Skip to main content
Up and Coming
September 5, 2024
Question

Quest 3 Hand Tracking not reliably starting

Since upgrading to the Quest 3 I'm having trouble getting the hand tracking to start when I wake the headset and when I start an app that uses hand tracking. Frequently when I put on the headset, waving my hands in front of the cameras does nothing. Also at times when the hand tracking is working in the main interface, when I launch an app that can use hand tracking, the app doesn't show my hands being tracked.

The only thing I've found so far that seems to work is picking up one or both controllers so they become active and visible--then putting them down when I see the hand tracking is in effect. Unsuccessful things I've tried are changing the hand tracking delay setting, putting it in and out of sleep, and restarting the headset. Continuing to wait and wave does nothing.

Previously with the Quest 2, I could just put on the headset and wave my hands, then the hand tracking would start reliably and stay active as long as I didn't start moving a controller around. Everything else about the Quest 3 seems to be better except for this.

Is this a new bug that's cropped up in a system update? Something that only effects the Quest 3? A weird change in the OS that expects us to pick up our controllers before hand tracking will start? Is there a fix for this?

30 replies

MetaStoreHelp
Community Manager
September 6, 2024

Hey there!

 

Thank you for getting in touch with us. We understand it can be a frustrating experience having difficulties with hand tracking.

 

For more information on how to fix tracking issues please click here.

 

If that does not fix your issue please send us a private message and we will help you further. To private message us, please select our name to get to our profile page, or click here: https://metaque.st/CommunitySupport.

Next, click "Send a Message" to privately message us! Please remember, you must be signed into the community first to send us a private message.

If you're the author of a thread, remember to mark a reply as the Accepted Solution to help others find answers!
hobyvhAuthor
Up and Coming
September 11, 2024

I'd already done those things or they didn't have any effect.

The only thing I didn't do was a factory reset, which is very disruptive for something of this level.

MetaStoreHelp
Community Manager
September 7, 2024

Hi there,

 

Just dropping by to see if you still need any help?

If you're the author of a thread, remember to mark a reply as the Accepted Solution to help others find answers!
hobyvhAuthor
Up and Coming
September 11, 2024

Yes, still need help or a fix rolled into an OS update.

MetaStoreHelp
Community Manager
September 11, 2024

Hi there hobyvh,

 

Thanks for getting back in touch with us, we see you are still having some issues with hand tracking. To try and get you back to the Metaverse here is a few more things you can try,

 

1. Make sure the tracking is turned on

By default, the headset will use 6DoF tracking, unless it has been turned off in the Guardian settings panel or lost tracking while in VR.

  • Click on the clock on the left side of the universal menu
  • Select Settings
  • Select System from the Settings panel
  • Select Headset Tracking from the left side panel
  • Make sure Headset Tracking is ticked

2. Clear your boundary history

Bear in mind that if you have multiple accounts on the same headset, boundary history will be cleared for all accounts, not just the account you are currently using.

  • Press the Oculus/Meta logo on your right controller
  • Click on the clock on the left side of the universal menu
  • Select Settings
  • In the settings panel, select Boundary
  • Select 'Clear Boundary history'
  • Redraw your Guardian boundaries by selecting 'Adjust Boundary' from the Boundary settings menu

3. Reboot the headset

  • Turn the headset off, wait a minute or two, then turn it back on.
    • A restart is a little different so turning the headset off is recommended over just restarting

4. Remove any unsupported third-party accessories that may affect tracking or pairing (such as controller covers, controller attachments, etc.)

  • Last resort: Factory Reset, this will erase all saved data on the device and is irreversible. You will still be able to access purchased content from your account, once you are logged back in. It is recommended to use the headset method over the mobile app.

If you are still experiencing issues after you try these steps please get back in touch with us.

 

Look forward to hearing back from you soon!

