Oculus Quest Hacks/Virtual Desktop
Setting up Virtual Desktop
- Wire your computer to your router with an Ethernet cable.
- Purchase the app from the Quest store.
- Download and install the Streamer app on your computer (it is the big orange button).
- Install the Oculus PC software. During setup, click skip when it asks which headset you have. Make sure to restart your computer after install.
- Install SteamVR.
- Launch your games from the Games tab in the Virtual Desktop menu in VR. Not all games will work see compatibility list.
- For recording, or additional stability, it can be better to launch games from the normal (Steam/Oculus) menu after launching Steam VR through the Virtual Desktop app.
- Disable Air Link in the Oculus desktop app, Settings, Beta tab.
Reduce stutters and optimize your setup (By MirkyD & roguetr)
Latency, Stutter, Optimising your Configuration
- Make sure your computer is wired via Ethernet into the router and the connection obtains 1Gbps. Ideally the Quest should obtain Wi-Fi from the same device your computer is wired to. Make sure you are using 5Ghz AC or AX WiFi. Wi-Fi Hotspots from computers don’t perform well and should be avoided.
- The TP-Link AX10 (AX1500) is currently known to have issues with it AX implementation. If experiencing stutters with this device, please try using the device with OFDMA disabled or in AC mode.
- The TP-Link AX10 (AX1500) is currently known to have issues with it AX implementation. If experiencing stutters with this device, please try using the device with OFDMA disabled or in AC mode.
- Make sure you aren't too far away from your router and/or have no obstacles/walls in between.
- Create separate SSIDs (wireless network names) for your wireless bands (2.4Ghz and 5Ghz) and connect the Quest solely to the 5Ghz (with no other devices). If you have a tri band router you need only one of the 5Ghz bands to have a unique SSID. You may need to disable the "Smart Connect" feature.
- Use a wireless survey tool (the Android app WifiAnalyzer (Open Source) is recommended) to make sure your router is the only nearby router on its channel. Try not to overlap channels, co channel interference is better than adjacent. For iOS.
- Switch to dedicated 802.11ac/ax wireless mode (router settings).
- Move wireless/Bluetooth devices or anything that can cause radio interference away from your router and Quest.
- Switch to the H.264 codec on the desktop streaming app to improve latency slightly (the benefit is greater on the Quest 1) otherwise using Automatic is recommended. For Quest 2 you can enable HEVC in the Streamer app for better image quality and reduce your video bitrate to decrease required throughput, which may be more beneficial for some networks environments.
- Stream audio directly from the PC to your headphones (something like the PlayStation Gold Headphones that have a supplied USB dongle that operates on 2.4Ghz, do not use a 5Ghz model) rather than over the 5ghz connection. This is probably minimal gains so I wouldn't spend cash on new headphones if you don't need to.
- It's advised to disable or remove all add-ons except Virtual Desktop Streamer (Quest) and Gamepad Support while trying to isolate any issues. Also make sure both of those add-ons are not blocked.
- If you have the OpenVR Input Emulator SteamVR addon installed, disable it! It's been reported it creates a wobbling effect and also a reduced framerate.
- OpenVR Advanced Settings is also known to recently cause issues. Please ensure this is uninstalled when trying to isolate stutters/performance issues.
- If you have the OpenVR Input Emulator SteamVR addon installed, disable it! It's been reported it creates a wobbling effect and also a reduced framerate.
- Disable Windows Xbox Game Bar (in Xbox Game Bar Settings).
- Disable all Nvidia Shadowplay features and overlay in Geforce Experience.
- If all else fails possibly buying a new router will help! Feel free to ask in the discord as to who uses what and what is currently working well.
Reddit Help
You can see guide(s) on Reddit here.
PC Setting Customization
This is how I have the PC side set up, you can experiment and see which options work best for you.
Using the Quest Microphone
Check the “Microphone passthrough” option in the Settings tab in the Virtual Desktop menu in VR and restart your game.
Make sure apps are allowed to use the microphone in the Windows privacy settings.
Technical Help
Can’t connect to computer, Getting Disconnected
Lots of Antivirus, Internet security and VPN softwares can prevent connections even when not active so try uninstalling them.
Games not Launching
- Try restarting your computer.
- Disable other SteamVR Add-ons such as ALVR, VR Input Emulator, etc.
- Try restarting the Virtual Desktop Streamer and Steam as Administrator.
Additional Help
If you need additional help, the folks in the Virtual Desktop Discord are awesome at helping you get through whatever the issue is.
Our Resources
Our Travellers Hall Discord, Event's Hall, Library, & Help Centre