There are various headset brands, but they do not share the same qualities. I love my Astro A40 headset and have been using it for years. The headset works great except for minor system malfunctions that are easy to solve.
Unfortunately, the headset’s microphone recently stopped working, and nothing I tried to fix it worked. While searching for answers online, I realized many more users have experienced this issue. The suggested solutions did not work or worked temporarily, and the mic returned to being dead.
The solutions suggested below are systemic, so you can rule out the minor possible causes before embarking on advanced troubleshooting.
Key Takeaways
- The mic on the Astro A40 can stop working because it is muted. Check the LED on the inline aux cable or Mixamp to see if the mic is muted.
- Firmware misconfigurations or malfunctions can also stop the mic from working. These can be solved by updating the firmware, resetting the device, or restarting it.
- When the mic sensitivity is turned all the way down, it will make you think the mic is not working.
- The settings on your device can also hinder the mic from working as expected.
- Another problem could be that the mic needs to be connected to the earcup correctly.
- The headset might also be damaged; in this case, contact the manufacturer for further help.
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Why Is My Astro A40 Mic Not Working?
Your headset mic will stop working for various reasons. The reasons can be firmware or hardware-related, so it is essential that you carefully troubleshoot your devices to find the problem.
Some of the reasons the mic on your Astro A40 is not working include:
- The mic is not connected to the headset correctly.
- The mic could be muted, or its gain is too low, so it can not detect audio signals.
- You might have also selected the wrong mode on the Mixamp.
- A firmware malfunction on the headset or the device connected to the headset can also stop the mic from working.
How to Fix an Astro A40 Mic That Is Not Working?
You can take multiple troubleshooting measures to get your Astro A40 mic working normally again.
The measures are:
Ensure the Mic Is Connected to the Earcup Correctly
The Astro A40 mic is detachable, meaning you can disconnect it from the earcups.
That also means the mic can get loose, thus affecting how it functions.
The mic can detach from the earcup due to vigorous movements; sometimes, it happens without reason.
So, push the mic boom into the earcup to ensure it firmly fits. Also, check that all connections related to the headset are correctly done.
Ensure the microphone is properly connected to the earcup.
Most people ignore this step and end up finding that the problem is a loose connection.
You can disconnect and reconnect all connections to ensure they are not the issue. Additionally, ensure all cables go to the correct ports and that each cable end is connected to the suitable device.
Also, ensure the audio cable is properly connected to your Astro A40 headset.
For instance, when using the A40 inline mute cable, the end closest to the mute button goes into the headset while the opposite end goes into your device.
Read the user manual to better understand how to set up the connection between the headset and your device.
Check for Damaged Parts
The mic might stop working if there is any damaged headset component, including the cables and ports they connect to.
So check your headset, the ports on the headset, your devices, the cables, and the Mixamp. Ensure they are all in perfect condition.
If any component is damaged, get a replacement from the manufacturer, Logitech, to avoid getting counterfeit or defective replacements.
Is the Mic On Mute?
Another problem could be the mic is on mute without you realizing it.
The Astro A40 inline mute cable has a mute button to disable the mic. You will know the mic is muted if the LED on the cable is red instead of solid white.
Check the inline mic control. If there’s a red light on it (and on the Mixamp), it means the mic is muted. Unmute it by pressing the button on the inline mic control.
You can unmute the mic using the mute switch on the cable and check if the mic works.
You can also mute the mic via the Mixamp. For instance, the Mixamp M60 and M80 have a mute button that lights red when the mic is muted and white when it is not on mute.
The Mixamp Pro and Mixamp Pro TR, on the other hand, have a knob that they use to adjust the game and voice audio settings. Use the knob to ensure there is a fifty-fifty balance between the game audio and mic audio.
Check the Mode on the Mixamp
If you use the Mixamp Pro TR to connect the headset to your PC/console, i.e., Xbox or PlayStation, the Mixamp needs to be set on the mode corresponding to the connected device.
Therefore, if the Mixamp is connected to a PC, the switch should be in PC mode and on PlayStation or Xbox mode if connected to a gaming console.
Ensure the right mode is selected on the Mixamp.
The switch is on the back of the Pro TR between the aux and USB ports. Flip it to the appropriate mode depending on the connection type and observe the LED on the front, as it will also tell you what mode the MixAmp is in.
If you have a Mixamp Pro that does not have a mode switch, you can switch modes by pressing and holding the power button on the Amp. If the power button LED turns red, the Mixamp is in console mode; if it is white, the Amp is in PC mode.
