Articles on: Troubleshooting & Support

My Controller Is Not Detected by My Computer

You’ve unboxed your controller, plugged it in, and you're ready to create. But when you open your music software, nothing happens. It can be a frustrating moment, but don't worry. This issue is almost always caused by a simple connection or configuration problem that can be resolved with a few systematic checks.


Let's walk through it step-by-step, from the physical cable to your software settings.




Step 1: Check the Physical Connection (The Simple Stuff First)


Before diving into software settings, let's rule out the most common issues.


  • Check Both Ends of the USB Cable: Is the USB-C cable securely plugged into both the controller and your computer? Unplug and replug both ends to be sure.
  • Try a Different USB Port: The USB port on your computer could be the issue. Try plugging the controller into a different port on your machine.
  • Avoid USB Hubs (for now): If you are using a USB hub, try plugging your controller directly into your computer. Some hubs don't provide enough stable power or bandwidth. This is a crucial step to isolate the problem.
  • Try a Different USB Cable: In rare cases, a USB cable can be faulty. If you have another data-capable USB-C cable, try using it to connect your controller.


If you've checked all of these and it's still not detected, it's time to check the software layers.




Step 2: Check if Your Operating System Sees the Controller


Before opening your music software, let's see if your computer's operating system recognizes the device at a basic level.


Good news: Yaeltex controllers are "Class Compliant," which means they don't require any special drivers to be installed. They should be recognized automatically.


  • On macOS:
    1. Go to Applications > Utilities and open Audio MIDI Setup.
    2. From the top menu, go to Window > Show MIDI Studio.
    3. In the MIDI Studio window, you should see an icon for your Yaeltex controller. If it's "grayed out," it means the connection is not active (revisit Step 1). If it's not there at all, the computer does not see the device.


  • On Windows:
    1. Right-click the Start Menu and select Device Manager.
    2. Expand the "Sound, video and game controllers" section.
    3. You should see your Yaeltex controller listed here. If it's not present, or if it has a yellow warning symbol next to it, there may be a connection issue.


If your controller appears correctly in these system utilities, that's great news! It means the hardware is connected and recognized. The problem is likely in your music software's settings.




Step 3: Check Your Music Software (DAW) Settings


Your Digital Audio Workstation (DAW) needs to be told to "listen" for MIDI input from your Yaeltex controller.


Here’s a general guide using Ableton Live as an example (the steps are similar in other DAWs like Bitwig, Logic Pro, etc.):


  1. Open your DAW's Preferences or Settings menu.
  2. Navigate to the MIDI or Link/Tempo/MIDI section.
  3. You should see a list of MIDI Input and Output devices. Find your Yaeltex controller in the list.
  4. For your controller's Input, make sure the "Track" and "Remote" buttons are turned ON.
    • Track: Allows the controller to play MIDI notes into an instrument track.
    • Remote: Allows the controller to control Ableton's interface (knobs, faders, etc.).
  1. For your controller's Output, make sure "Track" and "Remote" are also turned ON. This is crucial for enabling the RGB LED feedback from your software back to the controller.


If the controller was not enabled here, turning these settings on should solve the problem.




Step 4: The Yaeltex Software Check


  • Are you using the latest Kilowhat? Make sure you are using the official Kilowhat desktop application downloaded from our website. Outdated versions may have compatibility issues. Kilowhat is also the tool used to update your controller's firmware, which can resolve communication issues.
  • Is a configuration loaded? Make sure your controller has a configuration loaded onto it from Kilowhat. An unconfigured controller may be detected but will not send any meaningful MIDI data.




Still Stuck? Contact Us.


If you have systematically followed all of the steps above and your controller is still not being detected, it's time to reach out for help. We're here to get you up and running.


Please contact our support team at support@yaeltex.com and provide the following information to help us solve your issue faster:

  • Your original order number.
  • A brief description of the problem.
  • The steps you have already tried from this guide.
  • Your computer's operating system (e.g., macOS Monterey, Windows 11).
  • A screenshot of your DAW's MIDI preferences window.

Updated on: 26/06/2025

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