Nord User Forum

Hey guys,

So bought a used NP3 - Looks OK, no dings or bumps. OS 1.22
Plays fantastic.

Tried to connect it to my Mac (and pc..) but no way to connect it via USB - It´s just not recognized.

So I've opened the NP3 up, dusted it out and tried to locate any bad joints/shorts on the mainboard - But everything just looks just like it is supposed to.
I´ve run the diagnostic test at boot up, and it says USB is OK.


HW rev 0.8-08
Boot Prog 1.10
OS 1.22

Windows just says "a request for the usb device descriptor failed" and it will not connect it.
macOS just gives it the silent treatment.

Anyone else experienced this, and have a fix other than replacing the motherboard?
Any help appreciated!

Have you tried to use different USB Cables?

PS: just to share with all, how did you make the diagnostic run at boot? Which buttons combination?

@maxpiano - Yes. Tried several cables.
They all work fine with the NLA1 and NS3C so there should not be any issues with the cables.

To boot up in Diagnostic on the Nord Piano 3:
(do this at your now risk- There are options to delete both OS, All sample and piano storage, and all sorts of goodies.)
Hold down SHIFT + Transpose when powering up the NP3.

To boot up in update mode:
Hold down SHIFT + Store when powering up the NP3

To show subsystem versions at boot:
Hold down SHIFT + LIVE Mode when powering up.

OK, have you also already tried to boot in update Mode and reinstall the OS?

That's the problem - No way to install/upgrade the OS without connecting the USB cable to a computer.
And that does not work.

Qtipcore wrote:That's the problem - No way to install/upgrade the OS without connecting the USB cable to a computer.
And that does not work.

I was hoping that booting into that mode would present the USB in a way that it would be recognized by the NP3 OS updater app, even if not recognized as USB MIDI by Windows or Mac OS, did you try?

Yes, I’ve tried all that I can think of.

I’ve spoken with the designated Nord service center, and it seems that the normal fix for this is to replace the mainboard.

And that is not readily available anywhere, so now I’m hoping that either the distributor can source one or I’ll have to ship the board back to Clavia to see if it’s repairable…