Also, ensure you have the correct Mixamp since there is one that is compatible with the Xbox and another that is compatible with the PlayStation.
Move the Mic to the Other Earcup
The Astro A40 mic can be connected to any earcup, left or right. That gives the user room for customization as they are not confined to connecting the mic to one earcup.
The feature is also helpful when the one port on the earcup is damaged and causes the mic not to work.
So, remove the speaker tags (back plates) and the mic and swap them between the right and left earcups.
Both earcups on Astro A40 are identical. The microphone can be connected to either earcup. So, try swapping the mic between earcups. This can fix your mic issue if the mic port on one earcup is damaged or malfunctioning.
Close Apps that Have Access to the Mic
Applications on your device can also stop the headset mic from working as intended. Some apps take absolute control of a device’s features, which could be what has happened to you.
Therefore, check all your device’s open/running programs and close all those interacting with the mic. That includes applications meant to improve the mic audio or headset audio.
Try using the mic once you have closed the said apps, and if they were the problem, the mic should now work.
Remove or Include the Mixamp in the Connection
You can still use the Astro A40 headsets as a standalone unit, even if you purchased them with a Mixamp.
The Mixamp aims to grant users more features and control over their headsets, but the amps might occasionally fail.
Rule out the possibility of a faulty Mixamp by disconnecting it from your device and connecting the headsets directly.
Try using the headset without the Mixamp. Connect it directly to your PC/console, bypassing the Mixamp.
Alternatively, the mic can stop working because of a problem with your device’s 3.5mm aux port or a software incompatibility.
Therefore, use the Amp if you have one and check if the mic starts working.
It would help to connect the Mixamp to a different USB port on your device to ensure the problem is not because of a faulty port.
Setting Up the Astro A40 Headset with the Mixamp Pro TR
Update the Mixamp’s Firmware
Outdated or malfunctioning firmware can cause your mic not to work. You should always ensure the Mixamp that connects the headset and your device has the latest firmware.
Manufacturers release updates for their products to make them more efficient and solve recurring issues like the mic not working.
Check if the Mixamp has the latest firmware by following these steps:
- Go to the Astro support page and download the Astro Command Center Software.
- Run the startup wizard you have just downloaded and click next whenever prompted.
- Choose where to install the Command Center on your device, then click Install.
- Click Finish once the installation is complete. The command center program should automatically open. You can search for it on your device and open it if it does not open automatically.
- Power on the Mixamp and ensure it is in PC mode and not console mode.
- Connect the Amp to your PC using the USB cable. The Command Center will display the Mixamp’s settings if the setup is successful.
- The Command Center will then notify you if there is an available update for the Mixamp, and you can click Update Now to update the Amp to the latest firmware version.
Try updating the Mixamp firmware to fix the mic issue.
Ensure the Command Center is set to automatically check for updates by clicking the gear icon on the top right and then selecting Check for firmware updates automatically.
Restart Your Device and the Mixamp
If the update still does not get the mic working, restart your device and the Mixamp if you use one.
Restart the Mixamp and the device your headset is connected to.
The restart will allow the devices to stop all system processes and restart them and, in the process, solve any bugs that might be affecting the mic operation.
You should power off all devices, disconnect them from a power source for at least five minutes, and then power them back on.
Check whether the mic works once the devices restart.
Set the Astro A40 Mic as the Default
When you connect the headset to your device, you add a new mic. The device, however, might still keep using its built-in mic or another connected mic and not the one on the headset.
You can set the device to use the Astro A40 mic as the default mic. Follow the steps below to do this:
- Connect the headset to your device, then press Windows + R.
- A dialogue box will pop up; enter mmsys.cpl and select OK.
- A Sound window will then appear on the screen; click on the Recording tab.
- Right-click on any space within the sound window, then ensure the Show disabled devices option is checked.
- Look for the Mixamp mic if the headset is connected to your PC via the Mixamp. If the headset is connected directly to the PC, look for the headset mic.
- Once you find the mic, right-click on it and select Enable it if it is disabled.
- Right-click on the mic again and select the Set as default device option.
In your Windows sound settings, go to the Recording tab, and select your Astro A40 mic as the default device.
- Click OK and check whether the mic works this time.
You can set your MacBook’s default audio input device by going to the Apple Menu, System settings, then Sound, and selecting the Astro A40 mic from the listed devices.
Ensure the right microphone is selected in your MacBook’s Sound Input settings.
