Equalizer APO (1.1.1) doesn't work with Netflix in Windows 10 in Edge
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First of all, the only reason I want to use Edge for Netflix is because only it and Internet Explorer have 1080p streaming. It still works fine in Firefox but I'm not willing to settle for 720p when I don't have to.
Description: A recent update for Win10 or Edge (I have no idea which) causes a conflict with Equalizer APO when using Netflix in Edge. The error message allows you to get Netflix to work by deleting a reg entry called DisableProtectedAudioDG in HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Audio, and then using an admin CMD to turn windows audio service off and then back on. Following these steps restores Netflix but prevents Equalizer APO from working. The Configurator can restore Equalizer APO after restart (and explaining that it needs to restore a registry entry) but Netflix doesn't work again.
Is there any known solution to this problem? Any help would be much appreciated!
Last edit: Zeno DeRooy 2015-12-22
Maybe this is part of the DRM system of Netflix. The registry entry DisableProtectedAudioDG disables the signature check for APOs and thus breaks the secure audio path. It is required for E-APO however, as E-APO is not signed as it does not come with the device driver. I fear that there is no way to fix this.
Hey everybody,
with the soon to be released anniversary Win10-upgrade (build 14393), it's now possible to stream Netflix while using E-Apo. Don't know, if it's a bug though..
This build is available for Windows Insider already on the slow ring!
Happy!
Why in the world would you use browser based netflix instead of the app, which can easily stream 4K content in native video?
APO works fine with the netflix app. Currently on build 14393.
Last edit: Florio Alagna 2016-07-28
hey florio, you did not get me right. never used a browser. it was not working before, now it does. cheers.
Last edit: donald2424 2016-08-01
Of course, I was replying to the OP.
That's very good news. This problem with Netflix was one of the very few drawbacks when using E-APO. I can't try it myself as I don't have a Netflix account but I hope they don't "fix" this again.
Last edit: Michael Fellinger 2016-09-06
Hi everybody. I've only recently found out about equalizer apo and it seems to be exactly what I've been looking for. I tried it with the netflix app in win 8.1 and it didnt work but can anyone confirm whether (as mentioned in this thread) it still works with the app in windows 10, or was that just a bug? would pretty much be my only reason to upgrade the os.
Cheers
I just upgraded my test PC to the Creators Update and I can confirm that Equalizer APO is still working with both the Netflix app and Netflix inside the Edge browser.
Hey,
I have enountered this issue, but it's only with the native app (not in FireFox). I'm using a AV Receiver (7.2 with 5.1 setup) and when normally streaming audio, be it music or even a 5.1 movie, is no problem. However, when opening Netflix, the codecs immediately change. I'm not using any fancy surround codec but Netflix insists on using a Dolby codec, it varies from source to source, and all the app's sound is now bypassing APO :(
As mentioned earlier in this thread, this could be a DRM issue, but I also saw users mention it went "away" after certain updates. Is there a culprit? Anyone who knows how to fix it?
Cheers
You could try the pre-mix stage setting:
It must be the first command after the device selection command.
Sadly that doesn't fix the problem. I do have a proper 5.1 signal (all speakers respond properly), it's just that APO is bypassed, I think. Any other ideas?
As you said it could be a DRM issue. It could also be the Netflix uses another Windows audio way which doesn't have APO (audio processing object) capabilities. Unfortunately, I can't change any audio setting when using Netflix on Firefox. Perhaps by using the Netflix app you can change the audio settings.
Have you tried the troubleshooting options of a device in the Configurator? (Every change needs a restart of your computer).
Ah too bad. Netflix works using FireFox, but you can't stream 5.1 surround via HTML 5 :( It could also be the APO thing, as I read somewhere else Netflix is indeed blocking APOs, but those were posts from years ago, so it could be outdated.
I could try the configurator, but isn't that more concerned with the audio/playback device itself, rather than the programs you run on your computer?
"more concerned with the audio/playback device itself, rather than the programs you run on your computer?" That's why I mentioned the "Stage: pre-mix" option as it tries to catch the audio stream from the app itself. In principle an app can't block an APO as it's a device driver thing but there are possibities like using ASIO or whatever to try to bypass an APO.
"5.1 surround via HTML 5" That's unfortunate. You could upmix the stereo output to 5.1 by using some Equalizer APO commands or by flipping the upmix switch on the Effects panel of Peace.
I got it to work with help from pATCheS, so I think it is safe to determine Netflix doesn't block/bypass APO's.
Regarding the upmixing, that's not something I desire, as I want to have that full surround experience, and not upmixed stereo. I do use it, however, to sent the LFE channel to my passive sub on the 6th (RL) channel, but that's a different story ;)
Great solution by pATHCheS.
About the upmixing, I thought just mentioning it.
So you are familiar with the Copy command. Nice.
Go to the old Sound Control Panel and disable exclusive mode. I've found that this allows the Netflix Windows 10 app to work normally with EAPO.
This worked for me, thank you very much!
Maybe some useful info for future visitors:
Before turning this feature OFF, my AV Receiver would automatically detect a surround signal from the Netflix app and change accordingly. Now, however, it no longer does that, and it remains the same, which is nice for APO, but it may be a bad thing after all, if this means I'm no longer allowed to use stuff like DTS, so keep that in mind.
Last edit: Hylke Sebus 2020-09-08
It's understandable that you'd prefer using Edge for Netflix to take advantage of 1080p streaming—especially since other browsers like Firefox cap at 720p. Unfortunately, Equalizer APO (1.1.1) doesn't seem to function properly with Netflix on Edge in Windows 10, likely due to the browser's audio processing restrictions or the way it handles DRM content. While it's frustrating to be limited like this, one workaround is to explore alternative platforms that support full HD streaming and give you more control over audio settings. We highly recommend checking out Tele Latino on PC, a free streaming app that offers a wide range of movies, series, and live TV channels—many in HD—without the usual limitations.
Visit their official website to learn more and download the app today!
Last edit: James Perry 2025-05-20
Thanks for the detailed description. It sounds like you’re encountering a frustrating conflict: on one hand you want to stream Netflix in 1080p via Microsoft Edge on Windows 10 (which only Edge/IE give you), and on the other you want to keep Equalizer APO working for audio processing. The recent update to either Windows or Edge appears to add or modify the registry entry DisableProtectedAudioDG under HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Audio, and when you delete that entry and restart the Audio Service (to get Netflix working), Equalizer APO stops working; when Equalizer APO is restored (by the Configurator re‑adding the registry entry) then Netflix fails again. In short: you seem stuck between Netflix needing a “protected audio” path and Equalizer APO needing a custom audio driver/hook that disrupts that path. One workaround might be to use another browser (though you lose 1080p) or wait for a fix from Equalizer APO or a Windows/Edge update. In the meanwhile, if you’d prefer a free streaming alternative on Android you might want to check out DooFlix — it’s an app that offers free movies/TV shows for Android devices.
Last edit: Roger Fisher 2025-11-11
Given that other browsers like Firefox only support 720p, it makes sense that you would rather use Edge for Netflix in order to benefit from 1080p streaming. Unfortunately, Equaliser APO (1.1.1) doesn't seem to work well with Netflix on Edge in Windows 10, maybe because of the browser's limitations on audio processing or how it manages DRM content. Although being restricted in this way is annoying, you can get around it by looking into other platforms that allow full HD streaming and offer you greater control over audio settings. We strongly suggest using BiliBili, a free streaming service that provides a large selection of films, TV shows, and live TV channels—many in high definition—without the typical restrictions.
Last edit: Glenn Bair 2025-11-12