Why cant I hear my game through my headset Xbox One?

Q: Why cant I hear my game audio through my headset Xbox one?

Check your headset settings If youre experiencing audio issues where you cant hear or others cant hear you, first check the headsets volume, balance, and mute settings: The headset volume is controlled by turning the dial on the outside of the right earcup. Be sure the headset volume isnt turned all the way down.

Q: Why can I hear party audio but not game audio?

Re: No in game sound while in Party Chat. If its set to focus only on voice chat it might be muting the game audio. To check the chat mixer go to your Xbox Settings, then under General go to Volume & Audio Output. Select Chat Mixer and try choosing one of the other options.

So you want to run your game audio through your Xbox One headset, easy right? Well, not exactly. The first issue you might face is that there are actually two different versions of the Xbox One controller. The first and older version has a proprietary port which requires a separate stereo adaptor in order to allow for a headset to be plugged in. The second and current version actually has a 3.5mm jack which you can plug a headset into.

Table of Contents Show

How to Get Game Volume Through Your Xbox One Headset
Change the ‘Volume’ Option in the Xbox One Settings
Update Your Xbox One Controller
Why Can’t I Hear Sound on My Xbox One Headset?
Friends can't hear you on the Xbox network? Let's fix that
Causes of an Xbox One Headset Not Working
How to Fix an Xbox One Headset That Doesn't Work
Why can't I hear my game audio through my headset Xbox one?
Why is my game audio not going to my headset?
How do I get my Xbox to play sound through my headset?
Why can I hear party audio but not game audio?

How to Get Game Volume Through Your Xbox One Headset

Doing either will allow you to channel the game’s volume through to your headset. By default, the audio should automatically switch to your headset when you plug it in, if not, there are some things you must do first.

Change the ‘Volume’ Option in the Xbox One Settings

Open up your Xbox Dashboard and go into the ‘Settings’ menu. From here, you’re going to want to select ‘Display and Sound’ and then find the ‘Volume’ option. This will open up several settings which allow you to channel game audio through your headset, speakers or both. It’s worth noting that you can also choose where your chat audio comes through as well, under the same menus. This should allow you to adjust the game volume through your Xbox One headset.

Update Your Xbox One Controller

If you’re having issues with the audio not coming through, you may have to go and update your controller. To do so, ensure you are connected to Xbox Live and head to the ‘Settings’ menu on the Dashboard. Select ‘Devices and Accessories’ then ‘Update ‘ on the selected controller. Wait for the update to install and then go through the same steps as above.

Some users have reported that their headsets aren’t showing up under the correct settings mode. At the present time, updating the controller is the only recommended fix.

Why Can’t I Hear Sound on My Xbox One Headset?

If changing the console settings and updating the Xbox One controller still haven’t fixed your issue, finally make sure there’s no volume dial on the headset itself. Some headsets have little volume wheels on either cup of the headset, while the official Xbox wired headset had volume buttons on the ‘puck’ connector that plugged into your controller.

Should this still not work, it could be that your headset’s broken and you’ll need to purchase a new one.

Top 5 Best Headsets For Xbox One in 2016

Friends can't hear you on the Xbox network? Let's fix that

Updated on April 23, 2022

When your Xbox One headset is not working, it usually manifests in the following three ways: people can hear you, but you can't hear them; nobody can hear you, and you can't hear anyone; or everyone is quiet.

These problems can occur at any time, and you may experience a situation where your headset stops working, then starts working again, while you're using it.

The 10 Best Gaming Headsets of 2022

Causes of an Xbox One Headset Not Working

When an Xbox One headset stops working, it can be due to a problem with the headset, a problem with the controller, or a problem with the Xbox One settings. Common issues include frayed cords and broken wires, bent headphone plugs, and loose headphone jacks.

AHPhotoswpg / iStock / Getty

How to Fix an Xbox One Headset That Doesn't Work

In most cases, you can fix an Xbox One headset that doesn't work yourself. To figure out what the problem is, and fix it, go through the following troubleshooting steps in order. Attempt each fix, and then check to see if your headset works.

If the headset is defective, the difficulty associated with repairing a headset, and the low cost of replacing one, means you're usually better off buying a new one.

