Share via

Sound goes mono as soon as i start a game or an app

Anonymous
2023-03-06T17:15:50+00:00

Hi

I tried playing stereo sound on youtube and its works well

But as soon as i start a game for exemple Valorant , or an app like steelseries sonar , my audio goes to mono without me touching anything

And when i quit the game , the audio is back to stereo

I have no idea of what to do , i tried re installing all my audio drivers but nothing changed

I have a steelserie arctis 9X headset if that helps

I also tried plugging airpods and earphones , and its the same , goes Mono whenever a game is on

Thank you for your help

Windows for home | Windows 11 | Performance and system failures

Locked Question. This question was migrated from the Microsoft Support Community. You can vote on whether it's helpful, but you can't add comments or replies or follow the question.

0 comments

Answer accepted by question author

  1. Anonymous
    2023-03-06T18:03:33+00:00

    Hi Nath

    This is Tamal trying to answer your question.

    You have already discovered the root cause of the issue.

    Bluetooth is a limited bandwidth technology when it comes to data transfer. When you transmit audio from PC, it transmits in stereo but as soon you put microphone in business then one channel is occupied by the Microphone & the other is used for audio out. The quality drops from hi quality to telephone quality. It is expected behavior for a Bluetooth Headset. For simultaneous use of HD audio in & out you need to use a headset that has its own transceiver (a small USB thingy or base transmit unit). Those are real good headphones for gaming as well use in broadcast environment. You can go wired if you want lag free performance.

    10+ people found this answer helpful.
    0 comments

Answer accepted by question author

  1. Anonymous
    2023-03-06T18:23:41+00:00

    Welcome Nath, you can use another standalone mic (may be on the 3.5MM analog jack or USB one) to communicate with game contacts & use the headset for sound out only. Disable the headset Microphone in sound settings by searching & running command mmsys.cpl

    The quality of the mic inside is not inferior but having both in best condition (stereo+Microphone) is not possible yet.

    If you want the feature (good quality audio out in stereo+ Microphone working simultaneously) then you may have to purchase a new one with own proprietary wireless adapter.

    10 people found this answer helpful.
    0 comments

6 additional answers

Sort by: Most helpful
Most helpful Newest Oldest
  1. Anonymous
    2024-01-03T05:21:31+00:00

    Had the same issue and Found the solution...

    Go in System > Bluetooth and Devices > View More Devices > More devices and printer settings (bottom) > Open your headset (Properties) > under Services unselect "Handsfree telephony"

    Close everything and Voila ! Enjoy.

    9 people found this answer helpful.
    0 comments
  2. Anonymous
    2023-03-06T19:04:09+00:00

    Thank you for your help , have a good day !

    2 people found this answer helpful.
    0 comments
  3. Anonymous
    2023-03-06T17:41:44+00:00

    Seems like it only happens when there is a microphone involved , in game menues my sound is stereo , but as soon as i get into a game and my microphone is involved , the sound change to a lower quality and goes to mono

    I turned off " allow apps and windows to use steelserie arctis 9X for audio " and now my sound is in stereo , but people cant hear me anymore with my mic

    1 person found this answer helpful.
    0 comments