7.1 surround sound app and THX Spatial Audio App not working with Kraken TE | Razer Insider

7.1 surround sound app and THX Spatial Audio App not working with Kraken TE


As the title suggests, I have just bought the Kraken TE but am having some serious issues or misunderstandings with it that I hope Razer-support or the community can help me with. Synapse 3 works and recognizes the Kraken, however the '7.1 Surround Sound' application which is unlocked through a code purchased with the Kraken (code worked), will not detect the kraken no matter what I've tried (and I've done nearly 3 days of constant researching and diagnostics read every reddit thread and watched every YT video). Following this issue, the THX Spatial Audio App window is completely grey with no settings or tabs but windows itself detects the "THX Spatial-Synapse". Best I can understand it is this is an issue with the software or it's incompatible with my OS (windows 7). I am unable to return this Razer Kraken TE at my local computer store due to Covid policy so I would really like to understand if it's a software bug or an OS incompatibility. Does Synapse 3 subsume both the 7.1 and Spatial Audio App functions or are they distinct? If they're distinct why are both of them grayed out?

I bought these as an upgrade for an upcoming tournament I'll be participating in and it's extremely frustrating that I've seemingly wasted $140 on a 7.1 headset that I don't have the right to return.

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19 Replies

Hi Marko-Polo, just letting you know now that it has nothing to do with your OS being windows 7, I also have the same headset with the same problem and I'm running on windows 10. What I'm guessing the issue is right now is it may have something to do with this recent update as my headset only works on the "chat" option now as I was working fine on 28th of February. As for the 7.1 audio, I have had this headset for over a year now and I still haven't been able to work it. I'll let you know if I can figure out how to fix any of this.
@dreadfang Thank you for your response - I'm glad to know it's not just me misunderstanding something, despite this I already formatted my drive and upgraded to windows 10 as a presumed remedy (more trouble than it's seeming to be worth). I've been in a support ticket dialogue with Razer support for a few days now and they don't seem to be aware that the THX software / application is faulty / nonfunctional.

Regarding the software / application, is it possible to roll back to a previous version of the THX application such that it functions properly? Synapse 3 works, specifically the THX audio setting within it and also on the Kraken TE device, but the "THX Spatial Audio Application / Software" is just a grey screen.

Add me on discord if you want to discuss it more in-depth: TRILLSTEEZY#5181
Dude I think I know the issue - THX Spatial Audio is enabled through Synapse only if you have a device with THX-SA already on it. The standalone software is not required because it's already configured within Synapse. I think THX SA is meant as some sort of stand alone software that emulates virtual 7.1 for a device that it is not default with. I'm not sure if it compliments the THX-SA device better than synapse or if it's completely distinct and meant to emulate for devices that is not default with. I've no clue if this is correct but this is the only thing that makes sense to me in this mess of a product. Also THX-SA sounds kind of broken, everything has a 2nd echo to it and the volume doesn't work, there's no accessible configuration beyond Synapse 3 that works.
I have the same issue, and zero resolution.
Issues here with Kraken Razer TE as well. I am assuming no one has found a solution yet? I did find that it absolutely was the new update, because since, I have not been able to use anything but the "Headset Earphone (Razer Audio Controller-Chat)" from the selected audio outputs on Windows 10 (current build). I did notice that "Speakers (Razer Audio Controller-Game)" does function for windows sounds (Like the Volume Button Ding when changing volume) until I launch a game (Warzone), then it it goes completely silent and I have to switch to the "Headset Earphone (Razer Audio Controller-Chat)" Again, which sounds like complete garbage when trying to play. Really disappointing, resorted to not using the audio controller and just plugging in through 3.5mm audio jack. I've been using this headset for less than a month and it's already an issue, might return it unless other Razer headsets were made almost completely useless by this update....
Following as I'm having the same issue!
Hi everyone!
I just had the same issue during gamingwarzone. My mic was nearly not hearable for others. I just followed these introductions: https://mysupport.razer.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/1708 and now it is working perfectly fine for me!
Maybe this will help you guys too!
I booted windows to a Razer update today, but unfortunately I still have not found a fix for this issue. Can anyone else confirm this has not been fixed yet? I'm absolutely Livid about this... I waited for an update, it did, did not fix anything!
Hey ... after a windows update, my 7.1 surround wont work .... even after reinstallation. It is installed but i cant choose it in disc. or standart sound.... it switches like crazy from aktive/inactiv....
I too am having issues with THX Spacial sound. I am having to use the chat function also to get any sound at all and it is very irritating since I am used to the spacial sound. What is more irritating is that this has been going on for 3 weeks and Razer has not fixed it yet....
Great! I just got my kraken TE today and although it works, whenever I set it up as intended and use the 7.1 surround sound as default or the THX as default output its silent.

