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ABXY Buttons Not Responding

Experiencing sticking, inconsistent input, or total lack of responsiveness from your controller's ABXY buttons.

Grime Built Up Around the ABXY Buttons.

To ensure the ABXY buttons on your controller are functioning properly, an external cleaning is recommended. The only supplies needed are a Q-Tip and rubbing alcohol.

  • First, moisten the Q-Tip with rubbing alcohol and remove any surplus.
  • Then, gently wipe the Q-Tip over the unresponsive buttons, making sure to dislodge any debris that's trapped underneath the button.
  • After cleaning around the ABXY button, press it multiple times to allow the rubbing alcohol to penetrate the spaces between the button and the controller, to dislodge any remaining debris.
  • If this doesn't resolve the problem, you'll have to access the interior of the controller by removing the face plate.

Internal Grime Buildup

Follow the ABXY Replacement Guide on how to access the interior of the controller.

  • After the faceplate has been removed, dampen a Q-Tip with rubbing alcohol and cleanse the ABXY buttons thoroughly.
  • Press the ABXY buttons to dislodge any remaining debris and gently wipe off any excess grime.
  • Finally, you can reattach the faceplate to its housing.

Faulty Button

If the buttons continue to malfunction or respond inadequately following the cleaning process, the next step would be to consider replacing the buttons. Refer to the ABXY Replacement Guide for a walkthrough on how to proceed.

Bumper(s) Unresponsive

When bumper(s) are pressed, they are sticking, or the input is inconsistent/completely unresponsive.

Grime Buildup

An external cleaning of the bumpers may be necessary to resolve this issue.

  • The only supplies needed are a Q-Tip and rubbing alcohol.
  • Then, gently swipe the Q-Tip over the bumper(s)/trigger(s) that are unresponsive, making sure to reach inside the crevices.
  • After thoroughly cleaning around the bumper(s)/trigger(s), press them multiple times to allow the rubbing alcohol to penetrate the crevices and dislodge any remaining debris.
  • If this doesn't resolve the problem, you'll have to access the interior of the controller by removing the face plate.

Internal Grime Buildup

Follow the Controller Bumpers Replacement on how to access the interior of the controller.

  • Then, after the faceplate has been removed, dampen a Q-Tip with rubbing alcohol and cleanse around the bumper(s) and trigger(s)
  • Press them in and out as you go to dislodge any remaining debris. Finally, gently wipe off any excess grime and reattach the faceplate to its housing.

Faulty Bumper(s)

If the bumper(s) remain unresponsive or function improperly after cleaning, it may be necessary to proceed with their replacement. Refer to the Controller Bumpers Replacement Guide for a step-by-step process to safely replace these components.

Audio Malfunctioning

Microphone appears connected to controller via console settings, but no audio is being transmitted through them. 

Dirty Audio Port

The audio port may contain debris that's blocking the input of the audio port. A cleaning of the audio port may be needed to resolve this issue.

  • Using Q-tip dipped in rubbing alcohol, gently swab the port until all visible debris is removed.
  • Then, take a dry Q-tip and repeat the process thoroughly to remove all unseen debris.
  • Wet a third Q-tip in water, and brush over port thoroughly. Finally, take a cloth or paper towel, and completely dry port.

Controller Drift

Controller thumb sticks are malfunctioning, and/or not responding to specific inputs. 

Residue Buildup

The thumb sticks may become unresponsive or fail to rotate smoothly due to the accumulation of debris within the thumb sticks.

  • For external cleaning, Use compressed air to blow away loose debris from around the joystick base and any other crevices. This step helps to dislodge particles that are not tightly stuck.
  • Next, dip a cotton swab in isopropyl alcohol, ensuring it's damp but not dripping. Gently clean around the joystick's base and the top surface. The alcohol helps break down grime and evaporates quickly, preventing moisture damage.

For internal debris that requires disassembly and deep cleaning of your controller's thumb sticks, refer to the Thumb Stick Replacement Guide

Damaged Thumb Stick

Due to extensive usage, the thumb stick may have sustained damage, or the spring mechanism could be compromised. This wear can impact the thumb stick's functionality, which would result in a replacement. For instructions on how to proceed, refer to the Thumb Stick Replacement Guide.

Improper Calibration

Improper calibration of controller thumb sticks can lead to inputs not registering correctly or the thumb sticks malfunctioning. The Turtle Beach React-R has a specific reset guide available through their website.

Controller Unresponsive Power Connection

When plugged into the power cord, the controller is unresponsive and will not power up.

Damaged Power Cord

A faulty cable can often be the culprit behind power issues. Inspect your cable for any visible damage or wear. If damage is detected, replacing the cable is necessary for restoring power functionality.

Dirty Cable Port

Accumulated dirt or debris in the cable port can hinder a secure connection. This requires a quick cleaning of the cable port.

  • Dip a Q-tip in rubbing alcohol and gently swab the port to remove any visible debris.
  • Use a dry Q-tip to sweep through the port again, targeting any lingering or unseen debris.
  • Moisten a third Q-tip with water and brush over the port thoroughly to ensure all remnants are cleared.
  • Dry the port completely with a cloth or paper towel before attempting to power up your controller again.

Outdated Firmware

The issue might stem from corrupted or outdated firmware within the controller. This requires a specific set of steps to rectify, often involving a firmware update or reset.

  • Check with the official Turtle Beach website that enables you to download updates. Once you've found the appropriate firmware update for your controller model, download the file to your computer. Ensure you're downloading the correct version to avoid compatibility issues.
  • Connect Your Controller: Connect your controller to your computer using a USB cable. Make sure the connection is secure to prevent any interruptions during the update process.
  • Turtle Beach provides a dedicated tool or software for firmware updates. Download and install this tool, then open it and follow the on-screen instructions to detect your connected controller.
  • With the controller connected and detected by the firmware update tool, follow the instructions provided by the software to begin the update. This usually involves selecting the downloaded firmware file and starting the update.
  • The update process can take a few minutes. It's crucial not to disconnect the controller or shut down your computer during this time. Interruptions can lead to firmware corruption.
  • Once the update is successfully completed, disconnect your controller from the computer. It's a good idea to reboot the controller, if possible, by turning it off and then on again, to ensure the new firmware is properly installed.
  • After updating, test your controller to make sure it's functioning correctly. Check all buttons, sticks, and any other functionalities to ensure the update has been applied successfully.

Controller not Vibrating

The controller fails to vibrate during gameplay, despite being properly connected and having vibration features enabled in the game settings.

Uncalibrated Vibration Motors

The vibrations motors are small devices inside the controller that create haptic feedback when playing video games. The controller may not be vibrating because the vibration motors could be improperly calibrated.

To fix this issue, Turtle Beach has a controller configuration software that offers test features and recalibration options. Follow these steps to recalibrate the REACT-R .

  • Download the official Turtle Beach controller center software on your computer.
  • Plug in the REACT-R to the computer using a USB cable.
  • Check for any outdated firmware that may be causing issues.
  • Then, select the Vibration Test option in the menu. This should reset the vibration motors in the REACT-R.

Damaged Vibration Motors

If the vibration motors still malfunction after recalibration, the issue likely originates from internal damage to the motors, meaning a replacement is needed. Follow the Vibration Motor Replacement Guide for a walkthrough on how to safely and efficiently replace the vibration motors on the REACT-R.

Dodi Imam

Member since: 02/16/24

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