Game Voice: Cannot Mute Speakers by Using the Headset/Speaker Switch (269687)

SYMPTOMS

When you use the Microsoft SideWinder Game Voice with speakers that are not connected to the computer through the line-out jack on your sound card, the headset/speaker switch on the side of the Game Voice Control Pad does not work as expected and switching the headset/speaker switch to the headset position does not mute the speakers.

Examples of speakers that are not connected to the computer through the line-out jack on a sound card include Universal Serial Bus (USB) only speakers, and wireless speakers.

CAUSE

If the speakers are not connected to the computer through the line-out jack on your sound card, the speakers are not connected to the SideWinder Game Voice hardware. As a result, you cannot mute the speakers by using the headset/speaker switch on the Game Voice Control Pad.

RESOLUTION

To resolve this issue, manually mute or turn off USB-only speakers or speakers that are not connected to the computer through the line-out jack on your sound card when you want to use the SideWinder Game Voice.

MORE INFORMATION

When audio is playing through the speakers while you use the SideWinder Game Voice to communicate, you may experience echo or feedback in the Game Voice program.

If you use USB or analog speakers, such as the Microsoft DSS80 speakers, the headset/speaker switch disables the analog input to the speakers but the USB input is not disabled. As a result, echo or feedback in the Game Voice program may still occur.