Is your Astro A50 headset suddenly unresponsive — no lights, no sound, and no signs of life?
You’re not alone. This is a common issue with the A50 series, and the good news is: you probably don’t need to replace it.
In this guide, I’ll walk you through the exact steps I used to revive my “dead” Astro A50 — no tools or tech skills required.
🔍 What You’ll Learn:
✅ Easy quick fixes to get your Astro A50 powering on again fast
💻 Complete troubleshooting steps from resets to firmware updates
🛠️ How to handle hardware issues
Follow the guide step-by-step, and there’s a high chance you’ll have your Astro A50 back up and running in under 10 minutes.
🔧 Quick Fix (Do This First!)
Before diving into deep troubleshooting or taking apart your headset, try this simple 2-step fix. It’s the method that worked for me after my Astro A50 suddenly stopped powering on—no lights, no sound, and totally unresponsive.
I was ready to throw it out. This brought it back to life.
✅ Step 1: Check the USB Power Source and Cable
Start here—even if it seems too basic. When my A50 wouldn’t turn on, I assumed it was dead. Turns out, my USB cable had silently failed.
Here’s what to do:
Unplug the current USB cable from your base station.
Try a different USB port on your PC, PlayStation, or wall adapter.
Use a different USB cable, ideally one that supports both power and data (USB 3.0 or higher).
💡 Pro Tip: Some USB hubs or front panel PC ports don’t deliver enough power. Plug the cable directly into a rear motherboard port or a known-good wall charger.
Once you reconnect everything, check if the base station shows any signs of life—an LED flicker, charging animation, or headset indicator.
If nothing lights up, move to Step 2.
✅ Step 2: Perform a Hard Reset on the Headset
This step saved me—and hundreds of others. The Astro A50 can sometimes get stuck in a low-power state, especially after firmware issues or extended sleep mode. A simple reset can force it to wake up.
How to Hard Reset the Astro A50 (Gen 4 and newer):
Remove the headset from the base station.
Locate the “Game” button on the right earcup (usually towards the back).
Also locate the “Dolby” button (middle button on the side of the earcup).
Press and hold both buttons at the same time for 20 full seconds.
Keep holding even if no lights flash during the countdown.
Release after 20 seconds, then try powering on the headset.
✅ What happened for me: After 20 seconds, my headset’s LED finally blinked, and I could power it on like normal. No software, no disassembly—just a manual wake-up.
If the headset powers on now, place it back in the base to check charging status. If it still doesn’t turn on, don’t panic—many other solutions are below.
🛠️ Full Troubleshooting Guide
If the quick fix didn’t revive your Astro A50, don’t worry—these next steps go deeper and have helped me and many others solve power issues, charging bugs, and unresponsive hardware. Follow them in order for best results.
🔄 Update Firmware via Astro Command Center
This is one of the most overlooked fixes—and one of the most effective.
After a system update on my PC, my A50 wouldn’t turn on or charge. I thought it was a hardware problem, but it turned out the headset had glitched during a firmware sync. Reinstalling the firmware fixed everything.
How to Update the Firmware:
Download the Astro Command Center:
Windows Download (Astro Gaming)
Mac users: download the older compatible version (Astro dropped Mac support for newer models)
Plug in the base station via USB to your computer.
Dock the headset onto the base properly — ensure contacts touch.
Launch the Astro Command Center.
If an update is available, it will prompt you automatically. Click “Update”.
Wait for the process to complete (about 2–5 minutes).
🧠 Note: If the software doesn’t recognize your device, try a different USB port or cable, then restart the app.
Once the update is complete, undock and power on the headset. Many “dead” A50s come back to life after this step.
🌙 Disable Sleep Mode
Astro headsets are set to enter sleep mode after a period of inactivity. That’s fine in theory, but in practice, it can freeze the device in a low-power state where it refuses to turn on — even when docked.
Here’s how I fixed this on mine:
Turn Off or Adjust Auto-Sleep:
Open the Astro Command Center on your PC.
Select your A50 headset from the top menu.
Look for a setting labeled “Auto Power Off” or “Sleep Mode”.
Change it to “Never” or set it to the longest available time.
Alternatively, if you’re using Logitech G Hub (for newer models post-Logitech acquisition), the setting might be under Power Management.
✅ Result: After disabling sleep mode, my A50 stopped randomly freezing and always woke up properly from the base.
🧼 Clean the Charging Contacts
Sometimes, it’s not about software or resets—it’s about dust and dirt.
Even a thin film of debris on the gold charging contacts can prevent proper docking. I had a similar issue where my headset showed no charge—even though the base was fine. A quick cleaning solved it.
How to Clean Safely:
Tools Needed:
Isopropyl alcohol (at least 70%)
Cotton swabs or microfiber cloth
Compressed air (optional)
Steps:
Unplug the base station.
Remove the headset and inspect the gold charging pins on both the headset and dock.
Lightly dab a cotton swab in alcohol and clean each pin thoroughly.
Let everything dry for at least 5 minutes.
Reconnect and redock.
🧪 Pro Tip: Don’t use water, and don’t press hard—you could bend the pins.
