I've owned a set of Microsoft USB Lifechat 3000 headphones for a while now, and in the past I havent had any problems with them. Recently though, somethings become buggered with them.

When they're plugged in, I get a horrible crackling sound coming through the headset which seems to get worse when I move my head. Turning the microphone off however stops the crackling, so I'm guessing its a microphone problem.

Recently I've also been unable to actually use the microphone for stuff like voicechat. When trying to VC with a friend, all he got at the other end was the same crackling sound I'd been getting. When using the Sound Hardware Testing Wizard in Windows Xp Pro, the crackling sound comes through as microphone sound, but my voice isnt even picked up. I've also installed the latest drivers for both RealTek HD Audio and the headset but the problem hasnt gone away.

I'm guessing I may have done something to bugger the microphone playback somehow, but I dunno what. Does anyone have any advice as to fixing this?

When I use my headset on ps3 when I get a crackling sound or echo turning the mic level down uselly stops it.

Or it could just be broke.

Oh that happened with my headset too. It was the one that comes with the Xbox 360 though. Yeah, you're just going to either replace them, or if it's cost efficient, you could repair them too.

I didn't find a solution for mine, so I just chucked them and got new ones.

Well frankly I'm hoping its something I've stuffed up with settings. This headset is only about 6 months old and still functions perfectly as a headset when the mic is off. Its just when its on that we have problems.

Also, university costs for stuff like books means that I dont have the funds right now to purchase a new headset anyway

Have you tested the headset on another system? If it has the same problem then it must be hardware, if not, then it must be a problem with your computer

Sounds like the same kind of problem most earbuds suffer from... Broken wires in the cable... In your case it sounds like it might be up towards the headset itself... Unless you are good at soldering and have some tiny wire strippers, you might as well just buy a new set... Just about any tech will charge you 20 or 30 dollars and hour for work like that, and I cannot imagine that headset costing much more than 39.99 at highest.

That being said.... Most Microsoft hardware has a 12 month warranty on it... Take them back to the store or contact Microsoft directly.

Well, I just tested them on my netbook with W7 and there wasnt any crackling at all...so....I have no clue. :mellow:

As a retail employee, I must emphasize that "warranty" does not equal "return period". Contacting Microsoft would be best unless you did buy them in a store and feel like wasting gas.

Most stores will handle the warranty work and shipping for customers with reciepts. Microsoft tends to be a company that will allow that.

Well, my guess would be a bad wire in the headset, but you say it doesn't happen when plugged into something else. Do another set of headphones crackle when plugged into the device? Could be a dirty plug or a damaged plug. I know I have a set of speakers and a laptop where the volume control gives tons of crackling in most positions. Annoying and no way to fix it.

Mmmm delicious headset..... :drool:

Have you removed all popcorn from within the earpieces?

Indeed. Warranty = We will fix it for you if it stops working due to a flaw in the product.

I did buy them in a store, a DSE. (Dont think you funny foreign folks have them). Problem is I dont have the original packaging and the receipt could be on the moon for all I know, so it seems waranty might be somewhat difficult. :confused:

I tested them again on a completely different system and they worked perfectly with no crackling as far as I could tell, so I am truly bamboozled. Hell, I'd use them for gaming on that system if it wasnt for the sad fact that it has the computing power of 3 babies.

And all popcorn has been removed. Also found a piece of bacon in there. Didnt taste too good.