If you are experiencing problems updating the firmware on your Spark 40 on Windows 11 version 25H2, this is a known issue caused by changes Microsoft made to the Windows MIDI system.
Why This Affects Spark 40
The Spark 40 firmware updater communicates with the device using USB MIDI. During the update process, it:
- Scans for connected MIDI devices
- Sends commands to switch the device into update mode (bootloader)
- Transfers the firmware file over USB
Recent Windows updates introduced significant changes to how the system handles MIDI and USB communication, which can interfere with this process.
This is not a problem with your Spark 40 or the firmware file itself. The device hardware and firmware are working correctly — the issue is with how Windows 11 25H2 handles USB and MIDI communication.
What's Happening
On certain Windows versions (such as Windows 11 25H2), these system changes can disrupt the normal update workflow. As a result, you may experience:
- Updater becomes unresponsive during device detection
- Device is not recognized in bootloader mode
- Firmware update gets stuck or fails to complete
These issues are not specific to Spark 40—they affect a wide range of music devices and software due to changes in the Windows MIDI system.
How to Update Your Firmware
Until we release an updated firmware updater that is compatible with Windows 11 25H2, here are your options:
Option 1: Use a Different Computer (Recommended)
The easiest solution is to use a computer running:
- Windows 10
- Windows 11 version 23H2 or earlier
- macOS (any version)
You can check your Windows version by pressing Win + R, typing winver, and pressing Enter. If the version shows 25H2 (Build 26200) or later, you are affected.
Option 2: Wait for the Updated Firmware Updater
Positive Grid is working on an updated firmware updater that is compatible with Windows 11 25H2. We will announce the release through our official channels (website, email newsletter, and social media) when it becomes available.
Is Microsoft Fixing This?
Yes. Microsoft is aware of the widespread issues caused by the Windows MIDI Services rollout and has published an official known issues page documenting the problems.
Microsoft has begun rolling out fixes via Windows Update:
- February 2026: KB5074105 (partial fix for some MIDI issues)
- March 2026: KB5086672 (additional fixes)
- Late April 2026: Additional fixes scheduled for release
However, even with Microsoft's fixes, the firmware updater may still require updates from Positive Grid to work correctly on Windows 11 25H2.