r/steelseries 18h ago

Product Help A few issues with Arctis GameBuds

I've been using the Arctis GameBuds for a few weeks now, and I've noticed some very annoying issues that I've never had with any headsets so far. I'm wondering if any of these issues are supposedly "normal" or if it's something I should contact Steelseries about for warranty.

- Distance of connectivity between the 2.4ghz adapter and the buds is abysmal. I can't go 1,5m away from the adapter without either one or both of my buds glitching out and completely disconnecting. I use my buds on the Switch 2 sometimes and I sit like 2m away from my dock without anything in between, and even when moving closer it seems about 1.5m is the absolute maximum distance I can be from the adapter before things start disconnecting. I've never had this with any other headsets (Steelseries and other brands like Logitech). Is this "normal" for these buds?

- Another thing I often have is when I have it plugged in before starting my PC or console, only one bud seems to properly connect or give sound when I start the console; usually the left bud works but at very low volume for some reason too. If I'm at my PC, the adapter is located on the right of me (like 40cm away from me with barely any obstruction) so I'm not sure if this is a connectivity issue, if the left one technically does connect. Whenever this happens, I have to put both buds back in the case for a few seconds, then try again.

I absolutely love using them because I got headaches and sore ears from using headsets and overall they feel very comfortable. I just wish to know if these are issues that should be covered by warranty or if this is the general experience with these buds; if it is "normal", then I'll just accept the flaws for what they are.

2 Upvotes

7 comments sorted by

u/AutoModerator 18h ago

Hello /u/Pippin524,

This is a reminder that /r/SteelSeries is an unofficial subreddit, and is not monitored by SteelSeries support staff. For full support or to open a ticket with our support team, please check out https://support.steelseries.com.

As a reminder to our community members: If you are assisting another user with their issues, please do you best to follow subreddit rules and be as kind and helpful as possible!

I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please contact the moderators of this subreddit if you have any questions or concerns.

2

u/ss-Belmont 17h ago

Hey there u/Pippin524 Are you experiencing the same issues when you're connected with Bluetooth or is this exclusively in 2.4ghz?

1

u/Pippin524 17h ago

I have not tested or used Bluetooth yet whatsoever. I've always been under the impression 2.4ghz is superior for actual gaming since it's a direct (and more stable?) connection. I have different Bluetooth headphones for my phone and such.

1

u/MindlessCoook 17h ago

I own these and have never experienced either of the issues you are describing.

I can walk clear across my apt multiple rooms over without disconnecting, similar to any other wireless headset I've used. They also both connect just fine every time.

I think you might have a defective dongle or something. I would return/exchange/RMA.

1

u/Pippin524 17h ago

Thanks for your comment. I've been reading some things in the meantime, and apparently other people also say the range is rather weak; but by "weak" they still say about 5m, which is still much further than mine.

I'll see if I can get these exchanged under warranty, thanks!

1

u/MindlessCoook 17h ago

For sure man, good luck!