I simply cannot get the legacy version of Komplete Kontrol to work

Hi everyone,

I’m trying to roll back from Komplete Kontrol 3.5 to 2.9.6. Here’s everything I’ve tried so far on Windows 10:

Uninstalled Komplete Kontrol 3.5, NTK Daemon, and all NI hardware services
Deleted leftover “C:\Program Files\Common Files\Native Instruments\Hardware” and related folders
Removed all Komplete Kontrol files from AppData and ProgramData
Cleaned the registry entries under HKCU\Software\Native Instruments\Komplete Kontrol
Rebooted and reinstalled Komplete Kontrol 2.9.6 (legacy installer) as Administrator
Verified that Visual C++ 2015–2022 x64 redistributable is installed
Tried running Komplete Kontrol 2.9.6 with and without the keyboard connected
Reinstalled runtimes and attempted compatibility mode

No matter what I do, Komplete Kontrol 2.9.6 will not open at all.

I was using KK 3.5 for quite some time, using my MK1 in MIDI mode, but honestly my biggest gripe is that I can no longer disable the light guide - specifically, I really wish I could just disable the blue lights at night.

Can anyone suggest what steps I might take? I've also tried multiple versions of Native Access, attempting to Iaunch the standalone exe from within those (as well as my Windows File Directories), but to no avail.

Any help would be well & truly appreciated.

Many thanks!

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Vocalpoint

"No matter what I do, Komplete Kontrol 2.9.6 will not open at all"

No errors displayed at all? Anything in Event Viewer?

What (specific) version of Windows 10 are you running?

Owen89

Hey, @Vocalpoint - thanks for reaching out!

I get no error codes on the surface of things, but I've just checked Event Viewer and get the following:

Faulting application name: Komplete Kontrol.exe, version: 2.9.6.0, time stamp: 0x6532a969
Faulting module name: Komplete Kontrol.exe, version: 2.9.6.0, time stamp: 0x6532a969
Exception code: 0xc0000005

I'm running Windows 10 Pro 22H2.

I'll leave these error codes here for now, and in the meantime I'll see if I can figure out what they mean or if they hint towards the root cause. This sort of thing strays far from my wheelhouse, but hopefully these codes will reveal something obvious - thanks for suggesting I look into it!

Vocalpoint

This a hard crash of Komplete Kontrol - meaning your installation environment is not solid.

Couple things to start with:

Start an elevated CMD prompt (Run as Admin)
Run this command

Dism.exe /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth

Followed by this command

sfc /scannow

I also think - your "housecleaning" was a bit too extensive. You did not need to clean the Registry etc OR run the KK v2.9.6 installer as Admin.

I have it running here and never have installed anything via Admin

The other thing is your VC++ libraries. You only mention one library above - but this tech (KK v2.9.6) is from another time and could easily need much more VC++ support. Also .NET is a checkpoint as well.

Here is what I show for VC++ libraries on board:

To probably ensure ALL VC++ are up to date - I recommend opening an Admin Powershell prompt and running this:

Set-ExecutionPolicy Bypass -Scope Process -Force; [System.Net.ServicePointManager]::SecurityProtocol = [System.Net.ServicePointManager]::SecurityProtocol -bor 3072; iex ((New-Object System.Net.WebClient).DownloadString('https://vcredist.com/install.ps1'))

Yes - this looks complex - but it is safe and will audit all your VC++ libraries and update where appropriate.

Let us know how it goes

Owen89

@Vocalpoint This is incredibly helpful and much appreciated - many thanks indeed for taking the time. I'll try this out & get back to you.

Cheers!

Owen89

@Vocalpoint Unfortunately nothing seemed to work. I'll attach a list of the VC++ libraries I have:

When I try to launch KK, I can see the process opens in Task Manager briefly, then closes again within a second or two, but aside from that there is nothing to suggest anything else has happened - no error messages etc.!

Vocalpoint

I would uninstall KK v2.9.6. reboot and then reinstall - without Admin. (TIP: Do not have the keyboard plugged in either when doing this)

What did the DISM and SFC commands say? Is everything cool according to that?

Let me know how it goes.

Owen89

@Vocalpoint I attempted the reboot/reinstall, but the issue persists!

Both of those commands came out clear - a few corrupted files were seemingly fixed, but didn't move the needle with regards to this issue.

I'm wondering if it's a corrupt VST blocking the opening - KK performs a VST scan upon opening in standalone, right? Perhaps worth noting that it won't open in my DAW, either.

Vocalpoint

https://community.native-instruments.com/discussion/comment/246501#Comment_246501

OK this sounds like your issue is a tad different.

Are you saying that KK IS opening in standalone but is stalling?

Or simply not appearing at all?

These are two different conditions.

Please elaborate if possible.

