Having issues with your Astro A50 wireless headset not charging? This guide will walk through common reasons why your Astro A50 is not charging and show you how to fix the Astro A50 not charging problem.
The Astro A50 wireless gaming headset has become one of the most popular high-end headsets for gamers and streamers over the past few years. Made by long-time gaming audio company Astro Gaming, a subsidiary of Logitech, the A50 offers excellent sound quality, a comfortable fit, and wireless convenience thanks to its 2.4GHz wireless transmitter.
With superb audio drivers providing booming bass and clear highs and mids, the A50 brings games to life with its immersive surround sound. It also provides clear chat with its attached boom microphone. The headset works with PC, PlayStation, Xbox, and more with full wireless audio.
For many gamers, the Astro A50 delivers the ultimate wireless audio experience. However, some users eventually run into issues with the Astro A50 not charging or holding a charge. This can render an otherwise amazing headset unusable.
In this article, we’ll explore some troubleshooting and solutions for fixing an Astro A50 that stops charging. We’ll cover possible reasons why your A50 not charging and how to fix it. Keep reading to resolve those frustrating charging issues!
Why is My Astro A50 Not Charging?
There are a handful of common reasons why your Astro A50 wireless gaming headset may not be charging properly. One possibility is an outdated firmware version causing technical issues that disrupt the charging process. The charging cable could also be damaged or defective in some way, preventing a stable connection. Inadequate or fluctuating power supply to the Astro A50 charging dock can likewise inhibit charging.
In some cases, the battery inside the Astro A50 itself may simply need to be replaced, as its capacity to hold a reliable charge diminishes over time with regular use. Issues with the headset’s charging port, including damage or accumulated dust/debris stopping a solid connection, can also be an issue.
How to Fix Astro A50 Not Charging
Check Your Charging Station for Damage
The most common reason an Astro A50 won’t charge properly is physical damage to the charging station base. Even a small impact can stop it from working.
So, you need to carefully inspect the metal charging pins inside the base that connect with the headset. If any pins are bent, broken, or stuck, the charging station will be unusable. Press each pin to verify it springs back out smoothly.
If even one pin is damaged, you will need a replacement charging base station. The good news – you can buy just the base station separately, no need to repurchase the full Astro A50 headset set. Check Astro Gaming’s website to order a fresh base.
Before doing that, it’s worth trying some other troubleshooting instructions below. But if you findobvious physical damage, a new base will be required for charging.
One last tip – if your Astro A50 headset is still under warranty, contact Astro support to potentially get a free replacement station! But if the damage isn’t clear, the warranty claim may be denied.
Inspect Your Charging Cable
The charging cable could also be the issue if your Astro A50 headset won’t charge. First, ensure the cable is plugged in completely straight at both ends – into the base station and wall outlet/PC USB port.
Wiggle the cable at each connection point to confirm it’s making a solid, snug connection with no looseness or intermittent contact. Twist and turn the cable to check for any frays, tears, or internal damage that could be interrupting electrical flow.
Also verify that the power source itself, whether a wall outlet or laptop USB port, has power and is undamaged. Consider connecting the base station temporarily to an alternate power source to rule out issues with a damaged outlet/port.
Testing the charging cable with different secure connections and intact power sources will help determine if cable damage or looseness is the root cause of the headset not charging. Replace the cable if needed.
Avoid Standby Mode to Prevent Charging/Reset Issues
The Astro A50’s standby mode unfortunately has some flaws that can cause problems. Once in standby, the A50 headset cannot be charged or reset until powered back on. Even worse, sometimes the headset gets stuck in standby permanently.
With the headset stuck in standby, you have to wait for the battery to fully drain. Only then can you charge or reset it after it powers down.
Because of these glitchy standby problems that block charging and resetting, it’s best to avoid standby mode altogether.
Instead, make sure to switch the Astro A50 completely off when not in use. Turning the power switch fully off prevents standby mode from activating. This will ensure you can always charge or reset the headset when needed.
Test With An Alternate Power Source
It is also possible that issues with the power source will also prevent an Astro A50 from charging properly. As a test, try connecting the A50 charging base station to another power outlet or computer USB port. Use an alternate power source that you know works reliably.
This could be switching from a wall outlet to a surge protector outlet, or swapping from one USB port on your laptop to another.
Update the Headset Firmware
If resetting did not resolve the charging issues, an outdated firmware version could be the culprit. You may be able to fix problems with your Astro A50 headset by updating the firmware.
To update, connect your Astro A50 headset to a computer using a USB cable. Be sure the headset is powered on.
Then open the “Astro Command Center” application on your computer. This is used to monitor and manage Astro gaming headsets.
The app will automatically check your Astro A50’s current firmware and offer an update if one is available. Just follow the on-screen prompts to download and install new headset firmware.
Try Resetting
If there is no visible damage to the charging pins, resetting the headset may fix charging issues. Many Astro A50 users have resolved charging problems with a simple reset.
Here’s how to reset:
- Turn on the Astro A50 first.
- Press and hold the Game button and Dolby button at the same time for 20-30 seconds. This will force the headset to reboot.
- Alternatively, with the headset powered on, plug in a USB cable to the headset. Then hold the Game and Dolby buttons together, with USB connected, to reset.
- After resetting using one of the above methods, place the Astro A50 on the charging base. Check if the LED status light glows amber, signaling charging mode.
- If the amber LED illuminates, the reset worked! The headset should now charge as expected on the base station. That final LED check will confirm you have resolved the charging difficulties with a simple reset.
Try Changing Battery
Another common reason for charging issues is that the headset’s internal lithium battery has reached the end of its lifespan. Over years of use, batteries lose their ability to hold a charge.
If you suspect this is happening with your Astro A50 battery, replacement batteries can be purchased affordably from electronics retailers. Look for a 3.7V lithium battery with 900 mAh capacity.
However, replacing the battery yourself by opening up the headset is very tricky and will void your warranty. Unless you have electronics repair experience, it’s best to take the A50 to a qualified technician for battery swap.
While the new battery itself is inexpensive, you want the installation done properly to avoid damaging your headset and losing warranty coverage. Consider the pros and cons before deciding on a DIY battery replacement effort.
For many owners, bringing to an electronics repair shop is the wisest choice to revive an aging Astro A50 battery and restore normal charging functions. It avoids any complex procedures or warranty-voiding risks.
Contact Astro Support
If you have tried all troubleshooting steps and your Astro A50 headset still fails to charge properly, contact Astro support for assistance.
The Astro support team has extensive experience solving tricky Astro A50 charging problems. If necessary, they can provide specialized advice or repair headsets.
Astro’s technicians can diagnose deeper issues, offer unique workarounds, or set up service requests for headsets under warranty.
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