For its $300 price…
The Astro A50 is 1 of the best gaming headsets you can find.
So, it’s such a huge disappointment when this top-tier audio device stops charging.
But don’t worry.
I’ve successfully solved this charging issue before.
And doing so is much easier than you think.
Continue reading to find out:
- 2 different ways to charge your gaming headset.
- 7 quick fixes to try if your Astro A50 isn’t charging.
- The most common reasons your headset won’t charge.
- Why you shouldn’t let the Astro A50 enter its standby mode.
- And this is just the beginning…
Why won’t my Astro A50 charge?
Your Astro A50 won’t charge because its charging pins are damaged or dirty. This problem also happens when you don’t let your headset sit on its base station properly. Moreover, your Astro A50 won’t charge if it’s stuck in standby mode. A damaged or overused battery also causes this issue.
Astro A50 not charging: 7 fixes
#1: Check for physical damage
When your Astro A50 doesn’t charge…
It’s easy to assume that there’s something wrong with your headset itself.
However, more often than not, your audio device’s base station causes this charging issue.
Or, more specifically, its charging pins/prongs.
Because if any of the base’s 3 connection points are damaged…
Your A50 headset won’t be able to receive power from it.
But don’t worry. It’s pretty easy to…
Check if there’s damage on your base station’s charging pins:
Step 1: Remove your headset from its base
Otherwise, you won’t be able to check the latter’s charging points.
Step 2: Visually inspect the base’s charging connectors
These are the 3 gold-colored pins you’ll find on the curved part of the base.
Look out for visible signs of damage which include:
- Deformation.
- Discoloration.
Don’t see any of the above?
Then, proceed to…
Step 3: Check if any pins are loose/broken
Try pushing each pin downwards.
And observe if any of them gets stuck or takes too long to come back up.
If either happens to any of the charging pins…
You should get your base station repaired by Astro’s official technicians.
Or you could simply replace it with a new one.
Because charging connectors are necessary for your headset to charge.
“But none of the pins are damaged.”
In that case…
#2: Clean your audio device’s charging connectors
Deformed base prongs aren’t the only reason your headset might stop charging from its base.
Because if the said connectors are too dirty…
Your Astro A50 also won’t be able to receive power.
So, this time, follow these…
5 simple steps to clean your base station’s charging pins:
Step 1: Prepare your cleaning materials
That include:
- Q-tips.
- Microfiber cloth.
- Isopropyl alcohol (at least 90%).
Step 2: Remove your headset from the base
As mentioned, this step is necessary to see your audio device’s charging prongs.
Step 3: Damp 1 side of A Q-tip with alcohol
Warning: Ensure that the alcohol percentage is at least 90% (the higher, the better). Otherwise, you’ll risk damaging your audio device’s pins because of high water content.
Step 4: Clean the charging prongs with your wet Q-tip
Scrub all 3 connectors gently and remove every visible dirt.
Step 5: Dry the pins
Use the microfiber cloth you prepared earlier to do so.
After that, let your base station air dry for 3 minutes.
This way, you can ensure that there’s no remaining liquid on the pins.
If you want to take this fix a step further, I also recommend…
Cleaning your headset’s charging connectors:
- Prepare a new Q-tip.
- Damp it with highly-concentrated alcohol.
- Find the golden-colored plates and pins at the bottom of your A50 headset.
- Scrub each of them with the damp Q-tip.
- Use your microfiber cloth to carefully dry the connectors.
- Let your headset air dry for 3 minutes.
Now, before charging your audio device again…
#3: Ensure your Astro A50 is sitting properly
As you’ve already noticed by now…
Your Astro A50 headset has 2 golden plates on its bottom-left side. And 1 prong/pin on the bottom right.
Now, these connectors must match the pins on your device’s base station.
So, before charging your headset again…
Align your audio device properly so that its connectors match the ones on the base properly.
And if your A50 still won’t charge after ensuring your headset is placed correctly…
#4: Power cycle your base station
Your A50’s base is a very reliable headset charger.
But like all pieces of tech…
It’s not totally immune to glitches and loose connections.
Luckily though, these types of problems only take seconds to fix.
