The config file for jei-client appears to no longer be working.
Things like MaxColumns, GiveMode, CenterSearch doesn't do anything.
These are fresh configs, deleted before client was booted, in a fresh world

Mods:
JEI 7.7.1.126
FTB Library 1605.3.3 build 74
Architectury 1.23.33

and ofc the whole "FTB Library no longer works" thing, but thats already reported.
(also tested without FTB Library and Architectury, no change)

this is also happening on jei 1.17.1-8.1.0.26 in ATM 7

Thanks for the report!
This should be fixed in the latest JEI versions for 1.16 (7.7.1.128) and 1.17 (8.1.0.31).