We cannot be characters in a video game but at least we have VR. VR is the closest thing we have to being in a game and I must say, VR is amazing! The Oculus Quest 2 is one of the best VR headsets out there but it is not perfect.
Many Oculus Quest 2 users have complained about SteamVR not recognizing their Oculus Quest 2 headsets.
So you might wonder, why is Steam VR not recognizing the Oculus quest 2?
Maybe you were getting ready to play your favorite VR game but you are now faced with the “Steam VR not recognizing Oculus Quest 2” issue.
I know this is an annoying situation to be in, that is why I have conducted thorough research and have written the best methods to fix this annoying problem.
Read the full post for more details.
How to Fix SteamVR not Recognizing Oculus Quest 2
I have written the latest and best methods I could find in my research. The procedures have been tested so they are all legit.
The steps in each of these processes are very straightforward, so there is no reason to be nervous, even if you have no prior experience.
Here are the methods to fix Steam VR not recognizing Oculus Quest 2:
1. Check if Headset is Detected in the Oculus PC App
You need to have the Oculus Link PC Software installed on your system. SteamVR is the software used to connect VR headsets to Steam.
Without the Oculus PC app, you cannot use any VR headsets on Steam.
If you are confused by what is written above, do not worry, as the simple steps to install the Oculus app are given below.
Here’s a complete guide on how to Fix VR Black Screen
Here are the steps to install the Oculus Quest 2 PC software:
- Go to https://www.oculus.com/setup/
- Download the Quest 2 PC app.
- Install the Quest 2 PC app.
- Connect your headset using Air Link, the Link cable or a similar high-quality USB 3 cable.
- Check whether your headset is connected to the Oculus PC app. You can do this by going to Devices and seeing whether it is connected or not.
- Enter Steam VR and check whether the Oculus Quest 2 headset is recognized or not.
If this process did not fix the issue, please follow the other procedures given in this post.
2. Turn on the Unknown Sources Option
There is a feature present in the Oculus app named Unknown sources. Turning this on can fix the Oculus not being recognized by the Steam VR issue.
You are going to enter the Oculus app and turn on the “Unknown Sources” option. It is as simple as it sounds. Chances are you do not know how to turn the feature on.
That is why I have given straightforward steps to this whole process, so keep calm and go through the steps given below.
Here are the steps to turn on “Unknown Sources” to fix Steam VR not recognizing Oculus:
- Enter the Oculus app.
- Go to the Settings
- Enter general settings.
- Enable unknown sources.
- Check whether the problem got resolved.
If this method did not fix the problem, keep calm and go through the other procedures given in this post.
Here’s a complete guide to know the difference between Gear VR vs Oculus Quest.
3. Reinstall SteamVR
To reinstall anything on Windows is a very simple task. If you have no experience in uninstalling apps on Windows 10/11, there is no reason to be worried, I am here for you.
All you need to do is go to your Steam Library and uninstall the Steam VR. If this sounds complicated to you, trust me, you are only a few clicks away from completing this procedure.
The simple steps to reinstall Steam VR are given below, so keep your cool and go through the steps.
Here are the steps to reinstall SteamVR to fix SteamVR not recognizing Oculus:
- Open the Steam
- Enter the Library.
- Right-click on SteamVR.
- Click on Uninstall.
- Wait for the uninstall process to finish.
- Go to the Steam Store.
- Download and install SteamVR.
- Run SteamVR after the installation process is finished.
- Check whether SteamVR recognizes the Oculus headset or not.
If this process did not fix the issue, please follow the other procedures given in this post.
4. Restart your PC and Oculus Headset
Sometimes an interruption in the connection between your PC and headset causes the Oculus Quest 2 not to be recognized by SteamVR.
Restarting your PC and Oculus headset together is a simple but effective way to fix this problem.
It is very easy to restart a PC and Oculus Quest 2 headset, just follow the steps given below and you will be good to go.
Here are the steps to restart your Oculus headset and PC:
- Turn your Oculus Quest 2 headset off.
- Unplug the cable from the Oculus Quest 2 headset.
- Restart your PC.
- Open the Oculus app.
- Turn your headset on.
- Enable Oculus Link or Air link.
- Plugin the USB Cable.
- Open Link.
- Turn on Air Link from the PC app and turn on the connection.
- Check whether Headset is Active in the Oculus app.
- Open SteamVR and check whether it recognizes your headset or not.
If this procedure did not fix the problem, do not lose hope as there are other fixes given in this post. Please go through them.
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5. Restart SteamVR
Steam VR is the tool used to connect VR headsets to Steam. Restarting Steam VR is one of the easiest and quickest ways to fix any minor bugs that can cause Steam VR to not recognize your headset.
In this process, you are going to close the Steam app by closing the Steam window and then closing it from the taskbar. It is a very simple task so there is no reason to be nervous.
Follow the straightforward steps given below and you will be good to go.
Here are the steps to restart Steam VR to fix Steam VR not recognizing Oculus:
- Close Steam if open.
- Click on the arrow at the bottom right of your desktop screen.
- Right-click on Steam and click on Exit.
- Reopen Steam.
- Launch SteamVR.
- Check whether SteamVR recognizes your Oculus Quest 2 headset or not.
Hopefully, by now, you were able to fix the “SteamVR not recognizing Oculus Quest 2” issue.
I would like to remind you again that you must download the Oculus Quest 2 PC app before connecting your headset to SteamVR. The first process in this post tells you how to do that.
6. Update Steam
Usually, Steam will notify you about a new update and it is best to install any latest update as soon as possible. If you are informed about a new update after launching Steam, install the update.
Maybe auto-updates are disabled in Steam on your system. If that is the case, follow the steps given below.
Here are the steps to Update Steam manually to fix Steam VR not recognizing Oculus:
- Open Steam.
- Navigate to Steam and click on it.
- Click on Check for Steam client updates.
- Download and install and available updates if there are any.
- Restart Steam and check whether the issue got resolved.
Follow our guide to know Oculus/Vive: can laptops run VR.
Conclusion
First of all, I would like to thank you for trying out the world of VR. Although it sounds very attractive on paper, VR is still not mainstream.
Hopefully, one day VR will be available to more gamers and more fantastic games will be released on all VR platforms.
I hope you were able to fix the “SteamVR not recognizing Oculus Quest 2” problem. Hopefully, you will never face an issue like this in the future.
I have tried my best to provide you with the best and latest fixes and I hope this post served you well.
I wish you good luck in whatever you do in the future. Take care and stay safe!
