VST-Plugin interface disappears after saving and reopening my project

[Cocorico]

Hello, can someone maybe help me with the following VST plugin interface problem please?

 

When I insert the VST-plugins TDR Nova or ZL Equalizer on an FX Rack in a track, I can use them properly until I save and reopen my project.

Once I reopen my project, the interface of the plugins have disappeared (see screenshot). I can hear that the plugins are still coming into effect but I can no further use their interface.

This doesn't happen to other "regular" plugins like Graillon2 or the whole free bunch ones from MeldaProduction. I say "regular" since I recently installed TDR Nova and ZL Equalizer.

Noteworthy:

-I work on a laptop that is connected to my TV. I don't use the laptop display, it remains closed.

-Once the interface is gone, the interface remains gone even for a new plugin of the same kind that I reinsert. BUT if I delete all the plugins of the same kind, and then reinsert a plugin, the interface is back on until I save and reopen my project. Then the problem repeats.

-Cakewalk and plugins are uptodate

 

What I have tried so far:

-I stripped down and deleted all tracks and plugins that were not needed in my project

-check if the plugin interface is in a hidden window

-VST folder scan

-VST folder path double-checked

-reinstall the plugin

-use VST2 instead of VST3 (respectively in 64x and 32x)

-deactivate my GPU accelerator (was already off anyways)

-disable "64-bit Double Precision"

-disale"Recylcle Plug-in Windows"

-disable"Scan in sandbox"

-use the VST-Wrapper "Element by Kushview" which didnt't work to my needs

-searched with Google, Reddit, Cakewalk forum, ChatGPT and Microsoft Copilot for a solution but no avail

(yes some of those suggestions were from AIs)

 

What I couldn't accomplish:

-delete VST plugin cache >> cannot find its location under "C:\Users\YourUsername\AppData\Roaming\Cakewalk\CakewalkCore" or somewhere else

-turn off my second screen >> according to two Cakewalk forum threads, the interface might get transferred to a second screen.

Now, here is the tricky part about my laptop and a second screen: I cannot use it. I cannot extend nor duplicate a second screen because my laptop is a moody bitch. I don't understand its logic, I updated the graphic driver a thousand times, I never managed to have a second screen.

There is a corelation between my laptop being plugged or unplugged to electricity as well as being connected to a HDMI-source while having the the display lid closed or not. In short, I can only use my TV as a (second) screen if my laptop is plugged to electricity while the laptop display lid remains closed.

One might suggest, to unplug the TV and try using Cakewalk with only the laptop display. But even then the interface remains gone. AND the second Cakewalk forum suggested that even if the second screen is not connected, Windows still thinks there is a second screen somewhere registered/connected (?), therefore, I have to manually deactivate my second screen in the display settings. But I couldn't find any display option that turns it off.

So, if a second screen should actually be the problem, my cause remains doomed since I cannot use two screens nor deactivate a (nominal) second screen.

UPDATE (EDIT):

I now managed to extend my displays (which for whatever reason didn't work before - beats me). 

However, when I opened Cakewalk, the interface of the plugins is still gone and I couldn't find it in the second screen.

Here are the screenshots of my display with extension mode on (see below fourth post)

 

TLDR: Once I reopen my project, the interfaces of TDR Nova and ZL Equalizer disappear until I delete those plugins. However, the problem keeps repeating afterwards.

 

Thank your for your time and help. (sorry for the long post)

Edited Monday at 03:40 PM by Cocorico

[sjoens]

Can you post a screenshot of the settings page?

[Cocorico]

Hello, thank you for your reply.

Here it is.

As you can see, I pressed "detect" but he couldn't recognise the laptop display lid that is closed.

However, I did manage to extend my display (woop woop! I have no idea why it suddenly worked). I will shortly post and update it. Because unfortunetaly, it didn't solve my problem.

 

 

 

 

Edited Monday at 03:31 PM by Cocorico

[Cocorico]

UPDATE:

I now managed to extend my displays (which for whatever reason didn't work before - beats me). 

However, when I opened Cakewalk, the interface of the plugins is still gone and I couldn't find it in the second screen.

Here are the screenshots of my display with extension mode on.

[sjoens]

If only those 2 plugins are blank it may be a compatibility issue and you may need to contact their vendors about it.

[removed]

Unrelated but it might also be good if you have Do Nothing checked for When I close the lid in power options and have any Sleep options disabled.

Edited Tuesday at 06:33 PM by sjoens

[sjoens]

I installed both plugins in question and find they work as expected after saving and reopening CbB.  The only hiccup I had was after inserting ZL Equalizer into a project it disappeared from the plugin list and had to be rescanned to appear.

ZL Equalizer installs thru an .exe file but TDR Nova can be downloaded as a zip and simply dragged to a folder.  Try doing it this way if you used the installers or vise versa.  I have Automatic Background Scan selected so Cakewalk scans them when opened.

Try disconnecting the 2nd monitor and setting your laptop screen to default recommended resolution and zoom.

Try resizing the plugin window or putting it in Multidock.  It will be huge in Multidock so that's not an option for daily use.

 

Edited Tuesday at 06:37 PM by sjoens