Today's hottest game video: 360 headset woes
by Zack Stern 
{ Dec 9th 2006 at 12:00AM }
Today's most-watched YouTube game video shows a gamer who is unable to connect his original Xbox 360 controller and Wireless Headset together on channel one. The demonstration implies that this is a widespread issue with no fix yet from Microsoft, although we haven't had any issues.The gamer shows the process of activating the headset and having a conflict with his original controller. He then repeats the steps with a new, extra controller and has no problem.
It's like the I-Team without having to sit through the rest of the made-up local news. See the video after the break.
See also: Joystiq video: Xbox 360 Wireless Headset review
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Mexman @ Dec 9th 2006 12:08AM
I have the exact opposite problem, I bought a new wireless controller and wireless headset. I can get my old launch day controllers to work with the wireless headset, but my brand new controller will not associate with the headset.
Cage @ Dec 9th 2006 12:11AM
Maybe posts like this are why there arent as many commentators anymore. Why so negative? Going thru the last few posts and they are all negative. Was this site developed for console bashing? For fanboys to come in and laugh? I dont get it...
To comment on the post. This is really a major problem?!? (Here comes so many gamers to post fake stories) Had no such thing...
BklynKid @ Dec 9th 2006 12:24AM
Gotto give it to the guy, that was a very well made video. I don't own a wireless headset but I hope makes it right for those customers who are having issues.
I'm sure Microsoft is aware of the issue. They follow the internet and their forums very closely, but they seems to be pulling a Apple right now with not coming out and admiting to the problem. Hopefully they're just trying to finalize a fix first.
Spasm @ Dec 9th 2006 2:43AM
I'm sorry, but this is user error. He's got three devices vying for two spots on channel one. No wonder it gets confused. If he'd sync the headset, then resync the first controller, then resync the second controller to channel two, there'd be no problem. This had me confused when I first set up my wireless headset... for about first 5 seconds before I read the manual. I also had the disconnection, and buzzing problems. So I took my 2.4Ghz wireless telephone base, that was 3 feet from my Xbox, and relocated it to another room. I have not had a single problem with my headset since, and it's been worth every penny of the $60.
Jebus @ Dec 9th 2006 3:52AM
I just returned my wireless headset cause of the disconnection and buzzing problems. I never had any problems syncing, and the disconnection was honestly more than tolerable. It happened maybe once every 6 hours or something like that. The buzzing that everyone but me heard because of me is why I returned it. The only thing I could think of that would be interfering with it is my wireless bridge that I can't really move seeing as how it's connecting my 360 to my router.
SilverSlide @ Dec 9th 2006 5:44AM
Like the guy said above. It describes how to sync it properly in the manual - over about 3 pages admitidly...
scott @ Dec 29th 2006 5:22PM
nah this isnt user error i have this issue also, i eventually got the wirless headset to work with my controller if i had a headset pluged into the controler. that makes no sense to me. i only have this issue with one controler however so i just dont use that one anymore but none the less its annoying
Steven @ Dec 9th 2006 7:16AM
I haven't had any problems. I'm tired of every "problem" becoming a wide spread epidemic.
Ic0n7 @ Dec 9th 2006 9:44PM
hi guys
well i have had the orgianal 360 controle and a wirless headset and both has been working fine with out any problems. but i have only ever had the one contole and the one headset running on this xbox
so it might only b if you sync 2 controles to chanel 1 and then try the headset
Scott @ Dec 9th 2006 10:26AM
It took me two tries to get my wireless headset synched. I'm pretty sure the first was an error on my part though.
I had the disconnection problems when I first used it but not since.
Honestly though, I won mine free in a contest and don't understand why anyone would pay $50-$60 for this thing. It just isn't worth the extra cost over the wired headset.
SUPERGHOST @ Dec 9th 2006 11:11AM
I too could NOT sync my wireless to a controller, yet I could w/ another. I found this to be very frustrating. Call it wide spread or no, it is real to me.
XBL I OpTiMuS I @ Dec 9th 2006 5:47PM
This guy is an idiot. All you need to do to switch channels on your wireless headset is to press the sync button (not hold it) to cycle through all four channels. Go ahead and try it out if you have a wireless headset.
nick @ Dec 9th 2006 11:20AM
Can't say this has happened to me. I just followed the instructions in the manual, and it synched without any issue.
Rob H @ Dec 9th 2006 8:15PM
"I'm sorry, but this is user error."
No it's not. I've seen the same problem on two other launch 360 and my own 360 bought in July. At first I thought I had a faulty headset because it would get knocked off channel one by the controller. Eventually I got a new wireless controller because my other one has a faulty D-pad. I've had no syncing problems with that one.
dirtyone @ Dec 9th 2006 7:13PM
XBL I OpTiMuS I this is for you because your a f*cking idiot http://www.albinoblacksheep.com/flash/youare.php
I have the same problem with my launch controller, my newer controllers will synch with the headset and yes i have tried switching channels it skips whatever channel that contoller is on
joe smith @ Dec 12th 2006 1:52PM
Mine works fine. One guy with a vido on YouTube hardly makes a problem "widespread".
Steve519 @ Dec 9th 2006 10:29PM
we talked about this issue awhile ago, we received many people saying that they had this issue and we also received all the fanboys saying user error
http://www.xblradio.com/blogcast/?p=180
and
http://www.xblradio.com/blogcast/?p=183
darksyde78 @ Jan 2nd 2007 3:59PM
thie problem happens ONLY when I started the xbox360 manually by pressing the power button on the console.
when I started the system from the controller it worked just fine. they guy in the video did not start his 360 using the controller. I'm sure a quick update patch will fix this small glitch.
J.Goodwin @ Dec 9th 2006 11:46PM
Another possible explanation would be if the user has a wireless adapter connected to his 360 and is using 802.11B or G, plus active 2.4Ghz cordless phones in the house.
Too much chatter in the 2.4Ghz band will do that, and there are only so many channels on the band, so if devices are jumping around, then you're screwed.
There's a reason that Microsoft recommends using 802.11A (5Ghz) instead.
KaBlamo @ Dec 11th 2006 10:50AM
Can this idiot stop calling it an original Xbox contoller. It is not an original Xbox controller it is a launch Xbox 360 controller or maybe and original Xbox 360 controller, but that is a little confusing.
MIKE @ Dec 11th 2006 11:02AM
i believe this could be a user error. does this guy have his controller wired via plug and play without a battery pack? that can ruin your controller! the booklets say that so dont be stupid. ive never had this conection problem with the headset. only problem ive had is the headset sounding like crap to other people, which is solved by turning it off then back on.