SteelSeries Arctis 7 is one of the best headsets I have ever used. It’s incredibly versatile, highly reliable, and delivers fantastic performance. Both speaker drivers and microphone are of top quality.
Unfortunately, like any other electronic device and headset, Arctis 7 is prone to malfunctions. After almost 2 years of fairly frequent use, my SteelSeries Arctis 7 refused to turn on one day. The button didn’t seem broken. The headset was in good condition with normal signs of wear and tear, but there was no visible damage.
After hours of research and a bunch of unsuccessful solutions, I finally found the culprit and fixed the issue. To get the headset working, I had to open it and fix a damaged wire inside the left earcup. Lucky for me, SteelSeries Arctis 7 was easy to open and service.
In this post, I will guide you through my troubleshooting process and list all the solutions I tried. I will also list all the potential causes, including other hardware issues that I didn’t have to deal with but could also result in your SteelSeries Arctis 7 not turning on or off. Let’s start!
Key Takeaways
- Always start with simple things. There’s no need to open the headset the moment you face this issue, especially if your headset is relatively new. As the headset gets older, the likelihood of a hardware issue increases but you should still start with simple things without opening the headset.
- First, check the headset for visible damage. If you notice some cracks, especially around the power button or the charging port, it’s fair to assume the physical damage is causing the issue. The only way to fix it is to open the headset and deal with the damaged part. But don’t open the headset yet. Follow the standard troubleshooting process before opening anything.
- Try pressing the power or pressing and holding multiple times. If it turns on at some point, the problem is most probably the power button itself. You can keep using it if you don’t want to deal with the issue right now. Eventually, the headset will become unresponsive, and you will have to open it and fix the button.
- Before opening the headset, if you manage to turn it on (and even if you don’t), you should try to update or reset the headset.
- One last thing before opening the headset – check if the battery has enough charge. If you notice that your headset’s battery is empty and the headset won’t charge, the problem might be benign. It might be caused by a dirty charging port, a damaged charging cable, or an incompatible charger. Rule out these issues by inspecting the charging port and cable. Try cleaning the charging port if it’s dirty. Then, try using a different charging cable and a different adapter.
- After diagnosing the problem, if the issue is hardware-related, it’s time to open the headset and fix the issue or replace the damaged part.
- The most common hardware-related issues resulting in SteelSeries Arctis 7 not turning on or off include:
- Damaged power button
- Damaged wiring inside the left/right earcup
- Dead battery
- Damaged or loose charging port
- Dead/fried PCB
Recommended Reading:
Why Can’t You Turn Your SteelSeries Arctis 7 ON/OFF?
Various things can cause your SteelSeries Arctis 7 to refuse to turn on or off. Most commonly, this happens because of a damaged power button, but let’s not jump to conclusions.
On rare occasions, a firmware bug could prevent your headset from turning on or off. Usually, it will prevent you from turning it off. This is the best-case scenario. Resetting or updating the headset fixes the issue. It’s a quick fix that doesn’t require any advanced knowledge or tools.
Charging issues could also result in your SteelSeries Arctis 7 not turning on. If the battery is empty, you won’t be able to turn on your headset. Charge it, and your problem will go away.
If the battery cannot be charged, you also won’t be able to turn the headset on. The common causes are a dirty/corroded charging port, a damaged charging cable, an incompatible charger, a dead battery, and a damaged charging port.
If your issue is hardware-related, you will have to open the headset and replace or fix the damaged part or parts.
The most common hardware-related issues users had with SteelSeries Arctis 7 are:
- Damaged power button
- Damaged wiring inside the left/right earcup
- Dead battery
- Damaged charging port
- Dead/fried PCB
All these hardware issues are fixable but require specific tools and a good understanding of electronics. So, if you don’t have any relevant experience, it’s probably smarter to take your headset to a technician.
SteelSeries Arctis 7 Not Turning ON/OFF – Common Causes
How to Fix SteelSeries Arctis 7 That Won’t Turn ON/OFF?
As discussed above, the issue you’re having with your headset is usually hardware-related, but let’s not open the headset immediately. Instead, let’s start with simple things and rule out other culprits first.
Inspect the Headset for Visible Damage
Let’s start by inspecting the headset. Look for cracks and other visible damage, especially around the POWER button and the charging port. Scratches on the earcup covers and worn-out earpads are not important. Cracks on the headband and hinges could also damage the wires running from one to another cup, but that’s the least possible scenario, at least in my experience.
Inspect your headset for visible damage. Look for cracks and broken plastic, especially around the power button and charging port.
If you notice cracks around the power button and the power button feels different than it used to when you press it, you’re probably dealing with a damaged power button. I’m not talking about the thing you see on the outside. There’s a tiny piece of plastic that connects the power button that you see on the outside (outer power button) with an actual power button on the PCB inside the right cup. This part is the first suspect when the headset won’t turn on.
The lack of visible damage doesn’t mean that something inside your headset is not broken. It just tells you that you should try some other things before opening the headset and inspecting the internal components.
