Option to Disable Ambient Background Sound

hey there, Beezus.Fuffoon, and thank you for reaching out with this request. We know that any continuous noise can disrupt any VR session, so rest assured we'll be glad to dig into this with you and see if we can help find a resolution. To do so, we'll need some more details about the noise you are hearing:

• Are you describing something that is in the Home environment but not passthrough or menus, or something that persists throughout all the menu environments unless you are in a game?
• Are there any triggers that begin or produce the noise?
• What troubleshooting have you tried to resolve this?

The more details you provide us, the better of an idea of what you are experiencing we'll get and the better positioned we'll be to see the way forward to getting it resolved. We'll keep an eye out for your response!

If you use the Bubbles environment there isn't any background sound.  Most environments aren't all that noisy, but some are more than others.  The background/ambient noise goes away when you open a standalone app, or go into PCVR via Link, Air Link, Virtual Desktop, or SteamL:ink.  Still, I agree it would be nice to be able to mute ambient sounds.  cheers.

I think the OP is talking about the background music when in Link dashboard. I requested being able to turn this off or at least being able to change the volume separately from the main volume settings over a year ago. Very annoying as it does sound like tinnitus.

I tracked this down to an audio file mus_void_ambisonic.wav in the \Oculus\Support\oculus-dash\dash\assets\raw\audio_dash\Assets\ folder. Replacing this with a "blank" audio file of the same file name did not replace the sound, so it must be embedded somehow into the Link runtime.

Play the WAV file on infinite repeat in the background on your desktop and see how long you can tolerate it. 😅

Before the Home was removed none of the audio settings had any effect on the ambient sound without effecting audio volume universally.

Muting the headset audio mutes the audio on all apps. Not a solution.

Tolerance to repetitive sounds varies by individual. It might take longer for a dripping faucet to start "bugging" you than others.

I have also ambient sound in the link app..... it does not bother me though, it's not loud and I normally don't stay in the void but open a game.

NomadsAnIsland I don't remember, if there was a slider for ambient sound.....

But in the inventory for your home - TomCgcmfc  likes to call it "dollhouse" - were different ambient sounds which  you can select and also the option "no sound"

I think, people who had set it to this option, don't have ambient sound now.... all others have the sound from their home in the background, even after it got removed.

 BTW TomCgcmfc .....I love playing with dollhouses😂

I hear continuous, random, waterfall sounds. How do you turn them off?

Has anyone found a fix to this? although the "ambient" sound is not loud its persistent and annoying. i wanted to wirelessly link to my desktop and play some hearthstone on my quest 3 but the audio from the void area was so frustrating that i just got off my quest instead. theres no way to change the environment or control specific sounds and when im not feeling well like i am today i just want to lay down and relax while i watch something or play a game. hearing that constant sound no matter what im doing is the most annoying thing ever

For the love of god, just give us an 'ambient audio' toggle. I don't want to hear the hum while I am trying to use this stupid headset for work. Im getting another VR headset from a company who has some actual focus on the VR space. Every meta response in this thread is a joke

years and no fix no wonder meta vr is doomed. im having the same issue hearing that annoying background noise only fix is using steamlink or remote desktop kinda absurd and a easy quality of life fix.

🏰 Monty Python Presents: "The Ministry of Ambient Noises"

Act I - The Complaint Desk

A drab office. A sign reads: "MINISTRY OF AMBIENT NOISES - Making Things Hum Since 1374." A man (BEEZUS) approaches a desk where a bored CLERK sits, surrounded by ringing bowls, wind chimes, and a man gently hitting a gong every 12 seconds.

Beezus: Excuse me, I'd like to file a complaint.

Clerk: Certainly, sir. Is it about the Gregorian chanting in the toilets, the bagpipes in the lifts, or the existential humming in the void?

Beezus: The last one. It's like New Age tinnitus. I can't watch a film without feeling like my soul is vibrating.

Clerk: Ah yes, the Void Hum™. Very popular. Helps maintain the illusion of productivity.

Beezus: I don't want productivity! I want silence!

Clerk: Silence? (shocked) We haven't offered silence since the 14th century. Caused a riot. People could hear themselves think. Terrible business.

Act II — The Experts Arrive

Three "experts" enter: a man in a lab coat, a knight in full armour, and a confused accountant.

Lab Coat: We've analysed your hum. It's perfectly harmless.

Knight: I can't hear anything at all. Might be your tinnitus. Or a dragon.

Accountant: Have you tried turning your entire house off and on again?

Beezus: I just want a toggle! A button! A switch! Anything!

Lab Coat: A toggle? (laughs hysterically) What do you think we are, wizards?

Act III — The "Bubble Environment"

A cheerful woman (CHOLENI) bursts in holding a giant inflatable bubble.

Choleni: Good news! You can escape the hum by living inside this bubble!

Beezus: Does it have sound?

Choleni: No sound at all!

Beezus: Does it have walls?

Choleni: No walls at all!

Beezus: Does it have oxygen?

Choleni: …mostly!

Two men drag Beezus into the bubble. It immediately floats away.

Act IV — The Link Void

A new character, NEO2, stands in a white room with a faint, maddening hum.

Neo2: This is the PC Link Void. The hum is subtle at first, like a gentle raindrop on a bald head. But after an hour, it becomes a hammer of despair.

A DROP OF WATER falls on his head. He screams.

Neo2: SEE? SEE?! THIS IS WHAT I MEAN!

A META REPRESENTATIVE appears, smiling too widely.

Meta Rep: We appreciate your feedback. Please provide more details about the hum.

Neo2: IT'S HUMMING! THAT'S THE DETAIL!

Act V — The Seven-Year Hum

A historian enters, blowing dust off a scroll.

Historian: According to ancient texts, the hum has existed for seven years. Some say it predates civilisation. Others say it is the sound of customer service ignoring you.

Beezus (from inside bubble): JUST GIVE US A BLEEDING 'OFF' BUTTON!

Meta Rep: We hear you. (pause) Well, not literally. The hum is quite loud.

Act VI — The Final Straw

A man (PRINTLAND) storms in, holding a broken monitor.

Printland: The hum distracted me so much I punched my monitor! Bring back the boundary! Remove the hum! Give me peace!

Meta Rep: We appreciate your enthusiasm.

Printland: I'm buying a Steam headset.

Everyone gasps.

Clerk: You can't say that in here! This is a respectable establishment!

Act VII — The Ending (Such As It Is)

A choir of monks enters, humming the exact ambient noise everyone hates.

All Users: STOP THAT!

Monks: We can't. It's embedded.

They continue humming as the lights fade.