Turtle Beach Recon 50 Setup: PC, Xbox, PS5 & Mic Fixes

Quick answer

Plug the Recon 50's 3.5mm jack into your controller or PC, then set it as the default input and output in your console or Windows sound settings. If the mic is silent, check the in-line Mic Mute switch and Master Volume wheel first, because those two controls cause most Recon 50 mic problems. The headset is a wired stereo model, so there is no pairing step and no companion app to install.

Before you start: what the Recon 50 actually needs

The Recon 50 is a wired 3.5mm headset with 40mm over-ear speakers, in-line Master Volume and Mic Mute controls, and a flexible boom mic. It does not use USB, Bluetooth or a wireless transmitter, so every setup below is about getting a clean analogue connection and telling your device to use it. On PC and Mac the single 3.5mm jack carries both audio and mic, which is why the Recon 50 works without a splitter on most modern laptops and desktops with a combo jack. If your PC has separate green and pink ports, you will need a splitter that is not included in the box.

Step 1: Connect to PC or Mac

Plug the 3.5mm jack into the combo headset port, usually marked with a headset icon rather than separate headphone and mic icons. In Windows, open Settings > System > Sound, set the output to the Recon 50 and the input to the same device, then speak into the boom mic while watching the input level meter. On Mac, use System Settings > Sound and choose the headset for both Output and Input. If Windows only offers the Recon 50 as an output and not an input, you are plugged into a headphone-only port and need a combo-to-dual splitter.

Step 2: Connect to Xbox

Plug the jack into the 3.5mm port on the bottom of your Xbox controller and the console will detect it automatically. Open the audio tile in the guide, set Headset volume to a comfortable level and confirm Mic monitoring is on if you want to hear your own voice. The Recon 50's own in-line wheel and mute switch work alongside the Xbox menu, so set the console volume first and use the in-line wheel for quick adjustments mid-game. If the mic is not picked up, unplug and reseat the jack fully, because a half-inserted plug still passes game audio but often loses the mic channel.

Step 3: Connect to PS5

Plug the jack into the DualSense controller, then go to Settings > Sound > Audio Output and set Output Device to Headset. For voice, open Settings > Sound > Microphone and confirm the input device is the headset, then adjust the microphone level while watching the on-screen bar. The Recon 50 does not use the PS5's 3D audio processing by name, but the console still applies its headset output profile once the device is selected. If you hear game audio but your party cannot hear you, check that the in-line mute switch is not engaged before changing any console settings.

Step 4: Fix a Recon 50 mic that is not working

Work through the chain in order: mute switch, physical connection, then software input. Slide the in-line Mic Mute switch both ways to confirm it is not stuck, push the jack in until it clicks, and test the mic in your console's mic test screen or Windows Voice Recorder. If the mic still fails, try the headset on a phone or tablet with a 3.5mm jack, because that isolates whether the problem is the headset or the controller port. Controllers with worn 3.5mm ports are a common cause of one-sided or silent mics, and the same headset can work perfectly on a different controller.

Step 5: Reduce echo, hiss and background noise

Keep the boom mic roughly two fingers from your mouth and slightly to the side so you are not breathing directly into the capsule. Lower the console or Windows mic level to around 70-80 percent rather than maximum, because boosting gain also boosts room noise. If your PC has a separate mic boost option, leave it off and raise the physical in-line volume instead. On Xbox and PS5, use the console's own mic monitoring and noise suppression settings before adding any third-party software.

Recon 50 setup checklist

1. Seat the 3.5mm jack fully: Push the plug into the controller or PC combo port until it stops, not just until audio starts. Checkpoint: game audio and mic input both appear in your device's sound menu.
2. Set the device input and output: Choose the Recon 50 for both playback and recording in Windows, Mac, Xbox or PS5 sound settings. Checkpoint: the on-screen mic level moves when you speak.
3. Test the in-line mute and volume: Slide the Mic Mute switch both ways and turn the Master Volume wheel through its range. Common mistake: leaving the mute switch on and troubleshooting software instead.
4. Isolate the fault: Try the headset on a phone or tablet with a 3.5mm jack to see whether the headset or the controller port is at fault. Next step: if it works elsewhere, clean or replace the controller, not the headset.
5. Tune the mic position: Keep the boom two fingers from your mouth and set mic level around 70-80 percent. Common mistake: running mic boost at maximum and amplifying room noise.

Product facts

• Turtle Beach Recon 50 PC Black & Red Gaming Headset: Turtle Beach Recon 50 PC Black & Red Gaming Headset with 40mm over-ear speakers, in-line Master Volume and Mic Mute controls, and a flexible boom mic. The in-line controls are the first thing to check when the mic is silent, and the 40mm drivers explain why the headset is a stereo option rather than a surround one.
• STEALTH C6-100 Stereo Gaming Headset & Stand - Black/Green: STEALTH C6-100 Stereo Gaming Headset & Stand is a multi-platform wired headset with a flexible mic boom, over-ear cushions and a braided cable. If you want a wired headset that also covers Xbox One, PS4, Switch and mobile in one purchase, this is the alternative to compare against the Recon 50.