In Win 10 I can't play files with AC3 audio over SPDIF with Win Media Player or Movies & TV apps - Works fine over headphone jack

I am not sure how long ago this started happening, but its at least been a year plus.

I have a Creative AE-5 on a windows 10 machine that I built. Win/device details here. For some reason AC3 files do not play over my SPDIF speakers, when playing a video with that type of audio, the speakers make a reoccuring pop sound, over and over, until I restart, or disable the soundblast AE-5 in device manager, and then re-enable it.

This is only with Windows Media Player or the Movies & TV apps. They do play fine in VLC, even over SPDIF.

The files play fine over my 3.5mm headphone jack, in any app.

Ideally Id like to be able to fix why they wont play with the native windows apps, I assume some sort of code issue. Ive tried the Klite code pack as well, but that hasn't fixed it. I don't want to have to use VLC for purposes, sometimes I prefer the windows apps.

Any ideas?