The Astro A50 is a popular high-end gaming headset, but some users encounter frustrating microphone issues that disrupt team communication. This guide will walk you through effective solutions to get your Astro A50 mic working properly again on both PC and Xbox One.
Fixing Astro A50 Mic Problems on PC
Try these methods to resolve microphone issues with your Astro A50 headset on Windows:
Check Windows Microphone Settings
Step 1: Open Sound Settings by right-clicking the speaker icon in your taskbar and selecting “Open Sound settings”.
Step 2: Click “Sound Control Panel” on the right side of the window.
Step 3: In the Sound Control Panel, select the “Recording” tab.
Step 4: Right-click in the list of devices and make sure “Show Disabled Devices” is checked.
Step 5: Locate “Headset Microphone” in the list. If it’s disabled, right-click and select “Enable”.
Step 6: Right-click “Headset Microphone” again and choose “Set as Default Device”.
Step 7: Click “Apply” then “OK” to save the changes.
Step 8: Restart your computer and test the microphone.
Update Audio Drivers
Outdated or corrupted audio drivers can cause microphone issues. Update your audio drivers to ensure compatibility:
Step 1: Press Windows key + X and select “Device Manager”.
Step 2: Expand the “Sound, video and game controllers” section.
Step 3: Right-click on your audio device and select “Update driver”.
Step 4: Choose “Search automatically for updated driver software” and follow the prompts.
Step 5: Restart your computer after the update completes.
Check Astro Command Center Settings
The Astro Command Center software allows you to adjust microphone settings:
Step 1: Download and install Astro Command Center from the official Astro website if you haven’t already.
Step 2: Connect your Astro A50 base station to your PC via USB.
Step 3: Open Astro Command Center and select your A50 headset.
Step 4: Navigate to the “Microphone” tab.
Step 5: Adjust the microphone level and ensure the correct microphone is selected.
Step 6: Click “Sync to Device” to save the changes.
Resolving Astro A50 Mic Issues on Xbox One
If your Astro A50 microphone isn’t working on Xbox One, try these solutions:
Reset to Default Settings
Step 1: Disconnect the headset from your Xbox One controller.
Step 2: Remove the batteries from your controller.
Step 3: Wait 30 seconds, then reinsert the batteries.
Step 4: Reconnect the headset to your controller.
Step 5: Press the mute button on the headset. You should see an orange light indicating the mic is active.
Adjust Audio Levels
Step 1: Start a game to ensure audio is playing.
Step 2: Press and hold the Game Audio button on the headset until you hear two beeps.
Step 3: Adjust the volume to your preferred level.
Step 4: Press the Mic Audio button on the headset to adjust chat volume.
Update Xbox One Controller Firmware
Step 1: Connect your controller to the Xbox One using a USB cable.
Step 2: Press the Xbox button to open the guide.
Step 3: Go to System > Settings > Devices & connections > Accessories.
Step 4: Select your controller and choose “Device info”.
Step 5: If an update is available, select “Update now” and follow the prompts.
Check Xbox Privacy Settings
Step 1: Press the Xbox button to open the guide.
Step 2: Go to System > Settings > Account > Privacy & online safety.
Step 3: Select “Xbox Live privacy”.
Step 4: Choose “View details & customize” > “Communication & multiplayer”.
Step 5: Ensure “You can communicate outside of Xbox Live with voice & text” is set to “Allow”.
If you’ve tried all these solutions and your Astro A50 microphone still isn’t working, there may be a hardware issue with the headset itself. Contact Astro customer support or consider having the headset serviced or replaced if it’s still under warranty.