🔌 Reconnect Internal Battery (If Applicable)
This one’s a bit advanced, but it’s a real solution for headsets that have taken a fall or been shipped.
In some cases, the internal battery connector inside the right earcup becomes loose. Reddit users (and I once experienced it myself) report that simply pressing it back in fixed the issue.
What to Do:
⚠️ WARNING: Only attempt this if your device is out of warranty or you’re comfortable opening electronics.
Use a small Phillips screwdriver to remove the screws from the right earcup.
Carefully lift the panel and look for a white plastic box or connector attached to a wire (this is the battery plug).
Gently press it into place—don’t force it.
Reassemble and try powering on the headset.
🧰 If you’re unsure, take photos at each step so you remember how to reassemble.
🔋 Let the Battery Drain Completely
This sounds counterintuitive—but it works for certain “soft freeze” conditions.
When my A50 was stuck with a dim red blinking light and wouldn’t turn on, I left it off the charger for a full day. That forced it to fully discharge.
Once drained:
Place it back on the charging dock.
Watch for charging lights to appear.
Leave it for at least an hour, then attempt a power-on.
🕐 Note: Don’t try to reset it during this period. Let it go dark first.
🔧 Replace the Battery (Advanced Fix)
If your headset still won’t turn on after all the above steps and it’s a few years old, it could be a dead battery. You can replace it yourself—but this voids your warranty.
I only did this after my A50 was out of support.
What You’ll Need:
Replacement Astro A50-compatible battery (search for “A50 Gen 4 replacement battery”)
Precision screwdriver set
Plastic pry tool
Soldering tool (in some cases)
Basic Steps:
Open the right earcup using a precision screwdriver.
Disconnect the old battery from the connector.
Insert and secure the new battery.
Reassemble and test.
🛠️ Recommended: Follow iFixit’s step-by-step guide for images and warnings.
FAQ
Why won’t my Astro A50 charge on the base station?
The Astro A50 may not charge if the headset isn’t seated properly, the charging contacts are dirty, or the USB cable is faulty. Clean the gold pins on both the headset and base, try a different USB cable or port, and make sure the base is receiving power.
Can I reset my Astro A50 without software?
Yes. To reset your Astro A50 manually, hold down the “Game” button and the “Dolby” button on the right earcup for 20 seconds. This hard reset can resolve power issues without using Astro Command Center or any software.
What causes the headset to go into sleep mode?
Astro A50 headsets automatically enter sleep mode after a period of inactivity to save battery. This setting can be adjusted or disabled in the Astro Command Center under Power Settings or Auto Power Off.
Is it safe to open the headset to fix battery issues?
Opening the Astro A50 headset is safe if done carefully with the right tools, but it will void your warranty. If your headset is out of warranty and you suspect a battery connection issue, follow a trusted guide like iFixit and proceed with caution.
How to check Astro A50 battery?
To check your A50 battery level, place the headset on the base station. The front LEDs on the dock will indicate the battery status: 1 light = low, 4 lights = full. You can also view battery level inside the Astro Command Center software.
How long do Astro headsets last?
With regular use, Astro headsets typically last 3 to 5 years. Lifespan depends on usage, charging habits, and storage conditions. Replacing the battery or ear pads can extend the life further.
What to do if Astro is not working?
If your Astro headset isn’t working, try the following:
Hard reset the headset (Game + Dolby for 20 sec)
Clean charging contacts
Update firmware via Astro Command Center
Check USB power
Disable sleep mode
If all fails, contact Astro Support for service.
How do I turn on my ASTRO A50 headset?
To turn on your Astro A50, press the Power button on the right earcup for 2–3 seconds. The LED should light up. If the headset doesn’t respond, try resetting it or placing it on the base to charge first.
What to do if your ASTRO A50 won’t turn on?
If your Astro A50 won’t turn on:
Hard reset it (Game + Dolby buttons for 20 seconds)
Check the USB cable and power source
Clean the charging pins
Update firmware
Try a full battery drain and recharge
These steps fix most non-responsive headsets.
How to turn off Astro A50?
Press and hold the Power button on the right earcup for 3 seconds until the LED turns off. The headset will also turn off automatically if not in use for a set time (sleep mode).
Astro A50 base station not turning on?
If the base station won’t power on, try the following:
Use a different USB cable and port
Plug directly into a rear USB 3.0 PC port or known-good wall adapter
Make sure the headset is removed from the dock during power-on
Check for firmware issues via Astro Command Center
Conclusion
We hope this guide helped you solve the issue with your Astro A50 not turning on and answered all your questions along the way. Whether it was a simple reset, a charging fix, or a deeper firmware or battery solution — you now have the tools to get your headset working again.
If you found this article helpful, be sure to explore the rest of our website — we cover everything audio, from headphones and speakers to sound troubleshooting and gear reviews you won’t want to miss.
Got a question we didn’t cover?
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Thanks for reading, and happy listening! 🎧
Monica Rivas is a Reviewer and Content Manager of Audiofavorite, she is an audiophile for many years and she helps people to learn all they need about audio, speakers, sound etc.