EDITED pls re-read

> and am not trying to install the driver for it on Windows X.
Is this a typo? Did you want to say "now"?

Can you please deliver more concrete information about your setup? What is your computer/mainboard CPU?

Is this your product? Babyface (not Pro, not Pro FS)?
https://archiv.rme-audio.de/products/babyface.php

Did this work already, or did you get a used product newly?

Is the Babyface perhaps set to Class Compliant mode, then it won't work, see information below (which I copy/pasted for you from manual ch 6) how to check this, it needs to be in normal mode otherwise it won't work under Windows.

Manual Link for Babyface: https://archiv.rme-audio.de/download/bface_e.pdf (did you ever read the beginning chapters about driver installation? There are already very useful hints!

How do you connect the Babyface? With USB Hub or connected directly to the computer?
Did you use the EDIT: USB 2.0 with double power connector to ensure the Babyface gets enough power?

What is Windows X? Do you mean Windows 10? Please note, ⁣X sounds more like the placeholder "x".
The Roman letter "X" has never been used for Windows version numbering.

Regarding Download page. What download page? Of Microsoft, of RME? What is the filename of the driver that you downloaded and intend to install? Without telling the filename It's impossible to check / validate, that you chose the correct driver.

TotalMix FX won't start until the device is being recognized by Windows.
- to be checked, see above, did you install the proper USB driver for your device? What is the filename of the driver that you installed?
- How do you connect your Babyface to the computer? Via USB Hub? If yes, try without and try every USB2 or USB3 port.
- Did you already try another USB cable?
- Does your Babyface appear in the Windows Device Manager? Send Screenshot of it to the forum.
  Place the JPEG file to a cloud provider like dropbox, share it and post the resulting URL of the shared file on this forum.
  Detailed instructions and a little background, see here on my blog:
  https://www.tonstudio-forum.de/blog/Ent … rum-EN-DE/

EDIT2: Did you read already manual ch. 7.1 for possible reasons, why it doesn't work?

• The USB port is not active in the system (check the Device Manager)
• The USB cable is not, or not correctly inserted into the socket
• The Babyface does not receive any or not enough power. In this case, please consider using the included
dual cable. Plug both connectors from one end of the cable into the computer. If the Babyface starts correctly, the lowest green LED in the left band will flash, the In LED is constantly lit, the lowest one in the right band, too.
• The Babyface is in Class Compliant mode (explained in manual chapter 6), if this is the case, turn it back to normal mode:
In case the level meters of the Babyface run up during power-on: the unit is in Class Compliance mode and will not be working under Windows. Remove the cable, hold Select and Recall button down, plug-in the USB cable. This procedure changes between the CC and normal mode. When the LED Level meters don’t run up during power-on the normal mode is active

EDIT3: correct driver (assumed you have Babyface *) is the "old" USB driver (not MADIface)

Windows 7 to 11 PnP driver for Fireface UFX, 802, UCX, UCX II, UC and Babyface/Pro 2023-07-11 driver_usb_win_1246.zip
Supported products: Babyface, Babyface Pro, Babyface Pro FS, Fireface 802, Fireface 802 FS, Fireface UC, Fireface UCX, Fireface UCX II, Fireface UFX
https://rme-audio.de/downloads/driver_usb_win_1246.zip

I already edited my posting, as some stuff I wrote from memory and needed correction.

There is no optional power supply but a cable which you can connect to two USB ports of your computer, to ensure, that there will be enough power for the Babyface.

The driver looks ok.

So the relevant question is IMHO .. did you put the device erraneously into Class Compliant mode (CC Mode).
Then it won't work and the driver will not load and TotalMix FX won't start up.
In this case you need to set it to normal mode, the procedure is explained in my posting / or consult manual ch 6.

I added the relevant information from manual to the (edited) posting, see under EDIT 2.

Congrats.
So, CC mode was the culprit here, or what led to success?