Are you a proud owner of a Steelseries headset, but it’s starting to give you some trouble? Although it’s a high-quality headset, it’s not immune to minor technical issues that could hinder your online gaming sessions.

Don’t worry, these are often minor problems that you can fix yourself.

I’ve listed the most common issues you might encounter with your Steelseries headset, along with potential solutions.

1. I can hear myself in my Steelseries headset

You hear your own voice when you speak into your Steelseries headset. The issue is less common when playing on a console but is still possible.

Here’s what you can try if this happens:

  • Unplug the headset from your controller, then reconnect it by pushing the plug firmly into the controller.
  • Check the battery level of your controller.
  • Lower the volume on your TV.

If you’re using your Steelseries headset on your PC (either wired or Bluetooth), you should first make sure all settings are correctly configured.

First, ensure that the “Listen” function is disabled in Windows sound settings.

  • In Windows settings, click on Sound > Other audio settings.
  • In the window that appears, go to the “Recording” tab, then double-click on “Microphone.”
  • In the new window that appears, click on “Listen,” then make sure the “Listen to this device” box is unchecked.

If the problem persists, you should try using Windows’ troubleshooting function.

  • Go to Settings, then Update & Security, and click on “Voice.”
  • You can then follow the suggested steps.

For those on Windows 11, you’ll need to go to Settings > System > Troubleshooting > Other troubleshooting utilities. You can run the “Play an audio file” and “Record an audio file” functions.

2. Steelseries Arctis 3 Microphone Issue

If the microphone of your Steelseries Arctis 3 headset suddenly stops working, first ensure that the issue isn’t caused by the game or application you’re using.

To do this, navigate to Settings > Sound > Other audio settings > Recording on your computer, try speaking, and then check if the green boxes next to the active microphone move. If they do, verify the settings of your game or application.

If the microphone still doesn’t work or the sound is too low:

Check the settings of the software provided with your headset. If you haven’t installed it yet, visit the Steelseries website (link at the bottom of this article) to download it. This software should also provide the necessary updates for your computer’s sound driver.

Within the headset software settings, under “Mic volume,” slide the button all the way to the right.

You can also go to the “Level” section of Windows sound settings and slide the microphone volume to maximum.

Lastly, check the audio format used for your Steelseries headset on Windows:

  1. Navigate to Settings > Sound > Other audio settings
  2. Go to the Recording tab
  3. Select Microphone, then click Properties
  4. Under the “Advanced Statistics” tab, make sure you’re using the 16-bit, 48000 Hz channel in the dropdown menu.

3. Steelseries Arctis 7 Headset Issue

Did you recently acquire a Steelseries Arctis 7 headset and are experiencing sound problems, as if the surround function is no longer active? Here’s what you should check first.

In the SteelSeries GG application provided with your headset, check the equalizer.

Enable the “Performance” preset, which provides quality surround sound for accurately pinpointing enemy locations. People tend to check Dolby Access when encountering this issue.

However, if using a Steelseries headset, it’s always better to disable your computer’s Dolby enhancement and let the SteelSeries GG app manage this part.

4. Steelseries Arctis 5 Microphone Issue

If you’re experiencing a microphone problem with your Steelseries Arctis 5 headset, here are 5 potential solutions to help identify and resolve the issue:

Mute Button:

There’s a small button on the right side of your headset, behind the volume button. If this button is pressed, you should see a small red light on your microphone indicating that it’s muted. Press the button again to disable this feature.

Game Chat Function:

This headset has a unique feature that provides quick access to chat volume through a button labeled “Game” on one side and “Chat” on the other. By default, the button should be in the middle. However, you might have accidentally turned it to “Game,” making the microphone inoperable.

SteelSeries Engine:

Ensure that the SteelSeries application and updates offered by this software are always installed on your PC. You might have accidentally uninstalled the software. If so, reinstall it, disconnect your headset, then reconnect it. Within the software settings, you should see the “Live mic preview” option to verify if your microphone is working again.

