Komplete Audio 6 driver causes BSOD crash

https://community.native-instruments.com/discussion/41488/komplete-audio-6-driver-causes-bsod-crash

the Komplete Audio 6 Driver 4.2.0, which is from 2015 and is causing BOSD crashes on my Windows 11 system because it is outdated

I am using Windows 11 and have the K.A.6 MK2 and have not experienced any problems. I think that you need to look for another cause than 'outdated K.A.6 MK2 driver' . And as far as I know then there are no general problem with the driver on Windows 11 that I know of so I don't think that you should expect a driver update for something considered as working OK.

More likely you have problem with something else or a conflict with something.

Try some basic troubleshooting such as :

Use the System File Checker tool to repair missing or corrupted system files

Allow an app to access controlled folders

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

Also another cause of crashes with software can be problems with the VC C++ dependencies..

You could also check the Windows Event Viewer, there ought to be a log for the crash ,

see here for how to use Event Viewer. To access Event Viewer select the keyboard shortcut Win+R, type eventvwr.msc and press the ENTER key.

Then share the EventViewer crash incident information with the forum and maybe someone can spot something.

You can also contact N.I. Support Other products

In case that you need guidance contacting support : How to contact NI Support and How to get in touch with our Customer Care

I think he has a MK1, not a MK2. He never mentioned MK2.

Even because 4.2.0 is the version of MK1 last drivers from 2015. MK2 is at 5.22.0 from 2021

https://community.native-instruments.com/discussion/comment/204835#Comment_204835

Great detective work 🙂

The K.A. 6 Mk1 appear to have general Windows compatibility. If you have driver problems then you need to start with the most fundamental , e.g. chips set driver (e.g. intel.inf)(I do not know AMD equivalent , amd.inf ?) and add the other drivers after that. Also as general rule then if you have a driver problem then usually you should try the latest drivers supplied by motherboard or computer manufacturer rather than what Windows installs. I personally have seen e.g. sound chips driver problems to which the only solution were to use the latest driver supplied by MB manufacturer (in mentioned case then Windows also persisted in wanting to load the faulty driver). Any other driver that the K.A. 6 MK1 can possibly conflict with can be the problem (I simply lack the knowledge with respect to what resources the K.A. 6 interfaces with) but from your description and the BSOD then the USB drivers sounds as a very good place to start. USB chips sets and drivers 'traditionally' has been a weak point on computers in as much as there has been numerous issues with diverse USB computer products seen over time.

You could also try another USB port or even a (not too) cheap add-on USB PCI-E card to see if that makes any difference, though I can not guarantee that that will be worth your money, but if someone you knows happen to have one laying about then you could test that also. (just think and be careful not be ruining your computer if opening it)(Always unplug power chords to both computer and all peripherals, or unplug these, as well as other connections and then also watch out for static electricity discharge)

https://community.native-instruments.com/discussion/41488/komplete-audio-6-driver-causes-bsod-crash

Can you make a screenshot of the BSOD or just write the error code name?

It is the only way to find out the exact cause of the BSOD.

Out of curiosity (since I think this will not be the solution): have you tried to install Driver 3.0.2 to see what happens?

https://community.native-instruments.com/discussion/comment/204835#Comment_204835

ouch… that's hard…

There are some workarounds that might work or might not work and you will need to dive deep on this issue. The least you can do is to try different USB ports (if you plug it on a USB 3 port, try to use a USB 2 ports etc). There are reports that this, sometimes solves the issue.

A quick search online for the nika6usb.sys might give you some directions, such as in this article that i stumbled upon:

https://forums.tomshardware.com/threads/cant-figure-out-how-to-fix-issue-that-causes-bsod.3724045/

It might be necessary to try some "unorthodox" solutions (such as to try use the driver from the MK2 version? -if they have the same name only-).

I assume that you have the device for some years and on Windows 10 was working correctly?

All comments

Joe_S

I also have the latest USB drivers directly from my motherboard manufacturer – MSI. After the recent installation of Windows 11, all the necessary drivers for my motherboard were immediately installed via the MSI utility when I first started the PC. I also tried restore points and it didn't help.

