EyeLink 1000: Manual calibration/validation suddenly became fully automatic after Windows 10 → 11 update

Coding
1

Hello, I would like to ask for advice regarding an unexpected change in EyeLink 1000 calibration behavior.

I am using an EyeLink 1000 (remote / arm mount setup) with pylink and SR Research SDK installed, running experiments via Python in VS Code (not PsychoPy Builder).

Recently, the system was updated from Windows 10 to Windows 11. Since this update, I have been experiencing a serious issue with calibration and validation behavior.

What worked before

Before the Windows update:

  • Calibration and validation were manually controlled

  • Each calibration point advanced only when I pressed SPACE/ENTER

  • The system waited until the participant clearly fixated the target

  • This behavior was stable across sessions using the same code

What is happening now

After updating to Windows 11:

  • Calibration and validation have become fully automatic

  • The tracker advances through calibration points without any key press

  • Fixations are accepted even when the participant is not actually looking at the target

  • In some cases, calibration/validation completes extremely quickly, producing inaccurate mappings

  • This happens even though:

    • The same experimental code is used

    • No autoAccept=True or similar option is explicitly set in the script

    • Manual acceptance options are enabled in the Host settings

In other words, the system now auto-accepts fixation and completes calibration on its own, making true manual calibration impossible.

Current setup details

  • Eye tracker: EyeLink 1000

  • Mount: Arm mount (remote mode)

  • OS: Windows 11 (previously Windows 10)

  • EyeLink Host version: v5.50

  • Calibration grid: 5-point (HV5) (cannot be changed due to an international collaborative study)

  • Tracking mode: Pupil-CR

  • Pupil tracking: Ellipse

  • Calibration options tested:

    • Pacing interval: 500 / 1000 / 1500 ms

    • Force manual accept: ON

    • Repeat first point: ON

    • Randomized order: OFF

Despite these settings, the system still accepts fixations automatically without waiting for user input.

2

Dear Yenny,

Are you using two computer or one computer for this? If two, are they both on the same version of Windows?

Have you updated your Eyelink Host version since updating to Windows 11? You might need to reinstall it/update it if not. Same with pylink and the SDK.

Check your FINAL.ini file to see if the settings are correct. Double check your calibration settings as well (like the HV5). Set it to something else, test, then put it back.

I am assuming when you say “No autoAccept=True or similar option is explicitly set in the script” this is in the context of where the calibration routine is located in the code/python. This makes me think that it’s something to do with the SR Research software when updating, rather than an issue with psychopy. I would recommend you ask on their forum as well (the solution is probably there already, but you need an account to access/view).

Issac