Background noise echo/white noise somehow coming through VST - Cubase 15 pro

I’m getting a strange background noise, which I cannot find how to remove.

I realised that somehow, within the project the mic on my headset had been picking up noise even though I didn’t have ANY mic tracks in the project. That noise is now somehow playing on a loop in the background through a specific VST.

This is happening even in completely new projects as well.

I find that the sound disappears for a short time when I remove tracks. But then comes back again as soon as I play or record anything (on any tracks).

I have no idea what’s going on!!

TYSM in advance.

Hi and welcome to the forum,

What kind of tracks do you use? Instrument or Audio?

Could you attach a screenshot of MixConsole including the Input Channels, please?

One common cause for this that you have a VST plugin installed that runs in demo mode and tries to remind you that you should purchase or deinstall it.

I have the same a slight white noise grumble. I use instrument tracks. It goes when Cubase is busy, perhaps whilst loading a track, then returns when project zone is stable. On occasions, though not since update, i have seen midi activity wavering on ther transport bar, even when the project has stopped.