Just upgraded my studio computer to Window 11. Have been using Cubase 14 without issue until now. Cubase opens, but once I have a project open, nothing functions. Can’t select tracks, menus, playhead, nothing! Have to force quit to get out. Even opening a blank, empty project does the same thing.
Any suggestions appreciated.
Hi and welcome to the forum!
Actually, I did the exact same thing on a spare Win 10 rig. After updating to Win11 I had to open C14 by clicking on a blank cpr to initialize Cubase. That was strange. After that - not a single issue until now and after extensive tests and loads of 3rd party plugins involved.
Are you on Cubase 14.0.20 ? I would try that first and then open an empty project.
Forgive the question, but what is a “cpr”? I usually use the desktop shortcut to open Cubase, and I have tried opening Cubase directly from the project file icon. Same result.
And yes, I have version 14.0.20
A *cpr is the project file format, sorry, I should have said this.
Has Cubase created a recent crash file (*dmp) by any chance? …documents/Steinberg/Crashfiles
If so, please upload it here and we can have a look at it.
Have you tried to start Cubase with 3rd party plugins disabled? To initialize safe start hold down Ctrl + Shift + Alt while starting and choose this option. This way we can rule out 3rd party plugins as a potential reason.
There is no Crashfiles folder, so there is no dmp file. Like I said, Cubase never officially crashes, I have to close it using “end task” in the task manager.
And yes, I have also tried opening it with 3rd party plugins disabled. Same result.
To be clear, Cubase opens fine; both projects in progress and blank projects. Just once it opens, nothing works.
This could be an issue with the malware protection settings of Windows 11. It might help to disable the controlled folder access. At least it’s worth a try.
Controlled Folder access was already disabled, but thanks for the suggestion.
Maybe your preferences are corrupted?
Please quit Cubase and temporarily rename your preference folder
%appdata%\Steinberg\Cubase14_64
to XCubase14_64
Relaunch Cubase and the factory settings will apply.
“The worst culprit, of course, is the classic “upgrade from the previous Windows version to this version.” Just don’t; it’s never worth it.”
On Win 10 until it dies, them most likely move to Mac.
Resonant_Serpent It’s April 1st, I’m not falling for such nonsense… 
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I cannot find the folder %appdata%\Steinberg\Cubase14_64, and a search of the local disk yields no results.
However, after launching Cubase, there is the option of deleting program preferences, which I also tried.
Oh no, this was the destructive way of doing it.. I guess you have a copy of your user presets somewhere else.
I didn’t really have any preferences that can’t be easily recreated. I use multiple DAWs, so I don’t dig too deep into customization. I have actually gone so far as uninstalling and reinstalling Cubase, and even that hasn’t worked. FWIW, Luna and Mixbus opened perfectly after the update, and ProTools at first wouldn’t open existing sessions, but opening a blank session and importing all the session data fixed that issue for all existing sessions. Cubase is the only one giving me grief right now …
I take it that deleting all preferences was to no avail?
Correct
I’m sorry but I’m at my wits end. Maybe others have an idea and chime in.
There’s the possibility to force a frozen app to produce a dmp file and to analyze it but I’m no expert in that department. Others here are.
Sorry that I couldn’t be of more help and good luck. I’m sure there’s a solution to your problem!
I certainly appreciate your suggestions. I know enough about PCs to be “dangerous”, as the saying goes … but this is truly beyond me. Hopefully someone else has run into this and has an answer!
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In my experience, such behaviour is not always the fault of the program concerned. Sometimes the problem is elsewhere. And that’s where the real difficulty lies.
E.g. I solved my video playback issues with Cubase 13 and 14 when I reinstalled VEGAS 20 (the video editing software). Go figure, because I can’t.
Off topic
I do it once a year (re-install Windows, you dirty minded people!). After backing up, I wipe the C: drive and begin. One day to install everything, and then set up as and when I use the programs.
@Resonant_Serpent is right about installing Windows over an existing version.
I was referring to @Resonant_Serpent 's last suggestion to stick with Win 10 until EOL in October and buying a Mac afterwards 