If you’re facing issues with your Arctis 9 or 9x headphones, you’re not alone. Many users encounter various problems, from power-related issues to connectivity and audio problems.
In this guide, we’ll walk you through solutions to these common problems, and get back to enjoying your audio experience.
Table of Contents
Arctis 9, 9x Won’t Turn On
Problem
The Arctis headphones don’t turn on even when the power cord is plugged in for charging. Pressing any button also doesn’t help. There are three possible solutions to this problem listed below.
Solution 1
Begin with replacing the charging cord to ensure there isn’t any issue with the cord itself – they can bend and fray over time especially where they join with the physical connector.
If the cable works fine with another device but fails to charge the Arctis headset, it is time to reset the headset. For this purpose:
- Remove the ear cushion from the non-mic side cup.
- Locate the reset pinhole at the bottom right.
- Use a paperclip to press the reset button (a circular bump) inside that pinhole.
- Keep pressing the reset button for almost 10 seconds.
- You will know the reset process is complete when the light on the headset turns off.
Solution 2
If resetting the headsets didn’t work, we have another workaround for you.
- Remove the power cord if attached.
- Press and hold the reset button for 3 seconds with the help of a paperclip.
- After 3 seconds, plug in the power cord and keep pressing the reset button unless the green light on the headset turns on.
Solution 3
Please follow the steps below if the above-mentioned solutions don’t help.
- Download the most recent SteelSeries Engine from their official website, ensuring it’s updated before proceeding.
- Locate the Device Manager on your computer and look for Arctis devices.
- Right-click on the Arctis device and choose Properties.
- Navigate to the Advanced tab and opt for the Uninstall (Advanced) option.
- Repeat this process for the microphone and any other devices connected to the software.
- Following these steps, reconnect the charger, and the device should automatically install itself.
Arctis 9x Causing Issue With Xbox Console
Problem
When the headphone is connected to the Xbox console and the user tries to turn the Xbox off using the controller, it doesn’t turn off. It restarts instead and also loses connectivity to headsets. The user has to power cycle the Xbox to resolve the issue, which means the suspended games are stopped.
Solution
Ensure that you power off the headset before the Xbox. If you turn the headset off last, it can initiate the pairing process before shutting down. This is because shutting down also requires holding down the power button. It’s the same as turning it on or pairing it with the Xbox, although it requires a longer hold for pairing mode. However, turning off the headset first doesn’t pose any problems when shutting down the Xbox.
Arctis 9 Not Pairing to Transmitter
Problem
Arctis 9 headsets fail to pair with the transmitter. Both the headsets and transmitter blink white but don’t connect.
Solution
If your Arctis isn’t pairing with your transmitter, try switching the transmitter to PlayStation mode from PC mode. For this purpose, you need to toggle the PC / Playstation Mode switch at the bottom of the wireless transmitter to PS. Switching the mode has helped some users connect their Arctis 9 successfully to the transmitter.
Arctis 9x Keeps Disconnecting
Problem
The headset connects to the PC but disconnects right after. Sometimes the audio plays through the headsets. Other times it won’t due to disconnection. Connecting the headsets using the XBox wireless adapter was of no help too.
Solution
Try resetting your headset by following the procedure mentioned earlier. It resolves the issue most of the time. If the problem doesn’t go away, restart your PC and reconnect your headset to see if the issue gets resolved.
Arctis 9x Keeps Disconnecting from Xbox
Problem
The headset keeps disconnecting from the Xbox. It might be a wireless interference issue.
Solution
To begin with, restart your Xbox and also your headset. Ensure that the Xbox firmware is up to date. Make sure there is no electronic device operating nearby such as a wireless Wi-Fi access point or a microwave oven. Move the Wi-Fi router to a distance of at least 6 feet away from yourself and the Xbox.
Ensure that there is no blockage between you and the Xbox. The headset should have line-of-sight to maximize the signal strength.
