If your HyperX Cloud Stinger plays sound but nobody can hear you, start with the PS4 microphone test—not the game’s voice settings. First identify whether your Stinger is wired or wireless, unmute the boom, then open Settings > Devices > Audio Devices > Adjust Microphone Level and speak normally. A moving Input Volume meter means the PS4 receives your microphone; no movement points to muting, a connection, controller, receiver, or headset fault.
First, identify your Cloud Stinger model
“Cloud Stinger” covers several headsets with different PS4 connections. The original wired Cloud Stinger and Cloud Stinger Core wired models use one combined 3.5 mm plug in the DUALSHOCK 4. The Cloud Stinger 2 PlayStation model has a 3.5-foot cable, onboard controls and a swivel-to-mute microphone (HyperX product page). The Cloud Stinger 2 Core PlayStation model is listed as compatible with PS5 and PS4 and also uses swivel-to-mute (HyperX product page).
Cloud Stinger Core Wireless and Cloud Stinger 2 Wireless use a USB receiver instead of the controller’s headset jack. A PC or Xbox variant may have a different cable, plug standard or compatibility listing, so check the exact model and platform marking before buying adapters or replacements.
| Model type | PS4 connection | First things to check |
|---|---|---|
| Wired Stinger | 3.5 mm plug in DUALSHOCK 4 | Boom mute, fully seated plug, controller jack |
| Core wired / Stinger 2 wired | 3.5 mm plug in DUALSHOCK 4 | Swivel-to-mute position, plug and microphone meter |
| Core Wireless / Stinger 2 Wireless | USB wireless receiver | Power, pairing, receiver recognition and USB interference |
The 60-second diagnosis
- Lower the microphone boom completely. On swivel-to-mute models, the raised position mutes the microphone; lowering it toward your mouth unmutes it. Check any separate mute control as well.
- For a wired headset, push the single 3.5 mm plug firmly into the DUALSHOCK 4. Remove splitters, extensions and USB audio adapters while testing. For a wireless model, reseat the receiver, turn the headset off and on, and try another PS4 USB port.
- Open Settings > Devices > Audio Devices > Adjust Microphone Level. Speak at a normal volume and watch Input Volume.
- If the meter moves, continue with the chat-routing checks below. If it does not, follow the hardware isolation steps.
PlayStation documents this microphone-meter test and recommends trying another headset and controller when the meter remains inactive (PlayStation voice-chat troubleshooting).
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- Immersive DTS Headphone:X Spatial Audio
- HyperX signature comfort
- Superior sound
- Adjustable rotating earcups
If the PS4 microphone meter does not move
Unmute and position the boom
Do not test with the boom folded upward or partly raised. Place it near the corner of your mouth, not directly in front of it, and check for a physical mute switch. A swivel-to-mute boom can appear connected while remaining muted.
Reseat the wired connection
Remove the plug and insert it again until fully seated. Audio can work while the microphone contact is unreliable, so hearing game sound does not prove that the input path is healthy. PlayStation notes that a headset must be fully inserted in the DUALSHOCK 4 jack; if headset options are missing or unavailable, the controller may not be detecting it (DUALSHOCK 4 troubleshooting).
A normal compatible wired headset uses the controller’s combined headset jack. A PC Y-splitter is not a universal PS4 fix and can introduce the wrong wiring or another failure point.
Check the controller
Try the Stinger with another DUALSHOCK 4. A damaged controller jack can mimic a dead microphone. If another headset also fails on the original controller, the controller is the stronger suspect.
Rank #2
- Lightweight comfort: Soft ear cushions provide a comfortable fit, and the flexible mic can be positioned just as you like.
- Crisp, clear in-game sound: Cloud Stinger 2 Core’s 40mm directional drivers are tuned to provide enhanced bass for impactful, immersive game audio.
- Improved in-game chat experience: HyperX quality-of-life features like the swivel-to-mute microphone are built to enhance your gaming experience. Conveniently and definitively mute the mic simply by flipping it up and out of the way.
- Easy-Access audio controls: With audio controls right on the headset itself, you won’t have to navigate a maze of menus to adjust the volume.
Check a wireless receiver
Connect the receiver directly to the PS4, power-cycle the headset and follow the model’s pairing instructions. For Cloud Stinger Core Wireless, the PS4 quick-start guide identifies the input device as HyperX Cloud Stinger Core Wireless PS (setup guide). Temporarily remove other USB devices, especially USB 3.0 devices, and try another port. PlayStation recommends increasing separation between wireless adapters and USB devices when interference is suspected (wireless-headset troubleshooting).
Test another headset
Connect a known-good compatible headset to the same controller, or test the Stinger on another compatible system. If the PS4 meter remains dead with the Stinger but responds with another headset, the Stinger’s microphone, cable or boom is likely faulty.
If the meter moves but nobody can hear you
Separate party chat from game chat
A moving meter proves that the PS4 receives microphone input; it does not guarantee that every chat service is using it. If party chat fails but game chat works, inspect party settings. If game chat fails but party chat works, inspect that game’s voice-chat enable, input and mute settings. If both fail, recheck the meter and mute position.
Set chat priority
Open the party menu and choose Party Settings > Chat Audio, then select Prioritise Party Chat or Prioritise Game Chat as appropriate. Also check whether another player has muted or blocked you and whether the issue occurs in more than one title.
Rank #3
- Lightweight comfort: Soft ear cushions provide a comfortable fit, and the flexible mic can be positioned just as you like.
- Crisp, clear in-game sound: Cloud Stinger 2 Core’s 40mm directional drivers are tuned to provide enhanced bass for impactful, immersive game audio.
- Improved in-game chat experience: HyperX quality-of-life features like the swivel-to-mute microphone are built to enhance your gaming experience. Conveniently and definitively mute the mic simply by flipping it up and out of the way.
