While the HTC Vive is arguably one of the best VR experiences to date, anyone who owns it will admit it’s not perfect. With the introduction of the headset earlier this year along with the SteamVR platform, there are still a number of minor issues that users face on a daily basis.
HTC Vive: The Ultimate Guide — Tips, Tricks, Fixes & More!
While there are hundreds of known bugs, some of them can be fixed with some relatively simple tweaks. We’ve put together some of the most common issues that can affect today’s HTC Vive users, and fixes to complement them.
- My HTC Vive headset is not detected or not responding
- My HTC Vive controllers won’t connect
- My HTC Vive base stations are not syncing
- I’m having tracking issues with my HTC Vive
- I’m having problems with SteamVR
- Here’s what all the LED states on the HTC Vive mean
- I can’t hear sound through my headphones
My HTC Vive headset is not detected or not responding
One of the most common HTC Vive issues occurs when the headset fails to connect to PCs or base stations. This can often occur due to cable configuration issues or due to a headset software bug. Here are the most common solutions to this problem.
Read more: How to fix an undetected or unresponsive HTC Vive headset
Thanks to the HTC Vive’s modular design, most headset components can be easily unplugged and unplugged. This is very useful if any hardware is damaged, but adds another layer of complexity to build the system. If rebooting doesn’t help, the problem might be with your hardware setup.
- Check connections between HTC Vive and your PC. Look out for cables that may have moved out of the connection box or the top of the headset.
- Make sure your cables match the configuration described in the installation guide. With multiple HDMI cables and USB connectors, make sure the cables are connected to the correct side of the junction box.
- Make sure the power connected to your outlet through the outlet. Pay attention to green status indicator on the left side of the headset to show that it is powered and ready to use.
- Switch between multiple USB ports on your PC to ensure proper data transfer between devices. If you are using a USB 3.0 / USB 3.1 port, HTC recommends switching to a USB 2.0 port due to some common chipset issues.
If your HTC Vive is still not responding, rebooting via SteamVR will often bring the headset back into action. This can also be used to reset your headset after a freeze.
- Right click headset image in the SteamVR desktop app.
- Select Reboot Vive headset in the context menu that appears.
Restarting SteamVR, or your computer completely, is a great way to return all HTC Vive components to their original state.
- open dropdown menu in the SteamVR desktop app.
- Select Go out .
- open SteamVR .
My HTC Vive controllers won’t connect
The HTC Vive controllers are paired directly with the receivers in the headset itself. With the ability to connect more controllers than the first two that ship with the device, they won’t be permanently tied to a particular headset. As a result of this, controllers have been known to lose connection with the headset and need to be reconfigured to function properly.
Read more: How to fix unconnected HTC Vive controllers
When the battery is low, HTC Vive controllers lose the ability to constantly connect to the headset. If your controller’s LEDs are off or flashing red, they most likely need to be recharged.
- Connect HTC Vive controllers to the included wall adapters via the micro-USB port on the bottom of the controller case.
- The LEDs on the controllers should light up orange indicating that they are currently charging. After fully charged, the LED will become white .
If your controller’s LEDs are blue, it means they are trying to connect to the headset. If they are stuck in this state, they need to be restored by following the simple steps below.
- open dropdown menu in the SteamVR desktop app.
- Go to Device > Pair Controller from the menu that opens.
- Hold down the » Application» and » System» until the device rings. The controller LED will flash blue indicating that it is currently in pairing mode.
While this is a rare occurrence, HTC Vive controllers have been known to stop responding and fail to connect to the headset. If you’re seeing a scary red light on your controller, you’ve probably run into a problem. Luckily, HTC has provided an easy way to reset your controllers in case of a crash.
- Hold down the buttons at the same time Trigger» » Menu» » Trackpad» and » Capture» on an unresponsive controller.
- While holding down the above buttons, connect the controller to the PC with using a micro USB cable.
- Wait 5 second .
- Release the buttons .
- Disconnect the micro USB cable .
My HTC Vive base stations are not syncing
Setting up HTC Vive base stations can be a tedious process to ensure they stay connected all the time. Here are some common fixes for sync issues with HTC Vive.
Read more: How to fix sync issues with HTC Vive base stations
Before diving into base station issues, first make sure they’ve been properly installed. HTC believes the following guidelines should apply to provide better tracking.
- Both base stations must be located above head level (ideally above 6.5 feet).
- The two stations must be at a distance no more than 16 feet apart .
- Base stations should be located at an angle from thirty before 45 degrees way down.
HTC Vive base stations operate on different channels, which the hardware uses to determine the synchronization method. The channel of each base station can be changed using the button on the back of the device.
- Using wireless optical sync between two stations, one must be on the channel b, and the other on the channel C.
- If used sync cable between two stations, one must be tuned to the channel A and the other — to the channel b.
Each base station also contains a rotating motor which is used to emit infrared light. This is usually unnoticeable, but can cause the base station to vibrate if not installed securely. If the base station cannot stabilize, the station LED will remain blue.
The best way to fix this is to securely attach the base stations to the wall using the mounting kits provided by HTC in the box. However, if you don’t like drilling holes in your wall, we’ve put together a guide to help you find the hardware you need.
I’m having tracking issues with my HTC Vive
If you’ve set up your base stations correctly using the guidelines above, it’s still possible to experience tracking issues. Between the environment and the overlooked hardware issues, base stations still have their inconsistencies. Here’s how to get the best tracking results from your HTC Vive.
Read more: How to fix tracking issues with HTC Vive