 

If you're the author of a thread, remember to mark a reply as the Accepted Solution to help others find answers!
New Participant
March 16, 2025

Same issue. Super annoying. I’m also not new to this type of tech. It’s not user error. It’s frustrating to say the least.  I should not have to restart the Quest 3 several times or remove and replace the brand new battery just to get it to wake from sleep mode. 

New Participant
April 12, 2025

Same issue here since the last software update (Why you guys from Meta make so much updates for the god sake!). 
I need to reset my quest 3 EVERY FRIKKING time in the first use of the day. The gadget just don't "see" my hand in the first time. I don't want to use my controllers since I just use the quest 3 to do simracing. 

Inspiring
April 12, 2025

Exact same issue with last update.  Hand tracking stops working. I also use it for sims on PC and don't have controllers with me.  Did not occur on the beta releases of V76.

Also now link keeps disconnecting using the exact same setup as was working a few days ago.

 

Inspiring
May 8, 2025

Same here since the last updates.
Only a restart of the headset solves it until I do a pcvr game or wake it up the next day

Inspiring
May 10, 2025

The latest update did not solve it. I can reproduce it reliably.

i start the headset new: handtracking and switching works.

as soon as have been connected to the pc via link and than return . Handtracking does not work anymore. ( not laying down the controllers, not tapping them together(activated) .

I turned on the „manually switch“ option , but If I activate that button in the quick menue, it blinks, but nothing happens.

MetaStoreHelp
Community Manager
May 14, 2025

Hi ChrisKobar 

Thanks for bringing this to our attention!

While we work together to get to the bottom of this as quickly as possible, could you let us know if you’ve noticed any specific error messages, unusual behavior or have images/videos of the issue? 

Any extra details will really help us pinpoint the problem!

 

Additionally, have you attempted the troubleshooting steps provided in this thread?

If you're the author of a thread, remember to mark a reply as the Accepted Solution to help others find answers!
New Participant
September 17, 2025

Just bought a Quest 3, and noticed that this problem only occurs after connecting to PC link. When i am using the headset it tracks my hands no problem, i can use it inside any apps etc etc , also tracks the controllers without issues. After i use PC link (without any problems ) or when i disconnect from PC link (loose cable) the hand tracking does not work, only controller tracking works fine. When i soft reset (Power down - Power Up) the headset starts to hand track again without issues. 

Inspiring
May 14, 2025

Hello,

1. no, there are no error messages.

2.everything works fine, only the handtracking won't work after being connected via LINK to the PC.

3. After a restart of the headset, handdtracking and switching back and fourth between hands and controllers works flawless.

 

i got the latest fw, new batteries in the controllers and even did a factory-reset but with no effect.

MetaStoreHelp
Community Manager
May 14, 2025

Hi there!

 

Thank you so much for getting back in touch! We would love to continue this conversation via a private message to see about alternative options to resolve this problem. Please select our name to get to our profile page, or click here. From there, click "Send a Message" to privately message us! Please remember, you must be signed into the community first to send us a private message. We're eager to hear from you!  

If you're the author of a thread, remember to mark a reply as the Accepted Solution to help others find answers!
New Participant
May 14, 2025

The problem is exactely the same for everyone in here. I dont see why He need to talk in private. Make the software work again. It stop working after an update made by you guys. This is not rocket science.

New Participant
May 14, 2025

Same issue here.  Quest 3 wakes from sleep and hand tracking no longer works.  Only fixed after rebooting the headset.  I have plenty of experience with the settings and VR headsets, as I develop games for them.  Meta seems to break stuff in every update.  Quality control on your releases - do better!

New Participant
June 25, 2025

Is this problem solved?

hobyvhAuthor
Up and Coming
June 26, 2025

I'd say it's slightly better with the latest system update, in that when hand tracking does engage before I launch an app, it's more likely to stay engaged within the app.

But hand tracking engaging after controller inactivity is still not reliable for me.

New Participant
June 26, 2025

Almost two months later and the software is still broken and nobody from Meta wants to solve it or even talk about it.