Finally if an external hard drive is attached to the Xbox, try removing it to see if the issue goes away. USB 3 devices and ports are known to cause interference on account of the high speeds that they operate at.
Arctis 9 Disconnects after a period of time
Problem
The headset whether connected through a USB dongle or Bluetooth to the PC, disconnects in the middle of a conference call or a media play for no apparent reason. Every time the headset disconnects, Bluetooth also disconnects without any sound or notification. The user has to reconnect it every time.
Solution
The issue can be resolved by turning off the ‘auto power-off/auto shutdown‘ feature in the steel series engine software. If you don’t want to disable the option, you can increase the auto power-off timer at your convenience. Also, make sure that the ‘auto-reconnect’ feature in the Steelseries engine is turned on so that you don’t have to manually connect the Bluetooth every time.
Arctis 9/9x Not Charging
Problem
The headset suddenly stop charging for no apparent reason.
Solution
Begin by ensuring the charging port of your headset is free of any debris and dust. Next, try changing the charging cable to see if it fixes the issue. If the issue persists, leave your headsets turned on overnight unless the battery drains out.
Now, try charging them. If they don’t, hard reset them by pressing the pinhole reset button under the non-mic ear cup cushion.
Arctis 9 Bluetooth Not Working
Problem
The headset doesn’t show up on any Bluetooth device nor does it connect even when the user holds down the Bluetooth button to pair it.
Solution
Keep holding the Bluetooth button even if you hear the first beep until you hear the second beep. The headset auto connects itself to the last paired device on the first beep. Holding it until the second beep un-pairs it from the existing device (if any) and makes it look for a new pairing device.
Arctis 9x Mic Not Working
Problem
The microphone doesn’t work with Xbox Series X for some reason. The audio works fine but the mic doesn’t respond when the user creates a party during a game or while using the console. Below are two procedures to solve this.
Solution 1
- Start by pressing the Xbox button on your controller.
- Navigate to Settings and choose “All Settings” from the available options.
- Select “Adult defaults” and click on “View details and customize.”
- Ensure that you have “Everybody” selected as an option for communication via voice and text.
- Verify that your microphone is functioning correctly.
Solution 2
- Go to headphone settings to switch the headset format from “Headset audio” to “Windows Sonic.”
- Disable Virtual Surround in applications.
- Navigate to Settings > Device and Accessories within the options group to increase the audio.
- Lastly, ensure that your Xbox is updated to the latest version.
Reference: Microsoft Answers
Solution 3
- Initially, set the mic recording threshold within the game to zero to enable the microphone to capture all sounds.
- Next, on your headset, ensure that the game chat to game volume adjuster is positioned in the middle so that you can hear both people talking and the game audio; if it’s set to 100%, you will only hear the game audio and not chat.
Arctis headset – choppy sound issues
Here are the instructions you need to follow to resolve the audio issue:
- Ensure that your modem has Wi-Fi enabled, but make sure only one frequency (2.4 GHz or 5 GHz) is active. It’s recommended to use the 5 GHz network to avoid interference with the band on which the Arctis operates.
- Relocate your Xbox away from any other electronic devices – in particular microwave ovens.
- Update your Xbox One X controller. Then power off your headset and hold down the power button until the LED begins flashing white. Press the sync button on your Xbox, and you’re done.
Another Solution
- Open the Settings app by pressing Win + I on your keyboard.
- In the left pane, go to System > Sound.
- Scroll down to the Advanced section and choose All Sound Devices.
- Within the Output Devices section, select Speakers.
- Click the Audio Enhancements drop-down menu and select the Off setting.
Conclusion
Troubleshooting and resolving problems with your Arctis 9/9x headphones can be frustrating, but with the right solutions, you can quickly get back to enjoying high-quality audio. Remember to follow the specific steps for each issue you encounter, and don’t hesitate to seek additional support if needed. We hope this guide has helped address 9/9x concerns and improve your overall experience with these headphones.
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