How to play Xbox game audio through headset

Microsoft Xbox games have stunning audio quality and when you’re playing a game either casually or competitively, listening to the sound queues are crucial.

You may use a headset on your Xbox when playing competitively online, or you just might want to keep the volume contained to your headphones to fully immerse yourself in the digital world.

A common error that can occur is when you plug a new headset into your controller or when you pair it via Bluetooth to your Xbox, you may not be getting game audio output to the new headset. The guide on this page will help you solve this issue if it occurs.

Contents hide

1 Description of the Xbox headset issue

2 How to change Xbox audio output to the headset – Simple steps

3 How to run the Xbox audio setup guide to connect headset

4 How to set the Xbox headset / chat mixer to keep audio playing

5 Latest posts

Description of the Xbox headset issue

Below is a summary of what you may experience. The guide will help resolve this issue:

You purchase a new Xbox headset. Plug the headset into a controller or pair via Bluetooth to the Xbox.
The game audio does not come out through the headset
Especially problematic if your headset covers both ears

You can find many Xbox headset options at Amazon.

How to change Xbox audio output to the headset – Simple steps

While the Xbox should automatically detect the new headset and setup audio output correctly, it’s does not do this 100% of the time. You’ll need to check the Xbox audio settings.

Press the Xbox button on your controller > Select the settings/gear icon > Select the Audio setting option > Navigate through the volume and audio options.

How to run the Xbox audio setup guide to connect headset

If you cannot resolve with the simple settings change, running the setup tool on the Xbox will help. One thing to note – Xbox is constantly updating the interface and it is subject to change.

Step 1 – Make sure you’re not actively playing a game to avoid losing any progress. Save if you need to.

Step 2 – From any screen, press the Xbox button on your controller to open the menu.

Step 3 – Select Profile & system, then Settings, then General, then Volume & audio output.

Step 4 – Navigate to Advances, then select Audio setup.

Step 5 – Navigate to the audio option you want to use (such as headset) and then select it to run the setup test.

Step 6 – Review the available audio options.

The list will vary depending on your audio connections (such as a soundbar, TV, headset, etc.) Available options will be the only items to appear.

Step 7 – Pay attention as the test runs and listen to where audio comes from. Select the desired option.

How to set the Xbox headset / chat mixer to keep audio playing

The audio setting when you’re in a party may be set to ONLY output the conversation audio and dim the game audio. You may need to adjust this setting:

Make sure you’re not actively in a game to avoid losing progress.
From any screen, press the Xbox button on your controller to open the settings.
Select Profile & system > Settings.
Select General > Volume & audio output.
Navigate to Advanced, select Additional options, then select Chat mixer.
Select the desired available option.