Dolby Atmos Not Working on Windows 11 – FIXED!

Having surround sound on your PC can uplift your overall experience by a considerable margin, and Dolby Atmos is a technology that enables you to enjoy sound with the best quality and incredible detail. These days, every high-end laptop/PC has built-in support for Dolby Atmos surround sound. Hence, once you have experienced the same, you can never return to the standard audio output. 

However, several users have reported Dolby Atmos not working properly on Windows 11 and 10. The issue can be frustrating, considering it directly affects the overall experience while watching your favorite shows or playing immersive games. If you are also wondering why Dolby Atmos is not working? Or how to fix issues with Dolby Atmos on Windows, then this is the perfect post for you! Here, we will discuss ways to eliminate issues related to your audio errors and Dolby Atmos. 

So, without further delay, let’s begin!

What Causes Dolby Atmos to Stop Working on Windows 11?

It is the recent updates on Windows 11, after which the issue has arisen with the Dolby Atmos. Many users have shared how upgrading from Windows 10 to 11 got their audio settings fried. Some of the core reasons that cause the Dolby Atmos services to stop working on a PC are – 

• Outdated sound driver
• Misconfigured audio settings
• Connected hardware does not support Atmos
• Missing updates on your Windows PC

Either of the factors listed above may be causing errors related to Dolby Atmos on your PC. It can be typical to identify the exact reasons behind the problem. Hence, it is recommended that you try out all the fixes and check if the issue was resolved. To initiate the troubleshooting for Dolby Atmos not working, check out the next section, where we have shared multiple ways to fix the same.

How to Fix Dolby Atmos Not Working on Windows 11 ? 5 Ways!

Fix 1 – Update Windows to Latest Version

Windows as an operating system is continually evolving. This is also why there may be pending updates on your PC. Since the OS is relatively new, bugs are bound to appear. Hence, ensure you use the latest release, as it allows you to resolve bugs such as Dolby Atmos not working properly. 

To keep your PC updated – 

Step 1 – Press Win+I to open System Settings

Step 2 – Go to the Windows Update option in the left pane in System Settings.

Step 3 – After opening the options, click on Check for Updates to find out if there are any updates available.

Step 4 – If there are updates, click download and install to initiate the update process. 

Step 5 – Once the updates are installed, restart your PC

If the available updates support bug fixes, and your Dolby Atmos is not working due to a glitch in the OS, this should resolve your issue. If you have no luck with this method, do not worry; we have other methods too. 

Fix 2 – Use Windows Audio Troubleshooter

To resolve audio-related issues, Windows comes with an inbuilt audio troubleshooter. If the Dolby Atmos is not working as expected, you can run this troubleshooter and resolve things easily. Here’s how you do it – 

Step 1 – Press Win+I to open System Settings. 

Step 2 – Navigate to Troubleshoot option in the settings.

Step 3 – In the Troubleshoot menu, spot Other Troubleshooters and click on the same.

Step 4 – You may find the Audio troubleshooter with an option that says Run. Click on it. 

Step 5 – Run the troubleshooter and wait for it to resolve the issues. 

As a safe side, you can always restart your computer for changes to occur. Try using the Dolby Atmos services again, and you may experience that it has started working. 

Read Also: 9+ Ways To Fix Windows Stuck on “Checking for Updates”

Fix 3 – Enable Exclusive Mode for Sound

Another way to enhance your PC’s audio performance is to enable exclusive mode in your audio settings. These services are usually enabled on your PC. However, there’s a possibility that they are not. Hence, it is better to enable them manually.

Step 1 – Go to the start menu and search for Sound Settings. 

Step 2 – Open the relevant search result, which will take you straight to System Sound Settings.

Step 3 – From the opened option, click on More Sound Settings under Advanced options, and a pop-up will appear.

Step 4 – In this pop-up, you may find a list of all the audio devices you use on the PC. Choose the one that you are currently using and double-click on it.

Step 5 – After opening the options for your connected audio device, you may find multiple tabs. Click on the Advanced tab to find Exclusive mode options.

Step 6 – Ensure that both the options for exclusive mode are enabled. If they are not, enable them and click on Apply to save changes. 

Once you have made the changes, you may see a difference in Dolby Atmos audio’s audio quality and experience on your PC.

Fix 4 – Check and Enable Dolby Atmos if Your Device Supports It

It is crucial to identify if the Dolby Atmos is supported by the headphones/speakers you are using. You can use options similar to the previous fix to identify the same. 

Step 1 – Go to the start menu and search for Sound Settings. 

Step 2 – Open the relevant search result, which will take you straight to System Sound Settings. 

Step 3 – From the opened option, click on More sound settings under Advanced options, and a pop-up will appear.

Step 4 – In this pop-up, you may find a list of all the audio devices you use on the PC. Choose the one that you are currently using and double-click on it.

Step 5 – After opening the device settings for the connected device, go to the spatial audio settings and open the drop-down to check if it has Dolby Atmos listed there.

Step 6 – If the same is available on your device, enable it and click Apply. However, if the option related to Dolby Atmos Does not appear, then your device may not support the Dolby Atmos surround sound. 

It is crucial to understand that to experience a feature, you must have proper hardware to support it. Hence, always use high-quality audio output to experience all the features. 

Fix 5 – Update Audio Drivers

If you have enabled Dolby, made changes to Exclusive Mode, and are using the latest Windows version and still facing issues with your PC’s Dolby Atmos, then chances are that the issue lies in the audio drivers of your PC. If your system uses outdated drivers, you should update them, as these often stop you from accessing all the available features. 

If you are wondering how to update audio drivers on Windows, check the post here. And if you are looking for a quick way to do so, we recommend you use the Advanced Driver Updater. 

The tool offers some amazing features and gets things done instantly in 3 simple steps – 

Step 1 – Download and Install the tool.

Step 2 – Scan your PC for outdated drivers.

Step 3 – Update All the outdated drivers found during the scan.

3 easy steps and your issues related to audio on your PC should be resolved. Download the Advanced Driver Updater today and get Dolby Atmos working on your PC.

Dolby Atmos Not Working – Fixed

These 5 methods should be enough to resolve the Dolby Atmos not working on Windows 11. If you still have issues, you must contact your service executive for assistance, as there may be hardware issues. 

Hope these fixes assist you well. If you have any doubts about following the steps, feel free to ask for assistance. Thanks for reading. Good luck!