Problem
Cubase and Nuendo cannot launch because the application gets stuck on the loading screen at "Initializing: All MIDI Inputs."
Background
Microsoft recently started the rollout of new MIDI implementation (incl. MIDI 2.0) for Windows 11 24H2 and 25H2:
Making music with MIDI just got a real boost in Windows 11
Unfortunately, this has led to a series of issues with certain MIDI devices and hardware configurations, where the MIDI services cannot be properly initialized. As a result, applications such as Cubase and Nuendo may become stuck during the initialization process.
Microsoft provides a regularly updated list of known issues and workarounds here: Windows MIDI Services rollout – known issues and workarounds
Solution
For now, it is best to roll back to a previous Windows version by uninstalling the latest update or reverting to an earlier system restore point. You can find detailed instructions on Microsoft’s website:
How to uninstall a Windows Update
Otherwise, keep an eye on upcoming Windows updates and make sure your operating system is always up to date, as future updates will address the described issues. We are working closely with Microsoft to gather additional information and assist in resolving these problems.