T3i won't AF in low light NIGHTCLUBS anymore (using 550 ex)

I do nightclub photography and I've had my t3i for about 2 years now and I use the 550 ex.  Recently the red light doesn't blink when I try to get a focus in low light using the kit lens.
I know the red light does work because I used it with a trigger and I've put the flash on a 7D and it works fine.  In order to get a focus now in low light, I have to use a secondary video light for the camera to focus.  The camera's AF works fine in regular light and in dim light- just not in a dark nightclub (but it used to).
Solved!
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Check to see if Focus Assist with External Flash has been turned off or not.
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