Corsair makes some of the best headsets in the market. The headsets come with versatile features that enhance the user’s experience when using them, whether for gaming or work.
Considering how much they cost, one would expect the Virtuoso headsets to function without any hitches, but that is not the case. For instance, my Virtuoso RGB Wireless XT‘s mic randomly stopped working despite functioning normally the previous day.
While searching for customer support contacts to complain, I came across more complaints from Virtuoso users. Interestingly, the information provided to solve this issue is scattered and sometimes hard to follow.
Therefore, I wrote this article to ensure users can easily find solutions without trailing the internet like I did.
Key Takeaways
- Virtuoso headsets include Virtuoso SE, TX, Pro, and Virtuoso Wireless.
- The Virtuoso Pro solely relies on a wired connection since it does not support USB or Bluetooth connections.
- Some solutions may apply to some headsets rather than others because Virtuoso headsets support different features.
- All the Virtuoso headsets have detachable mics; the mic will not work if not well connected.
- The mic will also not work for the following reasons: if it is on mute or the gain is too low.
- The connection type is incompatible with the mode selected on the selector switch.
- The firmware malfunctions because it is outdated or because of a system error.
Recommended Reading :
Why Is the Mic Not Working?
The microphones on headsets are notorious for malfunctioning regardless of the brand. Some causes cut across all headsets, while others are unique to the model and brand of the headset.
Some of the reasons the microphones malfunction are:
- A poor connection between the mic, the headset, and the device they are connected to.
- Sometimes, the microphone can be on mute without the user noticing.
- The audio input settings on your device can hinder the headset’s mic from working.
- A firmware malfunction on the headset or your device can also be an issue.
- The mic might malfunction if your device’s OS or the headset firmware is outdated.
These are a few of the reasons why the mic will not work. Below are more reasons and how you can solve each issue.
Steps You Can Take
Do the following to get the Virtuoso mic working again:
Ensure the Connections Are Correctly Made
A loose connection or a faulty port is the primary culprit when the headset mic won’t work on your device.
If the wired connection between the headset and your device has a point that is not snuggly fit, you are bound to experience issues like the mic not working.
So, if you use a 3.5mm audio cable, ensure the 3.5mm plug going to the headset and the one going into your device firmly fit in their respective ports.
Be extra careful with the Virtuoso Pro headset because it has 3.5mm ports on both earcups, but the ports are slightly different. This ensures the same cable goes to the right and the left earcups each time you connect the audio cable to the headsets.
The left 3.5mm (labeled L) plug has a rectangle design, while the right plug (labeled R) has a circular design.
Ensure that both plugs connect to the appropriate ports.
Therefore, when fitting the plugs, ensure the left one goes into the left earcup and properly fits. You might have to twist the plug so that its notches align with those on the port and it fits. The right plug should go to the right earcup.
All the Virtuoso headsets have detachable mics, so ensure they are firmly attached to the headset.
If you use this connection type, ensure the wireless USB transmitter is correctly placed in the USB A port. The transmitter’s LED should be solid white when the connection between the headset and the transmitter is done correctly. If it blinks red, it means the connection has a problem, and You should use the iCUE to troubleshoot the connection.
All cables and microphone have to be firmly connected to the corresponding ports.
Also, check the cables, ports, and plugs to ensure they are in good condition. If any of these components are damaged, you will likely have issues like the mic not working. They should also be clean and dry without any debris or dust.
How to Connect the Virtuoso Pro L and R Plugs to the Headsets?
Check Whether the Mic Is Muted
Another aspect that can cause the mic not to work is muting the microphone. The Virtuoso headsets have mute buttons that can be pressed accidentally if you are not careful.
Corsair Virtuoso Mute Button.
The mute button on the Virtuoso SE, XT, and Virtuoso RGB wireless headsets is on the left earcup just under where the boom arm begins. You can tell the mic is muted when its LED is red, and you can unmute it by pressing the mute button.
When the mic is muted, the LED is red. It turns green when you unmute it. You can change the LED colors in the iCUE app.
Check the in-line controller since some have a mute button like the one with the Virtuoso. This is important, mainly if you use the headphones in a wired setup with the 3.5mm cable.
