diff --git a/services/audioflinger/Threads.cpp b/services/audioflinger/Threads.cpp
index 6aedd29..a91fc26 100644
--- a/services/audioflinger/Threads.cpp
+++ b/services/audioflinger/Threads.cpp
@@ -1272,6 +1272,12 @@
                 desc->name, mThreadName);
         return BAD_VALUE;
     }
+
+    // always allow effects without processing load or latency
+    if ((desc->flags & EFFECT_FLAG_NO_PROCESS_MASK) == EFFECT_FLAG_NO_PROCESS) {
+        return NO_ERROR;
+    }
+
     audio_input_flags_t flags = mInput->flags;
     if (hasFastCapture() || (flags & AUDIO_INPUT_FLAG_FAST)) {
         if (flags & AUDIO_INPUT_FLAG_RAW) {
@@ -1328,6 +1334,11 @@
                     break;
                 }
             }
+
+            // always allow effects without processing load or latency
+            if ((desc->flags & EFFECT_FLAG_NO_PROCESS_MASK) == EFFECT_FLAG_NO_PROCESS) {
+                break;
+            }
             if (flags & AUDIO_OUTPUT_FLAG_RAW) {
                 ALOGW("checkEffectCompatibility_l(): effect %s on playback thread in raw mode",
                       desc->name);