Increase the Mic’s Sensitivity
Another option is to increase the Astro A40 mic gain so that it picks sound signals better. Increasing the mic gain makes the mic more sensitive. This will get the mic working if the gain was turned down so low that the mic was not picking audio signals.
You can increase mic gain via Astro Command Center by following the steps below:
- Ensure the headset is connected to the Mixamp.
- Open the Command Center and click on the Microphone tab.
- Increase the mic gain to your preferred level under the USB Mic Level option.
Adjust the USB Mic Level in the Command Center.
- You can also change the option under Noise gate to a configuration you prefer since each mode has a different mic sensitivity level.
- Next, go to the Stream Port tab and turn up the mic gain.
If you are also streaming, adjust the mic gain in the Stream Port tab.
- Click on Sync to device to update the settings you have just changed.
You can also increase mic gain through your Windows sound settings, as shown below:
- Press Windows + R and enter mmsys.cpl then click OK.
- Select the Recording tab. At this point, I am assuming you have already selected the Astro mic as the default mic using the steps described above.
- Select the Astro mic and click on Properties, and a new window will pop up.
- Go to the Levels tab on the new window, adjust the mic gain to your preference, and click OK.
Under the Levels tab, adjust the mic gain and unmute it if it’s muted.
If your device has not been addressed, consult the user manual to find out how to increase mic gain. The option to do this is usually found under the audio input settings.
Check the Mic Access Settings on Your Device
There could also be the chance that your device is denying access to the Astro A40 mic. Confirm that the device’s mic is enabled, and then try using it.
You can enable mic access on some devices by following the procedures below;
On Windows
- Open Settings by using the Windows + I keys.
- Then select Privacy and Security and click on the microphone.
- Turn on Microphone access and also ensure you Let apps access your microphone.
- Finally, ensure the app you want to use the Astro A4o mic on can access the mic.
In Windows Privacy and Security settings, give apps permission to access your Astro A40 microphone.
On macOS Sonoma 14
- Select the Apple Menu and go to System Settings.
- Click Privacy and Security, then enable mic access for the apps on your device.
Give apps permission to access your Astro A40 microphone in your MacBook’s Privacy and Security settings.
Update Your Device’s OS
If your device has an outdated OS, it will likely malfunction. The system error may present itself as the mic refusing to work.
Another issue could be that the problem affecting the mic has already been solved, and all that is left is installing the update that fixes the problem.
Updating your device’s OS might fix the microphone issue.
Devices follow different update procedures, so check the manufacturer’s website for precise instructions.
Also, the update might have already been downloaded, and all that is left is to install it. So, confirm that all downloaded updates have been installed.
You can find instructions on updating the PS, Windows, and MacBook OS on their respective sites.
Consider restarting your device once the updates are downloaded and installed before testing if the mic has been fixed.
Use the Troubleshooter on Your Windows Device
Windows has a troubleshooter that can analyze and fix common audio input and output problems. Try the Troubleshooter, as it can get the mic working again.
You can use the Troubleshooter by following these steps:
- Go to Start and open your device’s settings.
- Navigate System, then select Sound, and click Troubleshoot common sound problems.
- Select Input Devices and follow the on-screen prompts.
Troubleshoot your Input Devices using Windows Sound Troubleshooter.
The Troubleshooter will suggest solutions or fix the issue if it finds any problem with your device’s audio input configuration.
In addition, try running Recording Audio troubleshooter.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Question: How do I get my Astro A40 mic to work on my PC?
- Answer: You can connect the headset directly to your PC or use a Mixamp set to PC mode. Also, ensure the mic is unmuted by observing the inline aux cable LED or the LED on the Mixamp.
- Question: How do I unmute my A40 mic?
- Answer: You can unmute the A40 mic by using the switch on the inline 3.5mm aux cable. If the LED on the mic-mute switch is red, the mic is muted.
- You can also unmute the mic by pressing the mute/unmute button on the Mixamp.
- Question: Why is my Astro A40 mic so quiet?
- Answer: The mic could be quiet because the mic gain is set too low or because of the mode selected in the Noise gate section on the Command Center.
- You can rectify both issues by going to the Microphone tab on the Astro Command Center.
- Question: Does Astro A40 have a mic?
- Answer: The Astro A40 has a detachable mic that can be connected to any earcup on the headset.
Conclusion
It is common for your headset’s mic to stop working occasionally. You should now be able to solve this problem whenever it occurs. However, the issue could sometimes be too advanced and may require professional assistance. In such cases, contact customer support for further assistance.
