Inspiring

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Quest 3 suddenly making repeated connect noises & won't recharge.

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My Quest 3 is bricking itself right now..

TLDR version: Quest 3 suddenly repeatedly making connect sound, won't connect via Link Cable, and doesn't recharge, all after latest update.

Youtube (Short) Demonstration

Full Story:

After using my Q3 for PC Link gaming successfully last night (just before bedtime) I simply set the headset down with it still connected to my PC and recharging. I immediately noticed the light flashing on the headset so I put it to my face and saw that it was doing an update. I waited for that to finish, turned it back on just to confirm it was working ok (it was) then turned it off and went to bed.

Not long after I fell asleep I was awoken by the Q3 repeatedly playing the connect sound in a rapid continuous loop, which kept going even after turning the headset on. Being late at night I simply turned it off, unplugged the cable and went back to sleep.

This morning I've gone to check on it - the noise is still constantly happening once the Link Cable is plugged back in, my pc is constantly playing the hardware connect and disconnect sounds, and the headset won't charge at all.

I did a complete Factory Reset on the headset. I tried using a different Link Cable which I know works for charging. I tried powering the USB-C connection from both mains adaptor and directly from a wall socket. None of that has fixed the sound, connection and battery issues.

I don't know if it affected anything but yesterday I also followed some advice on here (from a Community Manager) to change OVRServer_x64.exe to Power Saving mode (I was trying to improve Link Cable connection success).

The connect noise stops only when I disconnect the Link Cable, and doesn't sound when using the Q3 in standalone mode. I've now just left the headset while it has some charge left in it, in the hopes it can be saved before the battery is completely dead.

Considering that this happened just after the very latest software update and while the headset wasn't even in use, I'm massively confused right now and would really appreciate some help please. Thanks.

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LargeStyle2024Answer

Inspiring

So I received a new software update today from Meta for both the headset and PC program:

Headset: v79.1032 - Build 5115411.14920.520 - Released 26th August 2025.

Meta Quest Link: 79.0.0.1143.381 (79.0.0.1143.381)

These updates have seemingly now completely fixed all the Link Cable issues that I raised for this thread. I can charge the battery using the Link Cable both when the headset is in use and when not. There's no rapid connects & disconnects of power anymore. There's no need to literally connect and disconnect cables. Link works as it should.

Many thanks Meta for fixing this, even if the issue shouldn't have existed in the first place (perhaps consider some better QA testing in the future eh).

Might also be a good time to untick that receive updates box in the internal settings just to prevent future bricking.

Show previous replies

kobs57

Inspiring

Someone on reddit got a message from Meta ... finally

Screen capture of the message since I can't link the site here

VR dedicated computer...AMD Ryzen 7 3700X, 32 gigs of G.Skill Trident Z neo 2X16 Gb DDR4 3200Mhz MSI 1070-TI , on a MSI B-570 Gaming plus motherboard, EVGA super nova 1000 Watt PSU Oculus is on a CORSAIR Force MP600 Gen4 PCIe x4 NVMe M.2 SSD

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DrMacabre68

Participant

wow finally!

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AlexPotato2

New Participant

EDIT: NOT A FIX

I dint see anyone post this. BUT I found a fix! Update your PC Graphics driver's. I had this issue, then got fed up with it, and just decided to randomly update my drivers to keep my pc up to date.. and now, I dont have this issue anymore.

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bmilteer94

Participant

I did this the day I started having problems with mine and didn't have the same luck so I wouldn't call it a fix. Looks like Meta is trying to figure out how to fix it though so hopefully there will be a new update soon.

kobs57

Inspiring

I don't know where the answer from the other guy went, the one who marked his post as a solution but it works, IT'S NOT A SOLUTION it will still go blip blip when you do it which it shouldn't... but you can play and charge following his instructions.

He said you had to unplug "everything" and start with your headset off (completely off)

then plug the headset at the headset plug, then the other end of your cable in the USB 3 port

THEN turn on the headset... it might go on and off a few times again but it should stop and (if it doesn't repeat from the start) you should be able to click your cable link. Sometimes it takes a few tries but it does work.

And finally, once you have your menu (steam games for me) plug in your power cord in the cable.

I did it and it works, played a few hours with it and the charge stayed at 75% (with the original Quest 3 charging block)

Again this is not from me, I just followed this other guy (which I can't remember the name) instruction which were here this morning

VR dedicated computer...AMD Ryzen 7 3700X, 32 gigs of G.Skill Trident Z neo 2X16 Gb DDR4 3200Mhz MSI 1070-TI , on a MSI B-570 Gaming plus motherboard, EVGA super nova 1000 Watt PSU Oculus is on a CORSAIR Force MP600 Gen4 PCIe x4 NVMe M.2 SSD

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LargeStyle2024Author

Inspiring

I pretty much tried that method except I...

Left just the INIU Link Cable connected to both the PC and Q3.
Powered on Q3, let it stop "fast" charging / not "fast" charging cycle (few seconds).
Enabled Link.
Connected USB-C power cable to Injector on Link Cable (sets off noise loop).
Restart Q3 - no looping noise once rebooted.

