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kloogybaboogy
New Participant
January 19, 2026
Question

Oculus Rift S Headset stays black after years of it working

  • January 19, 2026
  • 20 replies
  • 1635 views

My headset randomly stopped working one day and I've tried everything to get it to work. I've reinstalled the software, I've updated my graphics drivers, I've plugged it into different ports, and still nothing. I tried asking for help on the support page but for some reason, my serial number for my product isn't recognized. Can someone help me please?

20 replies

steve40
steve40
Honored Contributor
January 19, 2026

Some component has possibly burnt out, unless your issue happened in the past 24 hours. You might find the serial number here (s/n of headset) or here (s/n of the box) or here or here (Rift page). But Rift S is no longer supported, and you have no warranty either.

For anyone who has had connectivity issues in the past 24 hours, some of Meta's servers related to Link and the Link dash are not functioning. The workaround is to add a new Windows Firewall rule to block outbound connections from OculusDash.exe.

    Meivyn44
    Participant
    January 19, 2026

    It's most likely not, please do not spread misinformation and especially do not induce people to buy a new headset if you don't know what you're talking about.

    There an issue with every single Oculus headset at this time and it's because of some **bleep** on their end. There's a workaround.

    Create a new text file with this content then just rename its extension to .reg and run it with administrator privileges.

    Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\WOW6432Node\Oculus VR, LLC\Oculus\Config]
"PreventDashLaunch"=dword:00000001

    You might need to restart Oculus services for it to work.

    Until there's an official fix, you will not be able to change headset settings through the Dash or your Guardian borders. You will also have to delete the registry entry once it has been fixed.

      BadSoup1026502
      New Participant
      January 19, 2026

      where should i create this text file for to use this method

      thx

      ToTheGrave
      ToTheGrave
      Up and Coming
      January 19, 2026

      Meivyn below may have a fix, but also launching link while disconnected from WIFI is also a temp fix. better than messing with registry keys. If neither work then it may be something on the hardware end. Wait for now until the current issues with meta link are resolved (the quest line is having similar issues with the link app atm)

        Meivyn44
        Participant
        January 19, 2026

        This might work because it skips the entitlement check of the Dash app. For some unknown reason, the entitlement has been revoked by Meta. On the Quest side they can use Virtual Desktop or Steam Link.

          tasaif
          Participant
          January 19, 2026

           

          tasaif
          Participant
          January 19, 2026

          I opened a support ticket but they're having trouble receiving my 17mb of log files. I wonder if this has something to do with it:

          =====================

          Analysis Section

          =====================

          (1) Number of Oculus USB Devices = 8

          (2) Number of Oculus 'Rift Sensor' USB Devices = 0

          (2A) Number of Oculus 'Rift Sensor' USB Devices (USB_3) = 0

          (2B) Number of Oculus 'Rift Sensor' USB Devices (non USB_3) = 0

          (3) Number of Oculus 'Camera' USB Devices = 0

          (3A) Number of Oculus 'Camera' USB Devices (USB_3) = 0

          (3B) Number of Oculus 'Camera' USB Devices (non USB_3) = 0

          (4A) Number of Oculus Devices with Manufacturer is set to Oculus = 0

          (4B) Number of Oculus Devices without proper manufacturer metadata = 8

          SSPalmer
          Inspiring
          January 19, 2026

          Mine is working now, Thanx,, yes, you have to start the app to get the VR going, but at least it works now. Too much B.S. no clue how they can run a business  like this! I did the Reg method for the fix.

          Asus Strix Z790-H, Intel 13900 CPU. Nivida RTX 5070-TI OC video. 64 GB Ram.  5TB SSD memory. Oculus Rift S.
          shamandurek
          New Participant
          February 7, 2026

          my rift stopped working after a fresh win10 install..i tought it was bricked so i bought a new rft s..still not working..the app says everything is fine but screens are black..i tried to run the meta link app without updates with no luck..im starting to belive its a windows update doing this..are u guys on win10 or win11?

          SSPalmer
          Inspiring
          February 7, 2026

          win11

          Asus Strix Z790-H, Intel 13900 CPU. Nivida RTX 5070-TI OC video. 64 GB Ram.  5TB SSD memory. Oculus Rift S.
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