Because all you need to do is a power cycle. The official term for most people’s universal go-to tech fix:
Unplugging a device from power, then plugging it in again.
To make this solution super easy for you, just follow these steps to…
Power cycle your headset’s base station:
- Turn ON your audio device’s base station.
- Remove the headset from it.
- Locate the port with the name “USB” at the back of the base.
- Unplug the cable connected to this slot.
- Wait for 1 minute.
- Reconnect the cable you unplugged earlier.
- Place your headset on the base station.
Read next: 5 Real Reasons Why Bluetooth Headphones Are Bad For Gaming
#5: Reset your A50
We’ve exhausted every solution you can try for your device’s base station.
So, it’s time to focus on your gaming headset.
Now, don’t worry.
As always, none of the fixes below require you to be too techy.
Just follow these easy steps to…
Hard reset your Astro A50:
Step 1: Ensure your headset is ON
Remove it from the base.
Then, press the first button on the left side of your headset.
Once you see your audio device’s light turn ON…
Step 2: Find your headset’s Dolby and Game buttons
The first one’s located under the Power key you pressed earlier.
And the latter is placed on the outside edge of your headset’s left ear cup.
Step 3: Press and hold both keys for 20 seconds
Hover your fingers over the Dolby and Game buttons.
Then, long-press both of them for 20 seconds to reset your headset.
If you want a visual guide for this process, watch this video:
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#6: Drain your audio device’s power
Similar to gadgets like your phone or PC…
The Astro A50 headset enters its standby mode when not in use.
Now, this design was meant to help you preserve your audio device’s battery.
But unfortunately, the A50’s standby mode isn’t always helpful.
Because there have been countless complaints saying that…
The Astro A50 doesn’t charge when it’s “sleeping.”
Now, of course, if this is indeed the case…
Exiting your headset’s standby mode would immediately solve the problem.
But here’s the catch:
There’s no direct and simple way to switch between your headset’s regular and standby modes.
So, to exit the latter state…
You’d have to wait for your audio device’s battery to drain completely.
This process can take up to 17 hours, which I know is a long wait.
But trust me. It’s a solution that’s more than worth the shot.
Because my A50’s charging problem was fixed by this process.
That said, simply leave your headset ON overnight. Or until its power indicator light turns OFF.
After that, try placing it on its base station again to charge.
Pro tip: If this solution works for you, avoid using your headset’s standby mode from now on. You can do so by turning OFF your audio device every time you take it OFF.
#7: Use your headset’s micro-USB charging port
You can charge your Astro A50 in 2 different ways:
- Through the base station.
- Using the micro-USB port on your headset.
That said, if you still haven’t had any luck charging your device through the first method…
Try opting for the 2nd way to charge your headset instead as a temporary solution.
Fortunately, it’s very easy to…
Charge your headset using a micro-USB cable:
- Remove your audio device from its base station.
- Prepare your headset’s official micro-USB cable.
- Locate your device’s micro-USB port.
- Grab the small connector of your cable.
- Plug it into your headset’s charging port.
- Connect the other end of the cable to a power adapter.
- Plug the charger into a wall outlet.
You might also want to know: How Are Headphones Tuned? 7 Surprising Facts (Updated)
Bonus: Replace your Astro A50’s battery
If you still can’t charge your A50 after following each of the fixes above…
Then, it’s most likely time to replace your device’s battery.
Now, if your headset is still under its 1-year free warranty…
Your device’s customer support might do this process for you without charge.
However, if your headset is no longer under a protection plan…
You’ll need to pay the brand for the battery replacement process.
“Can I do this fix myself?”
Yes, you can.
However, I don’t recommend doing so.
Because replacing your headset’s battery is quite a tricky process.
See, unless you already have experience with rewiring and disassembling audio devices…
There’s a very high risk of damaging your headset permanently.
If you want to replace your Astro A50’s battery…
I highly recommend contacting the brand’s customer support team by calling 1-800-374-7401.
Note: They’re only active from 6 AM to 6 PM during weekdays.
Not fond of calls?
Not a problem.
You may also contact Astro by submitting a formal request on their website.