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SWA_LuckyBastard's avatar
SWA_LuckyBastard
Honored Guest
4 months ago

Meta Quest 3 Black Screen After Logo and Firmware Arrow — Hundreds of Us Have This Problem

Many Meta Quest 3 owners are experiencing the same serious issue after what appears to be a faulty firmware update. The headset starts normally, shows the Meta logo, then displays the down-arrow firmware symbol as if it’s updating. After that, the screen goes completely black and never turns back on.

This problem has affected hundreds of users across multiple platforms, including Meta’s own community forums, Reddit, and Discord groups. Everyone describes the same sequence: Meta logo, firmware arrow loading, then a permanent black screen.

People have already tried every official fix that Meta recommends:

  • Rebooting the headset.
  • Performing a full hard reset using the power and volume buttons.
  • Installing the manual firmware update through the Meta update tool on a computer.

Even after completing all of these steps successfully, the headset remains unusable. The issue clearly points to a defective firmware update or a corrupted boot process caused by the update itself, not user error or damage.

Some customers have received replacements, while others have been denied support because their device is out of warranty. That inconsistency is unacceptable. A firmware defect that originates from Meta should not depend on warranty status.

This needs to be recognized as a widespread product issue. Meta should take responsibility, publicly acknowledge the problem, and provide free repairs or replacements to all affected customers.

Everyone affected should post here and share:

  1. When the problem started and what update version it followed.
  2. Any videos or photos showing the black screen sequence.
  3. What Meta Support said or offered in response.

If enough reports are collected, this could draw the attention of consumer protection agencies, the media, or legal firms willing to pursue a class action. The goal is not to complain, but to get a fair solution for everyone who has been left with a bricked headset due to a faulty update.

This issue is not isolated. It’s widespread, and it needs to be addressed now.

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9 Replies

  • Witty_GFY's avatar
    Witty_GFY
    Honored Guest
    4 months ago

    It's quest 2 as well. Started for me on Wednesday night (8 Oct). Worst part is I factory reset thinking it'd fix whatever issue I was having. But now I just have a factory quest 2 that I can't do start up

    • Witty_GFY's avatar
      Witty_GFY
      Honored Guest
      4 months ago

      Naturally, my warranty is over. But meta did give me a steal when they offered to let me pay them ~$160 for a different refurbished quest 2

  • Maccyb123's avatar
    Maccyb123
    Consultant
    4 months ago

    Can you tell us what was the firmware update that caused the problem? Just so we can avoid it if possible! I hope you get it fixed so good luck! 🤞🤞

  • Witty_GFY's avatar
    Witty_GFY
    Honored Guest
    4 months ago

    Strange development, found out if im casting i can use the headset and see. As soon as i stop casting it goes back to a dark screen. (v79.1034 is what im on btw)

     

    • Maccyb123's avatar
      Maccyb123
      Consultant
      4 months ago

      You definitely have a wierd bug gone on there. I'm on the same update. Try connecting to your pc and use the meta software update tool. I think it might fix it. Good luck and let's know how you get on. 🤞

  • Witty_GFY's avatar
    Witty_GFY
    Honored Guest
    4 months ago

    Only replying here because im too lazy to make a full post. Idk what i did, but as i was casting, i wanted to see if recording allowed me to see (it does not) so i began casting again and as i began to type i glance down and apparenly i stopped the casting everything seems fixed

  • JESUSISGREATBR's avatar
    JESUSISGREATBR
    Honored Guest
    1 month ago

    I'm facing this same issue! I tried some things like new Firmware Update and Hard Factory Reset. In my guess, "under the hood" of Meta Horizon OS the system runs an android OS and it is corrupted. In some moment I got the android recovery mode but without success.

  • RayMonster122's avatar
    RayMonster122
    Honored Guest
    3 days ago

    I’m experiencing the exact same issue. My Quest 3 was working perfectly until the latest Meta software update installed. Immediately after the update the headset stopped working and now only shows a black screen and will not boot properly. I contacted Meta support and went through all troubleshooting steps including hard resets, reboot attempts, and factory resets from the boot menu, but nothing resolved the problem. Support reviewed my serial number and told me the device is out of warranty and the only option they offered was paying $239 for a refurbished replacement. They also refused to escalate the case to a supervisor for review. If a software update from Meta caused the device to fail, it doesn’t seem reasonable that customers should be responsible for paying for a replacement. I’m hoping someone from Meta can review this situation and help resolve it

  • LiveLaughT0asterBath's avatar
    LiveLaughT0asterBath
    Honored Guest
    3 days ago

    So I've been looking into this for the past few months. I think the actual problem is a malfunctioning outside camera. Either the camera is donzo, or the connection could be loose. The black screen comes from it being unable to track I believe? And the casting to your phone to be able to see I think tricks the headset somehow into not needing that tracking? I'm not sure, the last part is absolutely spitballing. But if you warranty is over I'd look into maybe cracking it over and checking out those camera connections or sending it off for repair.