Windows 11 25H2 Firmware Update Issues (Spark GO) – Help Center

If you are experiencing problems updating the firmware on your Spark GO on Windows 11 version 25H2, this is a known issue caused by changes Microsoft made to the Windows MIDI system.

This issue affects Windows 11 version 25H2 only. If you are on an earlier version of Windows 11 (23H2 or 24H2), the firmware updater should work normally.

What Happened

In January 2026, Microsoft began rolling out a new MIDI 2.0 system as part of Windows 11 updates to versions 24H2, 25H2, and 26H1. This update introduced significant changes to how Windows handles MIDI devices and USB communication.

These changes caused firmware updaters for many audio and music hardware devices to stop working correctly. The problem affects not only Positive Grid products, but also devices from other manufacturers including AKAI, M-Audio, RANE, and Denon DJ, as well as music software such as Cubase, Ableton Live, and Serato.

Common symptoms include:

Firmware updater freezes or shows "Not Responding"
Firmware updater cannot detect the device after connecting via USB
Update process hangs indefinitely at 0% or during the update
Computer cannot recognize the device when it enters bootloader mode

Why This Affects Spark GO

The Spark GO firmware updater communicates with the device using USB MIDI protocol. When the updater launches, it:

Scans for connected MIDI devices
Sends commands to the device to enter update mode (bootloader)
Transfers the new firmware file over USB

Windows 11 25H2 introduced three specific problems that break this workflow:

MIDI enumeration deadlock — When the updater scans for devices, the Windows MIDI service locks up, causing the updater to freeze.
USB driver installation failure — Windows 25H2 no longer supports the old driver installation method used by the updater, so the device cannot be recognized in bootloader mode.
USB communication timing changes — The updater's MIDI communication code has a latent bug that becomes visible due to Windows 25H2's changed USB timing behavior.

This is not a problem with your Spark GO 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.

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.

More Information

This issue is documented in the following official sources: