Oculus Quest 2 is an amazing VR headset. You may have experienced issues with your controller trackers while using your headset. Sometimes the trackers may not function at all or function partially. Here are some ways of fixing these controller tracking issues:
1. Restart The Oculus Quest 2 Headset
Restarting is mostly the first option when fixing software issues for most devices. Just like your TV, you can reboot/restart your headset. The process is very simple and does not need much technical know-how.
The easiest way of restarting is putting the headset off for several seconds then putting it on again. This is a soft restart. You can also soft restart by pressing the power button until ‘Restart’ is displayed, you then accept the restart prompt to complete the restart process.
Hard resetting is also another option if all the above do not work as anticipated. You will just need to long-press the power button (usually for less than 15 seconds) until it restarts on its own.
2. Disconnect And Reconnect The Headset Controllers
This process is similar to soft and hard resetting but you will need to use the Oculus App on your smartphone to successfully disconnect your controllers from the headset. Before disconnecting the controllers, you can try removing the batteries from the controllers for 1 minute then return them and check whether the tracking issues are persistent ( change the batteries if they are old). This process is very applicable for people who do not have the Oculus App.
If the above procedure does not work, then open the Oculus App on your smartphone and follow these steps to disconnect the controllers from the headsets:
- Move to Settings.
- Select Headset.
- Select Controllers then Unpair Controller (you can do this for either controllers or both).
You can then repeat the process to Reconnect/ Repair the controllers with your headset. Try the controllers after reconnecting to the headset and see if they are working efficiently.
3. Wipe The Front Cameras Of The Headset
The front cameras of your Oculus Quest 2 headset are used to track the controllers. You may think that they only perform the function of room mapping. It is, therefore, necessary to ensure that there is no form of dirt on the cameras. Dirt particles may render tracking powerless.
Make sure that you do not use chemicals or liquids to wipe these cameras as you may damage them. Always use a dry and clean piece of cloth. You can use a piece of dry cotton. Micro-fiber is the best option for wiping the cameras.
4. Disable Then Enable Tracking
This is similar to rebooting/ restarting. Tracking is sometimes like Bluetooth connection where, if your device is not connecting with the expected device, you turn Bluetooth on and then off. For your Oculus Quest 2 Headset, you can turn off tracking using these steps:
- Move to Settings (using your headset).
- Choose Device.
- Then click on Tracking to turn it off.
Turning it on is simple, you can repeat the same procedure and turn Tracking On or go back to Menu and enable tracking. This is just a soft reset of the tracking function and may work effectively.
5. Turn Off LED Lights Within The Room
The cameras of your headsets perform the task of tracking your controls. They use infrared LED lights on your controllers. Many LED lights within the room may cause your Oculus headset to direct tracking elsewhere other than the controllers.
Minimize or eliminate LED lights in your room so that your trackers can locate the controllers.
6. Change The Room
If you cannot effectively eliminate LED lights in your room, the only option of controlling lighting is changing venue. Move to a room that has little lighting/no LED lights. Do not restrict yourself to a single room or damage your LED lights. Someone in your family probably needs to use the room with the LED lights turned on, and therefore you need to preserve those in a particular room. Then the only option left to you when using your Oculus Quest 2 headset is to move your gaming to another room where there are no LED lights.
7. Reduce The Refresh Rate
120 Hz is the highest refresh rate. Most Oculus Quest users that use this high refresh rate mostly use Oculus Air Link. However, you can try lower refresh rates. 120 Hz refresh rates may prompt a lot of software actions that may somehow affect the tracking function. When tracking fails or has issues, try disabling the 120 Hz mode.
FAQs
Are There Ways Of Fixing Tracking Issues Through Hardware?
You may not be able to figure out the exact hardware problem that is causing tracking issues. It is usually not easy to find hardware problems. However, you don’t need to scratch your head hard. You can describe your tracking issue to Oculus Support for the best results and direction. How do you contact Oculus Support? Well, here is the link for more detailed directions from Oculus Support.
How Do I Turn Off Hand Tracking?
Turning off-hand tracking and then on again can help solve your Oculus tracking issues. Sometimes your Oculus Quest headset automatically switches from the controller to hand tracking. This may cause some tracking issues on your controllers. Here are steps of turning off-hand tracking:
- Move to settings.
- Click on Hand and Controllers.
- Click on Hand Tracking and turn it off.
NOTE:
If tracking issues persist even after trying the above procedures, you can take the Oculus back to the showroom where you bought it for replacement if it is within the warranty period, alternatively, look/contact a technician to fix it.