- Easy-Access audio controls: With audio controls right on the headset itself, you won’t have to navigate a maze of menus to adjust the volume.
Confirm the recognized device
Hold the PS button and open Sound/Devices, then return to Settings > Devices > Audio Devices. A wired headset normally appears as a headset connected to the controller. Labels can differ for USB wireless models, so use the microphone meter as the decisive test rather than expecting one exact device name.
Set microphone level and audio routing
In Settings > Devices > Audio Devices > Adjust Microphone Level, raise the level until normal speech produces a steady response without constantly hitting maximum. There is no universal correct slider position: voice volume, boom distance and room noise vary.
For what you hear, open Output to Headphones. Choose All Audio for game and chat sound, or Chat Audio for voice chat only. PlayStation documents Chat Audio as the default and provides this path for changing it (PS4 audio-output guide). This setting mainly affects output, but recognition of the headset helps confirm the controller connection.
If the microphone is quiet or cuts out
- Move the boom closer to the side of your mouth and ensure it is fully lowered.
- Increase microphone level modestly rather than maximizing it; excessive gain can clip speech and amplify background noise.
- Watch the meter while gently moving the cable near the plug. Intermittent response indicates a cable or jack fault. Do not bend or force the connector.
- Inspect the boom and plug for physical damage or debris.
- Test party and game chat separately to distinguish a microphone signal problem from a service or game setting.
Wired versus wireless failure points
| Situation | Wired Stinger | Wireless Stinger |
|---|---|---|
| Primary connection | 3.5 mm controller jack | USB receiver |
| Common failure points | Plug, jack, cable, boom microphone | Receiver, power, pairing, USB interference |
| Fastest isolation test | Another DUALSHOCK 4 | Another USB port or compatible system |
| Adapter risk | Splitters and USB sound cards | Hubs and competing USB devices |
Prove whether the headset or controller is faulty
| Test | What it tells you |
|---|---|
| Stinger + current controller | Baseline behavior |
| Stinger + another controller | If it works, the first controller’s jack is suspect |
| Another headset + current controller | If it works, the Stinger is suspect |
| Stinger + another compatible system | Confirms whether the headset fails outside this PS4 |
The headset is probably defective when its meter never responds after mute, connection and controller checks, it fails with another compatible device, or the microphone works only when the cable is held in one position. For wireless models, repeated failure of both headset and receiver to appear on multiple compatible systems points to hardware or receiver failure.
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Rank #4
- IT’S ABOUT COMFORT - The premium leatherette is breathable and feels plush, while the memory foam earcups rest smoothly on your ears; That’s what HyperX Signature Comfort gives you
- GET IMMERSED IN SOUND - Simple and clean audio, tuned by our audio research team, is pumped through the big 50 mm drivers letting you every line of dialog; Hear everything from where it came from with spatial audio via NGENUITY software via PC
- BUILT BETTER - Get more out of your headset with added metal sliders that strengthen the headset’s frame
- CLEAR COMMUNICATION - Communicate clearly with the noise-cancelling microphone that you can adjust to be perfect for you; When it’s time to mute, just simply swivel it all the way up
- ERGONOMIC SETUP - Play without strain with precision headband adjustment sliders and earcups that rotate up to 90-degrees so that you can set it to your perfect position
When to contact HyperX or PlayStation
Contact HyperX for a suspected microphone, cable, boom or receiver fault, and verify warranty coverage for your exact model, region, seller and purchase date. The Cloud Stinger 2 PlayStation page lists a two-year warranty, but that term should not be generalized to every Stinger product (HyperX product page).
Contact PlayStation when multiple known-good headsets and controllers fail, the PS4 does not behave normally in Adjust Microphone Level, or the console cannot recognize expected audio devices. Do not start with PC drivers, a factory reset or a random USB adapter: establish whether the PS4 receives microphone input first.
Frequently asked questions
Why can I hear others but they cannot hear me?
Output and microphone input use separate signal paths. Check the boom mute position, fully reseat the plug or receiver, and watch the PS4 Input Volume meter.
Why does my Stinger mic work on PC but not PS4?
The PS4 may be using a different connection path or the controller jack may be faulty. Test the correct PlayStation model directly in another DUALSHOCK 4 without adapters.
Best Value
- Comfort is King: Comfort’s in the Cloud III’s DNA. Built for gamers who can’t have an uncomfortable headset ruin the flow of their full-combo, disrupt their speedrun, or knocking them out of the zone.
- Audio Tuned for Your Entertainment: Angled 53mm drivers have been tuned by HyperX audio engineers to provide the optimal listening experience that accents the dynamic sounds of gaming.
- Upgraded Microphone for Clarity and Accuracy: Captures high-quality audio for clear voice chat and calls. The mic is noise-cancelling and features a built-in mesh filter to omit disruptive sounds and LED mic mute indicator lets you know when you’re muted.
- Durability, for the Toughest of Battles: The headset is flexible and features an aluminum frame so it’s resilient against travel, accidents, mishaps, and your ‘level-headed’ reactions to losses and defeat screens.
Do I need a splitter?
Usually not. A compatible wired Stinger normally uses one combined 3.5 mm plug in the DUALSHOCK 4 headset jack.
How do I know whether the controller jack is broken?
Use the same Stinger with another controller, then use another known-good headset with the original controller. The cross-test identifies which side fails.
Why does the meter move but party chat still fail?
The PS4 is receiving your microphone, so check party chat priority, player mute or block status, and the game’s own voice settings.
Is no sidetone proof that the microphone is broken?
No. Not hearing your own voice does not establish that transmission is failing; the PS4 microphone meter is the relevant test.
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