You don't pay this kind of money for errors like this. I'm gutted.
Same here. I don't know what had happened but THX Spatial Audio suddenly not showing in Playback device list. Tried asking the customer support but they couldn't be any help and asked me to contact my pc manufacturer. However, I know it is not related to hardware issue because after that I downloaded Razer 7.1 Surround Sound and it works fine.
Userlevel 7
Marko-Polo
As the title suggests, I have just bought the Kraken TE but am having some serious issues or misunderstandings with it that I hope Razer-support or the community can help me with. Synapse 3 works and recognizes the Kraken, however the '7.1 Surround Sound' application which is unlocked through a code purchased with the Kraken (code worked), will not detect the kraken no matter what I've tried (and I've done nearly 3 days of constant researching and diagnostics read every reddit thread and watched every YT video). Following this issue, the THX Spatial Audio App window is completely grey with no settings or tabs but windows itself detects the "THX Spatial-Synapse". Best I can understand it is this is an issue with the software or it's incompatible with my OS (windows 7). I am unable to return this Razer Kraken TE at my local computer store due to Covid policy so I would really like to understand if it's a software bug or an OS incompatibility. Does Synapse 3 subsume both the 7.1 and Spatial Audio App functions or are they distinct? If they're distinct why are both of them grayed out?

I bought these as an upgrade for an upcoming tournament I'll be participating in and it's extremely frustrating that I've seemingly wasted $140 on a 7.1 headset that I don't have the right to return.


Hi @Marko-Polo. Please be aware that the 7.1 Surround Sound is only available to the newer versions, namely the Kraken X. Kraken X USB, Kraken 2019, and Blackshark V2 X. Though I tried testing another non-Razer 3.5mm headset to 7.1 Surround Sound. It will produce sound, but it will not utilize the 7.1 Surround Sound feature of the software. If using another 3.5mm non-Razer headset with THX feature, it may work but there are no guarantees since the software is created to work with the mentioned models above.

Hey everyone! Thanks for posting your THX-related concerns here. Please check the steps from this thread and see if it helps.
Razer.Speedcr0ss
Hi @Marko-Polo. Please be aware that the 7.1 Surround Sound is only available to the newer versions, namely the Kraken X. Kraken X USB, Kraken 2019, and Blackshark V2 X. Though I tried testing another non-Razer 3.5mm headset to 7.1 Surround Sound. It will produce sound, but it will not utilize the 7.1 Surround Sound feature of the software. If using another 3.5mm non-Razer headset with THX feature, it may work but there are no guarantees since the software is created to work with the mentioned models above.

Hey everyone! Thanks for posting your THX-related concerns here. Please check the steps from this thread and see if it helps.



Just to make sure the details are clear, both the THX and 7.1 surround are no longer functioning. No audio will come out of the headset when THX is selected either. I can use the headset with the 7.1 if I plug 3.5mm directly into my computer however the USB controller is no longer usable. Both can be selected in the list of audio devices, but neither will work, however "Game Chat" does work. Re-installation through Synapse or through the provided Device manager method do not rectify the issue.

The multiple reports on this thread and the timing suggest that a update in early march was the culprit that caused the issue with the Kraken TE's.
Userlevel 7
Windex_Slurpee
Just to make sure the details are clear, both the THX and 7.1 surround are no longer functioning. No audio will come out of the headset when THX is selected either. I can use the headset with the 7.1 if I plug 3.5mm directly into my computer however the USB controller is no longer usable. Both can be selected in the list of audio devices, but neither will work, however "Game Chat" does work. Re-installation through Synapse or through the provided Device manager method do not rectify the issue.

The multiple reports on this thread and the timing suggest that a update in early march was the culprit that caused the issue with the Kraken TE's.


Thanks for clearing things up! Did you try connecting the Razer Kraken Tournament Edition's USB audio controller to another computer? I want to isolate a possible faulty USB audio controller. Please send me the following:

Serial number:
Full name:
Email:
Mobile/Phone Number:
Country:
Synapse 3.0 logs.

Save the compressed files via Google Drive or any online drive account, then paste the link in your PM. Let's continue from there.
make sure chat and game audio on the usb are in the middle or it wont work
Userlevel 7
CITRINEBlueBoltever694
make sure chat and game audio on the usb are in the middle or it wont work


Thanks for sharing this too mate.

Hey Windex_Slurpee! Let me know if this suggested step helped as well.
For me what worked was uninstalling ALL razer apps. Then reinstalling JUST the Razer Synapse. It works for now, idk for how long though.
Userlevel 7
portalEminencefront688
For me what worked was uninstalling ALL razer apps. Then reinstalling JUST the Razer Synapse. It works for now, idk for how long though.


Thanks for sharing. Hopefully, it will help the others too. Anyway, I'll be locking this thread now. Feel free to submit a case to our Support Team or send me a PM should you need additional assistance.