Sliding down the mute switch mutes the mic, and sliding it up unmutes it. That is also how you mute and unmute the mic on the Virtuoso Pro headsets.
How to Mute/Unmute the Virtuoso Mic
Ensure the Headset’s Battery Is Adequately Charged
The battery can sometimes be too low to support the mic efficiently. This is especially possible if you are using the Virtuoso headsets wirelessly.
The microphone may not work if the battery is critically low.
Fortunately, you can check the battery level by observing the LED next to the charging port on the headsets.
If the headsets are switched off and connected to a charger, the LED will be orange and turn green once the battery is full.
Orange also indicates that the battery is below ninety percent, and green indicates it is above ninety percent when the headphones are powered on and connected to a charger.
The LED flashes red to show that the battery is low and needs to be recharged.
The LED will flash red when the battery is low.
Charge the headsets for two hours and check whether the mic starts working. Consider charging them even if they show that they have sufficient power.
Check the Mode the Virtuoso Headset Is On
Virtuoso headsets support multiple connection methods, requiring you to switch between the wired and wireless modes when connecting the headset to your device.
Selecting the wrong mode on the headset will disconnect the headset from your device, and in turn, the mic will not work.
The mode selector is on the right earcup next to the volume control, and the Wi-Fi symbol is for selecting the wireless mode.
Ensure the right mode is selected.
If the headsets are connected to your device using the 3.5mm cable or a USB cable, the headsets should be set to wired mode. Wireless mode is when the headset is connected to a device via Bluetooth or the USB transmitter.
Connect the Headsets to a Different Port
Another issue that could be making the mic not work is the port the headset is connected to on your device.
Some users have testified that the headsets will not work when connected to a USB device.
Other users have also gotten the mic to work by shifting to a 3.0 USB port.
So, change the USB port you connect to and see whether the mic works. You can even include a USB hub or remove it if it is already included.
Try connecting your headset to a USB 3.0 or a USB-C port.
Restart the Device Connected to the Headsets
A restart will allow the devices to close all processes and restart them. This will remove any bugs that could be preventing the mic from working.
So, power off your PC, power it back on, and check whether the mic works.
Also, restart the headset by switching it to wired mode and then to wireless mode.
Restart your PC and your headset.
Tweak Your Device’s Audio Settings
There are also settings on your device that could prevent the mic from working. Most of these settings are related to the audio input of your device.
Go through your device’s settings and see if you can locate them.
Settings you should check are:
Ensure the Virtuoso Mic is the Default Mic
Setting the Default Mic on a Windows Machine
- Connect the headset to your device and press Windows + R.
- Key in mmsys.cpl in the dialogue box and press enter.
- Select the Recording tab and right-click on any space.
- Confirm that Show disabled devices are enabled; if not, enable it.
- Right-click on the Virtuoso mic and select enable if it was disabled.
- Disable other mics by right-clicking on them, then Disable.
- Click on the Virtuoso mic, then Set the default.
- Select Apply to implement these changes.
Select the Virtuoso headset mic, and set it as the default mic.
Setting the Default Mic on a MacBook
- Open the Apple Menu, then System settings
- Then go to Sound > Input and select the Virtuoso mic
Select your Corsair Virtuoso as the default output device and your Virtuoso headset mic as the default input device.
Increase the Microphone’s Gain
Windows
- Right-click the sound icon on the taskbar.
- Select Open Sound Settings.
- Click on the drop-down arrow. Choose your input device.
- Select the Virtuoso mic, then select Device properties under the same Input section.
- Adjust the volume to your preferred level.
Under System – Sound – Input, select your headset’s microphone and set the volume level.
PS4
- Connect the 3.5mm cable to the controller and power on your PlayStation.
- Go to Settings > Audio devices.
- Ensure the audio input device is the Headset connected to the controller.
Select your headset’s microphone as the input device and adjust the microphone level.
Ensure the Mic Access Settings Are Enabled
Also, check the settings on the app you are trying to use the mic. Some settings deny the app access to the mic until you update said settings. Some apps do this to enhance privacy; however, some apps, like Discord, have audio systems that may be incompatible with your headsets. Another solution for Discord users is also available here.
