Kontakt 8.8.0 won't start and causes Cubase crashes

I did a routine update using Native Access. it updated Kontakt to 8.8.0. I always keep up to date when new versions come out. K8 refused to start. I have tried reinstalling, running as administrator, even uninstalling and reinstalling Native Access. Any attempt to use another app (eg Komplete Kontrol, Maschine 3) fails to start it. Adding an instrument track in Cubase 15 causes it to crash.

I appear to be well and truly stuffed! Suggestions?

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Vagus

I'm on the same OS, and haven't had this issue. Have you tried uninstalling, then deleting all Konakt installed files like database, etc and then reinstalling?

Joep1234567

Same here. Kontakt causes Ableton Live to crash since Inupdated it yesterday. I’m on MacOS Sequoia and a MacBook Pro M4 Max.
I would love have a link to the previous version of Kontakt now

🙏

thx538

Same problem here (Windows 11 with latest patches) since updating to 8.8.0, even after a desintallation and re installation.

Kontakt 8 standalone application refuses to launch
Kontakt 8 VST3 crashes Ableton live (v 12.3). Log file says :
2025-12-11T06:55:24.301838: info: VST3: Going to restore: Kontakt 8
2025-12-11T06:55:27.520895: error: Windows Exception: EXCEPTION_ACCESS_VIOLATION

Peter Hintze

same here:

Kontakt 8.8.0 (standalone) won't start

since updating, i doulbe click and Konbtakt wont start at all...??

Anyone has similar issues?

Joep1234567

I found links to installers of previous versions!

Going back to Kontakt 8.7 fixes it for me.

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

(@NI, why was this so hard to find??)

Peter Hintze

thx, but NI, should addres this ASAP. Never had this issue in the last 20 years.

Matthew_NI

Indeed - all users can download anything they need from their account.

Could anyone experiencing a crash please submit a support ticket, inclusive of a crash report?

We cannot do anything until that point, as we have no way of knowing what the issue is.

@Peter Hintze we would at least diagnose ASAP, but if it was a widespread issue I would expect thousands of reports already. Please share the details and we'll see. Sometimes it's system specific.

@Jeremy_NI for awareness.

Peter Hintze

thanks @Matthew_NI ..see my other post:

https://community.native-instruments.com/discussion/49153/bug-kontakt-8-8-0-standalone-wont-start-vst-crashes-cakewalk-sonar#latest

Peter Hintze

how is the best way to submit a support ticket, inclusive of a crash report?

Jeremy_NI

Hey everyone, we haven't seen reports yet. For crashes, first step should always be these: Kontakt Crashes (FYI @Matthew_NI)

If issue remains please get in touch with our support here: https://bit.ly/NI_Support_All Choose Submit a ticket, please include all info on your setup:

My coilleagues will get back to you ASAP, we're in the middle of the biggest sales special of the year so our repky times are longer than usual.

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