Help / Troubleshooting
Troubleshooting RenderWave
The five most common live-show fires and how to put them out — black screens, lag, audio, MIDI, licenses.
Last updated May 2026
Black screen / no visuals
1. Press ESC to reset the current shader.
2. Check if a shader is selected in the browser.
3. Verify the output display is active in Settings.
4. Try restarting RenderWave.
5. Update macOS and graphics drivers.
Performance issues / low frame rate
1. Lower the output resolution in Settings.
2. Disable unused effects in the effects panel.
3. Enable MetalFX upscaling for better performance.
4. Close other GPU-intensive applications.
5. Check Activity Monitor for CPU/GPU usage.
Audio not detected
1. Check Settings > Audio and select the correct input device.
2. Verify the audio device is working in System Preferences > Sound.
3. Grant microphone permissions to RenderWave if prompted.
4. Try unplugging and reconnecting your audio interface.
5. Restart RenderWave after connecting new audio devices.
Full guide: Audio Setup.
MIDI controller not connecting
1. Ensure the MIDI controller is powered on and connected via USB.
2. Check Audio MIDI Setup (in Applications > Utilities) to verify the device is recognized.
3. Try a different USB port or cable.
4. Close other applications that might be using the MIDI device.
5. Restart RenderWave with the controller connected.
Full guide: MIDI Controllers.
License not activating
1. Check your internet connection.
2. Verify your subscription is active in your dashboard.
3. Release old machines from the app or dashboard if you hit the machine limit.
4. Sign out and sign back in to refresh your license.
5. Contact support if the issue persists.
Still Stuck?
If none of the above fix it, hit us up — we usually reply within 24 hours.
[email protected]