Razer Synapse not switching profiles for some (major) apps

I just had a Synapse update, and my profiles are not switching automatically for some software. They are not switching for Google Chrome or VSCode, but they do work for others like Visual Studio or some games.
I tried everything. Resetting everything, reinstalling Synapse… nothing works.

Razer, please debug the latest release or give me a link to an older version of Synapse 4.

I juste tried it on my second computer, I get the same result : Synapse is not switching profiles any more for some apps (Google Chrome, Microsoft Edge, ...) but it works for other apps.

I too am having this issue. I thought my Razer Synapse just broke for some reason. So I uninstalled and and reinstalled and the issue is still there. It probably is a bug in the new update (which I did not even know was the cause).

FYI folks, same issue and tried these, not working though

• Unlinking/relinking apps
• Recreating profiles from scratch
• Restarting Synapse
• Clean reinstall of Synapse 4
• FRESH WINDOWS INSTALLATION FROM SCRATCH

Synapse 4 failed to recognize: VSCode, mstsc.exe (windows rdp client), firefox. Pathetic. 

This is really affecting my productivity here. Can we all agree a fix is urgent?

Thank you for posting this. I have the same issue. This makes my keypad almost obsolete, so I hope we get a fix soon.

This is stressing me out, this app is so inconsistent! sometimes works, sometimes stops working, seems the only reliable things are games, but Browsers and Office apps are not consistent.

In my case, it does not switch to browsers and windows explorer.

games have problems too. I have 2 profiles for a tartarus 2 keypad. Synapse will switch to the associated game profiles when the games are running but often re-writes the profile so it doesn’t work as expected.

I eventually got an response from razer support. Their answer is “it’s not a bug, it’s a feature”. They are excluding non-games applications on purpose, for some bullshit reason about focusing on game applications to make sur it works properly for them.

Basically, it used to work for all applications, and now they are breaking the system on purpose because they are too incompetent to just keep things as they were. The most aggravating event in this affair, is that the january update looks like it was precisely about killing the feature.

Productivity applications, browsers, and other non-games are no longer supported by synapse.

They have escalated this case for me and now I am waiting.  It would be odd for them to escalate this and not be aware that it was by design...

Well, that was fun. I will not be supporting this company anymore.

I was told the same thing. They prioritize gaming applications. A very poor business model I think

 They say it's in their FAQ but i couldn't see it explicitly say that. It should be on the box of every product they sell otherwise it's false advertising in my opinion. 

I figured out a workaround.  No idea if this will work for other setups, but addresses the specific problem for particular app/game profile switching not functioning.  If the people at Razer see this, PLEASE don’t patch this out in an update.  We understand you only want to deal with games and not other programs.  We accept that there is no support for it whatsoever.  We won’t ask for any more help, but please don’t stop us from using our own solutions.  We love the hardware and just want to use it with our productivity apps as well :-)      

Okay, here is what worked for me.  I downloaded VSCode and Firefox to confirm the issue.  The profile switching does not work with the standard executable.  Here are the steps to get things working (at least for me, backup your files, use at your own risk).  Using Firefox as an example:

1.  Remove non-working Firefox game from linked games list in Razer Synapse
2. Copy Firefox executable C:\Program Files\Mozilla Firefox\firefox.exe
3. Paste in the same directory and rename NEW executable to something else.  I went with C:\Program Files\Mozilla Firefox\bob.exe for testing purposes but use whatever you like.
4. Add the new executable to your linked games list in Razer Synapse and use as usual
5. Create new shortcuts for the new executable (you must run the new executable for Razer profile switching to work)

I hope this helps.  I tested it on both Firefox and VSCode, worked on both.  Remember, you must run the new executable with the alternate name for it work.  I know this is a few steps and some people might have a ton of apps to go through, but at least it is a workaround.  I hope this helps.

Oh we do not accept it at all. It is unacceptable.

I initially tried to install Google Chrome and VSCode in my steam folder, to trick synapse into thinking they are games. But it didn’t work.

Your workaround seems to work. Which is outrageous, since it implies that the synapse team has a blacklist of application executable names. They implemented a list designed to cripple synapse. They spent time and resources specifically to annoy their customers.

Yeah, my thoughts on the blacklist as well.  I am currently creating a firewall rule for Synapse, lol.

I just tested it. I created a simple application called “chrome.exe” that opens a blank window. The profiles do not switch automatically for that app. I then created an identical application called “chrome2.exe”. The profiles do switch automatically.

It is a blacklist based on the exe name. Razer WANTS to provide a downgraded software to its customers.

I also have been hit with this incompetent downgrade of functionality - while using the more stable and apparently less buggy Beta version. 

My list of non functioning programs is:

• Google Chrome
• Microsoft Edge
• Microsoft OneNote
• Mozilla Firefox
• Opera
• Opera GX
• Tor Browser
• Windows Explorer

The Brave Browser appears to work, at least until some muppet breaks it.

I have raised a ticket, and ultimately received this answer:
“With Synapse 4, profile switching was redesigned to work specifically with recognized games. At the moment, automatic profile switching for browsers is not available in the current architecture. I understand that this directly impacts how you were using your setup. Sorry for the disruption this has caused you.

Your use case is absolutely valid. I have escalated your feedback to our software team with the context you’ve provided so they can properly evaluate the demand for external command-based profile switching. Customer input and feedback is very important to the team.

In the meantime, if you’d like, I can also check whether your workflow might be achievable through any current configuration options or provide guidance on alternative setups that may help bridge the gap.

We genuinely value long-term customers like you, and I appreciate you taking the time to clearly explain how this affects your experience.”

Synapse 3 was working, and working well.  They should never have allowed Synapse 4 to be released without getting it to the same level of usability.

My program list was almost identical.  Same thing with Brave working and other browsers not functioning which guided me to the workaround .  The workaround should work for you.  Sorry for the additional work :-(

No problem.  Google Chrome does not appear to work!  Which is a pain.

There are companies that try to grow their customer base as much as possible, take care of different customer types. There are those who don’t care about their customers. And there is Razer, who intentionally breaks things so customers leave as soon as possible.

First of all I hope those on C-level of Razer understand that someone in their company is basically sabotaging the sales. I have multiple Razer mice at work, laptop, home. In the last 15+ years I spent like $1500+ on their devices. When the automatic profile switch was added long time ago, it was a killer feature. For me it was essential, as I work with that equipment and use it a lot.

Secondly I hope that some other decent brand sees the Razer’s negligence and uses the opportunity to attract new customers, those who can easily buy $150+ mouse and then stay for decades with them. This is really great opportunity for competition.

I received this: “We understand how important automatic profile switching is for your workflow, and we recognize that the current limitation, where non-game applications cannot be linked in Synapse has caused frustration.

At present, the architecture redesign means this functionality is not available, and we do not have an immediate workaround beyond manual profile switching. While we cannot commit to reinstating the feature right now, your feedback has been escalated to our development team and remains part of ongoing discussions about future improvements.

We truly value your loyalty to Razer and your candid input. Your comments help us better understand the needs of customers who use our products beyond gaming, and they will continue to inform our product decisions.”

Basically a lot of puf, and no substance.  They do not understand that people are not happy with this.  I will be writing to a computer magazine, and it might be wise for others to do so.  If there is negative press exposure, then Razer might think about their policy.

Currently my son uses a Logitech environment - I will consider switching over that environment.  The software is not as easy to set up, but it seems to accept non-gaming programs.

For it’s MS Edge and Windows Explorer. All my other 10 profiles are working. What distinguishes those two applications here? I’m all-productivity.

I started a support ticket. Perhaps if they get enough of those, it may get some priority.