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Does the SteelSeries Arctis Nova 3 work on Linux?

Supported. 5 extra features available on Linux (RGB / lighting, Sidetone, Equalizer, Mic volume…) via HeadsetControl, OpenRGB.

Which distros work?

Distro	Kernel	Verdict
Arch Linux CachyOS, EndeavourOS	—	✅ All 5 features with repo packages
Fedora 44 Bazzite, Nobara	—	✅ All 5 features with repo packages
Fedora 43	—	✅ All 5 features with repo packages
openSUSE Tumbleweed	—	⚠️ 1 of 5 features from repos; 4 features: install HeadsetControl from upstream
Ubuntu 26.04 LTS Kubuntu, Xubuntu, Ubuntu flavours	—	⚠️ 1 of 5 features from repos; 4 features: install HeadsetControl from upstream
Ubuntu 24.04 LTS Linux Mint 22, elementary OS 8	—	⚠️ 0 of 5 features from repos; 4 features: install HeadsetControl from upstream; rgb / lighting: install OpenRGB from upstream
Ubuntu 22.04 LTS Linux Mint 21	—	⚠️ 0 of 5 features from repos; 4 features: install HeadsetControl from upstream; rgb / lighting: install OpenRGB from upstream
Debian 13	—	⚠️ 0 of 5 features from repos; 4 features: install HeadsetControl from upstream; rgb / lighting: install OpenRGB from upstream
Debian 12	—	⚠️ 0 of 5 features from repos; 4 features: install HeadsetControl from upstream; rgb / lighting: install OpenRGB from upstream

Kernel versions are each release's default (and optional newer) kernel as of 2026-10-05. Distros sometimes backport drivers, so an older kernel can still work. Basic input and audio work through generic drivers regardless; this table is about the extra features.

Linux features

Feature	Provided by
RGB / lighting	OpenRGB
Sidetone	HeadsetControl
Equalizer	HeadsetControl
Mic volume	HeadsetControl
Mic mute LED	HeadsetControl

What to install

Tool	Install
HeadsetControl	Arch: `sudo pacman -S headsetcontrol` Fedora: `sudo dnf install headsetcontrol` Not in Debian, Ubuntu repos — upstream instructions
OpenRGB	Arch: `sudo pacman -S openrgb` Fedora: `sudo dnf install openrgb` Debian: `sudo apt install openrgb` Ubuntu: `sudo apt install openrgb` Flatpak: `flatpak install flathub org.openrgb.OpenRGB`

Is this my device?

Run lsusb and look for this ID: 1038:12ec. Or paste your whole lsusb output into the lookup on the home page.

Kernel driver: none needed (generic HID/USB)

"Supported" means the device appears in that project's device list. We don't test hardware ourselves; see how this works. Something wrong here? Report it.

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