As an audiophile, I love it when the headset I am using is built to be compatible with a particular device. That is why the Turtle Beach headsets are among my favorite brands. Turtle Beach has headsets that are compatible with PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo, and PCs.
I have been using the Stealth Pro headset with my Xbox and have loved the experience. Issues arose after a firmware update, and the mic was no longer working. All my efforts to solve this problem were not working, but I found an odd solution that worked.
While looking for solutions, I realized many Turtle Beach headset users have experienced the same problem and usually do not get a solution.
This article guides all Turtle Beach users on how to get their mics working again.
Key Takeaways
- The Turtle Beach Headset mic will not work correctly if the ports and plugs are not clean and in good condition.
- The mic will only work if it is unmuted and well-connected to the headset.
- You should always ensure the headset’s firmware is up to date to avoid issues like the mic not working.
- Also, ensure the device connected to the headset grants it mic access.
- Some apps need to be configured individually to access your headset’s mic.
- If the mic refuses to work, you can restart or reset it depending on the severity of the issue.
- If your headset uses a battery, ensure it is adequately charged since a low battery will affect the mic’s performance.
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Why Won’t My Turtle Beach Headset Mic Work?
Various factors can cause your Turtle Beach headset mic not to work. The problem can be the firmware on the headset/ connected device or physical damage to the components.
You can narrow down the problem by trying different troubleshooting solutions to see which one works.
Some of the reasons why the mic will not work include:
- The connection between the mic and the headset is loose.
- It could also be because the mic is muted; thus, it cannot pick up sound signals.
- The connection between the headset and the connected device could be the issue, i.e., the ports, cables, or plugs could be damaged or worn out.
- Misconfigured settings can also prevent the mic from working.
- The headset or your device could be running on outdated firmware; thus, all headset features will not work properly.
The most common reasons for mic issues on gaming headsets.
Get the Turtle Beach Headset Mic to Work
You can get the Turtle Beach mic working by trying these solutions. The solutions start with simple steps as we advance to complex ones.
Check All Connections
The primary cause of the mic not working when you connect the headset to a device is that the connection is not set up correctly.
The problem could be that a cable is connected to the wrong port or is not firmly connected. Also, the mic could be loosely connected to the headset if the headset comes with a detachable mic, as many Turtle Beach headsets do.
Therefore, disconnect the headset from your device and reconnect it, this time being keen to ensure cables go to their respective ports. Also, ensure the mic is firmly connected to the headset and does not wobble whenever you move.
Ensure the mic and audio cable are properly connected and not loose.
Also, check for any debris in the ports and plugs that connect the headsets to your device. If you find any dirt, blow it away or wipe it with a clean, dry cloth.
Sometimes, the cables that come with the headset need to be connected in a certain manner to work.
For instance, the headset audio cable for the Elite Pro 2 needs to be connected in a certain manner to work. The end that should go into the headset is labeled with a tag that says, ‘Connect this end to the headset.’
Some Turtle Beach headsets have cables with two different ends, and you have to correct the right end to your headset.
Remember to check that the transmitter or SuperAmp is connected correctly if your headset uses these components.
If the headset uses a transmitter, you can observe the LEDs on the transmitter to check if the connection is OK. The headset and transmitter LED should be solid green when the connection is stable and has no problems.
If the transmitter and headset LEDs are flashing green, the headset and the transmitter are not paired. However, a flashing green LED can also mean the battery is full, like in the case of the Stealth Pro, i.e., if the LED flashes at three-second intervals.
Ensure the headset is properly paired with the transmitter.
A wired headset might also require a Y splitter cable to get audio input through the mic. That depends on the ports available on the device connected to the headsets. This happens when the device uses a different 3.5mm port for audio input and another for audio output.
How to Fix the Turtle Beach Headset Mic
Ensure the Mic is Not Muted
Once you are confident that the headsets are set up correctly, confirm that the mic is not muted. The Turtle Beach headsets use different methods that depend on the headset’s model to mute the mic.
Some, like the Recon 50x and Recon Chart, have an inline mute switch that can be used to disable the mic. So, ensure the switch is not flipped to mute the mic before troubleshooting using other methods.
