Controller Not Working
Q: My MIDI controller is not working correctly or is not being detected
If you find that your controller is not working with your computer or operating the software please check the following:
NOTE: Always refer to the manufacturer's website or documentation for the device that you are using as each individual device may have specific features, drivers or firmware updates.
FAQ Knowledge Database
If you find that your controller is not working with your computer or operating the software please check the following:
- Check that your MIDI or HID controller is actually supported by VirtualDJ. A list of currently supported controllers can be found on the following page: Controllers natively supported by VirtualDJ.
- Make sure that you have the latest drivers and firmware installed from the manufacturer's website.
- Also, make sure that you the latest version of VirtualDJ installed. You can see a list of VirtualDJ builds here or you can download the latest version here.
- If your controller did not come with VirtualDJ LE included, then you will need to purchase a VirtualDJ Plus or Pro licenses to be able to use MIDI or HID controllers. You can also test controllers for 10 minutes at a time without a license.
- If your controller is supported and you have the latest drivers/firmware, but is still not working then there may be a configuration issue with it. Please see Controller Configuration And Troubleshooting for instructions for specific controllers or contact the manufacturer.
- If you are using a Windows PC, then a system MIDI conflict may be preventing your controller from working.
- Make sure that you have not accidentally changed the MIDI channel(s) that the controller operates on. Some may allow different MIDI channels to be configured for other software that requires this. Please refer to the user manual that came with your MIDI controller for information on how to change the MIDI channels. Make sure that they are set to the default.
- Try using a different USB cable and/or different USB port of your computer. Make sure that you plug it directly into your computer, not via a USB hub (NOTE: An unpowered USB hub may not provide sufficient power to run a bus-powered controller that does not have its own separate power supply.)
- If your computer has USB 3.0 ports (Normally blue for identification), try using a USB 2 port (The controller may not be compatible with USB 3.) If it only has USB 3.0 ports then try using a powered USB 2.0 hub and connecting your controller to it.
- You can also check that the controller is working by downloading the MIDItrace tool (Or HIDtrace for HID controllers). Run this with all other software including VirtualDJ closed. Choose your controller in the INPUT and OUTPUT sections and then press some buttons. You should see MIDI messages in the OUTPUT window as you press each button (For HIDtrace, you will see HID data changing as you press the buttons.) If you don't get any response then there is either a hardware fault with the controller or a conflict on your system that is stopping it from working.
NOTE: Always refer to the manufacturer's website or documentation for the device that you are using as each individual device may have specific features, drivers or firmware updates.