Xbox is working on a feature that mutes your speakers when a headset is plugged in

Microsoft is currently testing out a feature that will automatically mute your speakers whenever you plug a headset into your Xbox controller.

[Christopher]

Do you know what would do this natively and wouldn't require extra work? HDMI-CEC.

[Wikkid666]

It's native. It doesn't mute the speakers... it just doesn't pass the audio out.

[Christopher]

So it achieves the exact same end result and exists already? Thanks for agreeing with me?

[CaptainHenry916]

@Wikkid666

Wait what?

[XbladeTeddy]

If it doesn't pass the audio out then isn't that muting it...???

[kayoss]

Uh…
Is anyone going to tell him?

[Wikkid666]

For the slow N4G crowd. It doesn't mute the speakers, so need for cec. It will not pass an audio signal to your TV or sound system. The only thing you need to is check the setting.

[NotoriousWhiz]

Does HDMI-CEC also support not muting the TV when a headset is plugged in? Similar to how it works currently?

[porkChop]

Xbox already has HDMI-CEC though.

[isarai]

It doesn't already do this? Weird

[Orpheo]

I didn't know that, either. The PlayStation 4 has that feature.

[Profchaos]

Yeah I've got PS headset of I turn it on audio stops to the TV

[RedDevils]

My old Ps3 has it too. That's 3 generations ago.

[Ron_Danger]

I have a vintage mid mod record player cabinet from 1951 that mutes the speakers when you plug in headphones.

That’s a pretty surprising feature to not have on the fanboy proclaimed “most powerful console ever.”

[Tacoboto]

I realized this only a week ago. Consoles go to the TV which outputs to my receiver, so I've always kept my receiver powered off with a headset in... that headset being the Xbox Wireless one (so this isn't just for wired plug-ins)

"Wow, Dolby Atmos really does sound good" - nah, that was just the rear speaker right behind my head

[FlyGuyHung]

No, but I actually LOVE that it doesnt. Cause I like to game with headphones on but live with people who like watching me play, if they get rid of this feature I wouldn't be able to anymore. Its easy to just mute your TV or turn the volume down when alone. I know I'm probably alone on this but just the other day I was lamenting my PS5 not doing this. I hope they add the option to toggle this so everyone wins in this situation.

[NotoriousWhiz]

Ditto. I use the headset to increase my immersion but I also like having the sound out the TV for when people are watching me (or playing with me).

[Teflon02]

They could just do what PS5 does and allow you to choose in the option. I have my ps5 where audio plays through the TV and chat plays through headphones. You just have to go into the actual audio settings and not the quick menu to do it. I do it because I stream sometimes, so I get what you mean.

[zachyBROosevelt]

Literally just figured out this was a real Problem first hand. I scrolled through the internet looking for answers and soon came to realize it’s not a feature. There is some rare way to make it only come out of headset but you would need to go pretty deep into settings on each plug in and plug out of your headset. To be honest, the Xbox party system is pales in comparison to ps and ps defiantly has its flaws as well. Should have bought discord that one time that was supposedly going to happen.

[Kurt Russell]

So it does it automatically if I am using a wireless headset.
But if I am plugging in a wired one to the controller, it doesn't.

[CrimsonWing69]

I just press mute on the TV remote.

[Majors]

But some tvs will have "Mute" or the speaker icon on the screen until you unmute.
You could just reduce the tv volume to 0 though

[CrimsonWing69]

True, just volume it down to 0.

[zachyBROosevelt]

Yes mine sure does. “Just put the volume to 1” you say? Unacceptable

[Darkborn]

I don't understand. The ps4 did this when it launched. I thought this was just a normal thing that you plug in the headset and all audio goes through the headset.

[DJStotty]

No, xbox has never done this and it is not really a pressing issue, i only use my headset for party chat on xbox, i have a cinema system for the game audio, much better than trying to distinguish what is game, and what your trying to communicate with friends.

For those that do want the tv muted, just mute the tv with that button on the remote.

[Darkborn]

So an issue is a non issue?

[Rude-ro]

Say that to the players that are hearing your game audio. 😂

[Christopher]

You're the person I keep muting because of all the noise going through your microphone then?

And, the fact that Microsoft is looking into a way to fix this obviously means it's not a pressing issue?

[zahdab]

so it's not an issue for you? doesnt mean its not an issue for everyone else

[Darkborn]

The thing that's funny to me is anything that xbox has to do to go around stuff doesn't matter. You can just mute the TV in a few seconds thousands or tens of thousands of times and it's ok. But to use a screwdriver and 2 minutes of my time to install a secondary m.2 SSD to my ps5 to have up to 4TB of the fastest storage available is a burden and simply plugging in the proprietary slower and soon to be more expensive xbox series SSD is the best way to go because it takes 2 seconds and is the only way to add more storage to a series S which is digital only. OK, playstation is still the villain.

[dbcoops]

Apparently its enough of a pressing issue for xbox to be working on a solution

[BrainSyphoned]

They have only had this controller for 8 years give them a break.

[annoyedgamer]

Bruh PC been doing this since forever

[DJStotty]

I'm an anomaly, i do not like game audio coming through the headset at the same time as party chat, you struggle to hear what friends are saying at times. I just have the audio through the 7.1 surround sound system, and party chat through the headset, if i am not in a party, i do not use the headset.

[Vanfernal]

That's why there's sliders to balance the chat and game audio...

[WillyC009]

Leave him be. He’ll make excuses for Xbox no matter what. This is another example. Provides some amusing posts at the very least.

[DJStotty]

Excuse for what? like i said i am an anomaly, although you can adjust the sliders to balance the audio, yeah i get that, but i have the game audio way louder than the party audio, so i can either put the game audio through the headset at minimal volume so i can hear the party chat, or just play the game through my TV, and use the headset for party chat.

@WillyC009

How is using my personal choice, making an excuse for a feature xbox are releasing? Would i not be praising the feature? In a sense i am saying this feature is useless for me. If that is making an excuse for xbox, you clearly are not seeing what i am typing, and simply reading something else.

[mkis007]

so how do you hear the audio if you have a headset in the way?

[DJStotty]

Easily, i can hear the TV whilst having the headset on.

[northpaws]

So you can hear both the chat and the game while your friends getting blasted by your 7.1 surround sound system needlessly? What a nice friend you are.

[DJStotty]

I wouldn't say blasted, i do not have it that loud, it is just my personal preference, lots of people only have chat through the headset.

[jznrpg]

Waaaay late for this to be a feature . It’s more like Xbox is trying to catch up to 2013 (just a random year )

[iivGHOST]

Yea mine already does this, as soon as i turn on my astro a50s my tv speakers turn off

[Lostbytes]

PLEASE....Make this an optional toggle. I only use a headset for chat, This would get very annoying.I prefer to listen to game sound via my 7.1 surround system.

[paulust2002]

Cool this bugs me.. Also it does lead into other issues. Ie you need to manually turn off dolby atmos when using surround sound set ip for actual 5.1....

[saltywalt]

Because some gamers are too lazy or don't know how to turn the volume down on their TV or monitor.....

[YourMommySpoils]

Another millionth reason, why not to buy an xbox.

[neomahi]

Um..... PlayStation already does this.....

[blvdnights1414]

(Checks the calendar to see what year it is)

[Drakul]

Please make it real MS.

[Bronbron92]

Yeh I thought for the longest it did that already or is only with specific headsets??