Fix Spark 40 / MINI / GO / NEO Firmware Update on Windows 25H2 (Microsoft MIDI Tool) – Help Center

Applies only to Windows users who upgraded to version 25H2 (or later) from an earlier Windows version and are unable to update the firmware on Spark 40, Spark MINI, Spark GO, or Spark NEO. If your computer shipped with Windows 25H2 already installed (or was clean-installed with 25H2), this workaround may not work as expected.

Windows 11 25H2 changed the default MIDI stack, which can prevent Spark 40 / MINI / GO / NEO firmware updates from completing. Microsoft provides an official tool that lets you temporarily switch back to Legacy MIDI mode - the firmware update will complete normally, and you can switch back afterward.

Step 1: Download Microsoft's MIDI Tools

Open https://github.com/microsoft/MIDI/releases in your browser.
In the Assets section of the top release, click the file ending in _Tools_x64.exe (e.g. Windows_MIDI_Services_Tools_x64.exe).

GitHub releases Assets section showing Tools_x64.exe

Pick the Arm64 version only if your PC uses an ARM processor (rare - e.g. some Surface Pro X / Copilot+ PCs).

Step 2: Install the Tool

Find the .exe in your Downloads folder.
Right-click → Run as administrator, click Yes on the permission prompt.
Accept the license, click Next → Install → Finish.

Right-click the downloaded .exe and select Run as administrator

Running as administrator ensures the installer can set everything up properly.

Step 3: Open "MIDI Troubleshooting and Repair"

Click the Windows Start button.
Type MIDI Troubleshooting, then click the MIDI Troubleshooting and Repair app.

Windows Start menu with MIDI Troubleshooting typed in the search box

Step 4: Switch to Legacy MIDI Mode

Click API mode on the left side of the app.
Select Legacy MIDI.
Click Yes when the app offers to restart Windows.

MIDI Troubleshooting and Repair - API mode page with Legacy MIDI selected

Nothing changes until you restart - you're always in control of the timing.

Step 5: Update Your Spark Firmware

After Windows restarts in Legacy MIDI mode, run the firmware updater for your product as usual:

Spark 40 - Firmware Update Guide
Spark MINI - Firmware Update Guide
Spark GO - Firmware Update Guide
Spark NEO - Firmware Update Guide

If the update still fails in Legacy mode, contact Support with your product model, Windows version, and the exact error message.

Step 6: Switch Back to the Default Mode (Recommended)

Once the firmware update is successful, switch Windows back to the default Windows MIDI Services mode:

Open MIDI Troubleshooting and Repair again.
Click API mode → select Windows MIDI Services.
Restart Windows.

The default mode supports newer features (Network MIDI, Bluetooth LE MIDI, MIDI 2.0, multi-client) that Legacy mode doesn't. Recommended for anyone using a DAW with lots of MIDI tracks.

FAQ

Q: Can I stay on Legacy MIDI?

A: Yes, if you only use Spark over USB. Switching back is recommended if you use a DAW with many MIDI tracks or newer MIDI 2.0 devices.

Q: Is Microsoft's MIDI tool safe?

A: Yes - it's an official signed app from Microsoft, hosted on their official GitHub repository. The admin prompt is required because MIDI mode is a system-wide setting.

Q: The update still fails after switching to Legacy mode. What now?

A: Open a Support ticket with your product, Windows version, and error details.