Press and Hold the POWER Button Multiple Times
Let’s cover the basics first. To turn the SteelSeries Arctis 7 on, press and hold the power button for 3 seconds. Another 3-second press will turn the headset off.
If you try to turn it on by short-pressing the power button, the headset will not turn on. Unless you are new to SteelSeries headsets, you already know this.
To turn your headset ON/OFF, press and hold the power button for 3 seconds (Image credit – SteelSeries Arctis 7 user manual)
If the button is unresponsive, try pressing and holding it multiple times, or press multiple times, then press and hold. If this actually helps you turn on the headset, your problem is obvious – there’s something wrong with the power button.
The plastic piece connecting the outer power button with the actual power button on the power board (PCB) might be cracked, but not completely broken. So, the plastic piece still makes contact with the button on the PCB – it’s just not firm enough to turn it on every time.
If a tiny plastic piece that connects the outer power button to the power button on the power board inside the right cup breaks, you won’t be able to turn on the headset.
This plastic piece will break eventually. While you can keep using the headset, it’s recommended to open the right earcup and try to strengthen the plastic piece. You could apply glue where the crack is, but I’m not sure this will be a permanent fix.
SteelSeries Arctis 7 – Power Button Failure
If the power button feels the same as before when you press it, if it doesn’t seem stuck or loose, your problem is probably not the power button. It could be a firmware glitch (less likely), a charging issue (more likely), or some other hardware issue.
Reset and Update Your SteelSeries Arctis 7
In case you managed to turn your headset on and you don’t see any difference regarding the power button, let’s rule out firmware bugs. Let’s try to reset and update the headset.
Updating SteelSeries Arctis 7
To update your headset, connect it to your PC using the included USB cable. Also, connect the wireless adapter if you have the wireless version.
Download and install the SteelSeries GG software tool onto your PC. Skip this step if you already have SteelSeries GG installed on your PC. When you open the SteelSeries GG, it will automatically recognize your headset. Go to the ENGINE tab.
If there’s an update available, there will be a red banner under your headset’s name stating “CRITICAL UPDATE”. Click on it.
Click on CRITICAL UPDATE and follow the on-screen instructions to update your SteelSeries Arctis 7.
SteelSeries Headsets – How to Check for Firmware Updates?
Resetting SteelSeries Arctis 7
If updating doesn’t help or the headset won’t update, try resetting it. The good thing about SteelSeries Arctis 7 is that the headset doesn’t have to be turned on to reset it. Here’s what you need to do:
Remove the earpad from the left cup. You shouldn’t have problems doing this.
You will see three screws and a tiny pinhole. There’s a tiny button inside this pinhole. Use a paperclip to press and hold this button for a few seconds.
Pressing and holding the RESET button inside the pinhole on the left cup for a few seconds will reset your SteelSeries Arctis 7.
How to Reset SteelSeries Arctis 7
Check if the Headset’s Battery Has Enough Charge
This might be a bit too obvious, but we have to cover every angle. If the headset’s battery is empty, turning it on will be impossible.
Under normal circumstances, the color of the power button will tell you the status of your battery. However, if the battery is so discharged that you can’t even turn the headset on, there will be no way to tell the battery percentage.
SteelSeries Arctis 7 – Battery Status Indicator (image credit – Arctis 7 User Manual)
So, you can only connect the charging cable to your headset and PC and leave it charging for a white.
Try charging your headset. If the battery is empty, this will bring your headset back to life.
Is Your Headset Charging?
The LED on the microphone will light up red when the headset is charging. Also, the power button LED will blink while the headset is charging and will turn off when the headset is charged.
If you don’t see these LEDs, your headset is not charging. If the battery is extremely discharged, the LED might not appear immediately, so don’t jump to conclusions. Leave it charging for at least 10 minutes, and then check the LEDs again.
If the LEDs don’t turn on, it means the headset is not charging.
Arctis 7 may refuse to charge for several reasons. As always, you should first rule out simple issues.
Check the USB Port and a USB Charging Cable
The headset might not be charging because of a dirty charging port, a damaged charging cable, or an incompatible charger. These things are easy to fix.
First, observe the charging port. If there’s dirt inside the port, use canned air or a soft brush to clean the port.
Then, try using a different charging cable and different adapter to charge the headset.
After ruling out simple issues, you can concentrate on more serious ones. Other reasons causing your headset to stop charging are a dead battery, damaged charging port, damaged wiring inside the headset, or a dead PCB. To fix these things, as well as other hardware issues, you need to open the headset.
So, let’s do it!
Let’s Open the Headset
Opening and servicing the SteelSeries Arctis 7 is fairly easy if you have the right tools. To open the headset, you need a Torx screwdriver (left cup) and a Phillips screwdriver (right cup). You will also need a soldering station and wire cutters.
To get to the internal parts, you need to remove the pads and three screws from each cup.
SteelSeries Arctis 7 – Internal Components
If you have diagnosed the problem, you may not have to open both cups. For example, if you are dealing with a damaged power button, you will only have to open the right cup.
Inside the right cup, you will see the power board (power PCB) with the power button and a battery.