Your device also probably has a mic access setting that regulates which apps access the mic. Here is how to grant apps mic access when using Windows or macOS devices.
Windows
- Press the Windows + I key to access Settings.
- Go to the Privacy & Security settings and select the microphone.
- Ensure the following options are turned on: Microphone access and Let apps access your microphone.
Enable Microphone Access in Windows Privacy and Security settings.
- Scroll down and ensure the app you want to use can access the mic.
Ensure that each app you want to use with the microphone is granted mic access.
macOS Sonoma 14
- Select the Apple menu to access System settings.
- Then go to Privacy and Security on the sidebar and enable mic access for your apps.
On your macOS device, go to System Settings – Privacy and Security – Microphone.
Update the OS on Your Device
Sometimes, the problem is the OS on the device you have connected the headset to. When the OS misbehaves, it can bring about issues like the mic not working.
Check for updates on your Windows PC.
Manufacturers solve such issues by providing OS updates regularly. The updates also ensure your device continues functioning as it is supposed to.
Devices follow different updating procedures, so check the manufacturer’s website or the user manual to see if any updates are available.
Also, ensure the updates are installed, as some devices downloaded the update but did not install it.
Enable Mic Boost on the iCUE
Headsets compatible with Virtuoso’s iCUE have a mic boost feature that lets users increase their mic’s gain.
The feature is essential when audio from the mic is too low to the point that the mic is not working.
Assuming you have already set up your headset on the iCUE program, you can follow the steps below to enable mic boost:
- Open the iCUE app on your device and select the Virtuoso headset.
- Select Device settings.
- Move the slider next to Mic boost to the right to increase mic gain. You should do it gradually until the mic is audible enough.
Enable Mic Boost in the iCUE app.
Reinstall the iCUE
If increasing the mic’s gain does not bring any change, the problem could arise from the iCUE. A firmware error on your device could be preventing the mic from working.
You can rule this out by uninstalling and reinstalling the iCUE software. First, remember to back up the profiles on the iCUE to your device since the uninstall will erase them.
You can uninstall and then reinstall the iCUE by following these steps:
Windows
- Search for the Control panel and open the app on your device.
- Go to Programs and Features, then select the Corsair iCUE Software from the list of programs.
- Next, click on Uninstall and check the Delete Settings for All Users box.
- Click Yes and wait for the program to be uninstalled.
Uninstall the iCUE software from your PC.
You should also remove some files that will remain on your device before reinstalling the iCUE. Removing the files guarantees the app starts afresh on your device.
Remove the files by following these steps:
- Open the Run by pressing Windows + R and enter the command %appdata%
- Delete all the Corsair folders you will find on the new window.
- Then repeat the process, this time running the command %localappdata% and deleting all Corsair folders.
- Open the file explorer, go to C:\Program Files\, and delete the Corsair folder.
- Open Run by pressing Windows + R again, then enter %programdata% > OK.
- Erase any Corsair folders you find.
- Restart your PC, then download and run the iCUE installer.
MacOS
- Download the macOS iCUE installer.
- Select your preferred language on the installer and click next.
- Select Uninstall iCUE when prompted to open or uninstall the program.
- Click on Delete Settings for All Users and select Uninstall.
- Select Finish once the uninstalling procedure is done, and restart your device.
- Open the installer file you downloaded earlier and click Next.
- The iCUE will start installing on your device.
- Click Next when the installer shows what modules it has installed.
- Start iCUE once the installation is complete.
Check the mic to see if it works once the iCUE has been installed; if not, try other troubleshooting measures explained below.
Reinstall the Corsair Audio Drivers
Sometimes, the mic not working issue arises after the user updates the iCUE on their device. This happens because the iCUE update could be conflicting with the Windows OS.
You should uninstall and then reinstall the Corsair drivers so that they can integrate better with your device’s System, and the mic should work.
The steps to do this are as follows:
- Connect the headset to your device, preferably via USB if you can.
- Open search on the taskbar and search for the Device Manager and open it.