Disconnect the headset, then plug it in firmly. An improperly seated headset plug is the most common cause of this type of problem. If the headset works after plugging it back in, but it stops working later, there may be a problem with the headphone jack.
Plug and unplug the headset by firmly gripping the connector. Pulling on the cord may damage the headset or the port in your controller.
With the headset plugged in, carefully move the plug back and forth. If the plug can wiggle back and forth when inserted securely into the controller, then you're probably dealing with a bad Xbox One controller headphone jack.
Verify that the headset isn't muted. Check the mute button on the headset adapter or on the inline volume control. If it's muted, flip it and try again.
Try the headset with a different controller or a different device. This will rule your headset out as the problem. If it works when plugged into a different controller or device, then you know the headset isn't bad.
Try a different headset with your controller. This will rule out the controller as the problem. If the headset doesn't work when plugged into a different controller, there is probably an issue with the headset.
Check the headset cord and plug for signs of damage or debris. If the cord is damaged, or the plug is bent, repair or replace the headset.
If you find debris like dirt or food on the connector, clean it with a cotton swab dipped in rubbing alcohol. Make sure the connector is dry before you plug it back in.
Increase the headset audio. You can't hear anyone if the headset volume is turned down or muted, but people can hear you. Increase the audio using the buttons on the connector that's plugged into the controller's expansion port, or the inline volume wheel if you have a 3.5mm chat headset.
You can also adjust volume settings on your Xbox One. Go to Settings > Device & accessories. Select your controller. Then, adjust the audio settings.
Check your Xbox One privacy settings. These settings allow you to choose who you can hear when playing games on the Xbox network, so incorrect settings can prevent you from hearing anyone.
To check these settings, go to Settings > Account > Privacy & online safety > View details & customize > Communicate with voice and text > everybody.
Child profiles cannot change this setting. To change this setting for a child, log in using the associated parent profile.
Check the Chat Mixer. This setting alters the sounds you hear based on whether other people are talking, so it can cause the headset to behave abnormally.
To rule this out, go to Settings > Display & Sound > Volume > Chat mixer. Then, select Do nothing.
Change your party chat output. This setting allows you to choose whether party chat comes through your headset, your TV speakers, or both. If you change it to come through your speakers, and you can hear your party, then your chat settings are correct.
To rule this out, go to Settings > Display & Sound > Volume > Party chat output, and select Speakers.
If this setting was on Speakers, change it to Headset.
Adjust the game chat sound balance. If you use the Xbox One headset adapter, it has a built-in mixer. If this mixer is set to provide 100% game sound and zero percent chat, it will seem like your headset isn't working. Everyone will be able to hear you, but you won't be able to hear anyone else.
Press the person icon, and see if the headset starts working.
Pressing the button with the personicon increases the chat volume, and pressing the controllericon increases game volume.
Replace the batteries in the controller. If the batteries are low, the headset may not function correctly. Try brand new batteries, or freshly charged batteries, and check to see if the headset starts working.
Update the Xbox One controller firmware. Xbox One controllers use firmware that Microsoft updates from time to time. In some cases, a firmware update can break headset functionality.
Power cycle the Xbox One. In rare cases, an issue with your Xbox One can cause the headset to not work properly. To rule this out, power cycle the console.
To power cycle a console, press and hold the Xbox One's power button until the LED goes off and leave it off for several minutes. While you wait, turn the controller off or remove the batteries to shut it off right away.
After a few minutes have passed, press the Xbox One power button again. It will startup, and you should see the boot-up animation on your TV that indicates it has power cycled.
If your headset still doesn't work, the headset or controller may be broken.
Try a different headset with the controller, and try the headset with a different controller, even if you have to borrow extras to do the test. You may have a bad controller or headset, and this test will help you figure out which one is bad. Check out these tips for when your Xbox One mic isn't working for additional information.

FAQ

Why won't my Xbox One controller recognize my headset?
If your Xbox One controller won't recognize your headset, make sure the headset isn't muted, then check the headset volume and console audio input. If you still have problems, update the controller firmware, power cycle the console, and try cleaning the controller and headset. Use the Xbox One Skype app to test the headset.
How do I fix my Xbox One headphone jack?
If your Xbox One headphone jack isn't working, disconnect the headset from the controller, then reconnect it firmly. Confirm the headset isn't muted, update the controller firmware, and clean the audio port with compressed air. You may need to replace or repair the headphone jack.
Why is voice chat not working through my headset on Xbox One?
Make sure voice chat is enabled. Go to Settings > Account > Privacy & online safety > View details & customize > Communicate with voice and text. If you set up Xbox One parental controls, make sure chat isn't disabled.

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Why can't I hear my game audio through my headset Xbox one?

Check your headset settings If you're experiencing audio issues where you can't hear or others can't hear you, first check the headset's volume, balance, and mute settings: The headset volume is controlled by turning the dial on the outside of the right earcup. Be sure the headset volume isn't turned all the way down.

Why is my game audio not going to my headset?

If you cannot hear in-game audio (even if you still get audio for other programs), your audio output device may not be set to default. Your default device will have a green check. If there's no green check on the device you're using, right click the name of the device and set it to default.

How do I get my Xbox to play sound through my headset?

To access Audio Passthrough, press the Xbox button  to open the guide, and then go to Profile and System > Settings > General > Volume and Audio Output > Additional Options > Allow Passthrough.

Why can I hear party audio but not game audio?

Re: No in game sound while in Party Chat. If it's set to focus only on voice chat it might be muting the game audio. To check the chat mixer go to your Xbox Settings, then under General go to Volume & Audio Output. Select Chat Mixer and try choosing one of the other options.