TECH - Inspired by Insiders

Gaming is enjoyable with a pair of working headsets, but problems like headset echoes can spoil the experience. It disrupts the free flow of communication between you and other gamers and will affect your performance. What makes your headset echo when playing Xbox One? Headset echoes usually are caused by loud TV volume, wrong mic setup, a problem with the controller, or other gamer's headset connection. Keep reading this post to learn more reasons why your headsets echo on Xbox One and how to fix them. Common Reasons Why Headsets Echo on Xbox One There are different reasons for headsets echoing on Xbox One. Learn about them below: The Volume is Loud One of the reasons your headsets echo on Xbox One is a loud volume. It is best to point the mic close to your mouth to pick your voice. However, If your headset volume is too loud and the headset is close to your mic, the mic may pick sound from the headset output. In such cases, the echo will disturb other people's listening and may ruin their gaming experience. Low Batteries If you use a wireless headset, you should check if the batteries are low. Low batteries can weaken the signal strength of the headsets, and it will make the headset malfunction and may cause a headset echo. In the same way, low batteries in the Xbox controller can make it not function well and can result in headsets echoing. Headset Plug Does not Connect to the Xbox Controller A headset that does not sit well in the Xbox One controller will not work well. Several issues will arise from the improper connection, and the headset echo could be one. Wrong Mic Setup A wrong mic setup can cause your gaming headsets to echo on Xbox One. It is not okay to set up your mic to pick feedback from your headset or ambient sound from the surroundings, and this type of setup will cause audio signals to rebound and produce an echo. Microphone Boost Setting is on Microphone boost settings help boost audio output, and it is useful when the audio output volume is low. If this feature is on, your headset volume may become too loud, and it can cause audio signals to rebound like the case of a wrong mic setup. Party Chat Output Set to Speakers and Headset Setting party chat output to speakers and headset at a time can cause the headset to echo. It is most likely the cause when you hear everyone else in your party echo. Outdated Firmware Your Xbox audio driver may become incompatible if the Xbox controller firmware is outdated. The incompatibility can cause varying sound errors that include headset echo. Problem with Other Gamers' Connection If your headset echoes when other gamers talk, the problem may come from those people and not you. For example, if a gamer's headset volume is too high, there will be echoes when the gamer talks with others in a party chat. Fixes for Headset Echo on Xbox One There are different ways to troubleshoot and fix headsets echoing on Xbox One. Apply the recommendations below one at a time to find a fix. Turn Down the Volume on the Headset One of the simplest ways to troubleshoot headset echoing on Xbox is to turn down the volume on your headset. Keeping the headset at a moderate volume level will prevent the mic from picking sound from the headset output, and there will be no echo on the headset. Follow the steps below to do this: Press the Xbox button on your controller. It should bring up the Xbox guide. Navigate to System. Select Audio. Adjust the headset volume to a moderate level. Plug the Headset Properly A headset jack plug that does not sit well in the controller can cause many headset errors. It is ideal to unplug such a headset and plug it into the controller firmly and securely. Charge or Replace Low Batteries If you use a wireless headset, ensure the battery is not low. Plug the headset to charge. Also, recharge the controller when the battery gets low. If the batteries are not rechargeable, you should replace them. Don't Use Your Headset's In-built Microphone If you use the inbuilt mic on your headset, you should opt for an external mic. A boom mic, for example, will give moderate space away from the headsets and reduce the chances of producing an echo. Change Your Mic Setup If there is still an echo while using an external mic, change the mic's position. Your mic should be close to you, but it should not face the speakers directly. While setting it up, keep it away from the speakers and not too close to the wall. Turn Off Microphone Boost Settings Since the mic boost settings will make your headsets louder, turning it off will serve best in preventing headset echoes. Follow the steps below to disable the mic boost in the driver settings. Right-click the volume icon. Select Recording Devices. Click your recording device. Navigate to properties. Change the gain, boost, and effects here. Set Party Chat Output to Headset Only You can correct the error that produces an echo in party chat by setting the party chat output to the headset. Here are the steps to do this: Press the Xbox button on your controller. From the options, select System Go to Settings. Select 'volume & audio output' . Navigate to Party chat output. Select 'headset' as the output. Update the Xbox Firmware Updating your controller's firmware may fix this problem. Firmware updates will overwrite existing software and also install missing software. Try Your Headset with a Working Console and Vice-versa Use your headsets with a different working console and observe the result. In the same way, use your console with a working Xbox one compatible headset. A working headset and controller will help you to know if the problem lies with your headsets and controller or not. Now you can replace the broken headset or controller. Talk to Other Gamers in Your Party Chat In a party chat, headset echo may not be from your end, especially if the echo comes when other gamers talk. In that case, tell the gamer to try fixing it from their end. Conclusion Headset echoing on Xbox One is commonly a result of loud headset volume. When it is not, mic setup, controller problem, or other gamers' connection may be the cause. Consider troubleshooting these first before attempting the other fixes in this guide.