Oculus Quest 2 Guardian Keeps Resetting? (Easy FIX!)
Meta Oculus Quest 2 Guardian keeps resetting? This is a known problem, and it’s easy to solve!
The Guardian feature on Oculus Quest 2 is an excellent technology that protects the user while wearing the headset.
The feature requires an initial setup at the play area and later prevents the user from bumping into walls by displaying invisible boundaries while gaming on Oculus Quest.
When the Quest 2 Guardian feature is resetting, verify that you’re setting it up correctly and the play area’s lighting is sufficient. Also, update your Oculus Quest 2 to the latest version, try to set up the Guardian in another room.
Let’s continue to unwrap possibilities and solutions!
Why Does Oculus Guardian Keep Resetting?
There are several reasons why Oculus Quest Guardian and the pre-set boundaries disappear after every gaming session.
Sometimes, it’s a bug, and other times, it’s something from this list:
Let’s next learn how to set up Guardian boundaries correctly!
How to Setup Quest Guardian Correctly?
The first step is to enable the Guardian feature on your Oculus Quest 2 before you can set the boundaries in your play area.
The recommended space required for optimal guardian setup is 3 feet by 3 feet square with no obstructions such as furniture and an even floor without bumps.
Here’s how to set up your Oculus Quest guardian correctly:
- First, turn on and equip your Quest 2 headset.
- Press the Oculus button and go to “Settings.”
- Then, go to “System” and enter “Developer.”
- Toggle on the Guardian feature from the menu.
- Then, find a clear space to use as a play area.
- Touch the ground with the controller if asked.
- Then, hold the trigger to draw a boundary wall.
- Remove play area obstructions and obstacles.
When your Guardian feature is set correctly, invisible walls will appear when you reach the end of the play area, preventing any harm.
Well, if your Guardian feature keeps resetting, you don’t need to go through the steps every time, hence, continue reading and follow the solutions steps!
How to Fix When Oculus Quest 2 Guardian Keeps Resetting?
Tip: Follow the steps chronologically!
1. Update Your Oculus Quest 2
The first step is to update the firmware of your Oculus Quest 2 because there is a known issue with the guardian on the operating system version v49.
So, if you haven’t updated your Quest in a while, now would be the best time to check for updates and upgrade the operating system.
Here’s how to check for updates and upgrade the Oculus Quest 2 firmware:
- Power on and equip your Oculus headset.
- From the dock, navigate to the “Settings.”
- Enter “System,” then “Software Update.”
- Wait for your Quest 2 headset to update.
When the operating system is up to date, there is a high chance that the Guardian problem is now solved, so set up boundaries and test whether they will disappear.
If the same problem continues, keep progressing further into the guide…
2. Power Cycle the VR Headset
The next step is as simple as a reboot but efficient enough to resolve most of your Oculus Quest 2 problems, primarily when related to the system settings.
The power cycle will not erase any of your data, games, recordings, or apps but will actively refresh the VR headset operating system!
The power cycle on your Oculus Quest consists of 3 general steps:
- Hold the Power button until your headset turns OFF.
- Wait for 60 seconds with the Quest 2 powered OFF.
- Hold the Power button until your headset turns ON.
When you’re ready, test whether the Guardian setup is gone, and if so, set new boundaries and test if the preset will disappear.
Reminder: When setting up the Guardian feature, follow all steps to the end!
3. Increase the Room’s Lighting!
The Guardian feature on your Oculus Quest 2 might not work due to poor lighting in the room or within the play area of the headset.
The low light level may interrupt the Guardian setup process and prevent the creation of a profile that will be used in the future.
So, there are numerous ways to increase the light in the environment, such as allowing sunlight in or turning on the lights.
However, in some cases, this wouldn’t be enough, especially at night when you rely solely on artificial light without the sun.
Tip: Setup Guardian During the Day!
An excellent suggestion is to set up the Guardian during the day to be confident that the lighting in the room is good.
You can use the same preset during the night with artificial light, which will work as the lighting was bright during the boundaries setup.
Note: Some users even suggest setting up the Guardian outside to reset the feature and then set the boundaries in your play area.
4. Clean the Headset’s Cameras!
Another possibility for missing Guardian presets on your Oculus Quest 2 is the cameras.
When the cameras of your Oculus Quest 2 are obstructed, the Guardian feature will not work and will not be set correctly during the boundaries setup process.
The Oculus Quest 2 cameras are located at the front, on the four edges looking forward, so use a microfiber (dry) cloth to wipe any dust accumulation.
In addition, verify that nothing is actively obstructing the cameras while you’re wearing the headset, which can also impact the Guardian.
Tip: Inspect the Oculus Quest 2 cameras for visual damage!
5. Reset Oculus Quest to Default
Sometimes, the reason why your Oculus Quest 2 Guardian setup is missing could be due to a fault with the operating system.
Such system-related bugs could be temporary or long-lasting based on the type of complication that has occurred.
Hence, one of the most potent solutions would be to factory reset the operating system of the Oculus Quest 2 headset to revert all settings to default.
This method will eliminate all bugs and glitches with the software, which might be the reason why the Guardian is not working correctly.
Here’s how to factory reset your Oculus Quest 2 in easy steps:
- First, verify that your Oculus Quest 2 is turned ON.
- Hold the Power button until the headset turns OFF.
- Press and hold the Power + Volume Down buttons.
- When the A/C prompt shows, release both buttons.
- Use the Volume buttons to navigate in the menu.
- Go down and highlight the “Factory Reset” option.
- Press the Power button to select the marked option.
Shortly, your Oculus Quest 2 will start to reset, so you must remain patient until the process is completed.
When the reset is over, you’ll be prompted to set up the initial settings of the Oculus Quest 2 headset, and then you’ll be able to configure your Guardian feature and its boundaries.
If the same problem continues to appear, keep reading!
Warning: The factory reset will erase all system files, data, recordings, games, and apps!
6. Setup Guardian in Elsewhere!
It’s not excluded that the reason for the entire problem is the selected space to be used as a play area for your Oculus Quest 2.
If the Guardian feature setup fails to complete or the setup is gone after a restart, you may need to make adjustments to the play area or select another one.
We recommend removing any obstruction and furniture to produce a wide enough space for the Guardian feature to be set up correctly.
If you’re using a tight spot, the boundaries will not work, and your Oculus Quest will fail the Guardian setup every time.
One good suggestion would be to set up your Guardian feature and boundaries in another room only to test whether the configuration will reset again.
If yes, your Oculus Quest 2 unit may be defective, and you must contact Meta Customer Service for additional assistance. Best of luck!
More Oculus Quest 2 Errors:
Q: What should I do if the Oculus Quest 2 store is not loading?
A: Check your internet connection, restart the device, and ensure the Oculus app is updated.
Q: How do I clean a smudge inside the lens of my Oculus Quest 2?
A: Use a microfiber cloth to gently clean the lens. If the smudge is inside, contact support for assistance.
Finn Wheatley, a Master’s graduate in Computer Science from UCL, London, honed his skills at small data science consultancies. There, he helped large corporations enhance their data capabilities by deploying cutting-edge machine learning analytics and resolving technical hurdles.