Resolved - Unstable wifi coverage with Quest 3 on some Router Brands.

[tfosseli]

• Update January 2024 - full post history below

Hi. Let me try to give a quick TLDR summery.

Since the launch of the Quest 3, numerous users have encountered difficulties with their Wi-Fi connections related to wireless PCVR. A notable bug affects certain mid-range AX and AXE routers, such as TP-Link's AXE75, leading to significant packet losses and varying negotiation rates. Consequently, connection speeds fluctuate between 480 and 1921 Mbps, occasionally reaching 2161 Mbps but rarely achieving the full 2401 Mbps speed.

In contrast, the Quest 2 maintains a stable 1200 Mbps on 5GHz dedicated networks. However, on release, the Quest 3 struggled to reach 720 Mbps, with speed fluctuations occurring every other second.

Meta was promptly notified of this issue on launch day and has been working on resolving it through build updates. Versions v.57 to v.60 have seen a dramatic reduction in negotiation rates, making wireless VR "usable" under certain conditions, particularly when in close proximity to the router and within the line of sight. Nevertheless, users still report random speed reductions to unusable levels (below 740 Mbps), even at close range.

TP-Link has been diligently working on resolving the issue since the initial launch. Unfortunately, their latest update indicates that they couldn't make a breakthrough on their end, and they believe the problem persists on the client side. They've conducted thorough tests with various chipsets, including MTK, BCM, and QCA routers, and it seems these routers are experiencing similar issues. Their focus shifted to Meta software updates, and their most recent test with the Quest3 V60 suggests that while the negotiation rate still varies, the occasional streaming lag seems to have disappeared.

A glance at this threads posts reveals that TP-Link is not the only affected brand; users with Asus and other AX and AXE routers also face similar challenges. The root cause seems to be linked to either Meta or Qualcomm. Users have noted similar issues with the Google Pixel 7, leading to speculation about problems with the XR2 Gen2/Snapdragon 8 Gen2 drivers. So in other words it's in Meta and Qualcomm's hands at the moment.

Please reply to this thread and post your information as per Metas instructions:

"December 14th Update from @MetaQuestSupport 

Hey everyone! I wanted to let you all know that I heard back from our engineering team. It looks like there might've been some changes with the recent v60 update. I recommend checking your headset to make sure that it is updated to the latest version, and then checking your Wi-Fi connection with your headset. If you're still having trouble after updating your headset, please let me know the below information and I'll pass it along to our engineering team so this can be looked into further.

 1. Router make and model.

 2. Router firmware.

 3. Full Headset version. (59.0.0.##) Go to Settings > System > Software Update"

You can also make a video grab of your issue and send it to Meta over the "report a problem" option in the headset.

For video references on the issue here is a playlist in chronological order

NOTE: If you have a working setup with a different router and not experiencing any issues please post the details on this separate thread: https://communityforums.atmeta.com/t5/Get-Help/What-Wifi-6e-routers-currently-works-bug-free-with-th...

Original post October 10th 2023

On my Quest 3 the WIFI signal is hopping from 720 - 864 - 960 

But my Quest 2 ti stable at 1200 Mbps

I am sitting 1 m from the Ruter

Is my Quest 3 broken or is this a bug?

Edit FYI: This is a firmware bug with communication between some brand of routers. Please post your info here as a reply. (Se MetaQuestSupports reply)

The team has been made aware and is currently looking into the unstable connection reports.

Meta needs to know:

1. What version is your headset running? (Full number, i.e. 57.0.0.####)
   • Quick Settings > System > Software Update
2. Which router do you currently have?
3. Tag @MetaQuestSupport 

Also.. Remember to send a bug report via Oculus apps or headset...

Here is how: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7i9Q_h_yeQQ

Edit 2, to be clear: 

The issue is not dependent on AirLink or VirtualDesktop. It's a clear communication issue between the Quest 3 and certain routers in Quest build vertion 57.  That effects both 5Ghz and 6Ghz. Quest 2 is unaffected.

Here is the issue we are facing demonstrated to TP-link:

https://youtu.be/JFrl9rTJH8E?si=2vBOI6E2PjGvPL_7

If you're r not experiencing any issues please post the details on this seperate thread: https://communityforums.atmeta.com/t5/Get-Help/What-Wifi-6e-routers-currently-works-bug-free-with-th...

Edit 3 - Update:

Version 59 showed no improvement. TP-Link has received a unit and are experiencing the same negotiation rate problems. They are investigating the problem. 

@MetaQuestSupport has stated that they are working on the issue and it will be fixed in a future firmware update. https://communityforums.atmeta.com/t5/Get-Help/Unstable-wifi-covarage-with-Quest-3-on-some-Router-Br...

Edit 4 - Update...
TP-Watched  @VirtualOmnipresence 's video  and confirmed: 

Our Wireless RD found that it might be the case Quest3 are kind Quest3's wireless connection rate strategy is more aggressive in terms of speed reduction. Once it encounters wireless packet loss or interference, it will reduce the negotiation rate on a large scale, thus affecting the actual wireless performance.

In other words, it is actually unnecessarily overly sensitive... especially when interference is basically impossible at 6GHz.

We've tested the Quest3 v57(haven't got v59 yet) so far with almost all our routers from wifi6e to wifi7 with QCA/BCM chipest...

Also thanks a lot for your updates about that article, we will also notice to get the previous quest2 sample to check how it works with our router in old firmware, then upgrade it to newer one for checking.

