Web MIDI Issues After a Chrome Update

The Morningstar Editor uses Web MIDI to communicate with compatible Morningstar devices directly through your web browser.
In some cases, Web MIDI communication may stop working correctly when Google releases a new version of Chrome, especially if your browser has not yet been updated to the latest version.

Why This Happens

Web MIDI does not communicate directly with your Morningstar device.
The communication path involves several layers:
Morningstar Editor → Chrome Web MIDI API → Operating System MIDI Services → USB MIDI Device
Chrome manages an important part of this communication. Changes to Chrome can affect how MIDI devices are detected, opened, disconnected, reconnected, or granted permission.
Google also periodically makes changes to areas such as:

• Web MIDI permissions
• MIDI device detection
• USB device handling
• MIDI port management
• Device reconnect behaviour
• Windows and macOS MIDI integration
• Browser security policies

Because of this, a Chrome update can occasionally introduce temporary compatibility issues or expose problems in an older installed version of Chrome.

Why Updating Chrome Can Fix the Problem

Chrome periodically updates its Web MIDI, Web Serial, USB handling, security policies and device communication behaviour. In some cases, older versions of Chrome may contain bugs or compatibility issues that have already been addressed in a newer release.

Chrome may download updates automatically, but the new version often does not become active until the browser is completely restarted. As a result, a user may continue running an older version of Chrome even though a newer version is already available.

If Web MIDI or Web Serial communication suddenly behaves unexpectedly, updating Chrome to the latest stable version and completely restarting the browser is an important first troubleshooting step.

Symptoms

A Chrome or Web MIDI issue may present itself in several ways:

• Your Morningstar device does not appear in the Editor.
• The device was working previously but suddenly stops connecting.
• The Editor cannot reconnect after the USB cable is unplugged and reconnected.
• MIDI communication stops even though the device still appears connected.
• Refreshing the Editor does not solve the problem.
• The device works again after restarting or updating Chrome.

If your device was working normally and no firmware, hardware, or USB changes were made, the browser should be one of the first things to check.

Recommended Troubleshooting Steps

If you are experiencing an unexpected Web MIDI connection issue:

1. Disconnect your Morningstar device from USB.
2. Completely close Chrome.
3. Reopen Chrome and enter the following address into the address bar:

chrome://settings/help

4. Allow Chrome to check for and install any available updates.
5. Restart Chrome when prompted.
6. Reconnect your Morningstar device.
7. Open the Morningstar Editor again.
8. If Chrome asks for permission to access MIDI devices, allow access.

In many cases, this is sufficient to restore normal communication.

Refreshing the Editor Is Not Always Enough

Refreshing the Morningstar Editor only reloads the webpage.
It does not necessarily restart Chrome's underlying MIDI services.
If Chrome's MIDI subsystem has entered an unexpected state, repeatedly refreshing the Editor may therefore have no effect.
Completely closing and reopening Chrome is a more effective troubleshooting step.

Keep Chrome Up to Date

For the most reliable experience with the Morningstar Editor, we recommend using the latest stable version of Google Chrome.
This is particularly important because Web MIDI relies on browser-level support for communicating with USB MIDI devices.
If you experience an unexpected connection problem, try the following before assuming there is a problem with your Morningstar device:
Update Chrome → Restart Chrome → Reconnect the device → Reopen the Editor

Still Having Trouble?

If the issue continues after updating and restarting Chrome, try:

• A different USB cable
• A different USB port
• Connecting directly to the computer instead of through a USB hub or dock
• Restarting the computer
• Testing with another computer if available

If the problem persists, please contact Morningstar Support and include:

• Your Morningstar device model
• Device firmware version
• Operating system
• Chrome version
• A description of what happens when you attempt to connect

This information will help us determine whether the issue is related to the browser, operating system, USB connection, or the device itself.

Updated on: 28/08/2026