Owen89

https://community.native-instruments.com/discussion/comment/246508#Comment_246508

It's not appearing at all - I can see within Task Manager that as soon as I try to launch it in standalone, the program "appears" in the Task Manager "processes" list for around 1.5 seconds before disappearing, but other than that, nothing - no loading logo, no scanning, nothing.

When I try to open it within my DAW, I get a notice that says "wrapper has caused a critical error."

Vocalpoint

Can you screencap that “wrapper” error? Have never seen that before.

Owen89

https://community.native-instruments.com/discussion/comment/246511#Comment_246511

Sure thing:

In my desperation I've been utilizing ChatGPT in an attempt to discern what the issue may be, and here's an exhaustive list of everything I've covered with it:

System and dependency checks

Ran DISM and SFC scans
→ Slight corruption found, fixed.
Verified Visual C++ redistributables
→ All major x86/x64 versions installed.
Checked .NET Framework version
→ 4.8.1 confirmed (latest for Windows 10).
Installed .NET 8 Desktop Runtime
→ Verified with dotnet --list-runtimes.

Komplete Kontrol environment resets

Renamed Komplete Kontrol folders in:
- Documents
- AppData\Local
- AppData\Roaming
  → No change (still wouldn’t launch).
Disabled plugin scanning with --nopluginscan
→ Still didn’t open.
Checked Windows Defender / Controlled Folder Access
→ Allowed Komplete Kontrol.exe.
Tried running as Administrator
→ No change.
Confirmed it’s the legacy Komplete Kontrol 2.9.6 installer
→ No NIHardwareAgent included.

Crash dump analysis

Created LocalDumps registry keys to capture a crash.
Opened the dump in WinDbg and ran !analyze -v.
Found:
- Exception code 0xc0000005 (access violation)
- Faulting module: Komplete Kontrol.exe
- Crash inside Boost serialization / Workspace save_object_data
  → Indicates workspace corruption or internal state failure.

Data cleanup & reinstalls

Renamed/removed all “Komplete Kontrol” and “Workspaces” folders from:
- Documents
- AppData (Local, Roaming)
- ProgramData
- Public Documents
  → Still wouldn’t open.
Performed clean uninstall + reinstall of Komplete Kontrol 2.9.6.
- Deleted all remaining program folders.
- Rebooted before reinstalling.
- Reinstalled (both legacy and via Native Access).
  → Still no launch.
Verified again after reinstall with all folders clean
→ Still silent crash, same behavior.

Additional troubleshooting

Checked Controlled Folder Access / antivirus interference
→ None active.
Tried running from Command Prompt
→ No error output, still silent exit.
Generated fresh crash dump post-clean reinstall
→ Same internal crash (Komplete_Kontrol.exe, not plugin).

———-

Phew!

Vocalpoint

You took it to the limit - but probably should have mentioned FLStudio right from the start. That DAW is always a trip.

I think we have taken this as far as we can here on the forums. Suggest you contact NI support and start a ticket.

I still think we have a very low OS level conflict that is causing this issue - however - FL Studio and Komplete Kontrol have always had a bit of funky history and maybe support can guide you.

Owen89

https://community.native-instruments.com/discussion/comment/246513#Comment_246513

I definitely shouldn't have omitted that detail! However, I will say that I ran older versions of KK in FL Studio for many years without issue. I had no idea NI dropped support for MK1s, and so I updated to 3.5 via Native Access without realizing, but for some reason it just doesn't want to revert back.

Thanks very much for all of your help so far - much appreciated and wishing you all the best.

PoorFellow

What is your exact version update of Windows 10 ?

What is your AV and what do you have running of security programs ?

Did you check these ? :

Allow an app to access controlled folders

block third-party app installations in Windows 11/10 (for how to unblock)

Deleted leftover “C:\Program Files\Common Files\Native Instruments\Hardware” and related folders

You did a lot , but did you also actually delete the KK 3.x.x keyboard drivers ? I think that you first need to remove the installed keyboard drivers manually !. (Remove Komplete Kontrol Drivers using the NI reg tool .)

Then manually make a Windows Restore Point so that you have that at least if need be.

Download Komplete Kontrol 2.9.6 so that you have that ready.

Then when that is done then try running the Forced Uninstaller function of Revo Uninstaller Pro Free Trial and remove all "Komplete Kontrol" using that (registry and drive).

Then reboot ,

But wait ! - do not install KK yet , to try to counter other apps interfering then do a Windows clean boot .

Then try installing the Komplete Kontrol 2.9.6 .

Hopefully that will make the app install properly…. (Test by running KK 2.9.6 as standalone app)

Owen89

https://community.native-instruments.com/discussion/comment/246518#Comment_246518

Appreciate this a lot, thanks very much! I'll go through these steps tomorrow as it's getting late here. I can't recall manually removing the KK3 drivers at any stage, so that could be an issue. I'll also check out Revo - thanks!

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