Equalizer APO is a great open-source tool that gives the user control over the sound coming from their computer. This is not just useful for music producers but also for general users looking for a perfect audio experience. However, it has been noted that Equalizer APO is not working on many computers. This can be due to various reasons, which is why there are various ways to fix the issue that we will be talking about in this article.
Fix Equalizer APO is not working on Windows PC
If Equalizer APO is not working on your Windows 11/10 computer, follow the solutions mentioned in this post to resolve the issue.
- Reset all global preferences
- Make sure that your output device is selected
- Install as SFX/EFX
- Check if enhancements are disabled
- Troubleshoot in Clean Boot
- Delete a registry key
- Reinstall the app
Let us talk about them in detail.
1] Reset all global preferences
If Equalizer APO fails to work on your computer, the very first thing you should do is reset all global preferences. This will do the job for you if the issue is a result of misconfiguration, which it is in most cases. To do the same, follow the prescribed steps.
- Open the Equalizer APO app.
In case, you can’t find it, go to the location where you have installed the app. The location usually is C:\Program Files\EqualizerAPO and then open the Editor.exe. - Click on Settings > Reset all global preferences.
- Avoid all the warnings and confirm your action.
Finally, check if the issue is resolved.
2] Make sure that your output device is selected
You need to make sure that the output device you want to use is selected, otherwise, Equalizer won’t work on it. A lot of users, tend to select the default speaker as the output device, and when they add a new earphone, they forget to add it to the app. To do the same, follow the prescribed steps.
- Open Configurator from the Start Menu.
- Tick the box associated with the device you want to use.
- Click Ok.
You will notice that the issue is resolved.
3] Install as SFX/EFX
One of the experimental features SFX/EFX is a better option than the recommended LFX/GFX one for Windows users. Equalizer APO doesn’t work on some computers on the default settings, but enabling SFX/EFX makes the app compatible. To do the same, go through the following steps.
- Search out “Configurator” from the Start Menu.
- Select the device you want to configure.
- Make sure that the Troubleshooting options only box is ticked.
- Select Install as SFX/EFX (experimental) option.
- Finally, apply the changes and close Configurator.
Hopefully, this will do the trick for you.
4] Check if enhancements are disabled
In case, the enhancements of the device that you are using is disabled, Equalizer won’t be able to make any changes. Usually, the enhancements are not disabled, and users tend to disable it manually, whatever the case is, we will show you how to check if the feature is disabled. Follow the prescribed steps to do the same.
- Open Control Panel.
- Change View by to Large icons and click on the Sound button.
- Select the output device and click on Properties.
- Go to the Advanced tab and click on the box associated with Enable audio enhancements.
- Click Ok and close the window.
Finally, restart your computer and check if the issue is resolved.
5] Troubleshoot in Clean Boot
Maybe there is a third-party app that’s interfering with Equalizer APO and stopping it from doing its job. However, since we don’t know which app is it, you should perform Clean Boot while keeping the Equalizer APO services running and see if the app is running in that state. In case, the issue is resolved in the Clean Boot state, enable processes manually to find out the culprit. Then, delete the app or stop its service, and you will be good to go.
6] Delete a registry key
Maybe one of the Configurator registries is corrupted on your device, the easiest solution, in that case, is to take ownership of that key and then delete it. This will allow the app to create a new one and resolve your issue. However, before doing anything, go ahead and create a backup of your registry. This will be used if something goes wrong.
After creating a backup, open Configurator, select a device you want to use Equalizer on and click on the Copy Device command to clipboard. The copied command will look something like the following.
Device: Headset Airdopes 121v2 Hands-Free {0d849e6e-6557-4bdf-8e36-0875d738c212}
Take note of the command in curly braces, as it is the name of the key we will be deleting.
Now, open Registry Editor and go to the following location.
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\MMDevices\Audio\Render
Look for the key, I asked you to take note of. Right-click on it and select Permissions. Now, click on the Advanced button, then on the Change button placed next to Owner, type “Everyone” in the given field, and click on Check names. Then, click on Ok, tick “Replace owner on subcontainers and objects”, and click Apply > Ok. You revert back to the Permission window, there, click on the Add button, type “Everyone” and click Check names. Select the newly added user, tick Full Control, and click Apply > Ok. Finally, right-click on the key and select Delete. You should now restart your computer and check if the app is working.
Hopefully, this will do the trick for you.
7] Reinstall the app
If all else fails, your last resort is to reinstall the app as there is a high chance Equalizer APO installed on your system is corrupted. To do the same, first, uninstall the app, then, open Registry Editor, hit Ctrl + F, type “Equalizer APO” and delete all the associated registry entries. Finally, do a fresh installation of the apps. In order to do the same, equalizerapo.com and download the ZIP file, Then, extract it and run the setup file. Follow the on-screen instructions and you will be good to go.
We hope that you are able to resolve the issue using the solutions mentioned in this post.
Does equalizer APO support Windows 11?
Yes, Equalizer APO works perfectly on Windows 11, the app is quite well-optimized for all versions of Windows after XP. The confusion is a result of the fact that Windows 11 is not mentioned on the download page of Equalizer APO, however, the latest greatest OS by Microsoft supports this open-source app.
Also Read: How to change Sound Settings on Windows 11 to get better audio
How do I use the Equalizer APO in Windows 11/10?
In order to use the Equalizer APO in Windows 11 or Windows 10, you need to download and install it first. Then, search for the app in the Taskbar search box and open it, respectively. Next, you can find the Equalizer APO window on your computer. You can explore and change various settings as per your requirements from the same window.
Read: Best Free Sound & Audio Equalizer software for Windows 11/10 PC
