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tomleylan
Inspiring
August 16, 2024
Solved

air link automatically starting

I not only do not have an issue starting air link... it suddenly starts running without my requesting it. I used to have to "start" link by connecting to the PC which makes it easy for me to choose native vs PC but now (most of the time) when I start the headset it connects to my PC and I'm forced to exit air link.

Turning off air link every time isn't the ideal solution so did something change in this last update? Is there an option for "auto start" air link that I can turn off?

Answer
August 18, 2024

Hi tom.leylan TheKazooks there's been a recent change in the developer options where you can toggle the link auto connect on and off. you'd think that MetaStoreHelp  would know their own product. 🙄

 

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22 replies

MetaStoreHelp
MetaStoreHelp
Community Manager
August 16, 2024

Hey there tom.leylan, thanks for reaching out about this. We'd love to get this resolved so you can get back to your PCVR! 

If possible, we'd recommend unpairing the headset from your computer which will stop the automatic connection. This isn't ideal, especially if you use Air Link often. 

You could also turn off the Bluetooth on your PC if possible,

We hope this information helps and we hear 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!
tomleylanAuthor
Inspiring
August 16, 2024

Well let me test the options. It didn't used to automatically start, right? Something was added in a recent update? People switch back and forth, particularly (I will guess) developers who have to connect using both methods to test their software. If I use the cable it won't auto connect, obviously because it doesn't see the cable so I don't know why air link auto-connect isn't just an option.

MetaStoreHelp
MetaStoreHelp
Community Manager
August 16, 2024

Hey there, thanks for getting back to us so quickly. 

While you work on those steps, we'd appreciate you filing a bug report for this issue. You can do this on your headset via the 'Report a Problem' button or by shaking your phone with the Meta Horizons mobile app open. 

Thank you! 

If you're the author of a thread, remember to mark a reply as the Accepted Solution to help others find answers!
Anonymous
Answer
August 18, 2024

Hi tom.leylan TheKazooks there's been a recent change in the developer options where you can toggle the link auto connect on and off. you'd think that MetaStoreHelp  would know their own product. 🙄

 

    tomleylanAuthor
    Inspiring
    August 18, 2024

    I will try that shortly... thank you very much. And "Yes" it seems that using a product is not a requirement for supporting it and (I'll bet money) being a manager at the company. I've witnessed it personally too many times.

    MetaStoreHelp
    MetaStoreHelp
    Community Manager
    August 19, 2024

    Hi again tom.leylan,

     

    Just checking in with you! Has the above mentioned fix by the community member resolved the issue?

     

    Can't wait 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!
    rmzalbar
    Inspiring
    August 21, 2024

    On the one hand, this is hilariously helping with the issue I've had ever since I've started using Airlink, taking sometimes 10 or more retries to connect at the beginning of each session. Kind of relaxing to sit back and wait until it finally hooks up. On the other hand, every time I want to use my headset for anything normal, I'm stranded in the Airlink connection screen until it succeeds just so I can tell it to disconnect! Also hilarious.

    "The cores told me our intelligences are mad. And all the billions we paid, so long ago..."
             - William Gibson, Neuromancer

    MetaStoreHelp
    MetaStoreHelp
    Community Manager
    August 22, 2024

    Hello, rmzalbar! We'd like to option for you to jump into the VR world to be available to you at any time, so we popped in to help with your Air Link connection as well! For trouble launching Air Link, please confirm your play set-up meets our recommended best practices as listed below:  

     

    • Have the PC connected to Router/Access Point via Ethernet cable and not Wi-Fi
    • Headset should be connected to Wi-Fi via 5GHz band (AC or AX)
    • Router must be in the same room as the headset or in line-of-sight, and at least 1m (3.3ft) off the ground
    • Use a non-mesh network configuration
    If you're the author of a thread, remember to mark a reply as the Accepted Solution to help others find answers!
      rmzalbar
      Inspiring
      August 22, 2024

      Thank you for responding. I'm way ahead you on that one. Ethernet to AC, AX or AXE router, same room, off the floor, Win 10 and Win 11. No wireless backhaul anywhere. Z690 intel 12th gen platform. Issue has followed me across two headsets and three different routers. It's only the initial connection that gives a problem - once it succeeds to the point of getting the dashboard, it's solid for as long as I care to play, all night Subnautica sessions no problem. Super weird. No issues, ever, connecting with virtual desktop or steam link, it always fires up first time every time.

      I just replaced my motherboard and CPU yesterday due to a failed CPU, so I'll be rechecking this issue next time I get a chance. At this point I have a Ship of Theseus situation.

      TIce
      New Participant
      June 18, 2025

      Hi!

      Unfortunately the flag/switch is no longer working since firmware version '77.0.0.1033.319', AirLink is automatically starting when the device comes out of sleep-mode, and worst of all: it consistently hangs on the Quest, with the only solution being to forcefully restart the Quest 3 (hold powerbutton, select restart). Then after the restart, AirLink is not automatically started, and I can use regular apps on the Quest.

      Could you please check and make sure that the 'Don't automatically start Airlink' is always working, and that Airlink itself doesn't hang? Thank you!

      Cheers,

      Thijs

      Anonymous
      June 18, 2025

      T_Ice  I'm currently on V78 1028 PTC and I'm still able to toggle the auto link start feature and it doesn't automatically start if the link app is opened or the headset is connected with the link app open on the PC. If you don't want link/airlink starting up automatically, it may be worth temporarily downloading a copy of the Oculus Tray Tool which allows you to turn off the Oculus Virtual Reality service OVR which stops the service running until you need it and you can enable it with the OTT again.

      I'm also not getting the hangs you describe when coming out of sleep mode. Having said all that many people are having issues with various elements and link/airlink especially. I left the headset on standby and the PC running for a day to get them both as up to date as they could be to ensure both were on the same page. 

      Hopefully, you'll get further updates that will sort your problems out.

        TIce
        New Participant
        June 19, 2025

        Anonymous thnx, good to know that with v78 it seems to work fine! I think I'm in a pretty late update-cohort, as I only got the v77 update 3 days ago.

        I'll try the Oculus Tray Tool in the meantime, didn't know about that.

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