Hardware Connection Service update fail after firmware update to 2.0.4

jimknopf01 · 2025-08-13T19:14:16+00:00

There was an error rendering this rich post.

Windows 11: After successfully updating the firmware for my S88 Mk3 to 2.0.4 I was asked to update the Hardware Connection Service on the S88 screen.

So within Native Access (latest version) I clicked "update" for the Hardware Connection service update and updated with confirmation message that it completed successfully.

But within Native Access the Hardware Connection Service still shows "Install", as if the Sevice has not been installed. And the service is marked as missing when I start the Komplete Kontrol software. It also does not react to opening Kontakt 8 (latest version) - the S88 only shows the standard black and white Midi template.

Tried it on both my main PC and my notebook, both ending in the same failure. Before the firmware update, the S88 Mk3 was running fine with basic Daw integration, NTK, Kontakt 8 and Komplete Kontrol.

How do I get the Hardware Connection Service back running again? I can't even uninstall and reinstall it, as it does not show up as installed app.

Find more posts tagged with

Native Access

Komplete Kontrol SW

Firmware

S88 MK3

Accepted answers

Jeremy_NI

Windows users cannot install Hardware Connection Service with Native Access 3.20.0 - The Native Access team is working on it.

In the meantime you can download and install the new version of the Hardware Connection Service (2.0.4) in your download manager:

https://www.native-instruments.com/account/downloads

Our apologies for the inconvenience.

timrae_NI

Should be fixed in the latest 2.0.5 update, I'm really sorry for the inconvenience. There was an incompatibility with Native Access introduced into the installers, which we missed in our testing, and had to work around the clock to get a fix out.

All comments

kaizendave

I am having exactly the same problem today with Native Access 3.20.0 and Hardware Connection Service 2.0.4. It worked fine yesterday before I downloaded and tried to install 2.0.4 today. My S61 MK3 can no longer connect.

jhilman.sound

Yep, in the same boat with a Kontrol S49 on Windows 11 after trying to update. I've logged a ticket with NI support and will reply back if I hear anything. Pretty frustrating one!

jimknopf01

Additional info:

midi connection is working fine
S88Mk3 driver is showing up in device manager
firmware updater can be started and recognizes the keyboard with actual firmware

So it seems it's no basic connection problem with the 2.0.4 firmware, but exclusively a problem with hardware connection manager not working properly, after not installing properly despite successful install message.

P.S.

in the directory c:\Program files\Common files\Native Instruments\Hardware\ a subfolder "Hardware Connection Service seems missing.

timrae_NI

Thank you unfortunately it seems Native Access is having issues with the new Hardware Connection Service on Windows for some reason. Please manually install from your account page until we can get the problem resolved:

https://www.native-instruments.com/en/account/downloads/

Skijumptoes

Interesting, the new Cubase integration scripts didn't install for me on Mac, so i'm going to try a manual download too.

Skijumptoes

Just to confirm that doing a manual install is needed if you want to use the Steinberg integration scripts on Mac, Native Access standard install doesn't work. Manual download of the link above does! 👍️

jimknopf01

@timrae_NI

Thanks a lot for the fast reaction:

Manual install worked fine and solved the problem here.

@Skijumptoes

after the install the midi remote template is showing up as expected in Cubase 14Pro here on a Windows 11 system.

2211

Hi there,

After attempting the firmware update my Kontrol S49 showed the message "Looks like something went wrong"

The message won't disapear and told me to re-run the firmware updater but now the computer or firmware updater won't recognize the keyboard or firmware number version.

So the keyboard is stuck on the screen below and firmware won't recognize either.

Can anyone help with this please?

I literally have a keyboard stuck in error mode, Thanks

thumbnail.jpg

2211

Is there a way of doing a factory keyboard reset and starting from scratch?

I'd attempt that as a last resort.

2211

Also just to add this is the message I get when I try and re-run the updater

Capture.JPG

Edenorchestra

UPdate doeS not allow Cubase control, dead buttons, stuck on one plugin, can't navigate BROKEN

Skijumptoes

@Edenorchestra As discussed above briefly, if you updated via Native Access then try installing the latest "Hardware Connection Service" manually by downloading it from here:

https://www.native-instruments.com/en/account/downloads/

It seems that not all the integration scripts are being installed correctly via the automated process.

timrae_NI

You should also check if you have any updates available to you in Cubase, updating to the latest version is critical.

Mattz1964

I'm experiencing exactly the same issues and with both my S88 Mk3 and S49 Mk3. In order to try and resolve this matter I went into the Registration Editor and removed the Hardware Connection Service and then tried to re-download and re-install, which didn't work either and the icon in the Native Access Applications still asks me to 'install' and then goes through the installation process and tells me that the installation process has been successful, when I know it hasn't. I can't use the browser to select plugins as the controllers won't see the plugins and gives only limited functionality…infuriating. All was working fine until the updates.

ToeCutter

Yes, exactly this here too.

Quick links

Unanswered questions