Quest 3: Steam VR says headset not detected

[PatrickAWlson]

So ...

The headset is up and running.  I can see the VR "world" through it.

Start Steam VR: headset not detected.

Reset Steam VR - same result.

Stop Steam VR

Start the game, letting it do the Steam VR start.  Same result.

 

Rant

So, after a grand total of 2 flights in VR I am the proud owner of yet another $600 paper weight.  This is f****** BS.  I've had it.

/Rant

 

Now that that is out of the way, any tips are appreciated.

I did note that Steam updated Steam VR on Jan 7th.  Did the update actually kill it?  Don't know but probably not.

 

[PatrickAWlson]

 

OK, I got it to work.  Not sure exactly what did it since I did a lot of things, but I think it was going into the headset, accessing the headset settings, and resetting the air link.

[Aapje]

I use OpenXR Toolkit, so no need for SteamVR.

 

What I do:

• Wire up the headset
• Start the Meta app (just to make it a little quicker), XRNecksafer, Simhaptic and switch the audio over to the headset
• Enable Link in the headset and then start IL-2 from the headset
• Play

[dryheat94]

I use Virtual Desktop and OpenComposite, so no need for SteamVR.

 

What I do:

• Start Headset
• Start Virtual Desktop (using VDXR codec)
• Start IL-2 Launcher
• Play

(haven't gotten around to using XRNecksafer yet, on the to-do list)

Edited January 26 by dryheat94

[PatrickAWlson]

@Aapje I don't use XRNecksafer or Simhaptic.  I do find that I have to reset airlink every time.  However, it is still really flaky.  More often than not Steam VR tells me it cannot detect the headset.  Then, when it does, I start the game and the game doesn't know it's in VR mode.  If that works, the game knows it is in VR mode, but the VR headset does not switch to the game.  And then, sometimes, it actually works - so I now it can work.

 

@dryheat94 Your start method sems pretty reasonable - start the game from within the headset.  So, how does one get Virtual Desktop?  it is not a preinstalled app and it does not seem to be available in the Meta store.  

 

Appreciate the responses.  IL2 is the only thing that I use the VR headset for, so making it work with IL2 is all that I care about.  I'm pretty sure that the headset is fine, but the Meta app seems to me purely designed to make you give more money to meta.  

Edited January 27 by PatrickAWlson

[dryheat94]

1 hour ago, PatrickAWlson said:

@Aapje I don't use XRNecksafer or Simhaptic.  I do find that I have to reset airlink every time.  However, it is still really flaky.  More often than not Steam VR tells me it cannot detect the headset.  Then, when it does, I start the game and the game doesn't know it's in VR mode.  If that works, the game knows it is in VR mode, but the VR headset does not switch to the game.  And then, sometimes, it actually works - so I now it can work.

 

@dryheat94 Your start method sems pretty reasonable - start the game from within the headset.  So, how does one get Virtual Desktop?  it is not a preinstalled app and it does not seem to be available in the Meta store.  

 

Appreciate the responses.  IL2 is the only thing that I use the VR headset for, so making it work with IL2 is all that I care about.  I'm pretty sure that the headset is fine, but the Meta app seems to me purely designed to make you give more money to meta.  

 

You buy Virtual Desktop from the Meta store. The version on Steam is for older headsets. Before you consider Virtual Desktop be sure you can meet the specs for router and are able to connect the router directly to your PC. I highly recommend spending a few days in their Discord. You'll learn all you need to know about it, as it's the same questions from every user answered regularly. Discord link on this page. https://www.vrdesktop.net/ I would never go back to cable after using VD. I find it better in every way, but again, you must meet VD's router requirements. I have an AXE5400 (AXE75) which has been flawless. There are many other router options and they'll list them regularly in their Discord.

 

If you do go with VD, you can also grab a USB-C to USB-C cable that you can plug directly into the charger and headset to keep you constantly charged with no need for batteries. Just an option for longer flights, not necessary.

 

I just watched this, pretty good introduction to VD. Worth a watch.

 

 

Edited January 27 by dryheat94

[chiliwili69]

4 hours ago, PatrickAWlson said:

start the game from within the headset.