Other headsets like the Stealth Pro mute the mic by flipping the mic boom up vertically; therefore, ensure the mic is flipped horizontally and in front of your mouth so that it is unmuted. Also, note that flipping the mic boom to the extreme ends will likely damage it, so be gentle when muting and unmuting the mic.
The Recon 500 has a mute button under the ‘Turtle Beach’ branding on the left earcup. The button will appear regressed into the earcup when the mic is muted and slightly protrude when unmuted.
The Stealth Pro, on the other hand, has a mute button that also works as the Superhuman Hearing button next to the power button on the right earcup for the built-in mic. You can mute/unmute the mic by pressing and holding this button for two seconds, and it will play a tone to show a change in the mute/unmute status.
Ensure the mic is not muted.
The headset can also be connected with an external (TrueSpeak) mic that can be muted by flipping it vertically and unmuting it horizontally. If you detach this mic while the headset is in use, the headset will revert to the built-in mic, but the mic will be muted.
You can also tell if the mic is muted by observing the LED on a USB transmitter, that is if the headset uses one. The LED flashes red to show the mic is muted.
Restart Your Devices
The mic could be refusing to work because of a temporary bug. Fortunately, these are easy to solve by restarting the affected device.
Disconnect the headset from your device and power off the headset and the device the headset was connected to. You can also disconnect all the devices from the power source to force a complete restart.
Try restarting your headset and all connected devices to eliminate minor bugs that might be affecting your mic performance.
Wait at least five minutes before powering the devices and reconnecting the headset. Then, check if the mic works; if not, continue troubleshooting.
Check Your Device’s Audio Input Settings
Devices like the PC or MacBook can have multiple audio input sources. Sometimes, this leads to the device preferring one input source over the other. Your device’s mic access settings could also be off, so the headset’s mic will not work.
Wired Turtle Beach Headset Mic Not Working on Windows – Troubleshooting Steps
You can force the device to use the Turtle Beach headset by granting it access and using it as the default mic in the device settings.
Enable mic access by following these steps:
Windows
- Use the Windows + I to access your device’s Settings.
- Then select Privacy & Security > Microphone.
- Enable Microphone access and Let apps access your microphone if they were disabled.
Make sure the apps are granted mic access in your Privacy and Security settings.
- Scroll down further and ensure all apps you want to use the mic on can access it.
Ensure that each individual app you want to use your mic with has mic access.
macOS
- Select the Apple Menu, then System settings.
- Click Privacy and Security from the sidebar.
- Go to Microphone and enable mic access for the listed apps.
Your MacBook also has Privacy and Security settings where you can grant mic access to different apps.
Once you have granted mic access, setting the default mic is next. The steps necessary to do this are:
macOS
- Ensure the headset is connected to the MacBook.
- Go to the Apple menu, then System settings.
- Navigate Sound > Input and select the Turtle Beach headset mic.
In your MacBook’s sound settings, select your Turtle Beach headset microphone as the default input device.
How to Set Up Turtle Beach Headset and Microphone on a MacBook
Windows
- Ensure the headset is connected to the PC, then press Windows + R.
- Enter mmsys.cpl in the Open dialogue box and click OK.
- A new window will pop up; click on the Recording tab.
- Right-click on any space within the new window and ensure ‘Show disabled device’ is checked.
- Find the Turtle Beach headset mic and right-click on it. If the headset is connected to your device via the 3.5mm port, the mic will not appear as a Turtle Beach mic. Instead, it will be named after your device’s audio driver, e.g., High-Definition Audio Device or Realtek Audio Device.
- Ensure the mic is enabled; if not, click Enable.
- Right-click on the mic again, select ‘Set as default,’ and click OK.
In Windows sound settings, under the Recording tab, select the Turtle Beach headset mic as the default microphone.
Check your device’s manual on setting a default mic and enable the mic if the procedure has not been highlighted in this section.
Another setting you should modify on your Windows device is the Exclusive mode in the mic’s advanced settings. You can do this by following the steps below:
- These steps assume you have already set the Turtle Beach mic as the default.
- Press Windows + R, enter mmsys.cpl and click OK.
- Go to Recording, and select Properties.
- Click on Advanced on the new window.
- Uncheck both options under Exclusive mode, then OK.
Disable both Exclusive Mode options.
Run the Audio Troubleshooter
Windows has a troubleshooting feature to help you get the Turtle Beach mic working.
