How to Fix “SteelSeries Arctis 7 Mic Stops Working” Problem On Windows 11/10

Don’t let a non-functional microphone ruin your gaming experience. Here’s how to fix it!  

In the realm of gaming peripherals, SteelSeries Arctis 7 Microphones stand as the beacon of superior quality and innovation. Though it promises an immersive gaming experience, many Windows 11/10 users often encounter perplexing mic-related issues. From the frustrating sight of the Arctis 7 mic blinking red light issue to Windows PC’s refusal to detect the SteelSeries Microphone, these challenges are annoying.

In this blog post, we’ll explore the potential reasons why Windows 11/10 does not detect SteelSeries Mic and similar issues and provide you with a few quick and easy ways to fix them. But first, let’s figure out. . . 

Why is SteelSeries Mic Not Being Picked Up

Well, there could be plenty of reasons that may cause the problem of malfunctioning Mic. Some of the potential causes are listed below: 

• The microphone is being used on mute
• Incorrect microphone settings
• Running outdated audio drivers
• Hardware malfunction or damage
• Third-party software interface
• Operating System Incompatibility
• SteelSeries Engine software has pending updates

Addressing the causes mentioned above can help you troubleshoot and resolve the issue of SteelSeries Mic not responding properly. But before we delve into the advanced solutions, let’s learn one quick workaround to fix it. 

Easiest Fix To Resolve SteelSeries Microphone Not Working Problem The problem typically appears when you haven’t allowed access to your microphone. To enable it, here’s what you need to do:  STEP 1 = Navigate to the search bar and search for Microphone Privacy Settings. STEP 2 = In the next window, toggle on the switch next to “Allow apps to access your microphone”. STEP 3 = Now, head towards the section where a list of applications with microphone access is mentioned. At this step, you need to turn on the access for the app used with Arctis Microphone.  That’s it! Hopefully, problems associated with the microphone should be resolved now. If the problem persists, you need to move on to further solutions.

SteelSeries Arctis 7 Microphone is Not Working in Windows 10/11. What To Do?

If the above basic method doesn’t work, try the following tactics: 

METHOD 1 = Configure The Microphone Settings

If the SteelSeries Arctis 7 microphone is not working as expected even after enabling access, there might be chances that related settings are the culprit. Here’s what you can do to modify the microphone settings. 

STEP 1 = Go to the Search bar, type Control Panel, and click on the same.

STEP 2 = Navigate to the View by section and select Small icons. Click on the Sound option.

STEP 3 = On the Sound Settings window, head to the Recording tab. Here, right-click on the empty play and check the option next to Show Disabled Devices.

STEP 4 = Now, you need to check if your SteelSeries Arctis 7 microphone is enabled. If not, right-click on it and select the Enable option from the pop-up menu.

Also, make sure the microphone is set as the default device. 

STEP 5 = In addition to making the above changes, you should also consider unmuting and increasing the volume levels of the microphone. For this, right-click on the Mic and choose Properties from the context menu. 

STEP 6 = Go to the Levels tab and click the speaker icon to unmute it. Make sure to drag the volume slider to the largest, as shown in the screenshot below.

Hit the OK button to save the changes! Now that you’ve applied the correct settings, your Arctis 7 microphone should work again. 

METHOD 2 = Update Audio Drivers

If the drivers are outdated, corrupted, or incompatible, the related device may start throwing errors or stop working altogether. To install the latest version of audio drivers, you can navigate to the official website of SteelSeries and install it manually for your microphone. But if you don’t have enough time, patience, or skills to update drivers, we recommend you execute this process automatically with Advanced Driver Updater. 

Advanced Driver Updater is a reliable software that allows users to scan and discover the correct drivers and update them with the latest and most compatible versions. The software eliminates the risk of downloading wrong or incompatible drivers, as everything is automated. It holds a large database of the latest and right drivers so that the most suitable ones can be downloaded for your devices. 

Advanced Driver Updater offers free (scan-only version) and pro editions (which only take a few clicks to update to the latest driver versions). 

Publisher: Advanced Driver Updater by Systweak Software Website: Advanced Driver Updater Latest Version: 4.6.1086.4293 Money-Back Guarantee: 60 days License Type: Subscription Price: $39.95 (Annual) Setup Size: 11.9MB Minimum Hard Disk Space: 500 MB Required RAM: 512 MB Processor: 16 MB Compatibility Architecture: Both 64Bit (x64) and 32Bit (X86) Free Trial: Limited functionality Deployment: Windows – 11, 10, 8.1, 8 & 7 (32 and 64-bit) Training: No Training Required Support: Email, FAQ, and Knowledge Base

Here’s how to use Advanced Driver Updater: 

STEP 1 = Install the latest version of Advanced Driver Updater on your PC.

STEP 2 = Click the Start Scan Now button to initiate a quick yet thorough scan.

STEP 3 = A list of all the outdated, missing, damaged, and incompatible drivers will be listed. You can either locate the faulty audio drivers & click on the Update driver next to it or simply click on the Update All button to fix all the problematic drivers simultaneously. 

Restart your PC to ensure all the changes are implemented properly. 

For more information on the best driver updater software for Windows, check out our blog post [here].

METHOD 3 = Install The Latest SteelSeries Engine Software

Installing the latest SteelSeries Engine Software ensures that your microphone is properly recognized and configured by your system, potentially resolving the issue of the SteelSeries mic not being picked up on Windows 11/10 PC. Additionally, running the latest software facilitates firmware updates that fix underlying issues with the microphone and improve overall device performance.

Follow the instructions below to download and install the latest SteelSeries Engine Software: 

STEP 1 = Navigate to the official website of SteelSeries.

STEP 2 = Click on the Free Download button per your Operating System.
STEP 3 = Follow the on-screen instructions on your screen to run the executable file.
STEP 4 = Now, simply re-plug your SteelSeries Arctis 7 microphone into your PC and run this software. 

Configure your gear settings and RGB illumination. Hopefully, this way, you can fix all the issues related to your microphone. 

METHOD 4 = Reset Your Headset

If you constantly encounter the Arctis 7 Mic Red but not detecting issues, it’s time to perform a hardware reset to resolve potential issues. Here’s what you need to do:

STEP 1 = Discover the pinhole located on the left earcup cushion.
STEP 2 = Now, simply push the reset button for a few seconds using a pin or paper clip.

This will instantly reset the hardware. After doing this action, you may fix the SteelSeries headset not working problem. 

Conclusion

If none of the solutions shared above help get your Arctis 7 mic working again, check for any physical damage. If that’s the issue, you need to get it replaced. Alternatively, you can also try using the microphone on another PC to analyze the real culprit. Furthermore, you are suggested to contact a professional service provider to get suitable assistance fixing the issue. 

If you know of any other solution that can help, please share your suggestions in the comments section below. Till then, happy troubleshooting! 

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