If you’re facing SteelSeries Arctis 3 mic not working or similar audio problems on your PC then don’t worry as it can be fixed easily by following a few steps provided in this post.
SteelSeries Arctis 3 is the best headset for every gaming platform. It has a Discord-certified Clearcast noise-canceling microphone that gives you clear and natural-sounding invoice communication for all platforms. The signature soundscape of Arctis illuminates critical sounds and gives you the audio advantage.
With the Arctis 3, you get to enjoy the ultimate athletic-inspired experience. But just like every electronics item out there, you will face some minor issues with the SteelSeries Arctis 3 too. SteelSeries Arctis 3 mic users have reported that they met SteelSeries Arctis 3 mic not working problem.
So here we will provide you with easy solutions to fix your microphone in no time. And you will also find the common issues with SteelSeries Arctis 3 and the fixes you need for them. The cause of such problems is not always specific, and it can be triggered due to several reasons. It can be pretty frustrating for gamers out there, so go through this article to find your suitable solution.
The SteelSeries Engine Configuration
Before going to the fix I will recommend you to setup the SteelSeries Engine utility app on your computer.
The SteelSeries Arctis 3 requires the SteelSeries Engine software installed on your device to function correctly. There are many segments of this software that needs to be optimized and tweaked accordingly to unlock your headphone’s functionality to the fullest.
So here we are providing you the complete guide to download, install, and configure the SteelSeries Engine software.
- Go to the official site and download the SteelSeries Engine from there.
- After you complete downloading, open Setup and install the software.
- Then disconnect your SteelSeries Arctis 3 headset and reconnect it with the computer.
- The engine will automatically recognize your headset and just click on the device name displayed there.
- Open the device configuration and click on Live Mic Preview.
- Here you can test your microphone and adjust the settings according to your preference.
Also check out how to fix SteelSeries Arctis 1 Mic Not Working to acquire more knowledge about troubleshooting steelseries accessories.
How to Fix SteelSeries Arctis 3 Mic Not Working
Here are the steps to fix SteelSeries Arctis 3 Mic not working:
1. Select SteelSeries Arctis 3 Mic As Default Device
When you plug in the SteelSeries Arctis 3 on your computer, you will find this on the connected devices tab. There choose the SteelSeries Arctis 3; otherwise, you will not get any audio on your SteelSeries Arctis 3 microphone. Click on the volume icon and open the ‘Open sound settings option. There you can choose output and input audio devices. Choose the SteelSeries Arctis 3 for both and apply settings. Hopefully, this will fix your audio, but if the issue still persists, then keep reading to find the fix you need.
2. Use The Correct Default Format
You need to use the correct default format on your device. To do so, press the Windows logo and R key at the same time on your keyboard. It will open the run box, and there is the control panel select sound icon. From there, choose the recording tab and right-click on the mi that you are using. Go to properties, and under the advanced tab, check if the default format is set to 48000 Hz or not. If it’s not, then put it to 48000 Hz.
3. Tuning Audio Levels
You need to configure the SteelSeries Arctis 3 audio as it is possible that the microphone is set only to pick high-pitched sound, or the transmission volume is set very low. This can make your microphone entirely mute so configure the volume settings to optimize and personalize your audio experience with SteelSeries Arctis 3.
- On the bottom right side, click on the volume icon.
- Open ‘Sounds’ and then click the ‘Recording’ tab.
- Double click on the ‘Steelseries Arctis 3′ tab.
- On the levels tab, slide to your convenient volume and make sure that it is more than 50%.
4. Update Audio Drivers
SteelSeries Arctis 3 will not work with your device unless you have the latest version of audio drivers. You can not use it with outdated or incorrect audio drivers on your PC or Xbox. So update the Realtek audio driver and headphone driver on your device.
Here’s how to update audio drivers:
- Open device manager
- Click on audio inputs and outputs.
- Right-click on the drivers and select update driver.
- Select search automatically for drivers
- Install the drivers and it’s done.
If still SteelSeries Arctis 3 is not working on your device, then you need to recheck your main cable and duel extension cable is plugged in correctly (plug in the headset controller firmly with the correct port on your device) and go through the microphone access settings once again. If you are using Xbox, then check the audio settings on Xbox and allow both input and output access to the SteelSeries Arctis 3 microphone to get audio.
For Windows users, make sure your mic is set to the let apps use my microphone under the privacy settings for the microphone on windows 10. And you can also search for Mic Privacy on the start menu, there you will find the Choose which app can access your microphone tab. Click on this tab to select the apps you want to allow to use your microphone.
Also check out how to fix how to fix SteelSeries Arctis 7 Mic not working to know more about audio drivers.
The fixes above here state different solutions to different problems. The usual issues with SteelSeries Arctis 3 mic not working have already been stated here, and unfortunately, if these fixes do not help you, then you need to check your hardware components and look for professional technical support. You can also use a different device to check whether if the issue is actually with your SteelSeries Arctis 3 audio or not.
Fix SteelSeries Arctis 3 Mute Button Not Working
SteelSeries Arctis 3 has a button behind the volume wheel on its left earcup. That is the mute button, and if this button is not pushed in, you will get to see a red light on your microphone, which indicates that your microphone is muted. So make sure that you have tested that button. Pushing that button will turn off the red light on the microphone and unmutes it. So if the red light is turned off, that means your microphone is unmuted.
SteelSeries Arctis 3 Game Chat Feature Calibration
In the SteelSeries Arctis 3, they have introduced a new feature called the Game Chat option. Here you will be able to choose and control your audio experience. But you can quickly get confused as there is only a sound card box that comes with Game and Chat written on opposite sites.
The default button is in the middle, and if you slide to the Game knob, it will automatically turn off the audio coming from your teammates and create issues with the microphone. On the other hand, if you slide to the Chat knob, then you will only hear the conversation, and there will be no audio coming from the game.
It can be convenient if you are only trying to play and not communicate or the other way around. But if you want to experience proper game audio along with your teammate’s audio, then make sure that you have the knob in the middle and not on any of the Game or Chat sides.
FAQ
Why does my SteelSeries Arctis 3 mic show disconnect?
Check if your device is picking up the microphone or not, and also check your cable and extensions.
Why is my SteelSeries Arctis 3 quiet?
Check your volume levels and default format on the device to fix the audio on your Arctis 3 microphone.
Why does not my SteelSeries Arctis 3 work?
Check your disable button on the microphone and also try reconnecting DAC and the USB cable.
Conclusion
It was really difficult to solve this problem at first sight but it wasn’t impossible. I’ve struggled a lot with my Arctis 3 for this bug. But fixing the problem seems to be worth the time. That’s why I have shared my thoughts in a nutshell to help you out. This steps have helped me and my fellow friends. So, hopefully it helped you too.