To stop echo on your Turtle Beach headset, you need to disable the Windows "Listen to this device" setting or lower the Mic Monitor level. Echo is a feedback loop caused either by your PC playing your microphone audio back through the headset with a delay, or by the headset’s own Mic Monitor feature feeding your voice back instantly at too high a volume.
Why your Turtle Beach headset has echo
Echo on a Turtle Beach headset is almost always a feedback loop. The two most common causes are the Windows "Listen to this device" setting, which creates a delayed echo by playing your microphone input back through the speakers, and the headset's Mic Monitor feature, which plays your own voice back in real time. If Mic Monitor is set too loud, you hear an immediate echo of your own speech.
Fix 1: Turn off "Listen to this device" on PC
This is the primary fix for a delayed echo on Windows. When this setting is enabled, your PC sends your microphone audio back through the headset, creating a noticeable delay.
- Open the Windows Control Panel and navigate to Hardware and Sound > Sound.
- Click the Recording tab, highlight your Turtle Beach headset microphone, and ensure it is set as the default device.
- Open Properties and go to the Listen tab.
- Make sure Listen to this device is unchecked.
- Click Apply and OK.
This setting is a known cause of echo when Mic Monitor is also enabled or when the PC audio path adds delay.
Fix 2: Lower the Mic Monitor level
If you hear your own voice with no delay, the Mic Monitor feature is the cause. Mic Monitor plays your voice back through the headset instantly, and if the level is too high, it sounds like an echo.
Alternatively, open the Turtle Beach Audio Hub app on Windows or Mac, or the Swarm II app for latest-generation headsets, and find the Mic Monitoring setting. Turn it down or off completely until the echo stops.
For Windows XP, Turtle Beach says to mute Microphone playback in the Playback section of the sound card mixer.
Update your headset's firmware
Firmware updates can resolve audio bugs that cause echo. The update method depends on your specific Turtle Beach model.
- For most models, use the Turtle Beach Audio Hub app on Windows or Mac. Connect the headset (and its transmitter, if applicable) to your computer and follow the update prompt.
- For the latest generation of headsets, use the Swarm II app on your mobile device or desktop to check for and install firmware updates.
- For the Stealth Ultra, firmware updates are done through Turtle Beach Control Center 2 on Windows or via the Xbox Microsoft Store app.
- Turtle Beach Audio Hub for Windows or Mac is used for Stealth 600 Gen 2 PS firmware updates, by connecting the mini transmitter and headset to two free USB ports.
Check the Turtle Beach support site for your specific model’s update instructions.
Check your headset connections
A poor connection can cause audio issues that mimic echo. Ensure all cables are fully inserted and that wireless transmitters are securely connected to your PC or console. For USB amplifiers or transmitters, no separate drivers are needed for basic function, but a loose USB connection can cause intermittent audio problems. This is a universal check when troubleshooting gaming headsets.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can the game/chat audio balance cause echo on my Turtle Beach headset?
No. Turtle Beach’s documented fix for echo is the Mic Monitor or Windows microphone playback setting. A game/chat balance issue would not create a feedback loop of your own voice.
Will updating the firmware fix echo on any Turtle Beach model?
Firmware updates can resolve audio bugs, but the specific fix depends on the model. Not all headsets have the same update path, so check the Turtle Beach support page for your device.
Does the Turtle Beach Audio Hub app work for iPhone and Android?
Yes, the Turtle Beach Audio Hub app is available on iOS and Android for supported models. It allows firmware updates and Mic Monitor level adjustments from a mobile device, but it does not provide a general system setting to stop echo on the phone itself.
Can a loose cable cause echo?
A loose connection can cause crackling, distortion, or intermittent audio, but it is not a documented primary cause of echo. Echo is almost always a software or monitoring setting issue.
Is there a way to stop echo on a Turtle Beach headset without a PC?
If you are using a console, the fix is to adjust the Mic Monitor level on the headset itself or through the Turtle Beach Audio Hub app. There is no console system setting that directly controls microphone playback echo for a headset.
Does the Atom Controller app fix headset echo?
Atom Controller app is documented for Atom controller firmware updates, but not as a general echo-setting fix for headsets.
