Left Speaker Keeps Cutting out

[Lt.Sheitzah]

Specifically, when I look up and tighten the top strap I will lose audio completely on my left side. Asked Valve Support for assistance, switched my right speaker over to the left to confirm it keeps happening and is not the speaker itself. Being that the audio does crackling or cutting out based on head motions specifically (looking up in Squadrons made me realize it was a real issue) and the speakers aren't at fault I fully believe this is wiring internally and a defect.

Of course, Valve will not assist me further as I am now out of warranty, and even if they did I need a VR headset for work. I am getting a Quest 2 from Amazon coming in a week if this isn't fixed and I will switch to fully wireless with Wifi 6 but this is extremely disappointing. Annoy have any ideas if I can do a repair myself or solutions to this? Valve Support did tell me to ask the community.... can't find anything only but I got an iFixItKit if that matters?

[BOLL]

When I had the popping in my left ear it was the cable that was giving out, it also showed up as RGB noise on the screens and eventually the headset would cut out entirely. I still had warranty though so they sent me a new one. 😐

[Lt.Sheitzah]

Ya they refused to help me out and asked me to ask the community

[roel_koel]

Exactly same problem, it was internal audio wiring fault in forward left portion of the headstrap.

Had my headset replaced just before Christmas for this very reason.

Turning head left, or even clenching my jaw caused audio to cut out on left.

[TRUPaC]

I have completely lost audio in the left speaker. Long story short - the failure point turned out to be where the headset connects to the head strap. Those contacts were corroded.
The screw is Torx6 - same that holds speakers but recessed. I did not have a long enough driver, so I had to remove back panel (4x Torx5) to get access to this screw with a shorter neck Torx6 driver. Cleaned with IPA

[Lt.Sheitzah]

Huh I will try looking for those screws and seeing if that moves the needle. I also bought VR Ears lol

[troyBORG]

I'm having the exact same issue with mine right now.

[Pugs]

This is me right now. Valve is no help because i am out of warranty. I'm convinced there is an issue with the headstrap. It's not my cable, it's not the earpiece as I have already trouble shot both. Severely disappointed.

[Pugs]

This is my answer...surprised Valve didn't link me...some of you as well:

https://www.ifixit.com/products/valve-index-headset-head-strap?variant=39723175575655

[Austin_X_Gaming]

Publicado originalmente por PUGS:

This is my answer...surprised Valve didn't link me...some of you as well:

https://www.ifixit.com/products/valve-index-headset-head-strap?variant=39723175575655

Maybe this is the problem I'm having, since I replaced the cable a while back yet still having the left speaker cutting out regularly.

[The Broken Lightbulb]

Publicado originalmente por TRUPaC:

I have completely lost audio in the left speaker. Long story short - the failure point turned out to be where the headset connects to the head strap. Those contacts were corroded.
The screw is Torx6 - same that holds speakers but recessed. I did not have a long enough driver, so I had to remove back panel (4x Torx5) to get access to this screw with a shorter neck Torx6 driver. Cleaned with IPA

This was my problem and it worked flawlessly for me.

Publicado originalmente por PUGS:

This is my answer...surprised Valve didn't link me...some of you as well:

https://www.ifixit.com/products/valve-index-headset-head-strap?variant=39723175575655

This tutorial was extra useful.

[FCon]

If anyone is having the same problem, I solved just tightening the T5 screw that holds the head strap on the left side, where the two audio contact pins are. Follow this guide skipping steps 2 and 3, proceed until step 11, then tighten the screw in step 14: https://www.ifixit.com/Guide/Valve+Index+Headset+Head+Strap+Replacement/150345

[3rd Foundation]

I am now having this issue and I can tell you exactly what is causing it. It is a bad design on their part. When you sit the headset down on a table with the left/right speakers down, the headset then rests on the speakers, not the strap/headset because it is extended. Overtime this breaks it, especially if it was sat down "roughly" on the table.

[Godserv]

I had this issue and it was because the part that allows the speakers to pivot was coming loose. I noticed it particularly in Beat Saber when I would shift my body weight quickly. Tightening that (so the speaker pivots less freely) did the trick!

[Dubbleblack]

Publicado originalmente por FCon:

If anyone is having the same problem, I solved just tightening the T5 screw that holds the head strap on the left side, where the two audio contact pins are. Follow this guide skipping steps 2 and 3, proceed until step 11, then tighten the screw in step 14: https://www.ifixit.com/Guide/Valve+Index+Headset+Head+Strap+Replacement/150345

Thanks that worked for me going to test it if the problem returns

[Jim]

Publicado originalmente por FCon:

If anyone is having the same problem, I solved just tightening the T5 screw that holds the head strap on the left side, where the two audio contact pins are. Follow this guide skipping steps 2 and 3, proceed until step 11, then tighten the screw in step 14: https://www.ifixit.com/Guide/Valve+Index+Headset+Head+Strap+Replacement/150345

I'd been having the same problem: Left audio coming and going with the slightest of movements, when I swapped the speakers the problem stayed on the left...

Tightening that screw fixed it. Thanks!