My headset stops outputting audio when playing games with Unreal Engine 5?

Troubleshooting Audio Issues with Turtle Beach Stealth 500X Headset During Unreal Engine 5 Games

Introduction

Audio connectivity problems can be frustrating, especially when they interfere with your gaming experience. Recently, many gamers using Bluetooth headsets have reported audio issues after game updates or engine changes. If you’re experiencing no audio output from your Turtle Beach Stealth 500X Xbox headset while playing certain titles, particularly those built with Unreal Engine 5, this guide will help you identify potential causes and solutions.

Understanding Your Equipment

The Turtle Beach Stealth 500X is primarily designed for Xbox consoles but is also compatible with PC via Bluetooth connection. While it generally performs well across platforms, compatibility quirks may emerge when playing certain games or using specific game engines. Notably, some users have observed audio output disruptions specifically linked to Unreal Engine 5 (UE5) titles.

Identifying the Issue

Based on recent reports, the problem appears to be isolated to games using Unreal Engine 5. For example, titles like Valorant (which recently transitioned to UE5) have caused the headset to cease outputting audio, despite remaining connected via Bluetooth. Other non-UE5 games tend to function normally.

Potential Causes

1. Game Engine Audio Handling: UE5 may modify or override default audio output routes, leading to compatibility issues with Bluetooth headsets.
2. Bluetooth Connectivity: The Bluetooth connection may not be adequately managed during gameplay, especially if the game’s audio system interacts differently with Bluetooth devices.
3. Operating System or Driver Settings: Changes or updates to your PC’s audio drivers or system settings might impact Bluetooth audio output during certain applications.
4. Headset Firmware: Outdated firmware on your headset could cause compatibility issues with new game engines or system updates.

Recommended Solutions

1. Verify Default Audio Device Settings
2. Ensure your Bluetooth headset is selected as the default playback device in your operating system.

3. On Windows, go to Sound Settings > Playback tab > select your headset > Set as Default.

4. Update Device Drivers and Firmware

5. Check for the latest firmware updates for your Turtle Beach headset on the manufacturer’s website.

6. Update your Bluetooth drivers and Windows audio drivers to their latest versions.

7. Adjust In-Game and System Settings

8. Terminate and relaunch the game to see if audio output resumes.
9. Disable any exclusive mode settings that allow applications to take exclusive control of the audio device: