Gaming has become so much more than just a simple couch or PC entertainment with new and innovative gaming gadgets, especially with VR devices such as Oculus. VR stands for virtual reality, a technology that creates an immersive and interactive simulation of a 3D environment. VR can transport users to different worlds to experience various sensations, emotions, and adventures. VR can also be used for education, training, socializing, and entertainment purposes.
Today, Meta is one of the leading companies in the VR industry. Meta made it possible for everyone to experience VR with the affordable Oculus Quest and Oculus Quest 2. These are standalone VR headsets that do not require a PC or a console to run, but can also be paired with a gaming PC to experience VR games.
They have built-in cameras that track the user’s head and hand movements, as well as wireless controllers that allow the user to interact with the VR environment. The Oculus Quest and Oculus Quest 2 offer high-quality graphics, audio, and performance, as well as access to hundreds of VR games, apps, and experiences.
Also Check: How to Charge Oculus Quest/Quest2 Controllers?
What is an Oculus Controller?
The Oculus Controller is one of the accessories included with the Quest or Quest 2 that allows you to interact with the virtual reality environment created by the Oculus Quest headset. It is basically a wireless controller that fits in your hand and has buttons, triggers, joysticks, and sensors that track your hand movements and gestures. You can use these controllers to play games, explore apps, and control menus in VR. You can also use it to create and share your own VR content with Meta Avatars in the Metaverse.
Reasons Behind Oculus Controller Not Working
There are many possible reasons behind the Oculus controller not working properly in your case. Starting from basic connectivity issues, the main reason behind the improper functioning of your device could lead to hardware problems or even firmware issues. In most cases, the Oculus VR Runtime service stops running or crashes which causes the problem. This service is responsible for managing the communication between the headset and the controllers. If it is not running, the controllers may not be detected or function correctly. Also, The controller batteries could be running low which can result in connectivity problems for the controller. The controllers use AA batteries to power themselves and communicate with the headset. If the batteries are low or dead, the controllers may not work properly or at all.
How to Fix the Oculus Controller
Even though fixing the controllers of a complicated device such as an Oculus Quest may sound a bit difficult, it is fairly straightforward. You can consider these tips or quick fixes an instant solution for your Oculus Controller if there is no severe problem in your case that is causing your controller to not work properly. These solutions have worked out for a lot of users in the past and one of these solutions might work out in your case as well. But for that, we suggest you go through each of the solutions mentioned on this list so that you won’t miss out on any possibility.
1. Restart the Device
Sometimes, a simple restart can solve many issues with the Oculus Controller. To restart the device, press and hold the power button on the headset until you see a menu. Then, select Restart and wait for the device to reboot.
2. Re-Pair the Controller
If the controller is not paired or connected to the headset, you may need to re-pair it via the Oculus app. To re-pair the controller:
- Open the Oculus app on your phone and go to Settings.
- Then, tap your headset and select Controllers.
- Tap Left or Right to choose the controller you want to pair.
- Then, follow the on-screen instructions to complete the pairing process.
3. Replace Controller Batteries
If the controller batteries are low or dead, the controller may not work properly or at all. To replace the controller batteries, slide off the battery cover on the back of the controller and remove the old batteries. Then, insert new AA batteries into the controller and make sure they are aligned correctly. Slide the battery cover back on and check if the controller works.
4. Clean Battery Slots and Connectors
If there is any dirt or corrosion on the battery slots or connectors, it may affect the power supply and communication of the controller. To clean the battery slots and connectors, use a dry cloth or cotton swab to wipe off any dust or debris gently. You can also use a small amount of rubbing alcohol to clean the metal contacts, but make sure to let them dry completely before inserting new batteries.
5. Try Hand Tracking
If you have enabled hand tracking on your device, you can try using your hands instead of the controllers to interact with the VR environment. Hand tracking uses the built-in cameras on the headset to track your hand movements and gestures. To enable hand tracking:
- Go to Settings on your headset and select Device.
- Then, toggle on Hand Tracking and follow the tutorial to learn how to use your hands in VR.
6. Use Aluminium Foil
If your controller is still not working after replacing or cleaning the batteries, you can try using a small piece of aluminium foil to improve the contact between the batteries and the connectors. For that, cut a small piece of foil and fold it into a thin strip. Then, place it on top of the positive end of each battery before inserting it into the controller. This may help boost the signal and power of the controller.
7. Disable the Selective USB Suspend Option
If you are using a PC-connected headset such as Oculus Rift S or Oculus Link, you may need to disable the Selective USB Suspend option on your computer. This option allows Windows to turn off power to some USB devices when they are not in use, to save battery life. However, this may also cause some issues with the Oculus controllers, such as losing connection or tracking. To disable the Selective USB Suspend option:
- Go to the Control Panel and select Power Options.
- Then, click Change Plan Settings and select Change Advanced Power Settings.
- Expand USB settings and then USB selective suspend setting.
- Set both the options to Disabled and click OK.
8. Check for Hardware Issues
If none of the above steps work, there may be some hardware issues with your controller, such as damage or malfunction. To check for hardware issues, inspect your controller for any visible signs of wear and tear, such as cracks, dents, or loose parts. You can also try shaking your controller gently and listen for any rattling sounds that may indicate broken components inside.
9. Check Connectivity Problems
If your controller is not connecting or communicating with your headset properly, there may be some connectivity problems that affect the performance of your controller. To check for connectivity problems, make sure that your headset and controller are within range of each other and that there are no obstructions or interference sources between them, such as walls, furniture, or other wireless devices. You can also try changing the Wi-Fi channel or frequency band on your router if you are using a wireless connection.
10. Update Controller Drivers
If your controller drivers are outdated or corrupted, they may cause some errors or glitches with your controller. To update controller drivers, connect your headset to your PC via a USB cable and open Device Manager on your computer. Then, expand Universal Serial Bus devices and right-click on Rift S Touch Controller (Left) or Rift S Touch Controller (Right). Select Update driver and choose Search automatically for updated driver software. Wait for Windows to find and install the latest driver for your controller.
11. Check for Firmware Update
If your controller firmware is outdated or incompatible with your headset software, it may cause some issues with your controller. To check for firmware updates, open the Oculus app on your phone and go to Settings. Then, tap your headset and select More Settings. Tap Controllers and check if there is an Update button next to your controller name. If there is, tap it and follow the instructions to update your controller firmware.
12. Factory Reset
If all else fails, you can try performing a factory reset on your device. This will erase all your data and settings and restore your device to its original state. However, this may also fix some software or hardware issues that affect your controller. To perform a factory reset, open the Oculus app on your phone and go to Settings. Then, tap your headset and select More Settings. Tap Factory Reset and confirm your choice. Wait for your device to reset and set it up again.
13. Contact Official Support
If your Oculus controller is still not functioning properly, you may need to contact Meta support for further assistance. You can visit their website and submit a support ticket with the details of your issue and the steps you have tried. You can also chat with a live agent or call their phone number for more help.
Oculus Controller Not Working – FAQs
Ans: Yes, you have to charge the controllers separately, but not in the same way as the headset. The controllers use AA batteries that can either be replaced or recharged. There are different ways to charge the controllers, such as using a USB cable, a wall adapter, a power bank, or a charging dock.
To reconnect the controllers after charging, you can follow these steps:
*Make sure that your headset and controllers are turned on and have enough battery power.
*Put on your headset and look at your controllers in VR. You should see a message that says “Reconnect controller”.
*Press and hold the Oculus button on the top of your controller for at least 3 seconds. The controller LED should blink and then stay lit.
*Repeat the same process for the other controller if needed.
*If the controllers are still not connected, you can try unpairing and repairing them via the Oculus app on your phone.
If one of your controllers is glitching, it can affect your VR experience and cause a lot of frustration. There are some possible causes and solutions for this problem, such as:
*A low battery can cause the controller to lose connection, tracking, or responsiveness. To fix this, you can try replacing the battery with a new one.
*If the controller is not paired or connected to the headset, it can glitch. To fix this, you can try unpairing and repairing the controller via the Oculus app on your phone.
*Dirty or damaged controllers can also cause them to malfunction or behave erratically. To fix this, you should clean the controller with a dry cloth or compressed air, or inspect it for any visible signs of wear and tear.
If one of your controllers is not getting tracked, it means that the headset cannot detect or recognize the position and orientation of the controller. To fix that, you can try out the solutions mentioned for the previous query as the same problems can cause the controllers to not get tracked as well. If those solutions do not work out, check if the controller is out of view or occluded from the headset cameras. The headset uses cameras to track the infrared LEDs on the controller’s face. If the controller is out of view or occluded by your body, clothing, or other objects, the headset may not be able to track it.
The headset cameras need a balanced amount of light to track the controller LEDs. If the play area is too bright or too dark, the headset may have difficulty tracking the controller. The headset cameras may be disturbed by other sources of infrared light or reflections in your play area, such as sunlight, Christmas lights, mirrors, or TVs. This interference can affect the tracking of the controller LEDs and with that the controller itself.
To hard reset the Oculus, you need to perform a factory reset that will erase all your data and settings and restore the device to its original state. There are two ways to do this: using the Oculus app on your phone or using the buttons on the headset. Here are the steps for each method:
Using the Oculus app on your phone:
*Open the Oculus app and tap Devices.
*Tap your Oculus headset and then tap Advanced Settings.
*Tap Factory Reset and then tap RESET.
*Wait for your headset to reset and set it up again.
Using the buttons on the headset:
*Turn off your Oculus headset and put it on.
*Hold the power and volume buttons on your headset down simultaneously until the boot screen loads on your headset.
*Use the volume buttons to highlight Factory Reset and press the power button.
*Use the volume buttons to highlight Yes and press the power button again to initiate the reset.
*Wait for your headset to reset and set it up again.
Conclusion
In this guide, we talked about Oculus Quest and Quest 2 VR headsets as well as the controllers that are shipped with the headsets. Since VRs are designed to be the most interactive experience for the users, these controllers are provided so that you can experience a high level of immersion, whether you are playing a game or using an intuitive VR app. You can also find how to troubleshoot various issues with the Oculus Controller, such as pairing, charging, tracking, glitching, and resetting in this guide which is much simpler than it sounds. If you need any more information, you can reach us via the comment section below.