I first started to solve this problem at the end of summer 2024. At that time, I was switching to the Windows 11 operating system. It was a major computer upgrade. I changed the following hardware: processor, cooler, RAM and graphics card. (Maybe I should have bought a new motherboard and the problem wouldn't have occurred :D) Initially, I thought that the BSOD error was caused by my old USB hub, because after disconnecting it, the system crash problems disappeared. Two weeks ago, my system started crashing again with the same error code as before. This error did not occur in my old Win 10 system.

I've currently tried installing the 3.0.2 driver for my sound card and it hasn't crashed yet, which is strange because this driver version is even older than the 4.2.0 driver that crashes the system. If the problem occurs again, I'll try using different USB ports and your other suggestions that I haven't tried yet.

Thanks for all the info guys.

Joe_S

I am using a K.A.6 MK1. I've already tried the System File Checker tool and it didn't help.

BSOD error code is DPC WATCHDOG VIOLATION.

I think the system crash is caused by an outdated sound card driver. Here is the reason. I analyzed the latest minidump file in the Windows Debugger program, where I learned that 2 system files can cause the system crash – USBXHCI.SYS and nika6usb.sys. I found that the main reason for USBXHCI.sys BSOD error is corrupted or outdated USB driver. I tried updating these drivers and they are up to date. I also found in the device manager that the nika6usb.sys file is one of the Komplete Audio 6 MK1 driver files. After I uninstalled the MK1 4.2.0 driver, the system has not crashed yet. But I cannot use the sound card in my DAW.

I am attaching the minidump files and the event viewer log.

Event Viewer log.txt

Minidump – Bugcheck.txt

Minidump.zip

Some good suggestions by PoorFellow above, ie. never use generic Microsoft drivers if your device provides a specific one. Check the USB ports in Device Manager. If (for example) it says 'Intel series' but when you open the properties you see "Driver provider: Microsoft" go to Intel and download their drivers!

I was also thinking about some other possibilities…

How long time do you have this problem?

Before that time, your card was working correctly obviously, so, check what else did you changed or added at that time. Something there, caused a conflict. If so, try restore your PC to an earlier restore point, before this issue appeared.

Also, maybe you are put your PC on "sleep" mode? And this is the time where BSOD appears?
Sleep mode is not ideal when you deal with older drivers.

https://community.native-instruments.com/discussion/41488/komplete-audio-6-driver-causes-bsod-crash

the Komplete Audio 6 Driver 4.2.0, which is from 2015 and is causing BOSD crashes on my Windows 11 system because it is outdated

More likely you have problem with something else or a conflict with something.

Try some basic troubleshooting such as :

Use the System File Checker tool to repair missing or corrupted system files

Allow an app to access controlled folders

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

Also another cause of crashes with software can be problems with the VC C++ dependencies..

You could also check the Windows Event Viewer, there ought to be a log for the crash ,

see here for how to use Event Viewer. To access Event Viewer select the keyboard shortcut Win+R, type eventvwr.msc and press the ENTER key.

Then share the EventViewer crash incident information with the forum and maybe someone can spot something.

You can also contact N.I. Support Other products

In case that you need guidance contacting support : How to contact NI Support and How to get in touch with our Customer Care

I think he has a MK1, not a MK2. He never mentioned MK2.

Even because 4.2.0 is the version of MK1 last drivers from 2015. MK2 is at 5.22.0 from 2021

https://community.native-instruments.com/discussion/comment/204835#Comment_204835

Great detective work 🙂

Joe_S

I haven't tried it yet, but I will. Thanks.

You’re welcome.

If 3.0.2 really works, it means I’m….just lucky 😂😂😂

https://community.native-instruments.com/discussion/41488/komplete-audio-6-driver-causes-bsod-crash

Can you make a screenshot of the BSOD or just write the error code name?

It is the only way to find out the exact cause of the BSOD.

Out of curiosity (since I think this will not be the solution): have you tried to install Driver 3.0.2 to see what happens?