In this study, the effects of AHL-based QS signals on anammox activity and stability of granules' were investigated. Results clearly showed that the vanillin and porcine kidney acylase I could reduce the AHLs in anammox bacteria. Inactivation of AHLs by vanillin and porcine kidney acylase I depressed the nitrogen removal ability of anammox bacteria. A significant inhibition of specific anammox activity was observed when the concentration of vanillin and porcine kidney acylase I increased to 1 g/L. Anammox activity was depressed on enzyme level. Moreover, degradation of AHLs under vanillin and AHL-acylase exposure could result in anammox granules' disintegration. Further research showed that the contents of protein (PN) and polysaccharides (PS) in extracellular polymeric substances were reduced with AHLs blocked, and it further explained the instability and weakening strength of the anammox granules. The results of our investigation provided new insight into the AHL-based QS-regulated anammox activity, leading a potential way to enhance stability of anammox granules.