How to Connect Your Turtle Beach Stealth 600 to a PC: A Comprehensive Guide

The Turtle Beach Stealth 600 series of gaming headsets is renowned for its comfort, audio quality, and wireless convenience. Connecting these popular headsets to a PC can sometimes present a few hurdles, but with this comprehensive guide, you’ll be gaming with immersive audio in no time. This guide covers the various generations of the Stealth 600, including the Gen 1, Gen 2, and Gen 2 MAX models, and provides step-by-step instructions for a seamless connection.

Understanding Your Turtle Beach Stealth 600 Model

Before diving into the connection process, it’s crucial to identify which generation of the Stealth 600 you own, as the connection methods can vary slightly:

• Stealth 600 Gen 1: This generation typically uses a USB dongle for wireless connection and features a physical “pairing” button on the headset.
• Stealth 600 Gen 2: This model also primarily relies on a USB dongle for its wireless connection. It does not have a dedicated Bluetooth button for direct PC connection.
• Stealth 600 Gen 2 MAX: Similar to the Gen 2, the Gen 2 MAX primarily uses a USB dongle. Some versions might offer Bluetooth connectivity for other devices, but for PC, the dongle is the primary method.
• Stealth 600 Gen 3: This latest generation may offer more direct Bluetooth connectivity options for PCs, alongside the traditional USB dongle.

Method 1: Connecting via USB Dongle (Most Common for Gen 1, Gen 2, Gen 2 MAX)

This is the most common and reliable method for connecting your Turtle Beach Stealth 600 headset to a PC, especially for the Gen 1 and Gen 2 models. The headset typically comes with a USB transmitter (dongle) that facilitates the wireless connection.

Step-by-Step Connection Process:

1. Plug in the USB Dongle: Locate the USB transmitter that came with your headset. Plug it into an available USB-A port on your PC. For some models, especially those branded for Xbox, ensure the transmitter is set to “PC Mode” if there’s a switch on it.

2. Power On Your Headset: Press and hold the power button on your Turtle Beach Stealth 600 headset until the LED indicator lights up.

3. Initiate Pairing:

   • For Gen 1: Press and hold the “Connect” button on the headset (usually located near the power button) for approximately 3 seconds. Simultaneously, if your USB dongle has a pairing button, press and hold that as well until the LEDs on both the headset and the dongle start blinking.
   • For Gen 2 and Gen 2 MAX: The headset and dongle are often pre-paired. If not, press and hold the “Connect” button on the headset until its LED flashes rapidly. The dongle should automatically attempt to pair. Some users have reported needing to press and hold the “Enroll” button on the adapter until its LED flashes, then pressing and holding the “Connect” button on the headset.

4. Wait for Connection: Allow a few moments for the headset and the USB dongle to establish a connection. The LED indicators on both the headset and the dongle should turn solid, indicating a successful pairing.

5. Configure Audio Settings in Windows:

   • Right-click the speaker icon in the Windows taskbar (bottom right corner of your screen).
   • Select “Sounds” or “Open Sound settings.”
   • In the “Playback” tab, ensure that your “Turtle Beach Stealth 600” is set as the default device.
   • In the “Recording” tab, also set your “Turtle Beach Stealth 600” as the default device for the microphone.

Method 2: Connecting via Bluetooth (Primarily for Gen 3 and some other devices)

While the Gen 1 and Gen 2 Stealth 600 models do not natively support Bluetooth for PC connections, newer generations (like the Gen 3) may offer this functionality. If your headset has a dedicated Bluetooth button, you can attempt to connect it directly to your PC’s Bluetooth.

Step-by-Step Bluetooth Connection Process:

1. Enable Bluetooth on Your PC: Go to your PC’s Settings > Devices > Bluetooth & other devices and ensure Bluetooth is turned on.

2. Put Headset in Pairing Mode:

   • For models with Bluetooth, press and hold the dedicated Bluetooth button on the headset until the LED indicator flashes rapidly, indicating it’s in pairing mode.

