Fix 1: Make Sure to Turn it On Properly
It is crucial to make sure that you turn on the Arctis 9 and 9X properly. Some people may overlook the fact that they must press and hold the power button of their SteelSeries headset for about 5 seconds for it to turn on. Therefore, make sure to follow this trick whenever you try to turn on your Arctis headset.
Fix 2: Check If Headset is Charged
Have you checked the battery status of your SteelSeries Arctis 9 and 9X? You might be experiencing this error because the battery level of your headphone may be lower. Thus, check your headphones again after charging fully.
After fully charging their SteelSeries headset, many users reported that it began to work properly again. Therefore, you must try it out and let us know if it was helpful.
Also, don’t get panic if the SteelSeries Arctis 9 and 9X are not turning on even after charging the headsets and performing the other fixes.
Fix 3: Make Sure the Charging Port is Working
A faulty charging port is potentially the reason why your Arctis 9 and 9X are not charging properly. Therefore, you must check out the port of your headset that you use to charge them.
Moreover, you must also check if the source you are using to charge your Arctis headphone may not work properly. Also, chances are there that your headset batteries may be damaged due to which you are getting this issue.
So, you can check whether your headset batteries are fully charged by simply charging them for a few hours. You must replace your batteries if your battery doesn’t last for more than one hour.
If your Arctis 9 and 9X are not functioning correctly, you should reset your headset, fixing any internal errors. To reset your Arctis 9 and 9X, please follow these instructions:
- Initially, remove any cables from your SteelSeries headset.
- After that, remove the cushion from the left ear cup.
- Thereafter, press and hold the reset button located inside a pinhole for 5-10 seconds using a paperclip.
- Then, finally, charge it again for 5 minutes and check again if it starts working.
Fix 5: Reboot Your Device
If none of the above-mentioned methods helps, then make sure to reboot your device as chances are there that your headset does not have any issue, and it is your device in which you are trying to connect your headset have some issue.
Many users previously reported that just after rebooting their device, the Arctis 9 and 9X not working, not turning on, or not connecting issue get resolved.
Fix 6: Update The Audio Drivers (For PC)
There is confusion among most users as to whether updating the drivers will fix or enhance or repair the performance of their devices. I believe that updating the driver is always the best option for increasing performance and fixing various problems you are usually experiencing. To do this, you should follow these steps:
- The first step is to launch Run and search for devmgmt.msc.
- Once that’s done, click on the Audio Inputs and Outputs tab to expand it.
- Lastly, right-click on it and choose Uninstall. Reboot your device to reinstall it again. Or you can simply hit the Update Driver Software.
Fix 7: Update The SteelSeries Engine Software (For PC)
When using Arctis 9 or Arctis 9X on a PC, this is the most crucial thing for the user to ensure. It is, however, automatically updated by the SteelSeries Engine software. However, there may be times when it fails to update the software due to technical problems. So, in that case, you have to manually update it using these steps:
- Start the Run window by pressing Win+I. Then, type appwiz.cpl into the search box and search for it.
- After that, right-click on the SteelSeries Engine. Select Uninstall.
- Next, download the SteelSeries Driver from their official website.
- Finally, connect your headset to your computer as usual and install the software as you normally do.
Fix 8: Check For Internal Damage
There are chances that your Arctis 9 and 9X have any internal damage due to which your headsets are not turning on. So, you must thoroughly check the headset and verify if there is any damage, dent, to crack occurring on it. However, if you find any internal damage, then make sure to hover over to your nearest service center and repair it.
Fix 9: Disable Other Peripheral Devices
Is a Bluetooth peripheral device already connected to your PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One S, or PC? To ensure that your headset connection is successful, it would be best if you disable them first.
However, this is true, as we have seen in many cases where users have been able to resolve this Arctis 9 and 9X not turning on by removing other Bluetooth devices from their device.
Also Read: Fix: SteelSeries Arctis 7P Mic Not Working Issue
Wrap Up
SteelSeries is a Danish gaming accessories brand that is one of the most well-known brands in the world of esports and professional gaming. But, we cannot overlook this kind of issue.
So, you now have some fixes that you can try to resolve the Arctis 9 and 9X not turning on issue. Anyway, that’s all on how to fix the SteelSeries Arctis 9 and 9X not turning on issue. We are hoping that this troubleshooting guide has helped you. But, in case you need further help, comment below and let us know.
Arctis 9 headphones are so famous for all kinds of faults, among others – caps blowing up and failure to connect to transceiver – these happen so often that if you have one of these issues, Steal Series Customer support will just ask you for receipt and send you a fresh pair. Unfortunately, you’re not likely to keep your receipt for more than few months. Or days. You’ll be grateful if you puchased online in that case.
It’s interesting that in case of 2.4g connection issues – in all cases I had, the only way to make your headset work is to switch to BL WHILE having a charger connected. In some cases, headset will resume working in BT mode, in some it will return to “red led mode” and remain useless.
This article doesn’t do justice to all the users – mostly gamers, btw – as if they are incapable of doing nothing while Windows is installing automatically installed drivers, or holding a power on button for 5 seconds, pretty much like every wireless headset.
The only real “fix” is actually just a diagnostic step No 1 – check for internal pcb damage. And then – instead of telling people what value are blown caps – because you can’t really see – neither can they in service, or telling people which transistor to replace – they are telling you to “head to the nearest service”. I am your service and I am telling you – don’t!
“Heading to nearest service” is not a viable option. I say that as an audio service technician. I make my living repairing audio equipment. The thing is – I am willing to invest my time in repairing 80 years old class A Marantz, which customers often bring to repair for sentimental, “piece of history”, not just audiophile reasons. They bring me a machine their grandparents bought for 1000 USD 80 years ago, which they could sell for 10.000, and yet they are willing to pay “as much as it costs” to “restore it to original condition”. Often I have to dig through other old equipment to find the same kind of coil or cap, because customers are sometimes convinced “they sound different” even when it’s not the case. Or install some bulbs no one is even making for decades, even though I could set them up with much better looking LED lighting. But, I get it. And it’s their money, right, I don’t even have to get it.
But, how would you expect me to repair some 100-200 headset? Even the manufacturer – which didn’t publish the PCB layout, which is very bad modern-day practice, the only people who have the access to schemes and programmed chips – even they don’t repair them.
That should tell you something about SteelSeries. Unfortunate, because it’s just bad business practice that differentiates these, from 2-3x more expensive Sony or Sennheiser headphones. Put diagrams online, someone will figure it out and leave (real) repair instructions, so that kids can fix their gear, instead of bringing it to me and leave dissapointed. I mean, I’m really sorry, maybe in India someone would fix them. I don’t wanna charge you 50$ when I’m not able to guarantee it would work 7 days, for a headset you can find for 50$ used.
I found this article dissapointing. I am sure there are so many people who tried to find solutions to two very common problems, only to find “instructions” on how to do bunch of pointless stuff.
SteelSeries – pay for advertisments in a form of “how to guides” – or publish your schemes. That’s the choice. The answer will determine what kind of manufacturer you are.