to Ask Roadie most (also called A&H SQ, A&H SQ5, AH-SQ-5, AH-SQ5). Pick your symptom, or describe your own in plain words, and get the likeliest fix first, with the manual page when there is one.
Common SQ-5 errors & problems
What techs run into most, and what's usually behind it. The step-by-step fix for your exact unit is in Ask Roadie.
- Step-by-step fixGet the fix →
Companion won't control the SQ / buttons do nothing
Likely cause: The module drives the SQ over its TCP MIDI protocol (SQ MIDI Protocol Issue 3, firmware 1.5.0+); channel and fader-law must agree on both ends.
- Step-by-step fixGet the fix →
Console will not fully power off / two-pole push-button behaviour and safe shutdown
Likely cause: The desk auto-saves working state, so a power-cycle is a safe recovery for a frozen surface; using the proper mains switch avoids yanking power mid-write which can corrupt SQ-Drive/firmware.
- Step-by-step fixGet the fix →
Firmware update: how to update the SQ safely and current latest version
Likely cause: Staying on the latest build resolves many logged bugs (SQ-Drive corruption, expander auto-update, LCD colour, permissions).
- Step-by-step fixGet the fix →
Full system / factory reset (clear all shows, scenes, libraries back to defaults)
Likely cause: The key combo at boot triggers the firmware's full reset routine rather than the normal state-restore; it wipes user data so the console starts from factory defaults.
- Step-by-step fixGet the fix →
Main meters show signal / PAFL but Main LR speakers are silent
Likely cause: The SQ is fully soft-patched, so a physical output only carries Main LR if patched; an active PAFL also swaps what you hear/see, making the mix appear dead when it is actually fine.
- Step-by-step fixGet the fix →
Motorised faders drift, land in the wrong place, or feel misaligned
Likely cause: Faders are calibrated at the factory but the reference points can drift; re-teaching the end and mid positions restores the motor/position mapping.
- Step-by-step fixGet the fix →
Multitrack recording to USB drops out or files are corrupt
Likely cause: SQ-Drive needs sustained write throughput and a supported filesystem; a slow/fragmented drive or an old firmware bug caused dropouts/corruption.
- Step-by-step fixGet the fix →
No audio over USB-B to/from computer (DAW / streaming)
Likely cause: USB-B streaming needs the correct driver, a matched clock/sample-rate, and an actual patch to the 32x32 streaming buses; any one missing yields no audio even though the link enumerates.
- Step-by-step fixGet the fix →
No sound from the stereo line inputs (ST1/ST2/ST3)
Likely cause: ST inputs are full channels that still need routing to Main LR and level; if unrouted or muted they pass no audio even with a good cable, and the low-sensitivity ST3 can seem dead if trim is low.
- Step-by-step fixGet the fix →
Screen freezes during SQ-Drive playback / multitrack recording (audio may keep running)
Likely cause: The freeze was a firmware race between the SQ-Drive engine and the RTA/PEQ redraw; newer firmware reworked that path, and avoiding the concurrent screens sidesteps it until updated.
- Step-by-step fixGet the fix →
SLink Error flashing / expander not connecting (DX168, AR/AB, ME) - no remote audio
Likely cause: SLink carries a specific AoIP protocol per mode; a mismatch, marginal cable, or wrong power-up order leaves the link unresolved and flashes the error.
Not on the list? Describe it your way, or paste the error code off the display. Ask Roadie works the problem with you until it's fixed or you have a clear next move.
How Ask Roadie helps with the SQ-5
- 1. Pick the Allen & Heath SQ-5. It's already in the list.
- 2. Describe what you're seeing. In your own words, or the error code off the screen.
- 3. Get the likeliest fix first. Steps in order, the manual page when there is one, and a note when other techs have confirmed it.
- 4. Still broken? Tap 👎 and it keeps going from where you left off.