Comfort, safety, immersion. These things are all part of an ideal VR experience, and all under threat when the Quest 2 runs into overheating issues.
If you’ve experienced problems with the cooling fan (or the error message about it) in your Quest 2, you’ve come to the right place.
Based on my experience and the research I have done, overheating issues in the Quest 2 can be resolved by:
- Removing the face pad
- Letting it cool down
- Managing recharge time
- Lowering play area temperature
- Using a neck fan
- Performing a factory reset
- Returning the Quest 2 under warranty
For more details on these solutions, read on!
1) Remove the Face Pad (Cooling Fan Noise)
This is a sneaky little technique that works best if your Quest 2 is suffering from a loud cooling fan. If you’re hearing a constant whirring of the fan, then try this solution out.
Although this isn’t exactly an “official Oculus recommendation”, some users have reported that removing the face pad from the Quest 2 stops a loud fan.
All you need to do is carefully pull it off the body of the Quest 2. You should hear some light clicks as the clamps come loose. Once the face pad is removed, check to see if the fan’s noise has quieted down.
Once that happens, simply replace the face pad right back just as gently.
It’s important to realize that a low whirring sound of the fan, especially after a long gaming session, is normal. However, if the sound is constant or gets worse, it’s time to play surgeon with your headset.
2) Letting it Cool Down
Like I said before, a long gaming session can cause the fan to become louder as your Quest 2 starts to heat up.
A higher temperature in the room can also cause this to happen for shorter gaming sessions.
The best solution is to take a break from your virtual escape. Giving the Quest 2 some time to cool down on its own by turning it off is for the best.
In the meantime, you can pass the time by reevaluating all your life choices and finding inner peace.
3) Managing Recharge Time
One instance where you might have noticed the Quest 2 overheating is when it’s being charged. For example, you may be keeping it charging while you play.
Well, it could be time to avoid doing that if the overheating issue is regular for you. Manage the recharge time so that your Quest 2 doesn’t overheat. You can do this by:
- Unplugging the headset once it’s fully charged
- Not charging immediately after you stop playing, since that’s when it might already be hot
- Charging during the night might be cooler and better for your Quest 2
4) Lowering Play Area Temperature
It’s not you, it’s your surroundings.
Although nobody particularly wise said that, it’s a good idea to reduce the temperature in the place where you game.
- Turn on or speed up the air conditioning in the room
- Open the windows and allow for cross-ventilation to cool down the room especially if it’s cooler outside
- If your Quest 2 is set up outdoors, try to avoid playing during the day and treat yourself when it’s cooler at night.
If all else fails, a vacation to Canada could be right around the corner.
5) Using a Neck Fan
Some in the VR community have recommended using a neck fan with your Quest 2 as you game.
The goal here is to cool down both you and your headset using an external fan.
A decent quality one can cost you around 20 dollars at Amazon, but cheaper options are also readily available.
6) Performing a Factory Reset
If you feel like the Quest 2 is overheating a little too quickly or without much throttle, a factory reset might be a good idea. This is also how Oculus Support has often responded to users seeing an error message for overheating on the Quest 2.
You can easily perform a factory reset from your phone by following the below steps:
- Download and install the Oculus app on your phone
- Launch the app
- Go to the Settings menu located near the bottom
- Select the Quest 2 linked with the app
- Select More Settings
- Select the option to factory reset
- Confirm the selection to reset
Note! Are you having any worries or doubts about factory resetting your headset? Click on the link to read my previous article where I demonstrate the whole process step-by-step and list specific actions to take before and after.
7) Returning the Quest 2 Under Warranty
If your warranty claim is still valid, and nothing else that you’ve tried is working, return the headset.
Currently, Oculus has not acknowledged any overheating issues to be related to the software. So there’s a good chance you got a defective or faulty unit.
Be sure to check the replacement Quest 2 for the same problems while it is under warranty.
Conclusion
It’s normal for a console to go through overheating issues as it gets older and gathers dust, etc. Properly taking care of and maintaining your VR headset (storing in a sealed case for example) will certainly extend its life.
However, applications on the Oculus Store are regulated so that they don’t trigger throttling during a normal gaming session. If you’re experiencing overheating from normal usage, it would be a good idea to take action.