Korg Bluetooth driver issues in Win11?
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- KVRist
- 85 posts since 3 Feb, 2025
I like Korg but have had recurrent serious driver and BT issues on both Win and IOS. Most recently I updated the firmware and drivers for my Microkey and Nanokontrol Studio as their recommended fix to both having lost BT IOS connectivity. This succeeded at that, but simultaneously destroyed what had been good BT connectivity to Win11 desktop. Various Support suggestions, reinstalls, rollbacks etc all fail. It's not an issue with their placement on the Win Registry BT lists. I've largely given up but just joined here and welcome any suggestions I may not have tried? thx
- Beware the Quoth
- 35517 posts since 4 Sep, 2001 from R'lyeh Oceanic Amusement Park and Funfair
Wrong forum, as the name says, this is for Hardware Instruments and Effects.
You should ask for this to be moved to Computer Setup and System Configuration forum.
You should ask for this to be moved to Computer Setup and System Configuration forum.
An idiot on Set Theory:
"In some cases there is an object called red that contains everything that is red. In much the same way a pot is a plate."
"In some cases there is an object called red that contains everything that is red. In much the same way a pot is a plate."
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- KVRian
- 1062 posts since 17 Mar, 2005 from Bay Area
Im a microkorg XL+ user, and a similar frustration exists when updating/changing the USB driver for this device(and for most USB drivers for most Korg devices that support it. You are having a BT issue, but it may be related to the device enumeration in a similar way as the USB issue. Apologies if this is not related to your issue).
Windows USB device enumeration occurs when you plug in a USB MIDI device for the 1st time. If your Korg devices are plugged in later(ie you've already installed 5-6 other USB MIDI devices ahead of the Korg and the Korg gets a value above 9), it wont work. Korg claims its a limitation in windows, but every other proprietary driver I use (non class compliant) doesnt have this issue.
The solution is annoying, and involves using Korg's own MIDI device removal tool.... which will remove other USB MIDI devices so that a value under "midi9" can be used. When you first build your audio workstation, you can also make sure Korg gets plugged in first, ahead of other devices that dont have the issue.
https://support.korg.co.uk/en-US/fixing ... ows-405751
Windows USB device enumeration occurs when you plug in a USB MIDI device for the 1st time. If your Korg devices are plugged in later(ie you've already installed 5-6 other USB MIDI devices ahead of the Korg and the Korg gets a value above 9), it wont work. Korg claims its a limitation in windows, but every other proprietary driver I use (non class compliant) doesnt have this issue.
The solution is annoying, and involves using Korg's own MIDI device removal tool.... which will remove other USB MIDI devices so that a value under "midi9" can be used. When you first build your audio workstation, you can also make sure Korg gets plugged in first, ahead of other devices that dont have the issue.
https://support.korg.co.uk/en-US/fixing ... ows-405751
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- KVRist
- Topic Starter
- 85 posts since 3 Feb, 2025
Thanks! Yes, this may have been my issue a couple years ago but was fixed, it's not enumeration issue this time.
Today I found and updated the BLE-Midi driver to 115, dated 1/25. Now my Microkey and nanokontrol studio can be detected by Win11, but cannot connect properly; Microkey says it connects but shows Disconnected after 3 seconds. To repeat that process it must 1st be then removed from the Win BT Devices list. Nanokontrol tries to connect, then a fail message appears that says to try again.
Reinstall doesn't do anything; motherboard BT driver's been updated; rollback of driver fails; Win restore points are not an option. Other ideas?
Today I found and updated the BLE-Midi driver to 115, dated 1/25. Now my Microkey and nanokontrol studio can be detected by Win11, but cannot connect properly; Microkey says it connects but shows Disconnected after 3 seconds. To repeat that process it must 1st be then removed from the Win BT Devices list. Nanokontrol tries to connect, then a fail message appears that says to try again.
Reinstall doesn't do anything; motherboard BT driver's been updated; rollback of driver fails; Win restore points are not an option. Other ideas?
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- KVRist
- Topic Starter
- 85 posts since 3 Feb, 2025
A Reddit user somehow succeeded by created a new Windows user Account and installing from there. I don't understand, but tried it and it partly worked, now Microkey connects! So I know the BLE-Midi driver is now functional [partly]
I found a Microsoft page saying now Win11 sees all uncommon midi devices iby default and when one appears a notice when discovering BT devices says 'Show all devices' must cvlick to show. Nanokontrol does do this, Microkedy didn't. So that may be connected.
Nanokontrol Studio is discoverable but still gives error message 'try connecting your device again', ideas? Thx
I found a Microsoft page saying now Win11 sees all uncommon midi devices iby default and when one appears a notice when discovering BT devices says 'Show all devices' must cvlick to show. Nanokontrol does do this, Microkedy didn't. So that may be connected.
Nanokontrol Studio is discoverable but still gives error message 'try connecting your device again', ideas? Thx
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- KVRist
- Topic Starter
- 85 posts since 3 Feb, 2025
I have a new issue. My 9.7" ipad 5th gen os 16.7.10 has lost ability to connect to Microkey Air using the Korg BLE-Midi app; when Microkey is turned on it populates into the BLE-Midi app but cannot connect and disappears. [Nanokontrol can still Bluetooth connect].
I bought a 2nd newer iPad Pro 12.9" 4th gen ios 18.3.2 yesterday and installed the Korg BLE-Midi app, but neither Microkey nor Nanokontrol can BT connect; they both populate the app when turned on but cannot connect and disappear.
