Without any doubt, Equalizer APO is one of the best audio equalizers for a number of reasons.

But many users are currently facing different issues with it on their Windows 11 PC.

According to them, whatever changes they make in the equalizer dont reflect on their systems audio.

Windows restart with Alt F4

Whereas some users said that the Equalizer APO app doesnt open on their system.

Due to this, they are unable to customize their listening experience as they want to.

So try all the listed ways and fix the Equalizer APO not working issue.

Click on Properties

Why Is Equalizer APO Not Working in Windows 11?

One of the most common reasons for the Equalizer APO not working issue is theincompatibility with Windows 11.

Equalizer APO isnt compatible with Windows 11, as it was last updated in 2020.

Check Run this program in compatibility mode for

So, theres a high chance that this is causing this issue in your case.

Doing so will refresh all your Windows systems components, including apps.

So theres a possibility that the issue will easily get fixed after doing the same.

Select Windows 8

Once the system is restarted, check the issues status.

2.Move to theCompatibilitytab and tick theRun this program in compatibility modefor:checkbox in theCompatibility modesection.

3.SelectWindows 8from the dropdown menu in the same section and click onApplyto save the changes.

Open APO

4.Lastly, end the dialog box and open Equalizer APO to see if its working properly in Compatibility mode.

2.hit theManage settingsoption under theVirus & threat protectionsettingssection.

3.Turn off theReal-time protectiontoggle on the following window to suspend the built-in antivirus utility.

SSelect Virus threat protection

2.Click onWindows Defender Firewalland then selectAllow an app or feature through Windows Defender Firewallfrom the left navigation pane.

3.Click theChange settingsbutton and then click theAllow another app…button at the bottom of the box.

7.Once done, tap on theAddbutton in theAdd an appdialog box and thenOKto save the changes.

Click on Manage settings

The Equalizer APO app should be working fine after doing this.

2.punch theMore sound settingsoption in theAdvancedsection.

3.Right-tap on the audio gadget in the next window for which you want to deactivate the Hardware Acceleration.

Disable Real time protection

4.Select thePropertiesoptionfrom the right-click menu, and move to theAdvancedtab.

5.Uncheck theAllow Hardware Acceleration of audio with this deviceoption in theHardware Accelerationsection.

6.Click onApplyto save all the recent changes you made.

Select System and Security

Else, youll face issues using them.

2.Expand theMore sound settingssection and then right-punch your current audio rig.

3.select thePropertiesoption in the right-click menu and proceed to theAdvancedtab.

click on Allow an app or feature through WDF

4.Check theEnable audio enhancementscheckbox in theSignal Enhancementssection.

5.tap on theApplybutton and thenOKto apply all the changes and fix the issue.

2.Click onSoundin theSystemsection and click onMore sound settingsin theAdvancedsection.

Click on Allow another app…

3.Double-select your audio unit, and go to theAdvancedtab of theSpeakers Propertieswindow.

4.EnableAllow applications to take exclusive control of this devicein theExclusive Modesection.

5.Once done, click theApplybutton to save the changes and hit theOKoptionto end the dialog box.

Click on Browse…

The Equalizer APO not working issue on your Windows 11 system must be fixed now.

To check whether thats the same, we suggest yourestore all the Equalizer APO apps global configurationsback to default.

3.Close theEqualizer APOappon your system and reopen it to check whether its working properly.

Select the Editor.exe file

In that case, we recommend youdelete the apps registry keysand check the issues status.

2.press theYesbutton in the UAC prompt and check the checkbox next to your current audio machine.

3.choose your audio equipment and then click theCopy equipment command to clipboardbutton.

Click on Add

4.Create a new document and paste the copied equipment command into it.

6.initiate the document you created inStep 4and copy the registry key to your clipboard.

Itll look something like this:

8.Click theYesbutton in theConfirm Key Deletedialog box to delete the selected registry key.

Select Sound settings

If youre unable to delete the key, it means you dont have permission to do so.

But their headphones sound terrible after doing so.

If thats the same with you, considerdisabling the original APOsin the Configurator app.

Click on More sound settings

By doing so, youre making sure that Equalizer APO is the only APO running on that output machine.

2.Choose the audio unit for which you want to unlock the original APO and tick theuse original APOboxes.

Considering this, we suggest youre-enable your systems audio driver.

Right click on the device

2.Right-press the speaker driver in theAudio inputs and outputssection and chooseDisable devicefrom it.

3.Once the speaker driver is disabled, selectEnable devicefrom the right-click menu to re-enable it.

2.Click onSearch automatically for driversin theHow do you want to search for drivers?window.

Select Properties

3.Now, wait for the OS to search for new updates for the select audio driver and install them.

2.Click onActionin the top menu and then chooseScan for hardware changesfrom the dropdown.

3.Wait for the selected audio driver to reinstall and, once done, check the status of the issue.

Disable Hardware Acceleration

you could also try the same and test whether it does the same to you.

2.press the audio rig you want to configure and selectInstall as SFX/EFXfrom the dropdown menu.

3.Lastly, select theOKbutton and then check the Equalizer APO not working issues status.

Click on Apply 1 1

There is a high chance doing so will fix the issue youre facing.

So, clickhereto download Equalizer APOs executable file on your system.

To check whether another program or service is causing this issue, we suggest youclean boot your system.

Enable Audio Enhancements

Doing so will reboot your system with necessary apps & services and help you find the real culprit.

2.Move to theBoottab of theSystem Configurationwindow and tick theSafe bootoption.

3.Go to theServicestab, check theHide all Microsoft servicesbox, and then click onDisable all.

Settings app

4.Once done, navigate to theStartupsection of the same window and click onOpen Task Manager.

5.Disable all the running processes, reboot your Windows system, and check the issues status.

If Equalizer APO works properly in Safe mode, then a third-party program or service is causing the issue.

Open the Sound section

FAQs

How Do I Get My Equalizer APO To Work on Windows 11?

Why Is My Equalizer APO Not Working?

How Do I Enable APO Equalizer?

Click on Advanced

To enable APO Equalizer,configure the frequency bandsper your listening preferences.

How Do I Equalize Audio in Windows 11?

The latest Windows 11 doesnt have a built-in audio equalizer.

Enable Exclusive Mode

You need touse a third-party audio equalizerto equalize audio, and one such sound equalizer is Equalizer APO.

Where Is APO Equalizer File?

But sometimes it starts behaving weirdly.

Search Configuration Editor

For instance, it fails to open on our system.

Whereas sometimes, the changes we made in Equalizer APO dont apply to the systems audio.

Click on Reset all global preferences

Search Configurator

Click on Copy device

Select Text Document

Move to the location

Copy the key

Select Delete

Click on Yes 1

Check Troubleshooting options

Click Use original APO

Expand the Audio inputs and outputs section

Select Disable device

Select Enable device

Select Update Driver 1

Click on Search automatically search for drivers

Select Uninstall device

Click on Scan for hardware changes

Select Install as SFX EFX

Click on OK 1

Open misconfig

click on safe boot

Hide all Microsoft services

Click on Open Task Manager