I then was able to use Link while recharging as normal - when I started that brief gaming session the battery was 53%, when I finished it was on 71%.

However I then turned the Q3 off and saw that the lights were blinking (for charging) - left it for about 20 minutes - came back and it hadn't charged any further and the front of the unit was hot to the touch (presumably because the fan wasn't on, being completely powered down).

I then turned the Q3 back on and no repeated charge noises as it wasn't "fast" charging via USB-C, but instead was just trickle-charging via USB-A (a pop-up warning informed that it was charging at a slower rate).

So it seems the problem relates to initiation of charging / power through the link cable:

Connect USB-C power while the Q3 is on and it throws a wobbly.
Connect USB-C power while off, doesn't charge then throws wobbly once on.
Connect USB-C power while on, let it throw a wobbly and do a restart = ok(?)

I haven't repeated my methods yet (will retry tomorrow) so I don't know if the results are replicable, but I can concur that we can maybe get full functionality back but only by seemingly connecting USB-C power at the right time, and perhaps by also doing a reboot if it can't un-bunch its pants after that.

Either way, it was very nice to once again be able to play a game via link while also charging the battery, knowing that I could play indefinitely. This result also proves that the INIU cable can function perfectly (but under seemingly strict conditions).

While I very much appreciate people's methods for a solution, I simply ain't marking any of these get-arounds as a fix as they're obviously not that, so still waiting on you Meta for that please.

K

Kon4ik23

New Participant

can you describe the steps in more detail ?
or make a video review on YouTube & I think you can help many quest owners

S

SyreeseS

Participant

It's been 3 days now still no change. This is getting very frustrating and everyday my urge to buy the Pimax Crystal Light grows stronger.

P.S To anyone else considering the Pimax Crystal Light or any of the Pimax headsets please do your research on them as they have many mixed reviews.

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UziXwolf17

Up and Coming

Been having the exact same issue, still quite annoyed that there's been no fix for this issue that's been seemingly happening for weeks now. saw a reddit post somewhere with a screenshot from meta quest support saying they were aware and working on this issue, but that post is nearly a week old with no update...

kobs57

Inspiring

My instruction 2 posts below works ; )

VR dedicated computer...AMD Ryzen 7 3700X, 32 gigs of G.Skill Trident Z neo 2X16 Gb DDR4 3200Mhz MSI 1070-TI , on a MSI B-570 Gaming plus motherboard, EVGA super nova 1000 Watt PSU Oculus is on a CORSAIR Force MP600 Gen4 PCIe x4 NVMe M.2 SSD

S

stixs2000

Up and Coming

I feel with all the layoffs that Meta has done loost some good people who I feel they knew what they were doing, as for the third party cable issue, I feel it will end up being a Congress issue because they are forcing customers to buy the official cable or the kiwi product.. I am having they same issue since updating to v79.

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Kon4ik23

New Participant

omg , META HELP PLS!!!!!!!

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hogehoge2024

New Participant

I'm experiencing the same issue and have contacted Meta Support, but have yet to receive a solution.
I discovered that I can charge the Meta Quest 3 v79 using a USB 2.0 cable, so I can use it standalone.

I found technical information posted on social media by someone selling homemade USB cables in Japan.
It appears that a change has definitely been made to the power supply in the v79.

https://x.com/129mfg/status/1951825133158772841
https://x.com/129mfg/status/1951826941205713176

It seems that problems are also occurring with homemade USB cables and have not been resolved.

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LargeStyle2024Author

Inspiring

Very interesting information about the power delivery issue - we've already narrowed the issue down to being a power initiation issue but it's great to get technical confirmation of this.

I hope your response from Meta (if any given) echo's their previous statement of working on the fix now and releasing it soon.

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DrMacabre68

Participant

i've been saying this since day one last month, i don't connect my headset to my PC, i just use the INIU cable because it's long and convenient to power the headset for long period of time. On top of this, it also doesn't connect to PC anymore but things were clear from the beginning that this was a power initiation issue. May be they raised the minimum value for the headset to decide it doesn't get enough power and with the length of the INIU cable, it's below the new value. We had similar issue with display port on oculus rift S, with long DP cables, it required to be plugged in specific port on the GPU or it was failing to connect due to the extra length and the juice was not powerful enough to go thru the whole cable. Also like HDMI over 15 meters i would say.

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omashyno

New Participant

Just bought quest 3 and this is a nightmare that this functionality just does not work - this is a core functionality. Switching on and off - I was not aware that I was buying something in alpha. It's definitely not my hardware or cable. Is there a fix for this or am I returning this and looking for another brand Meta?

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LargeStyle2024Author

Inspiring

This is seemingly / apparently a bug that came about as of software version v77 which was released almost 2 months ago, but some (including myself) hadn't experienced this problem until last weeks release of v79.

According to a Meta Support message (found within this thread) they're aware of the issue and are now working on a fix which they claim they'll release "soon".

Obviously I don't know which Link Cable you use but I've gathered all of our knowledge / understanding together in one big report which I've just posted here. If you're using the INIU Link Cable my post contains a method that will get around the issue for now - it's not a proper fix by any means but it'll allow you to use your Quest 3 (if you're prepared to undertake some special steps to keep it happy). Good luck if you're using any other cable.

