Every passionate gamer knows how much of a difference a quality pair of headphones can make in a gaming session.
Astro A50 headset is one piece of gaming equipment worth investing in, as it provides high-quality, clear sound, which is exactly what you need to enjoy your game fully.
However, even a quality gaming headset such as Astro A50 can come across certain issues that may prevent it from turning on properly.
Most of the issues with your A50 headset can be solved quickly.
Why is your Astro A50 not turning on?
If your Astro gaming headset isn’t turning on, you may think it has died and is beyond repair.
Luckily, this is usually not the case, as there can be various reasons why the wireless headset isn’t turning on.
Usually, the problem concerns the battery, but other headset components may also be the issue.
Battery issue
In most cases, your wireless gaming headset isn’t able to turn on because the battery is low or dead.
If the battery is damaged or malfunctioning, it won’t be able to charge all the way, which will definitely result in shortened working time, or you won’t be able to turn on the headset.
If you’ve had your Astro A50 headset for quite some time without changing the battery, this may be the moment to invest in a new one as the battery is too weak.
However, the battery may be faulty if you’re having trouble turning on your new Astro A50 headset.
Bluetooth connection issue
One of the possible problems is that the Bluetooth connection is compromised in some way.
In most cases, too many Bluetooth devices are connected to your PC or mobile phone, which blocks the pairing of your device and the Astro A50 headset.
If the headset cannot establish a Bluetooth connection, it may also not turn on.
Faulty charging cable or charging port
If your Astro A50 headset cannot charge completely, the problem may not be in the battery but the charging cable or USB port.
The charging cable could be damaged or simply malfunctioning, whereas the USB port you’re using to charge your wireless headset could be broken or clogged.
Over time, the charging ports get clogged with accumulated dirt and debris that blocks the contact between the device and the power source.
Also, remember that the battery could get damaged if the device isn’t getting enough power when charged.
Pending firmware update
Like any other gaming equipment, your Xbox wireless headset requires regular and consistent firmware updating.
New firmware updates can eliminate any existing software bugs and errors you may not notice until the headset starts acting up.
That being said, your Astro A50 could be overdue for a firmware update, which is a crucial aspect.
The device is in sleep mode
Finally, your Astro gaming headset may not be able to boot up since it is currently in sleep mode.
This may have happened if you left the wireless gaming headset to charge for too long, but you have enabled the sleep mode.
How to fix an Astro A50 not turning on
If your Astro A50 headset isn’t turning on, there could be an issue with the battery, hardware, or software. Either way, one of these methods should be effective in fixing your wireless gaming headset.
1. Fix or replace the battery
As we’ve mentioned, the most common problem, in this case, is a faulty or dead battery. To check the battery, try charging your device and see if it is turning on.
If you cannot charge the battery all the way, or it remains off, it could mean the battery is dead and requires a replacement.
However, before changing the battery, you want to ensure that the issue isn’t in another hardware component, the charging cable, or the USB port you’re using to charge the device.
2. Check the Bluetooth connection
It is possible for your Astro A50 device not to turn on due to an unsuccessful Bluetooth connection. Check if your device has reached a limit on connected Bluetooth devices, then disconnect at least one of them.
Try connecting your headset to your device now. If the connection is still not established, try connecting your A50 headset to another device, as the issue may be in that particular device and its Bluetooth connectivity.
3. Check the charging cable and charging port
A damaged charging cable will not only limit the charging or make it impossible for you to charge the device, but it can also weaken the battery or even lead to battery failure.
This is why purchasing a new charging cable is essential as soon as you notice it is defective.
As far as the charging port is concerned, it often gets blocked with accumulated dirt and debris. The easiest way to clean it is to use a handheld vacuum, a toothpick/cotton swab, and some rubbing alcohol to get all the gunk out of the port.
If you’re charging your headset via a USB port, try connecting the cable into another inlet, as the USB port may malfunction.
4. Update the firmware
It is essential not to neglect and ignore Astro A50 firmware updates, as these updates contain important information necessary for your device’s normal functioning.
To update your Astro firmware, download the Astro Command Center, but make sure to do so on the official Astro website, selecting either the software for PC or Mac.
Open the downloaded file, which will launch the Startup Wizard. Select the location for the installation of the Astro software, then select Install to start the installation process.
Click Allow if you’re asked for any permissions, then finally select Finish to complete the installation process and launch the ACC.
To update your MixAmp, find a toggle switch on the device and switch it to PC. If there is no toggle switch, hold the power button for a couple of seconds until the light transitions to white (a white light is a sign that the device has entered PC mode).
Connect the device to your PC using a USB cable, then launch the Astro Command Center, where you should be able to see all the details on your A50 device if the USB connection is successful.
On the top of the menu, there should be a notification indicating a firmware update is available for any pending updates.
If this is the case, click on the firmware update link, then select Install to go through with the installation process. Once the update is complete, unplug the device from your PC and try turning it on.
In case the headset still won’t work, the pending update isn’t the reason why your headset isn’t able to boot up.
5. Hard-reset the headset
Sometimes, all your Astro A50 device needs is a hard reset which will refresh the software and eliminate any existing bugs and errors in the system.
Find the Dolby button on your Astro headset (located between the power button and the EQ button) and the Game button on the side of the device.
Press the Dolby and the Game buttons simultaneously and hold them down for about 30 seconds. Once the reset is complete, the headset should reboot automatically, and you should be able to use it without any problems or glitches.