 

You can also launch the game from the headset without Virtual Desktop.

 

Once you launch Airlink (setting previously Meta PC app as OpenXR Runtime) and when it is working correctly, just go to Desktop from headset and then launch IL-2 (which should trigger SteamVR).

 

https://forum.il2sturmovik.com/topic/89689-quest-3-headstrap-and-interface-help-please/#findComment-1332276

 

[Aapje]

https://www.meta.com/en-gb/experiences/virtual-desktop/2017050365004772/

 

I also start the game from within the headset, after starting (cabled) link, but that should be no different from air link. My experience is that it works more reliably than starting the game from the PC.

 

5 hours ago, PatrickAWlson said:

@Aapje I don't use XRNecksafer

 

That only works if you use OpenComposite. But it was more to illustrate at what point in the process I run extra programs on the PC.

Edited January 27 by Aapje

[dryheat94]

Just an FYI when you get a sore neck. I really need to set this up myself.

 

With OpenComposite: https://gitlab.com/NobiWan/xrnecksafer

 

With SteamVR: https://gitlab.com/NobiWan/vrnecksafer

Edited January 27 by dryheat94

[PatrickAWlson]

On 1/27/2025 at 2:59 AM, chiliwili69 said:

 

You can also launch the game from the headset without Virtual Desktop.

 

Once you launch Airlink (setting previously Meta PC app as OpenXR Runtime) and when it is working correctly, just go to Desktop from headset and then launch IL-2 (which should trigger SteamVR).

 

https://forum.il2sturmovik.com/topic/89689-quest-3-headstrap-and-interface-help-please/#findComment-1332276

 

 

Really stupid question, but how do you launch the game form inside the headset?

I am making a little progress with the headset.  Link would not work until I hard wired my router to my PC.  Once I did that it started to work.  From there I was able to launch Steam VR, but I still had to go back to my desktop to launch IL2.  Is there a way to launch IL2 from inside the headset?  If not, no big deal.  I think (or I hope) that dealing with the link issue will solve most of my issues.

 

[chiliwili69]

On 1/29/2025 at 10:52 PM, PatrickAWlson said:

but how do you launch the game form inside the headset?

 

You can use the mouse or also the Quest3 controllers.

On 1/29/2025 at 10:52 PM, PatrickAWlson said:

Link would not work until I hard wired my router to my PC.

 

Definetely, the router has to be hard wired to the the PC.

 

I have also created a dedicated Wifi 5Gigahertz network only for the Quest3 to avoid any interference or bandwidth with the rest of Wifi users at home. In the router you can create several networks (SSID)

On 1/29/2025 at 10:52 PM, PatrickAWlson said:

From there I was able to launch Steam VR, but I still had to go back to my desktop to launch IL2.  Is there a way to launch IL2 from inside the headset?  If not, no big deal.  I think (or I hope) that dealing with the link issue will solve most of my issues.

 

The steps to do it from headset will be:

 

1. Switch on PC and launch Meta PC app (called Meta Quest Link). Be usre to use Meta as OpenXR Runtime app.

2. Switch on headset and enable AirLink

3. Using the Quest controller click "Desktop"

4. Launch IL-2 using mouse or controller. SteamVR should be trigered automatically when launching IL-2

[Blitzen]

On 1/25/2025 at 7:48 AM, Aapje said:

Enable Link in the headset and then start IL-2 from the headset

I'm almost there linked etcc...how does start from Headset look? Where will it be?

Thanks!

[dryheat94]

You should be able to open your Desktop from inside the headset once linked. Then you just open the IL-2 launcher, choose settings and put a check in the VR option. Be sure to bind a key for re-centering view.

[chiliwili69]

8 hours ago, Blitzen said:

how does start from Headset look? Where will it be?

If you already enabled Airlink (or Quest Link with cable) you can then do the "step 3" by clicking in "Desktop":

[Aapje]

I have IL-2 in the list above that bar, but that might require OpenXR toolkit, and possibly also adding the game to Meta Quest Link. Can't remember.