Equalizer APO is one of the most popular equalizers for Windows. The developer of this tool is Jonas Thedering and you can download this tool without paying any cost. In this tool, you will find some amazing features, and the services of this tool are easy to use. In case, if this tool is not working on your Windows 10 device, then you don’t need to worry. Here in this article, I am going to share all the possible solutions regarding this issue, and to read and follow the below-given solutions, you will be able to fix the equalizer APO not working in Windows 10. So now, let’s take a look below to know more about the fixes.

Fix Equalizer APO not Working in Windows 10

Causes for the Equalizer APO not to Work on Windows 10

Here in this section, I am going to share a couple of causes because of this the Equalizer APO not working in Windows 10. So before going to resolve this issue, first you should have to know about the correct cause of this problem. So now, let’s take a look below to know more about the causes for the Equalizer APO not to work on Windows 10.

1. Device enhancements disabled – If enhancements to the problematic device are disabled in its properties, the equalizer may not work properly with the APO device. Make sure you fixed it to solve the problem!
2. Blocked by antivirus – Antivirus tools can identify the Equalizer APO as malicious and some of its features may be blocked without you being aware of it. Make sure that you add an exception to its main executable.
3. Hardware acceleration of audio – If hardware acceleration of audio is enabled in the properties of the device, some problems may appear and the Equalizer may not work with the APO device. Disable hardware acceleration and see if the problem persists.

How to Fix Equalizer APO not working in Windows 10?

Here in this section, I am going to share all the possible fixes through which you will be able to fix Equalizer APO not working in Windows 10. So now, let’s take a look below to know more about the solutions to fix this issue.

Solution 1: Install as SFX/EFX

Even though it is listed as an experimental feature in the Configurator window, installing as SFX/EFX has completely solved the problem for many users and we hope it does well with you. It is very easy to perform and there is nothing to strive for. So now, let’s take a look below to know how to perform this solution.

• To perform this solution, first, you have to open the Configurator program for the Equalizer APO to make it search in the Start menu. For this, you have to simply click on the Start menu button and then start typing. Then click on the first available result.
• Under the Playback devices tab, you have to select all the devices that you want to use with the equalizer by checking on the boxes that are right next to them.
• Then you have to check the box next to the Troubleshooting options (in case of problems), and then simply click the arrow to open the dropdown menu, and then you have to choose the Install as SFX/EFX (experimental) option from the menu.
• Now, you have to apply the changes and then close the Configurator, and then reopen the Equalizer APO to see that now it works or not.

Note: If the above-mentioned process doesn’t work, then make sure you try to uncheck the boxes next to the two Use original APO entries in the troubleshooting options.

Solution 2: Make Sure Enhancements are not disabled

It is possible to disable all enhancements for a specific playback device. This prevents you from using the Equalizer APO to increase the audio for the device and you can see that whatever you do, nothing happens to the audio on your computer. Make sure you enable enhancements in the Properties window of your device!

• First, you have to right-click on the Volume icon that you can find on the bottom right part of your computer screen, and then you have to choose the Sounds Alternatively, to open the Control Panel on your PC, you will be able to set the View by option to Large icons. After that, you have to locate and then click on the Sounds option to open the same window.
• Then you have to navigate to the Playback tab of the Sounds window that just opened up.
• Now, you have to left-click on your device and then simply click on the Properties Now, you have to navigate to the Enhancements tab that you can find in the Properties window and then uncheck the box next to the Disable all enhancements option. Now, you have to simply click on the OK button, and let’s check whether the Equalizer APO works now or not.

Solution 3: Disable Hardware Acceleration of Audio

This option is not available to everyone. Those who own the properties of their audio output device should consider disabling it for the re-working equalizer APO. Many users claim that all this is taken to solve the problem for them so make sure you are investigating it!

• To perform this solution, first, you have to right-click on the Volume icon that you can find at the bottom right part of your computer screen, and then you have to choose Sounds like an alternative way through which you will be able to open the Control Panel on your PC and then you have to set the View by option to Large icons. After that, you have to locate and then click on the Sounds option to open the same window.
• Now, you have to navigate to the Playback tab of the Sounds window which just opened up.
• After that, you have to left-click on your headset and then simply click on the Properties navigate to the Advanced tab inside the Microsoft Properties window and then you have to check the Hardware acceleration

• Now, you have to uncheck the box next to the Allow hardware acceleration of audio with this device Now, let’s check out the Equalizer APO works properly or not.

Solution 4: Make an Exception for it in Your Antivirus

Many programs fail to function properly if they are identified as a threat to your antivirus program. Creating an exception for the equalizer APO is the right thing to do when troubleshooting this issue so make sure you follow the steps outlined in Solution 5.