We will also focus on this issue later quickly if there's new firmware released.

Edit 5 - November 20th 2023

Still no more contact with meta and the silence is deafening. 

Though with the new update to v.59 it is actually a lot better on AXE75 for both 5g and 6g. It's fluxing, but not below 1200 in 6g and not below 720 in 5g. Making it... "usable"... if you are relatively close to your router.

Here is my video in my test with v. 59.

We still want to take advantage of the 2401 Mbps so that we are not reliant on no interference and being 2 to 3 meters from the access point. 

Any working 6Ghz device connected to a 6 Ghz router, dedicated at close range should output a connection at 2401Mbps. If it doesn't it's simply not working correctly. 

So I'm not giving you a pass just yet Meta. 😉

Edit 6 December 8th

A lot of new posts here and in my community on still experiencing this issue making their wireless experience unbearable. The uptick has been noticeable since the release of SteamLink bringing more people over to PC wireless. 

I also go a new confirmation from MetaSupport over email:

Meta Store Support following up on your issue.

To clarify, the issue you are experiencing is most likely to be patched up with a new software update. I know how inconvenient this may be for you. We really appreciate your extended patience and utmost understanding regarding this matter. As much as I would like to give you an exact timeline, since this is still a known issue, I'm afraid we are still unable to provide an exact date for it.

This is also for our customers, as we don't want to set you an expectation that is vague. We value transparency here at Meta, and we can assure you that we will quickly contact you as soon as possible once the issue is resolved or workarounds are provided.

We're eager to have this one sorted out for you, so we'll keep an eye on this issue. Looking forward to solve this issue at your earliest convenience so you can proceed enjoying your VR experience.

----

later:

I can confirm that your issue regarding Wi-Fi connection has been coordinated with our engineering team; however, they didn't provide an exact time; maybe they are still figuring out the root cause of the issue. By the way, thank you for the clear explanation of your issue; that helps us a lot.

Edit December 14th Update from @MetaQuestSupport 

Hey everyone! I wanted to let you all know that I heard back from our engineering team. It looks like there might've been some changes with the recent v60 update. I recommend checking your headset to make sure that it is updated to the latest version, and then checking your Wi-Fi connection with your headset. If you're still having trouble after updating your headset, please let me know the below information and I'll pass it along to our engineering team so this can be looked into further.

1. Router make and model.
2. Router firmware.
3. Full Headset version. (59.0.0.##)
   1. Settings > System > Software Update

---

Here is my video on testing version 60

[bartolomeofra]

I've been there since Rift 1 and apparently nothing has changed about the many software problems.

Even with my new Quest 3, I spend hours in forums again looking for errors and problems on my site,
only to have to realize again at the end of the day that Meta simply can't program, similar to Razer...

[CYAN_ure]

Same issue here, Airlink is unusable with the Quest 3. It stutters like hell, looses connection and the video is full of macroblocks so the bitrate must fluctuate a lot!.

If I use the Quest 2, everything's butter smooth.

I have a TP-Link Archer C-5400 router. I'll give Virtual Desktop a try as well.

Please @MetaQuestSupport keep us updated on this issue because my return window is closing in 3 weeks and I'll have no choice but to send my Quest 3 back since PCVR is all I do with it.

And to be honest, the broken ASW with 40x series graphic cards without a fix for almost a year now and now this are a pill hard to swallow. If you guys gave up on PCVR, please just tell us.

Thanks!

[bartolomeofra]

My Quest 3 has a very unstable WiFi connection (router or pc-hotspot), unlike my other devices (which I of course disconnect when I connect my Q3 via AirLink).

It goes from high to low in seconds, also losing connection for seconds. Resulting in an unacceptable laggy PCVR experience.

It‘s not only me, the internet is showing more and more reports like this (also on Q-Pro). But I need to know, is this because of faulty software updates and can be fixed via Software, or do we have a hardware quality issue and are to return our units within DOA time window?

[LunchAndJosh]

I have the same issue on my Quest 3, tested between Quest 2 and my Quest 3 and it's definitely the Quest 3 giving wifi issues for PCVR

[LunchAndJosh]

Quest 3 has been great when it works, and PCVR looks amazing. However many of us are facing issues with wireless PCVR, and link too. I'm on Quest 3 V57, using a Wifi 6 dedicated Router and a USB 3 link cable.

Issue #1: Wireless PCVR on wifi is laggy
Tested with Quest 2 and Quest 3, clearly Q3 is giving wireless issues. Tested with both Virtual Desktop & AirLink

Top image is Quest 3, bottom image is Quest 2:

Issue #2: Link cable can't go above 300mbps

This one varies between many of us users, but for me the moment I go beyond 300mbps the encoding image starts to lose out. I can go to 960mbps on my Quest 2, so this is a Quest 3 issue.

This is not a user error, devs if you see this please take a look and we're looking forward to a fix! Thank you

[Just.4Fun]

I’m struggling the same with PCVR streaming. Worked great on Quest 2. I have a ASUS wifi 6 router next to my pc. Signal all over the place on Quest 3

[Freds690069]

Same here. VD speeds vary constantly for no real reason with the wifi connection.

and if you turn your head quickly left or right, wifi gets really bad for a second and drops frames 

[Just.4Fun]

I've raised a support ticket with meta.

It seems like there are a few of us. 

[LunchAndJosh]

Where do you raise a support ticket? From inside the Quest where you report a bug?

[Just.4Fun]

Through the app, option link not working.