Steam VR Not Detecting Quest 2? – (Don’t Panic, Easy Fix)

If your Steam VR not detecting Quest 2 headset, then this guide will definitely help you out!

The Steam VR technology engages both the Steam application and the Oculus Rift application to provide you with an opportunity to play VR games from your computer.

Whenever something with the apps or with the PC to Quest 2 connection is faulty, you will be facing detection issues.

When the Steam VR does not detect your Oculus Quest 2 headset, first power cycle your headset and update the firmware version. Next, inspect the USB cable in your setup and use a USB 3.0 port on your PC.

Let’s unwrap how all of this is done!

Why Steam VR Not Detecting Headset Quest 2?

If you’re at the “Connect Your Headset” but the green tick doesn’t appear, you may have done something incorrectly during the setup.

Another possibility is that the wire connecting the Quest 2 to the computer is faulty, or your computer cannot recognize that your headset is connected.

Here are all the possibilities as to why Steam VR is not detecting your Oculus Quest 2:

Those are the causes for the detection issue with the Steam VR with your Oculus Quest, and we have found a solution for each of them.

So, without further ado, let’s continue reading…

How to Fix When Steam VR Not Detecting Quest 2?

Tip: Follow the steps chronologically!

1. Set up Your Steam VR Correctly!

The first and most crucial step is to verify that the setup and connection between your Oculus Quest 2 and your gaming PC Steam VR is correct.

There are a couple of essential factors that you must pay attention to, so we recommend following the steps below to verify that all is intact.

Here’s how to setup Steam VR with Oculus Quest 2 correctly:

1. The first step is to download the Steam App.
2. Then, you need to install the Steam.exe file.
3. You will also need the Oculus Rift application.
4. Again, you must install the “.exe” file on a PC.
5. When ready, you must connect your Quest 2.
6. Use the USB-C cable and a USB 3 PC port.
7. Then, you must sign in to Steam and Oculus.
8. When ready, open the Oculus Rift application.
9. Follow the onscreen instructions for the pairing.

These are the correct and chronological steps to set up your Oculus Quest 2 for Steam VR, and if the Oculus Rift app is not detecting the headset, then there is an issue.

So, continue reading the guide to unwarp more solutions to help you overcome this problem…

2. Power Cycle the Oculus Quest 2

The next step is as simple as a restart but exceptionally practical, especially if your Steam VR is not detecting the headset because of a system bug or a glitch.

Hence, the power cycle will only reboot the operating system of the Quest, restart all services, and provide you with a fresh start.

Here’s how to power cycle your Oculus Quest 2 in easy steps:

1. First, verify that your Oculus headset is powered on.
2. Then, locate the Power button on the right-hand side.
3. Hold the Power button until the Oculus Quest turns off.
4. Then, wait for 60 seconds with the Oculus Quest OFF.
5. Then, press the Power button to turn on the headset.

When you’re ready with the power circulation process, repeat the steps from the first solution to verify that you’re attempting the Steam VR link correctly.

If you’re still stuck on the “Connect Your Headset” screen, you must perform additional troubleshooting, so let’s continue further!

Note: The power circulation will not erase anything from your Oculus Quest headset!

3. Update Your Headset’s Firmware!

The next step is one of the most essential approaches to undertake and is to update the Quest 2 firmware to the latest version available.

When the operating system is outdated, you might encounter various compatibility issues, some of which could impact the Steam VR connectivity.

Here’s how to update your Oculus Quest 2 firmware in easy steps:

1. Make sure that your Oculus Quest is charged.
2. Alternatively, plug the headset into the charger.
3. Then, press the Oculus button on the controller.
4. Hover over the menu and go to Quick Settings.
5. From there, enter the “Settings” and “System.”
6. Finally, select the “Software Update” to begin.

Your Oculus Quest 2 may take a while to update, based on the speed of your internet and the performance of your device.

When the update is ready, your VR headset will automatically restart, and you’ll have the opportunity to attempt the Steam VR setup from the beginning.

Tip: Always keep your Oculus Quest 2 up to date!

4. Reconnect the Headset to the PC

Whenever the Steam VR is not detecting Oculus Quest 2 through the PC application, perhaps your computer is not recognizing the VR headset.

This happens whenever the USB-C cable or the USB connector on your computer’s side is faulty, and the data transfer is not working at all.

• So, unplug and plug the USB cable from your computer!

You must also re-plug the USB Type-C connector on your Oculus Quest headset’s side and verify the secure connection.

In addition, inspect the entire cable length and ensure that the cable is not damaged, and if you’ve got any concerns, implement a replacement USB cable.

One More Thing – Use USB 3 Port!

Using a USB 3 port on your computer’s side is crucial to connect your Oculus Quest headset since USB 2.0 might not work correctly.

If you have trouble identifying the USB ports on your computer, know that the USB 3.0 ports are colored in blue from the inside for easier orientation.

Tip: Your computer should have one USB 3.0 port on the front and one or two USB 3.0 ports on the back, coming directly from the motherboard.

5. Refresh the Oculus Rift Software

The Oculus Rift application on your computer is one of the fundamental bricks in setting up the Steam VR and connecting your headset.

When the application is glitching out, or there are any missing files in its directory, you may have to perform a clean app reinstallation to resolve this!

Note: The steps below apply to Windows 10 or 11 OS computers!

Here’s how to remove and re-install the Oculus Rift application:

1. From the Taskbar, click on the Start Menu.
2. Type “Control Panel” and enter the prompt.
3. In there, change “View by” to “ Small icons.”
4. Next, click on the “Programs and Features.”
5. Scroll down and discover the Oculus Rift app.
6. Highlight the app and click on the “Uninstall.” 
7. Follow the steps to delete the app completely.
8. Then, download the Oculus Rift on your PC.
9. Install the “.exe” file and sign into your profile.

Now, when your Oculus Rift app is reinstalled, it’s guaranteed that you’ve got the most recent firmware version and are ready to re-attempt the pairing.

So, scroll up in this guide and use the first step from the solutions to correctly set the Steam VR to check for your detection problem.

Note: Always keep your Oculus Rift computer app up to date!

6. Factory Reset Your Oculus Quest

The final and most potent solution is to perform a factory reset on your Oculus Quest 2 headset, which will erase all settings, games, and apps from your device.

Yes, this is the downside, but the factory reset will also remove any software conflicts or data corruption causing the problem!

Here’s how to factory reset your Oculus Quest 2 in easy steps:

1. First, make sure that your Oculus Quest is charged.
2. Then, turn off your VR headset via the power button.
3. Hold the power button until the boot prompt appears.
4. Use the Volume button to scroll down in the menus.
5. Highlight the “Factory Reset” option from the menu.
6. Press the Power button to select the marked option.

The Oculus Quest 2 will reboot shortly, and you’ll be prompted to set up everything from scratch.

When you’re ready, follow the steps from the guide earlier to set up the Steam VR link correctly.

Warning: The data loss after a factory reset can’t be recovered!

More Oculus Quest 2 Errors:

Q: Why am I getting a casting error on Oculus Quest 2?
A: Ensure both devices are on the same network, check the casting settings, and restart the devices.

Q: What does the HDSLVC2 error mean on Oculus Quest 2?
A: This error may indicate a hardware or firmware issue. Restart your device and ensure it’s updated.