KKS MK3 stuck at "Get latest update" - no firmware updater launching

@TomSynsongs are you having the same issues as so many of the rest of us with Mac computers using the Browser in your S61 keyboard after loading Kontakt or Komplete as a plugin or standalone application?

@Chris_NI, I was able to update firmware WITHOUT any workarounds. However, my keyboard is completely non-functional when actually trying to use it with Kontakt or Komplete, either as standalone applications or as plugins. As @ADN 01 mentions above, all the buttons and encoders cease functioning and the Browser on the S61 does not load after pressing the Browser button.

As an aside, @TomSynsongs and I are using high-powered, new computers with Thunderbolt 4 USB-C ports. If this keyboard requires more power than be supplied over a USB-C cable that is also transmitting data I/O, then maybe they shouldn't have designed it that way? In other words, this seems like a stretch as a solution to these issues. Flawed firmware and drivers seem much, much more logical problem.

Today, I went out and bought another $200 external HD today with a plan to create a backup and downgrade from macOS Sonoma (14.1) to Ventura 13.6.1 (which N.I. says is fully compatible). But @TomSynsongs says he is running Ventura and having major issues as well. So, I think I just wasted another $200, on top of the $850 for the keyboard and $399 for the Komplete 14 Standard upgrade. I purchased through Sweetwater and will call them next week to arrange refund if NI hasn't been able to address, because this is way beyond the normal problems with new products.

@Chris_NI all of my Native Instruments applications are current date, as they were downloaded and installed for the first time the day I received my Kontrol MK3 S61 keyboard. I’m not sure what you mean by deleting everything in Audio/MIDI setup.

This is what I’ve done so far.

1. I did put in an official Support ticket. It took 3 days for Native Instruments to respond (hence, why I turned to the Community Forums for help). And when they did respond, it was an unhelpful, non-solution that instructed me to make changes to the communication between Logic and Komplete Software, instead of the issue with the S61 keyboard (screen, buttons, and knobs all frozen).
2. I wiped my computer (Mac Mini M2 Pro 2023) and downgraded back to macOS 13.6 (Ventura). I then reinstalled literally everything.
3. Everything with install worked fine except for Neutron 4 and RX10 Elements. Neutron 4 failed on initial attempt, but then installed on second attempt. But RX 10 Elements will not install, despite taking all necessary steps. As a result, it crashes both Logic’s plug-in validation on startup as well as Komplete standalone application scan during startup. This is a known topic in the Community forums, and I have a separate support ticket in for that. So far, Support has only told me that I cannot install due to running Sonoma. Except that I am running Ventura, which is supposed to be fully compatible, so…
4. I purchased a powered USB-C 3.2 Gen 2 hub and compatible high-quality cables. That is scheduled to be delivered today. I will attempt to connect the Kontrol MK3 S61 keyboard to my computer in three separate scenarios, now that I have downgraded my computer to a compatible and tested macOS. #1 The first scenario will be connecting the keyboard to my computer using the Native Instruments supplied USB-C cable from the Host connection on the keyboard and to one of the Thunderbolt USB-C ports on my computer. If everything works, it confirms a software issue that was fixed by downgrading the macOS and/or reinstalling all Native Instruments applications from scratch. #2 The second scenario will be to connect the keyboard to the computer exactly the same way as the first scenario, but with a different, high-quality cable. If the first scenario causes the keyboard to crash, but the second scenario works, this will confirm that a poor quality cable is the problem. #3 The third scenario will be to add the second USB-C cable connection to provide additional power, via the new powered USB-C hub. If the first and second scenarios cause system failure, but the third works, this confirms that there is a design flaw in how this keyboard is supposed to be powered. Because the specs on the Mac Mini 2023 are far beyond the average computer and should be more than adequate to provide both power and data I/O.

I will report back after running these tests. If either the second or third scenario is the answer, then we should expect a fix from Native Instruments, either in the form of a firmware update or a hardware recall, depending on the root cause of these problems. If none of the scenarios above fix the problem, I will reinitiate a return and refund to Sweetwater.