Tips and fixes for problems since v53 - Stutters, Crashes, Lags and Artifacts in Air Link\VD

[pikpukpak]

Alright!

Since we are now in v56 in PTC with no fix in sight here are my tips to make your Q2 usable again, especially if you are using PCVR most of the time.

Problem #1: Lags

Something has changed in the wifi driver of the quest - that is a fact! this change results in some incompatibility with modern "better" routers, especially those tagged as "gaming".

How to resolve: Get a cheap Redmi\Xiaomi Router (I recommend Redmi AC2100\AX6)

I know this is not what most of you want to hear, nor is it fun to hear that you need to spend more money, but even if you just have an older 5ghz Router, try to connect it instead of what you have now.

Problem #2: Stutters and Lags

TLDR: Wifi 6 has been buggy with the Quest 2 for a while, and now its just doesnt work at all and causes a lot of latency spikes. not only that, Quest has never supported the best feature in wifi 6 which is the 160mhz channel bandwidth.

The current state of the wifi performance results in a lot of lags and stutters

How to resolve: Do NOT use wifi 6 at the moment!

Use 5ghz networks only. Make sure the channel bandwidth is set to 80mhz and choose the channel that has least congestion on it. If you live in an apartment building like me, make sure you play as close as you can to your router.

Problem #3: Artifacts (specifically in right side of the lens, can appear in either left or right eye)

This can happen in Air Link or VD and its really distracting and most of all - annoying.

How to resolve: Lower your rendering resolution to a max of 2496x2592 (High in VD)

I noticed that artifacts only began to appear when my resolution is set to "Ultra" in VD or above "2496x2592" per eye (whatever number is the equivalent in Oculus settings).

Native resolution DOES NOT WORK AT THIS POINT with the Q2.

This is probably due to the recent changes in processing power, the SOC cant keep up with native resolution as its resources are probably utilized elsewhere.

Note: These are only tips, i cant promise that it will fix your issues, but it is worth a try.

If anyone has more tips on how to mitigate the recent issues from Quest updates please share.
Last tip i highly suggest is to avoid changing router settings apart from obvious stuff like splitting the networks to seperate 2.4ghz and 5ghz.

The amount of videos i have seen that go straight to advanced settings and telling people to change this or another number not only useless, but really have no point unless you actually know what you are changing and why. Leave your "Advanced" options on default settings, same goes for Oculus debug tool. Keep everything on default.

Good luck to everyone and i hope you can use your Quest\Quest Pro again.

[ThyRuinedKing]

These aren't necessarily work-arounds that function for all users, we haven't received any official information on this as of yet from our engineers either.

I was just thanking you for sharing some possible fixes for some users and making sure those with trouble are able to answer some questions to provide that information to our engineers. As soon as there's any information on a fix that has a high probability, we'll be sure to publish them across all platforms!

EDIT: 

@007xSlayerx007 wrote:

On a separate issue related to this website.

Finally this website keeps asking me to take a survey every time it refreshes even though I have already taken a survey, that should be corrected as well to stop asking that question if the IP address or Account user has already taken the survey.

---

Almost forgot to respond to this, but a few of the Moderators have noticed this also happening to them and we've made sure to address it. It can be pretty tedious! 😂

[007xSlayerx007]

That it can and does, Thanks for the confirmation ThyrRuinedKing! I greatly forward to a fix for this. 

[mikejack1711]

Delving into the exciting world of Air Link and Virtual Desktop (VD) has brought us incredible VR experiences, but as with any technology, challenges can arise. The transparency in acknowledging stutters, crashes, lags, and artifacts since v53 is commendable. Let's embrace these issues as opportunities for growth, learning, and enhancing the overall VR journey. Together, let's conquer these obstacles and continue to elevate the realm of virtual reality.

[zzrailzz]

Its kinda hard to be immersive and seamless when you have bright a$$ed pixles going off in your face every few seconds. And I agree challenges can and will arise with newer technologies but cmon man its been what 4 months and 3-4 updates since this started? why dont they just admit they screwed something up and let us revert back to version 5.2 until they can actually fix it? I really want a quest 3 but if I spend another 500 bucks just to have the same issues ......

Edit: I will commend Meta on one thing. At least now when I shut off my headset instead of automatically installing an update it gives me the option to shut it off without updating.

[pikpukpak]

is this a joke, or are you trying to be a smart-ass? do you really summarize all current problems to tips like:
1. wait a minute after you exit a game

2. lower brightness and fps to minimum

3. playing in a cool area

4. free up disk space

and finally download some fishy "game booster" app?

You could have just blamed it all on the user and be done with it.

This is a serious firmware update issue that we are all stuck in. i dont know what "growth" opportunity you are talking about. i had a perfectly working device from moment of purchase till May 2023 when it all went to **bleep** and i would like to go back to a working state.

atm i am "fine" with my current setup, but i do wish to go back to my previous settings which worked seamlessly on 120hz without any glitches or artifacts that pop in and out every second.