However, make sure that you can add the Equalizer APO to the box which will prompt you to navigate to the installation folder. It should be in the same folder where you decided to install the equalizer APO. By default it is:

C:\Program Files (x86)\Equalizer APO

Check to see if you are now able to use the Equalizer APO properly. If it is still not working, try restarting your computer and try again. The last step would be to uninstall the antivirus and try a different one if the same problem occurs.

Solution 5: Delete a Registry Key

This is probably the most advanced method you can use to resolve issues with the Equalizer APO. This includes taking ownership and removing the registry key. This method was suggested by a user on an Internet platform and has helped countless users deal with this problem. Check it out below!

• To perform this solution, first, you should have to find out the name of the registry value that you need to delete. By using the Configurator, you can do it. Now, just open the Configurator to make a search for it in the Start menu. For this simply click on the Start menu button and start And then click on the first available result.
• Now, under the Playback devices tab, you have to select the device that you want to use with the equalizer and then simply click on the Copy Device command to clipboard button that you can find at the bottom.
• Then you have to paste the command somewhere. The text that you have copied should look something like this:

Device: High Definition Audio Device Headphones {64e620cf-acc0-4d70-ac8f-c569b893ff4d}

• The part that I have bolded above is very important so take a note of it because it represents the name that you will need to delete.
• Now, you have to open the Registry Editor window by typing the command “Regedit” in the given search bar of the Start menu or to enter in the Run dialog box that you can open to press the Windows + R keys altogether. Now, you have to navigate to the following key in your registry by navigating at the left pane:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\MMDevices\Audio\Render

• Then you have to Expand the last key to make a right-click on it and then you have to choose the Permissions option from the context menu that will appear on your computer screen.
• Now, you have to click on the Advanced to open the “Advanced Security Settings” window will appear. Here you have to change the Owner of the key.
• For this, you have to click on the Change link that you can find next to the “Owner:” label The Select User or Group window will appear.
• Then you have to select the user account through the Advanced button or simply enter your user account in the field that says “Enter the object name to select” and then simply click OK. Now, Add the Everyone.
• Or, to change the owner of all the subfolders and files under the folder, you have to select the checkbox “Replace owner on subcontainers and objects” in the “Advanced Security Settings” window.
• Now, simply click on the Add button, and then you have to follow it up by clicking on the Select a principal button at the top. And now, you have to select the user account through the Advanced button or simply type your user account in the given field that says ‘Enter the object name to select and then simply click on OK. Add the Everyone.
• Now, under the Basic permissions section, you have to be sure to choose Full control before going to apply for the changes that you have made.
• Apply everything, and then right-click on the key, and then you have to choose the Delete option from the context menu that will appear on your computer screen. Now, you have to Restart the computer and then restore the APO by using the Configurator. Now, let’s check out to see if the Equalizer APO works properly or not.

Solution 6: Perform a Clean Install

A similar approach is to perform a clean install, which starts with the Equalizer APO and we recommend you to use it if everything above fails to provide results. Uninstalling it in the control panel may not be enough and you will search through the registry for the remaining keys and values. Follow the steps below to do a clean installation of the Equalizer APO!

• Click on the Start menu and open the Control Panel by typing it with the Open menu window open. Alternatively, if you’re using Windows 10, you can click the cog icon in the lower-left section of the Start menu to open the Settings
• Once you will be in the Control Panel, then there you have to select the View as Category option that you can find on the top right corner of the Control Panel window and then simply click on the Uninstall a Program option that you can find under the Programs
• While using the Settings app, you have to click on the Apps that should open a list of all the installed programs immediately on your PC.
• Now, you have to locate the Equalizer APO in the Control Panel or Settings and then simply click on the Uninstall/Repair. Now, you have to simply follow any instructions that appear afterward to uninstall it completely.
• Now, open the Registry Editor window by typing the command “Regedit” in the given search bar, in the Start Menu, or in the Run dialog box that you can open by pressing the Windows + R keys altogether. Now, simply click on the Edit button that you can find at the menu bar at the top of that window, and then simply click on Find. You can also press the Ctrl + F keys altogether.
• In the Find window, you have to be sure to type Equalizer APO in the Find what box and then simply click on the Find Next A result value, or a key will appear on your computer screen. Now, you have to be sure to right-click on it and then simply choose the Delete option from the context menu that will appear.
• Now, you have to click on Edit >> Find Next or you can use the F3 button to get search for other entries and you have to be sure to delete them all. Now, make sure to search for the Equalizer as well. Instead of this, you can also use the CCleaner to automate this process.
• Now, you have to download the latest version of the Equalizer APO, download its setup file and then run it from the Downloads folder and then simply follow the instructions on the screen and then check it out to see if the issue still persists after reinstalling it.

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Final Words

I hope so, all the information that I have shared above in this article will be beneficial for you. Above in this article, I have shared all the possible solutions through which you will be able to Fix Equalizer APO not Working in Windows 10.

So now, if you feel better with this article, or still, if you have any queries or any suggestions regarding this article, then drop your comment below in the given comment section, you will be able to share your experience with us.