Arctis Nova 7X / Nova 7X Gen 2 Dongle Not Detected at Startup

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If your Arctis Nova 7X or Nova 7X Gen 2 dongle isn't detected after your PC starts, but reconnecting the dongle brings it back to life, Windows USB power management may be getting in the way.

Here's how to fix it.

1. Check the dongle and its mode

When using your Nova 7X on a PC, make sure the switch on the wireless dongle is set to USB.

Xbox mode should only be used when the dongle is connected to an Xbox console.

Then:

  • Connect the dongle directly to your PC rather than through a hub or dock.
  • Try another USB port.
  • Disconnect and reconnect the USB adapter cable if you're using one.
  • If possible, test another USB-A or USB-C connection.

2. Prevent Windows from turning off USB ports

  1. Right-click the Start button and select Device Manager.
  2. Expand Universal Serial Bus controllers.
  3. Right-click each USB Root Hub or Generic USB Hub and open Properties.
  4. Go to Power Management.
  5. Uncheck Allow the computer to turn off this device to save power.
  6. Click OK.

Repeat for the remaining USB hubs where this option is available.

3. Disable USB Selective Suspend

  1. Open Control Panel → Power Options.
  2. Click Change plan settings.
  3. Select Change advanced power settings.
  4. Expand USB settings → USB selective suspend setting.
  5. Set it to Disabled.
  6. Click Apply → OK.

4. Disable Fast Startup

  1. Open Control Panel → Power Options.
  2. Select Choose what the power buttons do.
  3. Click Change settings that are currently unavailable.
  4. Disable Turn on fast startup.
  5. Save the changes.

If this option isn't available on your system, skip this step.

5. Give it a clean boot

  1. Shut down the PC completely.
  2. Leave the Nova 7X dongle connected and set to USB mode.
  3. Power your PC back on.
  4. Check whether the dongle initializes automatically.

6. Check SteelSeries GG

Open SteelSeries GG → Engine and confirm whether the Nova 7X appears.

Install any available firmware updates before testing the next startup. That means Windows is detecting the dongle correctly. 

Follow our How to reconnect Nova 7 / Nova 7 Gen 2 with the Dongle guide - the reconnect instructions also apply to the Nova 7X and Nova 7X Gen 2.

Still missing in action?

Connect the dongle to another PC and test another startup.

If it works normally there, the problem is likely related to the USB configuration on the original PC. If the issue follows the dongle to another system, contact our Support team and we'll help investigate.