How to install Kontrol S88 MK3 drivers

Larry R

I can't seem to get the drivers for my new Kontrol Mk3 drivers to install. And because of that Windows 11 does not recognize the keyboard. And because of that I can't update the firmware to the latest. I have installed everything from Native Access as well as the serial number. In fact my keyboard shows that Pro. I also can not find a way top contact tech support about this, all links go to articles do not explain how to install the drivers. Does anyone have a link to the contact wizard, its apparently hidden. I've already read everything I know and nothing touches my problem. I have tried another cable other than that supplied. USB sounds. But still situiton. The Firmware Updater does not show my current software and says to connect the S88 Mk3. But it is connected. So I presume the lack of drivers is causing the problem. Any suggestions would be appreciated.

Uwe303

Hello,

within native access there is the new driver for the MK3 keyboard series. But you said you already installed everything. Have you tried to start komplete kontrol stand alone with the keyboard connected?

Larry R

Ok final update. After long conversations with Tech Support to Sweetwater where I purchased the keyboard it was deciced they would send me a new keyboard, but they would update the firmware on it themselves, as I did not have a Mac so I could try it. They have successfully updated the new one and It arrives on Monday. I will then return the current one I have which I can not update the firmware on it. Now my own conclusion. Use a Thunderbolt USB-c to USB-A 3.1 cable. And that may avoid problems. Also while I was investigating my Windows Pro 11 install, I ran across a setting in Windows which I had not been aware of before. Seems there is a Security setting in Windows for USB plug in's. If windows suspects that a driver or USB plug will cause a security issue it will shut it down. I am pretty sure that is most likely the culprit behind all the problems with trying to install the initial Firmware update. Seems once the first fireware is install windows then accepts it as legitimate and from them on things should work correctly. This is an isssue that Miocrosoft needs to address.

Uwe303

Hello,

within native access there is the new driver for the MK3 keyboard series. But you said you already installed everything. Have you tried to start komplete kontrol stand alone with the keyboard connected?

Larry R

I presume you mean the Hardware Connection Service. I've re-run that several times, and got it installed once. But then the Firmware updated failed, and it said to toggle the power on the board and retry. It just ended up with the same failure again. And after a while, Windows just flags the driver as unknown, so I delete it and restart windows to see if it will install the correct driver. I wonder if the usb cable I have needs to be replaced?

Uwe303

Mhh I updated my firmware first with the one you find on the driver's section online I forgot the number maybe 1.5.x then I made the last firmware update. Maybe try this first. Ohh and there also was an initial firmware update, but normally you can run firmware updates without the ones before on auch devices as far as I know but maybe worth a try, if you get it up and running, try the one from the downloads and drivers section first. And later today I will ask some some native guys and write back of I know something new.

Uwe303

Also if you are on windows, look into the "protection history" of the controlled folder access of there is stuff from native then allow it. Also check all this:

https://support.native-instruments.com/hc/en-us/articles/4410095967377-My-Komplete-Kontrol-Keyboard-Does-Not-Start

Larry R

I finally got the fireware program to work by using my laptop instead of my main computer. And by using a USB A 3.1 converter. I had all the NI software installed on it. And it said that it successfully installed the firmware update. But then it said it had to reboot my keyboard, I left it going for about 5 minutes, and it said that it was taking a long time, should it try another 5 minutes, I did this twice, and it never rebooted. Now the S88 somes up with "Looks like something went wrong! Plerase re-run the update on your computer. Get help at ni.de/kontrol-help." Problem is there is no help!!!!! Nothing works. And now the drivers are missing for the S88, and Windows won't seem to load them. I've got the latest updates from Windows. All the drivers were present before the update started working, but they are gone now. And I have no idea how to get them back. There is no inf file on my C://Program Files/Native Instuments directory, there is a Komplete Kontrol Mk2 Driver folder, but not a Komplete Kontrol MK3 Driver folder. So at a lost what to do next. Could someone please give me a link for Tech Support. I have looked every where and I can not find it! thanks

Larry R

Ok final update. After long conversations with Tech Support to Sweetwater where I purchased the keyboard it was deciced they would send me a new keyboard, but they would update the firmware on it themselves, as I did not have a Mac so I could try it. They have successfully updated the new one and It arrives on Monday. I will then return the current one I have which I can not update the firmware on it. Now my own conclusion. Use a Thunderbolt USB-c to USB-A 3.1 cable. And that may avoid problems. Also while I was investigating my Windows Pro 11 install, I ran across a setting in Windows which I had not been aware of before. Seems there is a Security setting in Windows for USB plug in's. If windows suspects that a driver or USB plug will cause a security issue it will shut it down. I am pretty sure that is most likely the culprit behind all the problems with trying to install the initial Firmware update. Seems once the first fireware is install windows then accepts it as legitimate and from them on things should work correctly. This is an isssue that Miocrosoft needs to address.

Larry R

Well this is actually the final update. Sweetwater actaully did not update the second keyboard with the latest firmware, and because of that it kept trying to update to the latest and Windows would disengage the drivers, and thus could not update. So they finally sent me a third keyboard which I requested that they update the firmware themselves to the latest and use a Windows computer to do it. Which they did. I also made sure that Windows had updated all its drivers. And I connected the keyboard to a USB-C hud which I had reviously installed in my computer. Conncect a drirect USB-C power source. And the new keyboard started up with no problem. So after having three attemps finally got it going. I would suggest that all distributors of the S88,S61,S49 Mk3 keyboard update the firmware for its users before sending them out. It would save a lot of time for everyone involved.