Fix Equalizer APO not Working on Windows

In this documentary I will tell you How to fix the problem that the APO equalizer does not work in Windows

Even if the software is running, if audio enhancements are not applied to the software, Equalizer APO might not work on Windows, leaving users with unchanged sound. This mainly happens because the APO software is not properly installed or is not connected with the selected audio device.

How to fix the problem that the APO equalizer does not work in Windows

Equalizer APO not working on Windows 10.

The main justification is that Equalizer APO was installed without the necessary permissions, especially on devices where administrator powers were not granted. There are also other issues that can prevent it from working properly, such as blocking by an antivirus or incorrect configuration of an audio driver and a conflict with a Bluetooth or USB device.

In this article, we consider several ways to fix this error.

Step 1: Install as SFX/EFX

By directly managing audio streams and avoiding conflicts, switching to "Install as SFX/EFX" makes Equalizer APO work with devices, especially with older drivers or certain USB and Bluetooth devices.

Launch the Equalizer APO Configurator from the Start menu and find the first result.

In the Devices for playback drop-down menu, check the boxes next to all the devices you want to use with the balancer.
Verify that the "Use original APO" boxes are unchecked.
Enable the selections under Troubleshooting (only check them if there are problems), click the drop-down menu and select Install as SFX/EFX (experimental).
To test if it works now, apply the changes, close the Configurator and reopen Equalizer APO.

2. Check that enhancements are enabled.

Check if audio enhancements are enabled to fix Equalizer APO issues. With these settings, the software may change the sound. Once enabled, Equalizer APO may resume working because they are not disabled.

For sound designs, right-click the volume icon in the bottom right corner of the screen. Alternatively, open the Control Panel, click the View menu, click Large Icons, and then click Sounds.
To play sounds, follow the tab in the window Playback Devices After choosing your device, click Properties, and then go to the Enhancements tab.
Click OK after disabling all enhancements. Try Equalizer APO now to see if it works.

Step 3: Disable audio hardware acceleration.

Or disabling hardware acceleration forces Windows to handle audio processing directly, and knock out advanced sound card features. This will fix Equalizer APO issues and prevent compatibility problems. This ensures software-based audio processing, thus allowing Equalizer APO to work properly.

To access the Sound menu, long-press the Volume symbol at the bottom right of the screen, and then choose Sounds. Alternatively, open the Control Panel, set Go Over Large Icons, and click Sounds.
Looking through the window, you can see the playback panel.
Playback Devices Click Properties and then the Advanced tab after selecting your headphones. Locate the Hardware Acceleration section. Disable the hardware audio emitter.
Uncheck Use of this device enables audio hardware acceleration. Check if Equalizer APO is appropriate now.

#4: Remove Antivirus

Normally Antivirus software can mistakenly block Equalizer APO because it perceives it as a threat. The software can run smoothly if you add an exception for Equalizer APO in your antivirus settings. By performing this step, you can ensure that Equalizer APO continues to run properly without compromising your system's security, as antivirus software can block crucial tasks like changing audio settings.

But make sure to add the Equalizer APO executable to the field that appears, which will prompt you to browse for the installation folder. Equalizer APO should be installed in the same folder. By design, it is: The software files directory (x86) The Equalizer APO Now check if Equalizer APO is appropriate to use. If this still fails, restart your PC and try again. If the same problem returns, the last step is to uninstall your antivirus and try a different one.

5. How to delete a registry key

Deleting the specific registry entry can help Equalizer APO, as this can remove data that blocks the software. This data could not connect to audio devices, possibly because they are configured incorrectly through installation and updates. By deleting that registry key, Equalizer APO can create a new entry for a specific one.by following these steps.

Start by clicking on the "Start" menu and then go to the "Playback Devices" section. Select the device and then click on the "Copy device to clipboard" command to copy the device information.

Install a resource text editor. See the bold part of the manual: Material: High Definition Audio Device Headphones {64e620cf-acc0-4d70-ac8f-c569b893ff4d}

Use this guide to back up your registry.

To open the Registry Editor, press the Windows + R keys, type "regedit" and then click OK. Keyboard shortcut: Go to: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE SOFTWARE Get the latest version of Windows with MM Devices Audio Render

Right-click on the black section and then choose Permissions to find the corresponding key.

In the "Select user or group" window you can access it by clicking on "Advanced" and then "Change next to "Owner"". OK, select user account via Advanced or type the name of the object to be selected in the "Enter the name of the object to select" field.
Agree with all. Optional. To change the ownership of all sub-owners and files, choose "Replace owner on sub-owner" of sub-owners and objects. Continue with Add > Select a principal and then click on your user account.
Restart your PC and install Equalizer APO from the settings again.
In case of troubleshooting, it is necessary to completely uninstall all parts of Equalizer APO, even incorrect settings or corrupted files. Unchecking again ensures that everything is set correctly.
To access the control panel, open the Settings application from the Start menu or use the search bar. "From the Start menu, open Settings."
To see an overview of all installed programs, go to Applications in Settings. Choose "Uninstall a program" from the Programs menu in the Control Panel. Remove a program from the Control Panel.
Find APO Equalizer and click Uninstall. To remove it permanently, see the instructions.
Before editing it, you may want to back up the registry using this guide.
To open the Registry Editor, press Windows + R, type "regedit" and then press Enter. Click Edit and then click Search in the menu. How can I identify all entries linked to Equalizer APO in the registry?
Alternate clicking between Equalizer APO and Search next in the search box. Right click anywhere on any result and select Delete. To be certain all entries are deleted, repeat the process by tapping F3 for confirmation. CCleaner can be used for automatic clean up. Continue searching the registry:.
To download the latest version of Equalizer APO, visit this link. Install it by following the on-screen instructions and check if the problem persists.

How to Fix Equalizer APO not Working on Windows