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I hope this will help some folks who are experiencing anomalies on their Windows 11 computers.Microsoft has rolled out an update that is supposed to provide updated MIDI support for Windows (to include the MIDI 2.0 spec). However, apparently update 25H2 KB5079473 causes a lot of problems with several DAW's that just hang on scanning for MIDI ports and then just lock up. I asked Gemini (AI) what the plan is and received the following response: Microsoft is currently targeting the fourth week of March 2026 for a formal bug fix to resolve the MIDI port and "lockout" issues introduced with recent Windows updates. The problems stem from the rollout of a new Windows MIDI Services architecture (which includes native MIDI 2.0 support). This new stack has caused behavioral incompatibilities with older MIDI 1.0 applications and drivers, particularly those from brands like M-Audio, AKAI, and Korg.
Current Known Issues
Port Disappearance: MIDI ports may not appear in DAWs or configuration tools.
Driver Lockouts: Certain third-party drivers (e.g., inMusic-branded) can cause the MIDI service to hang or lock up.
Enumeration Errors: New devices are sometimes assigned to higher port entries (midi10+) that older software cannot recognize SysEx Timing: Some applications experience timing issues when sending large blocks of System Exclusive (SysEx) data.
Official Workarounds
Until the official patch is released, Microsoft and hardware manufacturers suggest the following temporary solutions:
Restart the MIDI Service: Open Services (via Windows Tools), find Windows MIDI Service, and click Stop then Start. This often restores hidden ports temporarily.
Uninstall Problematic Drivers: For Korg users, it is recommended to uninstall the KORG USB-MIDI Driver and use the native Windows MIDI Service instead.
Power/Connection Sequence: Plug in your MIDI devices before launching your DAW, or leave them connected and perform a full system reboot to force proper enumeration.
Roll Back the Update: Many users have found stability by uninstalling the KB5079473 update until the fix is deployed.
Microsoft and the major DAW vendors are aware that the 25H2 update (KB5079473) is causing severe startup lockups for applications like Steinberg Cubase 15 and Fender Studio Pro 8. The hang occurs specifically during the "Initializing: All MIDI Inputs" phase because the new Windows MIDI Services architecture is failing to communicate with certain third-party drivers.
Fix Timeline and Vendor Status
Microsoft: A formal cumulative update addressing virtual port and service-level lockups is currently scheduled for the end of April 2026. A smaller "preview" fix for virtual ports is already circulating in developer communities.
Steinberg: They have officially acknowledged that Cubase 15 hangs on startup due to the wdmaud2.drv driver introduced with this update. They are working directly with Microsoft, but currently recommend a system rollback as the only reliable fix.
Fender/PreSonus: For Fender Studio Pro 8, some users have found success by installing an older version of "Universal Control" or applying the "voluntary" KB5074109 update if it appears in your Windows Update history.
John Laptop-HP Omen I7 Win11Pro 32GB 12TB SSD Desktop-ASUS-I7 Win10Pro 32GB 12TB SATA BB2026/UMC204HD&404HD/Casios/Cakewalk/Reaper/Studio One/Notion/Dorico/Noteworthy/NI/Halion/IK http://www.sus4chord.com (under rehosting/construction)
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By the way, Band-in-a-Box, RealBand, and PowerTracks recognize my MIDI inputs just fine, as do the severral stand-alone softsynths I've tried. It just seems to hang on the major DAW's (Cubase, Studio Pro, etc).
John Laptop-HP Omen I7 Win11Pro 32GB 12TB SSD Desktop-ASUS-I7 Win10Pro 32GB 12TB SATA BB2026/UMC204HD&404HD/Casios/Cakewalk/Reaper/Studio One/Notion/Dorico/Noteworthy/NI/Halion/IK http://www.sus4chord.com (under rehosting/construction)
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Yikes, that stinks. Hope it gets sorted soon.
FWIW, I've had KB5079473 since 10 March and Fender Studio Pro 8.0.1 seems to be working fine. Fingers crossed...
DC Ron
BiaB Audiophile
Presonus Studio One
ASUS I9-12900K DAW, 32 GB RAM
Presonus Faderport 16
Too many guitars (is that a thing?)
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Thank you John. I did have Fender Studio 8 hang once during the startup checklist, but after a restart all has been good. Now I’m heading to see if I have that Windows update, because I have my updates set on Pause.
EDIT: my Windows 11 25H2 was installed October 23, 2025 so I was initially puzzled until I saw the Security Update of March 12 that you are referring to. Same answer, I seem to be Ok.
Last edited by Matt Finley; 4 hours ago.
BIAB 2025 Win Audiophile. Software: Studio One 7 Pro, Swam horns, Acoustica-7, Notion 6, Song Master Pro, Win 11 Home. Hardware: Intel i9, 32 Gb; Presonus 192 & Faderport 8, Royer 121, Slate VSX, Adam Sub8 & Neumann 120 monitors.
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Last week I updated to KB5079473 and have observed no issues with FSP which I use daily, but then again I'm not doing anything with MIDI. The following forum link may contain useful info for you. Hope you can get this solved. MIDI Services
https://soundcloud.com/user-646279677BiaB 2026 Windows For me there’s no better place in the band than to have one leg in the harmony world and the other in the percussive. Thank you Paul Tutmarc and Leo Fender.
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I ran an experiment with my MIDI keyboard. Windows 11 was able to add the keyboard as a device, and Fender Studio Pro 8.0.1 was able to access the MIDI port. Didn't notice any hiccups on my rig.
DC Ron
BiaB Audiophile
Presonus Studio One
ASUS I9-12900K DAW, 32 GB RAM
Presonus Faderport 16
Too many guitars (is that a thing?)
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All the music apps still work fine on my home built Windows 10 desktop tower (which I have extended support through October, after which I'll look into a new motherboard and processor to bring it up to Windows 11).
John Laptop-HP Omen I7 Win11Pro 32GB 12TB SSD Desktop-ASUS-I7 Win10Pro 32GB 12TB SATA BB2026/UMC204HD&404HD/Casios/Cakewalk/Reaper/Studio One/Notion/Dorico/Noteworthy/NI/Halion/IK http://www.sus4chord.com (under rehosting/construction)
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All the music apps still work fine on my home built Windows 10 desktop tower (which I have extended support through October, after which I'll look into a new motherboard and processor to bring it up to Windows 11). Same here!
The bumper sticker said "I'm a veterinarian, therefore I can drive like an animal".
Suddenly I realized how many proctologists are on the road.
64 bit Win 10 Pro, the latest BiaB/RB, Roland Octa-Capture audio interface, a ton of software/hardware
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Ask sales and support questions about Band-in-a-Box using natural language.
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