Why two MIDI devices have almost the same name

You connect a MIDI keyboard or controller and see two entries with nearly the same name. It is not always a sign that your computer has found the same device twice, and choosing the wrong entry can make an app seem unresponsive.

Use the MIDI Test to check which entries send notes, knob movements, or pedal messages. Then you can tell whether the list shows separate ports, duplicate labels, or a device that is not sending anything.

Check each MIDI entry

1. Open the MIDI Test in a browser other than Safari. MIDI Test does not work in Safari. If your browser asks for MIDI access, allow it so the test can see available devices.
2. Choose one of the similar entries in the test. Press a key on your controller, turn a knob, or press a pedal. Watch for incoming MIDI messages and check whether the on-screen keys or controls respond.
3. Choose the other entry and repeat the same actions. Use the same key or control each time so you can compare the results.
4. If the results are unclear, disconnect the controller, check which entries disappear, reconnect it, and test again. If you have several MIDI devices, unplug all but one while identifying it.

Some controllers have separate input ports for different connectors or functions. A keyboard might send performance notes through one port and other messages through another. The exact names depend on the device and its driver, so the response to a key or control is more useful than the label alone.

What the result means

Both entries respond when you play the same controller

The entries may be two ports or endpoints exposed by one device, or two software routes that pass along the same messages. This does not necessarily mean you have two physical keyboards. If both work in the app you need, choose one and check that the app does not also listen to the other, or it could receive each note twice.

Only one entry responds

The working entry is likely the input port that carries the controls you tested. The other may be a different port, an output rather than an input, or a virtual port that is not currently receiving messages. Select the working entry in the music app too, if the app has its own MIDI input setting.

Each entry responds to different controls

Your controller may expose separate ports for different messages. For example, notes may arrive on one port while a secondary control section uses another. Keep the entries available if your music software needs both, and check its MIDI setup before disabling anything.

Neither entry responds

The names alone cannot confirm that the controller is working. It may be disconnected, disabled, blocked from browser access, or already in use by software that does not share the device. Follow the fixes below, then test again. If you are using Safari, switch browsers first. For more troubleshooting, see MIDI keyboard not sending notes.

How to fix confusing MIDI entries

1. Test with only one device connected. Unplug other MIDI keyboards, controllers, and interfaces, then reload the test. This makes it easier to see which entries belong to the device you are checking.
2. Reconnect the controller. Unplug a USB device, wait a few seconds, and connect it directly to another USB port if possible. For Bluetooth MIDI, confirm the controller is connected in Settings › Bluetooth & devices › Devices on Windows 11, or System Settings › Bluetooth on macOS.
3. Close other music software. Quit digital audio workstations, MIDI utilities, and other browser tabs that may be using the controller. Reload the test and try both entries again.
4. Check browser access. If you denied a MIDI access prompt, look in the browser's site permissions for the TooLab page and allow MIDI access if that option is available. Reload the page after changing a permission. Browser MIDI support varies, and Safari does not support this test.
5. Check whether the operating system sees the device. In Windows 11, search the Start menu for Device Manager and look under Sound, video and game controllers or Universal Serial Bus controllers. On macOS, open Applications › Utilities › Audio MIDI Setup, then choose Window › Show MIDI Studio. These views can help confirm that a device is connected, but they may not show the same port names as a browser or music app.
6. Install the maker's current driver only if needed. If the device is missing from the operating system, or has a warning symbol in Device Manager, check the manufacturer's support instructions for your exact model. Avoid uninstalling ports just because their names look alike; a port may be needed by another app.

When the controller or connection may be faulty

If no entry reacts in the test, try the controller on another computer or with another known-good USB cable. If it works there, the original computer's driver, browser access, or connection is the more likely cause. If it fails on more than one computer, check the controller's power, USB socket, and any hardware switches before considering a repair.

A browser test checks the messages the browser can receive. It cannot prove that every key, cable, port, or software function is healthy. If just one port fails across multiple computers while the others work, consult the device maker or a repair shop before replacing the whole controller.

Why names can look duplicated

MIDI device names are supplied by hardware, drivers, and sometimes music software. A driver can show multiple ports under the same model name, and two identical controllers can have identical labels. A virtual MIDI port created by software can also resemble the name of a physical device. Some apps add their own numbering or suffixes, while others do not.

For that reason, an almost identical name is a clue, not a diagnosis. Compare what each entry receives, disconnect devices one at a time, and use the port that matches the job you want to do. The MIDI Test checks messages in your browser and does not change your controller's settings.