As discussed earlier with connection problems to Wn11, still unsolved for Nanokontrol via BT, Microkey and Nanokontrol firmwares are both fully updated. Ideas? Thanks
I bought a 2nd newer iPad Pro 12.9" 4th gen ios 18.3.2 yesterday and installed the Korg BLE-Midi app, but neither Microkey nor Nanokontrol can BT connect; they both populate the app when turned on but cannot connect and disappear.
As discussed earlier with connection problems to Wn11, still unsolved for Nanokontrol via BT, Microkey and Nanokontrol firmwares are both fully updated. Ideas? Thanks
Last edited by bravedog on Wed Mar 12, 2025 7:50 pm, edited 1 time in total.
- KVRian
- 1372 posts since 21 May, 2004 from Serbia
It could be that your controllers are already connected to another device so they won't connect to the iPad. Happens to me all the timebravedog wrote: Wed Mar 12, 2025 11:25 am I have a new issue. My 9.7" ipad 5th gen os 16.7.10 has lost ability to connect to Microkey Air using the Korg BLE-Midi app; when Microkey is turned on it populates into the BLE-Midi app but cannot connect and disappears. [Nanokontrol can still Bluetooth connect].
I bought a 2nd newer iPad Pro 12.9" 4th gen ios 18.3.2 yesterday and installed the Korg BLE-Midi app, but neither Microkey nor Nanokontrol can BT connect; they both populate the app when turned on but cannot connect and disappear.
As discussed earlier with connection problems to in11, still unsolved for Nanokontrol via BT, Microkey and Nanokontrol firmwares are both fully updated. Ideas? Thanks
BTW you don't necessarily need the korg BLE-Midi app to connect your controllers to the iPad. Any app that has the possibility to make BT MIdi connection will work, e.g. Korg Module Pro or AUM and as soon as your controller is connected all apps will see it. Korg's app is useful if none of the apps that you are using apps have that functionality.
I also had issues with Korg's BT Midi driver on Win 11 and finally gave up trying to fix it and instead got myself a CME WIDI Uhost. Works like a charm.
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- KVRist
- Topic Starter
- 85 posts since 3 Feb, 2025
Thanks for your reply! I'm not completely sure what you mean about a controller already connected, but as far as i can, in iPad Settings Bluetooth in that case should show something as connected; nothing does. So, not that, right??
Once upon a time I could connect Microkey and Nanokontrol to iPad without the BLE-Midi app, but not in years; interesting you can! I guess it's hit and miss by build model? They just don't show in my Settings>Bluetooth, not discoverable in either Ipad version I have. I confirm today eg Module Pro makes no connection without BLE-Midi; it will for Nanokontrol once connected within BLE-Midi.
CME WIDI Uhost looks ionteresting but I don't see how this helped with your BT to Win11, since it just converts to wired and the devices already have wired connections?? later
Once upon a time I could connect Microkey and Nanokontrol to iPad without the BLE-Midi app, but not in years; interesting you can! I guess it's hit and miss by build model? They just don't show in my Settings>Bluetooth, not discoverable in either Ipad version I have. I confirm today eg Module Pro makes no connection without BLE-Midi; it will for Nanokontrol once connected within BLE-Midi.
CME WIDI Uhost looks ionteresting but I don't see how this helped with your BT to Win11, since it just converts to wired and the devices already have wired connections?? later
- KVRian
- 1372 posts since 21 May, 2004 from Serbia
I meant if your BT midi controller is connected via Bluetooth to your phone or your pc it will still show on your iPad, but won't be able to connect until you disconnect it first. BT connection works similarly to a real cable, it won't connect to two devices at the same time.
At first I understood you see your midi controllers in your BT settings on your iPad, just can't connect. I now see that you don't even see them
I have the Korg nanokey studio and never needed to use the Korg BT app on my iPad. I just connect it via Gadget, Module Pro, AUM...
CME WIDI connects to your computer via USB and then acts as a BT midi device so you would connect your BT controller to it, not to your PC. It's basically compatible with any BT midi device. At one point I had it connected to my nanokey studio and a Yamaha BT midi dongle.
They provide apps for phones and tablets to setup the connection. I currently have my Arturia Keystep 37 connected via Bluetooth (using CME WIDI master) to my computer through the Uhost and it works great. Set it once and forget it.
At first I understood you see your midi controllers in your BT settings on your iPad, just can't connect. I now see that you don't even see them
I have the Korg nanokey studio and never needed to use the Korg BT app on my iPad. I just connect it via Gadget, Module Pro, AUM...
CME WIDI connects to your computer via USB and then acts as a BT midi device so you would connect your BT controller to it, not to your PC. It's basically compatible with any BT midi device. At one point I had it connected to my nanokey studio and a Yamaha BT midi dongle.
They provide apps for phones and tablets to setup the connection. I currently have my Arturia Keystep 37 connected via Bluetooth (using CME WIDI master) to my computer through the Uhost and it works great. Set it once and forget it.
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- KVRist
- Topic Starter
- 85 posts since 3 Feb, 2025
In ios alone right they never appear anymore. In BLE-Midi both appear but Microkey now won't connect.
Is it the widi thru6 bt you mean? or what is it specifically let you connect nanokontrol via BT? thx
Is it the widi thru6 bt you mean? or what is it specifically let you connect nanokontrol via BT? thx
- KVRian
- 1372 posts since 21 May, 2004 from Serbia
It's called widi uhost
https://www.cme-pro.com/widi-uhost/
In my case I have it connected to my PC. It can directly connect to one bt midi device or you could set a group using the app and connect it to up to 4 (I think) bt midi devices at the same time.
https://www.cme-pro.com/widi-uhost/
In my case I have it connected to my PC. It can directly connect to one bt midi device or you could set a group using the app and connect it to up to 4 (I think) bt midi devices at the same time.