Bluetooth headphones don't work with EqAPO anymore after upgrading to Windows 11
A system-wide equalizer for Windows 7 / 8 / 8.1 / 10 / 11
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They worked great before, I could switch between my regular speakers & my bluetooth headphones whenever I turned them on it would automatically switch. But now, I turn on my bluetooth headphones, and they work just fine but any settings changed within EqAPO have no effect anymore.
I tried playing with the enable/disable (install APO) screen and nothing has changed. Any ideas?
Several ideas. First try SFX/EFX of the "Install as" dropdownbox. If you don't know how:
1. Start the Configurator of Equalizer APO.
2. Click on the Bluetooth headphones in the Connector column at the left.
3. Check the Troubleshooting options checkbox.
4. Select SFX/EFX and restart your computer.
If SFX/EFX isn't available then choose SFX/MFX. Both are Windows 10 and 11 way of doing Audio Processing Objects (APO's as in Equalizer APO).
Also, for Bluetooth headphones: Leave if connected, else Windows will create a new audio device for each time you switch your headphones on. On this new device Equalizer APO isn't automatically installed. This can be checked in the Configurator if the left checkbox of the Bluetooth headphones is unchecked after you've switched your headphones on or connected them again.
Thanks for your response. I tried the different APO options and the issue remained. Another side problem was that when I turned up the volume one notch in Windows, the bluetooth headphone's audio blast up. And when I turned the volume down a not they would be almost inaudible.
Ultimately I reverted back to Windows 10. And my bluetooth headphones are working perfectly with Equalizer APO now. Must be a Windows 11 glitch.
That's very odd. It's quite a severe issue. I guess your assumption is right. Windows 11 is still in development and Microsoft is tinkering to get it all working properly.
Hi everyone, I have tried all the twicks (SFX / EFX (MFX), restart, reinstall etc) but EAPO still not working, everything seems to work (UI, installations) but no effect on the sound ...
Windows 11
Version 10.0.22000 Build 22000
Sound Blaster X-Fi Surround 5.1 Pro
Creative Technology Ltd.
Statut OK
ID USB\VID_041E&PID_30DF&MI_00\6&28206B57&0&0000
Driver C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM32\DRIVERS\KSAUD.SYS (6.1.3.269, 2,02 Mo (2 116 728 octets), 05/07/2017 01:13)
So the Sound Blaster X-Fi Surround 5.1 Pro does work on Windows 11 despite it's mentioned as 'Not supported' in the Creative's Windows 11 product compatibility list.
Anyway, have you tried the unchecking of both "Use original APO" checkboxes? Also Windows 11 is still in development. It could be that in one of the next updates all things start working (and then stop working again). This happened a lot on Windows 10 when it was in development.
Hi Peter, thx for reply. For me the Sound Blaster X-Fi Surround 5.1 Pro work fine on Windows 11.
EAPO worked fine with this card until Windows 11 upgrade (from Windows 10).
I've tried to uncheck the boxes but the same...
I've tried EAPO with my USB headset and ... the same, no effect.
Great to know that it works on Windows 11. Are the versions of the Sound Blaster audio drivers the same for Windows 10 and 11? It's unfortunate that Equalizer APO isn't working on your Windows 11 system. The issue is probably due to the development process of Windows 11. I take it that eventually Windows 11 will be stable and Equalizer APO will work. Unfortunately, if anything must be changed to Equalizer APO (for Windows 11) it could be a while until the developer will do the necessary changes. But I do think that Equalizer APO will work as it is after some while. The audio system of Windows 11 won't have any big changes.
So Peter, i will wait for some Windows 11 updates and test EAPO from time to time ... let's wait and see!
Let us know how you're doing. I hope it will work eventually.
[Solved] (for me)
Hello Peter, it was my fault!
I don't know why but the loaded file was not config.txt ...
And of course all modifications (using instant mode) do not give any audio results...
Sorry for that, and thank you for this essential software.
So, EAPO work fine on Windows 11 v.10.0.22000 and Sound Blaster X-Fi Surround 5.1 Pro
Last edit: jean 2021-11-08
No problem. Great to hear it's working on Windows 11 10.0.22000 and your Sound Blaster.
Btw. Equalizer APO isn't my software. But at this moment I'm the one who gives the most support. The Peace equalizer interface is my project. It's the most popular interface of Equalizer APO.
I'm speculating here, but I'm wondering if these issues with Bluetooth could be caused by the new "Unified Audio Endpoint" feature of Windows 11, which attempts to merge the "headset" and "music" Bluetooth profiles into a single, convenient audio endpoint device. Clearly that could affect Equalizer APO, because audio endpoint devices are precisely what Equalizer APO operates on.
Some people are suggesting that manually disabling one of the audio profiles (e.g. Headset) might help.
I haven't confirmed any of this myself though.
Again a good call, Etienne!
Windows 10 21H2 also introduces Unified Audio Endpoints. All depends how Microsoft has done it. Reading this feature it seems that the internally Windows is selecting the right endpoint. But if the user is putting Equalizer APO onto this unified one all commands are done on the mic, voice and music (sub)endpoints. All depends which endpoints the Configurator has. I think I can test this with my Bluetooth headset (after I charged it).
I've said this before. All could be much better when using virtual devices like the VoiceMeeter app is doing. The redirecting by the Configurator of Equalizer APO is a neat trick but it may come with issues at any Windows updates and versions.
Last edit: Peter Verbeek 2022-01-22
Unfortunately I'm not in the roll-out of 21H2 yet so I can't test. But I will when I'll get this update.