Game locks up when accessing system settings

Since patch 6.4, I have had issues where the game client sometimes locks up on startup i.e. before the SE logo pops up. Today it consistently would hang, so I reinstalled the game and reset system settings. I can now get into the game, however when I click on system settings in the game, the game once again completely freezes until I exit.

This does not happen if I access character configuration, or any other setting menu that I've thought to try.

Is there a file somewhere on disk that contains this that I can delete, or check the permissions on etc? Not sure what to try from here.

Linked video demonstrating the issue: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8xaoptRluLo

I managed to get around this by switching to DirectX 9. Which is not a great solution but works for the moment.

Okay a little more digging and I think it's due to a bug related to the Immerse spatial audio plugin.

I tried all this without my headphones plugged in. Switching to DX9 I could access the menu again. After noticing spatial audio was a DX 11 exclusive feature, I tried starting the client multiple times with/without headphones plugged in using DX 11, and every time without fail if I had no audio connected to my PC the game locks up, either at startup or when I try to access the system config menu. Conversely, the client runs fine with audio plugged in.

Good morning! Thank you for posting in the Final Fantasy XIV Technical Support Forums.

We apologize for any inconvenience experienced when trying to play Final Fantasy XIV. For us to better assist you, please respond with the following information:

What Platform? (Steam/Windows/Mac etc.)
Error code/message(s) received:
Does this only happen to one character or all characters?
Are there other programs being used when running FFXIV?
All steps taken to resolve the issue:
Are there any extra peripheral devices connected?

Thank you for visiting the Final Fantasy XIV Technical Support Forums!