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LargeStyle2024Author

Inspiring

Someone else made another thread on this forum regarding this same issue and Meta responded to that(!) I've taken the opportunity to provide a full report there so that they see that, but as I don't want to hijack someone else's thread I'll add my report here in case the matter is to be continued here...

Description: (Quest 3)

When using the INIU Link Cable (but may apply to other cables, including the Official Meta one) there is a seeming power initiation / delivery / residual electrical issue whereby the Quest 3 constantly starts but immediately stops charging. While that charging issue is repeating Link cannot be enabled. The battery does not recharge under normal use (with the INIU Link Cable) unless a certain connection process is used (mentioned later).

Steps to reproduce:

Update Quest 3 / 3s software to update v77-79.
Connect (INIU) Link Cable to USB-A 3.0 on PC and to USB-C to Quest 3.
Connect USB-C power to INIU Link Cable power injector (in-line).
Power on Quest 3.

Observed Results:

Once the headset has started and the menus are shown, the battery starts to charge but immediately stops charging, which repeats rapidly and constantly without end.
This issue is audibly indicated by connection & disconnection noises also happening rapidly and constantly.
This issue is also visually indicated by the battery charging symbol on the Quest 3's Quick Settings screen appearing and disappearing in direct correlation toward the connection / disconnection noises, and the big green light at the headset end of the INIU cable lights up alternating between medium then bright green (presumably indicating USB-A trickle charge and USB-C fast charge respectively).
The pop-up menu which offers to "Enable Link" does not show during the rapid & constant connection / disconnection issue.
In short - the battery doesn't recharge and we can't enable Link.

Additional Observations:

If the USB-C power cable was connected to the INIU Link Cable and that cable was connected to the Quest 3 and the Quest 3 then started / powered on, but then had the USB-C power cable disconnected the Quest 3 will still rapidly and constantly repeat the battery connection / disconnection issue - but only for around 10 or so seconds, after which that issue stops and the pop-up menu offering to Enable Link appears.
In the above scenario, we can (only) then connect the USB-C power to the INIU Link Cable's power injector - this does NOT cause the repeated power connection / disconnection issue and Link works. When using this method the battery doesn't drain while the Quest 3 is in use and instead charges at a seemingly normal rate.
If the Quest 3 is powered down / off and the INIU Link Cable is connected (including the USB-C power cable into the power injector) then the Quest 3 only trickle charges from USB-A (if the PC is on and connected via USB-A) and does not charge via the injected USB-C.
The Quest 3 recharges without any issue if the short USB-C power cable is connected directly into the Quest 3 (no INIU Link Cable used at all).
The Link function of the Link Cable always works as normal only when USB-C power is not connected to the Link Cable (obviously the battery does not fast charge then).

Expected Results:

Prior to this issue being present since v77-79 software update, the INIU Link Cable would simply allow full simultaneous use of Link Cable connection and fast battery recharging at all times (Quest 3 powered on or not) with absolutely no need to connect and / or disconnect any cables at any time (they could be left in without issue).

Personal Note:

It was almost immediately (within minutes) after my Quest 3 automatically installed the V79 software update that this behaviour started. Prior to then I had full & faultless use of my Quest 3 headset and INIU Link Cable.

General Note:

My extensive research into this problem has seen claims that this issue also affects other third party link cables, and also even your official first party Link Cable. I personally cannot clarify such reports myself as I only have the INIU Link Cable.

Test Environment (My PC):

CPU: Intel i7 11700 (Rocket Lake - S, LGA 1200)

GPU: ASUS TUF RTX 3090 24Gb

RAM: Kingston FURY Beast 64GB (2x32GB) 3200MT/s DDR4 (KF432C16BBK2/64)

Motherboard: MSI B560M Pro-VDH WiFi (Quest 3 plugged into rear USB 3.0)

PSU: Corsair RM850x

(USB-C power for INIU Link Cable direct from mains outlet)

Quest 3 and PC both connected to WiFi 6 router.

Headset: Quest 3 512Gb with Elite Strap.

Headset Version: v79.1032 - Build 5155411.13570.520 - Created on 12th Aug 2025

Meta Quest Link app version 78.0.0.988.310 (78.0.0.988.310)

I've attached my OculusSetup.log but when I used the OculusLogGatherer.exe tool it kept giving an error when trying to upload it, and your forum won't let me attach the .zip file here.

Lastly, here's a YouTube short of the Quest 3 when it was powered on with both the Link Cable and USB-C in-line power cable connected...

Quest 3 Recharge & Link Problem

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hogehoge2024

New Participant

I believe Meta is aware of the problem and is working on a fix.

What I find unfortunate is that this issue was reported 2 MONTHS AGO in the announcement regarding the launch of the PTC (Public Test Channel) , but Meta missed the comment and released it as a stable version.
If Meta had correctly recognized this issue, they should have canceled or postponed the release of the stable version.

Although Meta Quest is a standalone device, connecting to a PC is also an important feature. It's not enough for it to just work standalone.

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