Quest 3 headset no longer charging up via link cable

[martinlest]

Until this past week, I had no problems with this: now, when using the Quest 3 plugged into my PC via a link cable (99% of my usage), the headset is not charging, or at least very, very slowly (and only if it is turned off, or better, powered down fully). In Settings the little battery icon shows 'charging', but the charge % very slowly goes down instead of up, even with no apps or games running.

I use the same INIU cable, with its additional charging port as I always have, plugged into a USB3.1 port on my motherboard. The cable's charging port is connected to the META charging plug, as supplied. If I plug the headset into the META mains/USB charger directly, then it charges up OK. But that's not much use if it isn't charging any more through the link cable when in use.

There was, I believe, a META Horizon  update this week - the startup  icon in my Quest 3 has changed. Perhaps a coincidence, but my troubles started at that same time. 

Hope someone can help. Thanks.

[risonthreat]

I am having the exact same issue.  Kids could use Meta Quest 3 all day plugged in with link cable to laptop.  Now connected with the same link cable they can go maybe 5 hours before headset is at 1% and has to be charged. 

I did check my link cable and I have the same brand also INIU.  Tried another link cable from a different brand and still have the same charging issue.   I am on firmware v72.  I reinstalled firmware v72 will check if it makes a difference.  There was no change in different link cables used or reinstalling v72.

I have found a work around for me and consider this solved.  I ended up leaving the USB-A plugged into the laptop and unplugged the USB-C from the laptop and plugged it into the charger (comes with headset) that then plugs into the wall outlet and hardly lose any charge now.  I am still linked via the cable and not wireless.  I still think the update has something to do with it but could end up being a setting change on the laptop.  Guess I could check settings and\or try a different laptop to rule out a laptop charging issue.  At this point the headset stays charged even better so I'm happy and so are the kids.

[martinlest]

Hmmm.. having been troubleshooting this for two days (to no avail) and deciding to ask here in the forum, I just flew for two hours (I use my Quest 99% of the time for X-Plane - flight simulation), starting with 100% charge, and have just looked at the battery charge again - still 100%!! Well, that's great, but now I am of course confused as to why there should be a difference. I had exactly the same stuff plugged in this time as before, and all the connectors were secure every time.

Probably tomorrow the issue will have returned (not being pessimistic, just realistic, based on years of knowing how my PCs 'tease' me like this 😄!) so will keep looking at the thread here.

[martinlest]

Ok, problem back: I made no changes in the interim (apart from Meta insisting on another software update).

After a bit of (very frustrating!) testing, as long as I am using the supplied Meta recharger plug and USB-C to USB-C cable, as soon as I connect it to the INIU charging port, the headset starts connecting and disconnecting continuously, every second or two. I have also, as risonthreat, above, gone back to plugging the INIU charging port to a powered USB-A hub instead, with a USB-A to USB-C cable. Now the headset stays connected just fine and seems to be charging OK at the moment - the charge % shown in the headset is increasing at least: whether it's as fast as with the Meta charging hardware, or, most importantly, charges quickly enough to keep the battery at c.100% when the headset is in use (as was happening the past few days - I was really happy, till it broke again today!), I am not sure yet.

What I don't get is why it was all OK for a couple of days, then the issue is back. The only logical conclusion is that the Meta charger plug is faulty? On the other hand, if I plug it directly into the Quest 3 headset, rather than through the INIU port, there is no problem, the charging works fine.

If only Meta had designed the Quest 3 with two input ports, one for the Link cable and a second for the battery/charging!!

[exakel]

I am not sure if this is the same problem but whenever i try to use my INIU link cable, with or without external power connected, it always crashes the connection. So I am not sure if this is a faulty cable or something within the headset. 

Airlink works fine.

[martinlest]

I am not sure if this is the same problem but whenever i try to use my INIU link cable, with or without external power connected, it always crashes the connection. So I am not sure if this is a faulty cable or something within the headset. 

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My INIU cable is fine in that respect - only get a problem when I use the supplied Meta charging plug/cable plugged into the INIU charging port.

Whatever, unlike the past few days, my headset does not keep 100% charge any more. Ordered a new mains/USB charging plug from Amazon, but this is very irritating: one day all is great, next, back to square one. 

[risonthreat]

Here is a link to another post in the forums - https://communityforums.atmeta.com/t5/Get-Help/v74-Quest-3-not-fully-charging/td-p/1290989.  Not sure what firmware version you all are on but maybe something here might help?  I noticed my problem after a firmware update.  Maybe a roll back from v74 or a manual reinstall of v72 might fix issues?

[martinlest]

Thanks. I think (given I am not sure that an update is the cause, and the symptoms are not quite the same in any case), I'll just have to live with this for a bit and wait and see if a further update fixes the problem. For now at the end of a VR session, I remove the link cable and plug in the charger: battery gets to 100% within 30 minutes or so. 

For several day, the battery never dropped below 100%, in use with the PC or not. Obviously that was too good to last! 😞  Why the change? Nothing I did! New day, new flight and suddenly ....