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So, you’ve just bought the premium Astro A50 wireless headset, but you’re facing issues connecting it to your Xbox Series X. Don’t worry, I’ve been in the same boat and discovered a solution that might work for you.
When you’re finished reading this article, you’ll have the knowledge to successfully connect your Astro A50 headset to your Xbox Series X.
Quick Fix for Astro A50 Not Working with Xbox Series X
If your Astro A50 isn’t working with your Xbox Series X, try the following steps:
- Connect your Astro A50 base station to a Windows computer via USB.
- Switch the Astro Base to PC mode.
- Download the Astro Command Center for Windows 10 on your computer.
- Use the software to update the firmware on your Astro A50 headset and base.
- Disconnect the Astro A50 from your computer and plug the USB dongle into your Xbox Series X.
- Switch the A50 Base to Xbox Mode.
- Your Astro A50 headset should now be working with your Xbox Series X.
For most people, updating the firmware on the Astro A50 fixes the issue. Make sure to use the Astro Command Center from the Microsoft Store, not the app from their website.
But if you encounter other issues preventing the Astro A50 from connecting to your Xbox, I’ll walk you through some alternative solutions that should do the trick.
Don’t have a Windows laptop? No worries! There’s an Astro Command Center app available for macOS too.
Other Fixes for Astro Headset Not Working on Consoles
Manually Update Astro Firmware
In some cases, the Astro Command Center app may not detect your headset or halt the firmware update at around 50%. If that happens, try these workarounds:
- Attempt using the app on a different computer.
- Manually update the firmware using files from Astro’s website.
To force an update, open the Astro Command Center for Windows 10, click on the gear icon in the top right corner, and select “Update Firmware Manually.” Choose the update file from your computer.
Here are the links to the firmware files:
- Astro A50 Wireless and Base Station Gen 4
- Astro A50 Wireless and Base Station Gen 3
- A20 Gen 2
- A20 Gen 1
Download these files to your computer and then use the Astro Command Center app to open and force an update.
Fully Restart Your Xbox Series X
Hold down the Xbox button on your controller to open the guide. Go to Settings, General, and Power Mode, then select “Restart Now.”
By fully restarting your Xbox, it should detect your Astro A50 headset. Make sure to restart your Xbox after updating the headset’s firmware on your computer and reconnecting it to the Xbox.
Power Cycle Xbox
Unplug your Xbox from the power source and wait a few minutes before reconnecting it. This action will reset the power supply and clear the system cache, potentially fixing connection issues.
Connect the Base Station to PC and then Back to Xbox
For some users, connecting the Astro Base station to a PC first and then to the Xbox resolves the problem. It might seem strange, but many people have found success with this method, so it’s worth a shot.
Try a Different USB Port on Your Xbox Series X
Sometimes, the simplest solutions are the most effective. Try connecting your Astro A50 to a different USB port on your Xbox Series X.
Switch the Base Station to Xbox
On the back of the Astro Base station, you’ll find a switch for PC and Xbox. Ensure that it’s set to PC when updating it on a PC. However, when connecting it to your Xbox Series X, switch the mode back to Xbox. It’s an easy step to overlook.
Consider an Alternative
If the Astro A50 continues to be a pain, and you’re still within the refund window, I recommend getting a refund and opting for a more stable headset.
Personally, I find the official Xbox Wireless Headset to be a great alternative.
The Bottom Line
The Astro A50 is an excellent headset, but it may encounter connection issues from time to time. Updating the firmware on a separate PC before using it with your Xbox Series X can solve around 90% of these issues.
Did these solutions help you? Drop a comment below!