- Go to Audio Inputs and Outputs, then expand the list to reveal the audio drivers.
- Right-click on audio drivers related to your headset’s microphone and select Uninstall.
In Device Manager, uninstall all microphone-related drivers under Audio Inputs/Outputs.
- Disconnect the headset from your device and restart the device.
- Go to Programs and Features on the control panel once the device has restarted.
- Find the iCUE, right-click on it then Uninstall.
- Restart the PC and download and install the iCUE once it powers on.
- Restart the PC one last time.
- Connect the headset, preferably via USB, and check whether the mic works.
Update the Headset Firmware
Besides corrupted firmware, outdated firmware can also cause the mic to misbehave. Firmware updates are essential; they fix malfunctions and introduce new features.
Update the headset firmware and check whether the mic will start working as it should. Here is how to update the firmware:
- Connect the headset to your device via USB, then open the iCUE.
- Select the device you want to update, i.e., the USB transmitter and the headsets.
- Go to Device settings and select Check for Updates.
- The iCUE will either prompt you to download the available update or tell you the firmware is up to date if there is no update.
- However, you can force an update if you click on the three vertical dots next to Check for updates.
- Select either the Force update option to force an update or,
- Browse for firmware to find a firmware update provided by the customer support team.
- Restart your PC and check if the mic is still not working.
Sometimes, the update may fail, and Corsair has provided instructions on what to do if this happens.
Reset the Headset
A reset will help clear any bugs preventing the mic from functioning correctly. The instructions to reset your Virtuoso, Virtuoso SE, or Virtuoso XT are:
- First, ensure the headset is in wireless mode by flipping the switch on the earcup to wireless mode. The wireless mode section is marked by a Wi-Fi symbol.
- Press the MUTE button until the LEDs on the headset go off. This will take fifteen seconds.
- It will flash a few more times to show the reset is complete. Reconnect the headsets to your device.
Pressing and holding the MUTE button for about 15 seconds while the headset is in WIRELESS mode will reset your Corsair Virtuoso.
Use the Audio Troubleshooter on Your Device
Windows devices have a Troubleshooting feature that can detect and solve various problems on the device.
You can run this troubleshooter to see if it will identify any problems causing the mic not to work. Here is how to run the audio troubleshooter on your device:
- Click Start and select Settings.
- Then go to System> Sound > Troubleshoot common sound problems.
- Next, click on Input Devices and follow the prompts.
You can run the troubleshooter several times if the mic still won’t work.
Run the Sound Input Troubleshooter to identify and fix the mic problem.
Contact Support
If all the provided solutions do not work for you, your problem could be more complex than expected. A component on the headset may be damaged, or you have a defective headset.
Contact customer support and let them know the issue you are facing, plus the measures you have already taken to solve it.
They will provide further solutions or tell you if you are eligible for a replacement.
You can also find more information on troubleshooting the headsets on the Corsair website. Alternatively, use the Corsair Explorer website to search for manuals and articles on solving various issues with the headsets, including the mic not working.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Question: How to turn my CORSAIR headset’s microphone up?
- Answer: You can increase the mic gain by using the mic boost feature in the iCUE. Here is how to do it:
- Go to the headset in the iCUE, then select Device Settings.
- Go to Mic Boost and move the slider to your preferred level.
- Question: How do I reset my Corsair microphone?
- Answer:
- Ensure the headset is powered on and in wireless mode.
- Press and hold the mute button until the LEDs go off. That will be after approximately fifteen seconds.
- The headset LED might flash a few more times to show the reset is complete.
- Question: Why is my CORSAIR mic not working on Discord?
- Answer: Change the following setting if your Corsair mic isn’t working on Discord:
- Open Discord and go to the User Settings option.
- Click on Voice & video > Audio Subsystem.
- Open the drop-down menu and select Legacy.
Conclusion
The Corsair Virtuoso headsets are a quality product that is also feature-rich. Using the headsets with the iCUE will grant you access to various features that will improve your listening and talking to your friends.
The headset’s microphone might malfunction occasionally, but going through this article will hopefully help you get them working.