The feature checks the mic configurations, and if it finds errors, it directs you on how to solve them. The steps to run the troubleshooter are as follows;
- Open Settings and go to System > Sound.
- Click on the Troubleshoot common sound problems option.
- Go to Input Devices; on-screen prompts will guide you through the remaining steps.
Troubleshoot your Sound Input Devices.
Alternatively, go to Windows – System – Troubleshoot – Other Troubleshooters – Troubleshoot Recording Audio.
Is the Headset Using the Latest Firmware?
Some Turtle Beach headsets, like the Stealth 600, get firmware updates through the Turtle Beach audio hub. These updates are necessary since they introduce new features to the headsets and solve problems like the mic not working.
Download Turtle Beach Audio Hub if you want to update your Turtle Beach headset.
Therefore, if you have a model that needs regular firmware updates, ensure it has the latest version.
You can update the headsets by connecting them to a PC via a USB cable or a transmitter and opening the Turtle Beach audio hub. The hub will notify you immediately if an update is needed; it detects the headset connected to your PC.
Connect the headset to your PC/laptop using the included USB cable. Also, connect the transmitter if your headset comes with one.
The Turtle Beach Audio Hub will automatically recognize the headset and install the updates.
When updating the firmware, you should confirm that the headset is set to the correct mode (USB or console), depending on the headset. The modes differ depending on the headset, so consult the user guide.
Reconnect the headset to your device, then check if the mic works.
Select your exact model from the drop-down menu under ‘Select your model’ when downloading the audio hub to avoid further incompatibility issues.
Also, confirm that the device the headset connects to uses the latest OS version since mic issues could also arise because of the outdated OS.
Don’t forget to update your PC’s operating system.
Ensure the Headset Is Adequately Charged
Some Turtle Beach headsets, like the Recon 200 Gen 2, use a rechargeable battery. If the battery is drained or too low, some headset features, like the mic, will not work.
The microphone may refuse to work if the battery is too low.
The headset can continue transmitting passive game audio even when the battery is low, but you will lose some features like the mic.
So, ensure the headset and your device are charged before using them.
You can tell the headset battery level by checking the Audio Hub or the LED on your headset. The LED will breathe red if the headset is powered on and the battery is low.
You can use the Audio Hub app to check the battery level. Or, you can observe the LED on your headset.
Check the Mode Selected on the Headset/Transmitter
Most Turtle Beach headsets are compatible with Play Station, Xbox, Nintendo Switch, and PC platforms.
The headsets have a mode selector switch (aka platform switch) that you should toggle when migrating from one platform to another. The switch is either on the headset, transmitter, or the SuperAmp.
Other models do not have a physical platform switch but require the Audio Hub to change from one mode to another.
For instance, when connecting the Recon 200 to an Xbox, the mode selector switch should be set to Xbox and PS if connecting the headset to other devices like a MacBook or Nintendo Switch.
Turtle Beach Recon 200 headset has a mode switch. You need to select the right mode to use the microphone.
Rely on the user manual and strictly follow the connection procedures so you select the correct mode when connecting the headset to different devices.
Also, check if the headset is compatible with the device you are connecting it to since some models are compatible with limited devices. The headset could be compatible with the Play Station but not the Xbox. That includes using the correct SuperAmp for PS and Xbox setups.
Reduce Wireless Signal Interference
Turtle Beach also has wireless headsets that connect to devices via Bluetooth or USB dongle.
The wireless connections are convenient in reducing clutter brought by using wired devices.
Unfortunately, the wireless connections are also susceptible to interference, which can manifest in the mic not working.
Therefore, reduce wireless interference by switching off all other wireless devices or using wired connections whenever possible. A clear line of sight should exist between the headset and devices connected to/transmitter/SuperAmp.
You can also limit your home router to using either the 2.4GHz or the 5GHz bands so that one of the bands is left exclusively for the transmitter-headset connection. Also, move the headset further from the router to reduce signal interference.
Check the Mic’s Sensitivity
Another issue that could be causing the mic not to work is that its gain is too low. Thereby, the mic cannot effectively pick up the incoming audio.
You can increase the mic’s sensitivity through the device settings of the device the headset is connected to or through the Turtle Beach Audio Hub.