Inside the left cup, you will see the main PCB, microphone, charging port, MUTE button, volume dial, and an AUX port.
Damaged Power Button
If the button feels different than before when you press it, or you hear some rattling when you shake the right earcup, the plastic piece that bridges the outer and internal power button is probably broken. This plastic piece is essential. If it breaks, the only way to turn the headset on is to open the right earcup and press the button on the PCB.
SteelSeries Arctis 7 – POWER button – the outer power button and the actual power button on the PCB.
This is one of the trickiest things to fix. The plastic part I was talking about is tiny, which makes it hard to glue back on. I’ve seen people doing various things to fix the power button.
Most commonly, people try to glue the plastic part back on, but I don’t believe this is a permanent solution. The part is simply too tiny and will break again. Some have even used 3D printers to redesign a new plastic piece. That’s probably the most elegant solution, but let’s be real – an average user doesn’t have access to 3D printers.
The best permanent solution I saw is drilling a tiny hole into the earcup, next to the power button (the outer power button), right above the power button on the PCB. After you make a tiny hole, you can use a paperclip to reach the power button on the PCB and turn on/off your headset. This fix might not be aesthetically pleasing, but it works.
Drilling a tiny hole next to the power button and using a paperclip to press the power button on the PCB (power board) is the most convenient and most effective solution, although it’s not very elegant (image credit – Imgur)
Charging Port Issues
If your power button is fine, and the plastic piece bridging the outer power button with the power button on the PCB is not broken, your problem might be some other internal component.
If the charging port is damaged, depending on the type of damage, you could replace it (damaged port), fix it (loose or unstable port), or buy a fully functional used PCB for the left cup from eBay.
If you want to replace/fix the charging port, open the left cup using a Torx screwdriver.
SteelSeries Arctis 7 – Charging Port Fix (Loose Charging Port)
If you need to remove the charging port and replace it with a new one, follow the video instructions below.
SteelSeries Arctis 7 – USB Charging Port Replacement (Damaged Charging Port)
Battery Replacement
If the power button isn’t broken and the charging port seems fine, the main culprit is the battery. However, don’t rush into buying a new battery!
You should first open both cups, left and right, and inspect the wiring inside both earcups. If all the wires are fine, our primary suspect becomes the battery.
Open the right cup, flip it open, and rest the driver on the tabletop.
The battery is held in place with double-sided tape. Three wires coming from the battery are soldered onto the power board. You need to unsolder the wires and pull out the battery. Clean the contacts on the PCB. Then, place the new battery and solder the wires onto the PCB.
Replacing the Battery on SteelSeries Arctis 7 – Step-by-Step
SteelSeries Arctis 7 – Battery Replacement
Damaged Wiring
This was actually my problem. A tiny wire entering the left earcup was damaged. There was no isolation on it, and the wire was broken. Removing a piece of isolation from both ends, connecting two ends, soldering them together, and applying insulating tape fixed the issue for me.
At first, I thought the problem was the battery and I was thinking about replacing it. The power button was fine and the USB charging port didn’t seem dirty, damaged, or loose. Also, the headset wouldn’t charge when plugged in. Just in case, I decided to open the left cup and see what’s inside. What I saw was this tiny broken red wire.
Damaged wiring could also cause your headset not to turn on. Luckily, broken wires are fairly easy to fix.
To repair damaged wiring follow the video tutorial below.
Fixing a Broken Wire – SteelSeries Arctis 7 Headset
Frequently Asked Questions
- Question: How do I force my SteelSeries Arctis 7 headset to turn off?
- Answer: The proper way to turn your Arctis 7 off is to press and hold the POWER button for 3 seconds. If that doesn’t work, try resetting your headset. Remove the earpad from the left cup and use a paperclip to press the RESET button located inside a tiny pinhole. If your power button is broken/damaged, resetting will allow you to turn the headset off, but you won’t be able to turn it on unless you fix the button.
- Question: How do I turn ON/OFF Arctis 7?
- Answer: Long-press the power button for about 3 seconds to turn your Arctis 7 on or off.
- Question: How do I know if my Arctis 7 is charging?
- Answer: When you connect the charging cable and the headset starts charging, you will see the power button LED blinking. Also, the microphone LED will glow red while the headset is charging.
- Question: Why is Arctis 7 so quiet?
- Answer: It could be a simple firmware glitch that can be fixed by resetting the headset. Remove the earpad from the left cup and use a paperclip to press the RESET button inside a tiny pinhole. If that doesn’t help, check the SteelSeries Engine and make sure the VOLUME LIMITER feature is disabled.
- Question: Is it safe to use Arctis 7 while charging?
- Answer: Yes, Arctis 7 can be used while charging. It will charge slower, but it won’t get damaged.
Conclusion
While SteelSeries Arctis 7 is a fantastic headset with great features, it has its fair share of downsides. One of the most common issues users have with it is power issues. Hopefully, this guide helped you troubleshoot and fix your SteelSeries Arctis 7 that won’t turn on.
If you came up with a solution I didn’t mention in this guide, feel free to share it with fellow readers.