3. Add Device on PC: On your PC, click “Add Bluetooth or other device” and select “Bluetooth.” Your Turtle Beach Stealth 600 should appear in the list of available devices. Select it to initiate the pairing process.

4. Confirm Connection: Once paired, the headset should connect automatically. You may need to select it as the default audio device in your Windows sound settings as described in Method 1, Step 5.

Important Note: The Gen 1 and Gen 2 Stealth 600 models do not have Bluetooth connectivity for PC. They rely on the USB dongle.

Updating Firmware and Using the Turtle Beach Audio Hub

To ensure optimal performance and access to the latest features, it’s highly recommended to keep your Turtle Beach Stealth 600 headset’s firmware updated. This is done using the Turtle Beach Audio Hub software.

Steps to Update Firmware:

1. Download the Turtle Beach Audio Hub: Visit the official Turtle Beach website (turtlebeach.com/audiohub) and download the Audio Hub software for your operating system (Windows or Mac).

2. Install the Software: Run the downloaded installer and follow the on-screen instructions to complete the installation.

3. Connect Your Headset: Connect your Stealth 600 headset to your PC using the provided USB cable. For models that use a transmitter, it’s often recommended to connect both the headset and the transmitter to your PC via USB.

   • Important: For firmware updates, ensure the headset is powered OFF before connecting it via USB. Some guides suggest holding the “Mode” button while connecting the USB cable to the headset.

4. Launch the Audio Hub: Open the Turtle Beach Audio Hub application on your PC.

5. Check for Updates: The Audio Hub software should automatically detect your connected headset and transmitter. If a firmware update is available, you will be prompted to download and install it. Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the update process.

6. Restart and Test: Once the firmware update is complete, disconnect your headset and transmitter from the PC. Power cycle your headset and reconnect it to ensure the update was successful and that audio is functioning correctly.

The Audio Hub software also allows you to customize various settings, such as mic monitoring, EQ presets, and other audio preferences.

Troubleshooting Common Connection Issues

If you encounter problems connecting your Turtle Beach Stealth 600 to your PC, here are some common troubleshooting steps:

• Restart Everything: A simple restart of both your PC and your headset can often resolve temporary glitches.

• Check USB Ports: Try plugging the USB dongle or USB cable into a different USB port on your PC. Faulty USB ports can cause connection issues.

• Re-Pair the Headset: Follow the pairing steps outlined in Method 1 again. Ensure both the headset and the dongle are in pairing mode simultaneously.

• Update Drivers: While the headset is generally plug-and-play, ensuring your PC’s USB drivers and Bluetooth drivers (if applicable) are up to date can sometimes help. You can usually do this through Windows Update or your PC manufacturer’s website.

• Check Headset Mode (for MAX models): Ensure the transmitter is in PC mode if you are using a Stealth 600 Gen 2 MAX model with a mode switch.

• Soft Reset the Headset: Some users have found success by performing a soft reset. This often involves pressing and holding both the power button and the mode button for 30-40 seconds while the headset is plugged in.

• Verify Default Audio Devices: Double-check that your Stealth 600 is set as the default playback and recording device in Windows sound settings.

• Check for Interference: Other wireless devices or strong electromagnetic fields can sometimes interfere with the wireless connection. Try moving away from potential sources of interference.

• Contact Turtle Beach Support: If none of the above steps resolve the issue, there might be a hardware problem with the headset or the dongle. Contacting Turtle Beach customer support for further assistance or to inquire about warranty options is recommended.

Conclusion

Connecting your Turtle Beach Stealth 600 headset to your PC is a straightforward process, primarily relying on the included USB dongle for a stable wireless connection. By following these steps, ensuring your firmware is up-to-date via the Turtle Beach Audio Hub, and utilizing the troubleshooting tips provided, you can enjoy a high-quality audio experience for all your PC gaming needs.