Increase mic gain through the Audio Hub by following the instructions below:
- Ensure the mic is powered on and connected to your device.
- Open the Audio Hub on your PC and go to the Microphone tab from the dashboard.
- Ensure the mic is unmuted; otherwise, you will not be able to update the mic settings.
Ensure the mic is not muted in the app.
- Go to the Mic sensitivity option and increase the mic’s sensitivity to a higher level.
- Also, lower the Noise Gate level. The setting limits other audio input from the mic and ensures only your voice is heard. This can also affect the mic’s operation.
- You can also configure these settings with the Audio Hub App.
Increase mic sensitivity and reduce the noise gate using the Audio Hub app.
You can adjust the mic gain through the device settings connected to the headsets. You can do this on Windows and macOS by following the steps below:
Windows
- Press Windows + R. In the text box, type in mmsys.cpl, then click OK.
- Go to the Recording tab, and select the Turtle Beach mic.
- Select Properties and go to the Levels tab.
- Increase mic gain to a higher value and click OK.
In the Levels tab, increase the mic sensitivity. Also, ensure the mic is not muted here.
macOS
- Open the Apple menu, then System settings > Sound.
- Click Input and use the slider to adjust the mic gain higher.
You can adjust the mic gain in your MacBook’s Sound Input settings.
Check the App Settings of the Troublesome App
If you notice that the mic works with some apps and not others, the problem could be the apps and not your headset.
Some apps manage audio input and output, forcing the user to adjust these settings within the app.
So go to the app’s Sound settings, locate the sound input option, and ensure it is set to the Turtle Beach mic.
Check the in-app settings if your microphone is not working when using a specific app. Ensure your Turtle Beach headset mic is selected as the default input device.
Finding these settings might be less direct because apps use different interfaces, so check with their customer support or user guide to see if they have one.
For instance, Turtle Beach has recommendations for settings you should update on Fortnite if you are using the Nintendo Switch and are facing audio issues.
You can also contact the app’s customer support and request assistance.
Uninstall the Audio Drivers
The problem could be that your PC’s audio drivers are malfunctioning and should be uninstalled. You can uninstall and restart your PC, and they will automatically be reinstalled.
Uninstall the audio drivers through the following steps:
- Enter Device Manager in the taskbar’s search option.
- Open the device manager and select Audio Inputs and Outputs.
- Expand Audio Inputs and outputs, then right-click on the PC’s mic driver.
- Select Uninstall device > OK, then restart your device.
Uninstalling the mic drivers and restarting your PC (or reinstalling drivers) could fix your faulty microphone.
Alternatively, you can follow the above procedure and select Update driver > Search automatically for drivers instead of Uninstall Device. The prompts will guide you in checking if your audio drivers require an update.
Reset the Headset
Assuming the mic has not worked after all the procedures, try resetting it. The reset will erase all bugs from the headset’s firmware that might be affecting how the mic works.
The reset procedure for Turtle Beach headsets varies depending on the model.
You can find your headset’s user manual in the Turtle Beach knowledge base, and it will have information on how to reset the headset and its transmitter if it has one.
How to Reset the Turtle Beach Stealth 700 Gen 2 Headsets?
Frequently Asked Questions
- Question: How do I fix my headset mic not working?
- Answer: Fixes you can try are:
- Ensure the headset is connected to your device correctly.
- Check that the mic is not muted.
- Ensure the mic boom fits snuggly in its port on the earcup.
- Increase the mic’s gain if it is too low.
- Ensure the headset and its enabled features are compatible with the connected device.
- Question: How do I turn on the microphone on my Turtle Beach headset?
- Answer: The mic on your Turtle Beach Headset is turned on by default. It might be off because it is muted.
- Question: What is the mic noise gate on Turtle Beach?
- Answer: Noise Gate is a feature that filters out other sounds and ensures only your voice goes through the Turtle Beach mic.
Conclusion
Turtle Beach has a very versatile range of headsets and other gaming products. Sometimes, you can even find more than one version of a headset model. This can confuse, especially when the user wants to configure the headset. So, find your headset on the Turtle Beach website and download its user manual.
If the solutions above do not work, contact Turtle Beach customer support and ask for further assistance. Remember to inform them of the troubleshooting measures you have already tried.