Default Device:

Make sure you’re using the microphone of your Steelseries Arctis 5 headset as the default input device. You can check this in your computer’s sound settings under the Recording section.

Microphone Level in Sound Settings:

Check the level of your microphone in your computer’s sound settings. Set this level to maximum or at least 50%.

5. Steelseries Arctis 9x Issue

The Steelseries Arctis 9X headset is renowned for its performance, especially for console gamers, particularly on Xbox. However, interference issues may occur, causing sudden disconnections or other annoyances. Here’s what you can do:

  1. Don’t position yourself too close to your router while playing.
  2. Don’t place the router too close to the console.
  3. Try rebooting your router.
  4. If possible, prioritize the 5.0 GHz frequency over the 2.4 GHz frequency. If your router supports both frequencies, you can disable the one you’re not using.
  5. Try resetting your headset by inserting a paperclip into the dedicated small hole on the headset.
  6. Move closer to your Xbox to see if the reception improves.

If you’re using an external hard drive, USB 3.0 devices are known to cause interference with the 2.4 GHz frequency. Try unplugging your external hard drive to see if it improves.

For Steelseries Arctis Pro Wireless issues on PlayStation, interference may be the problem. This issue was prevalent on the PS4 but has been fixed since. If you’re still on PS4, make sure your console is running the latest firmware provided by Sony.

For PlayStation 5 users, try restarting your console, verifying that your console is running the latest firmware, resetting your headset, and prioritizing the 5 GHz frequency over the 2.4 GHz frequency on your router.

If you’re using your headset on your computer, check the Steelseries Engine software settings to ensure your headset is properly paired with your computer.

For Steelseries Arctis 9x Xbox Series X sound issues, some players have complained about sound stuttering and disconnections when the player isn’t active for 10 seconds. This issue has been fixed by Steelseries. Connect your headset to your computer via the Steelseries app to update the firmware.

6. Steelseries Arctis 7 Sound issues

Check your computer’s sound settings. You should see two installed headsets in the “playback” section: the first headset is for chat, and the second is for sound. Configure the second headset as the default playback device. If you’re using a chat service like Discord, you can set the first headset as the output device in the app.

7. Steelseries Arctis 9 Bluetooth Connection Issues

Try pressing the Bluetooth button on your headset until you hear another beep. You can also try re-pairing by first removing the headset from the list of detected devices and pairing them again.

8. Steelseries Arctis Pro + GameDAC Issues

One recurring problem is the disappearance of the GameDAC device in your computer’s device settings, while the GameDAC for chat remains. Unplug and reconnect your headset each time this issue occurs.

If you’re using the GameDAC for chat as the default device, the sound may be of poor quality. This can be due to driver conflicts, especially if you’re using a graphics card. To fix this, go to the device manager and disable sound devices from Nvidia or AMD. Perform this action after each update to your graphics card drivers.

9. For Steelseries Engine 3 issues

The best way to resolve the problem is to reinstall the software, making sure to properly uninstall the old one. You can use software like CCleaner to remove residual registry keys. Also, ensure you’re using the latest version of Steelseries Engine 3 to receive all necessary updates for your headset’s proper functioning.

To reset your Steelseries headset, look for a small circular hole after carefully removing the ear cushion (usually on the side without the microphone). Insert a paperclip and gently press for 20 seconds. For Arctis Series 7, the green light will turn off by itself. After resetting the headset, it’s recommended to check the firmware version.

Open the SteelSeries GG software and click on Engine. Connect your headset to your PC. If an update is needed, a pop-up should appear on your screen. Follow the on-screen instructions.

Next, put the base station in pairing mode by holding the button down for about 6 seconds. Then, pair the headset with the base station.

It’s recommended to use the original MicroUSB cable supplied with your Steelseries headset. Often, generic MicroUSB cables are not compatible.

Finally, if none of the solutions provided work, your headset may have a hardware issue or a manufacturing defect. In this case, you should rely on your headset’s warranty.