Meta Quest 3 Black Screen After Logo and Firmware Arrow — Hundreds of Us Have This Problem
Many Meta Quest 3 owners are experiencing the same serious issue after what appears to be a faulty firmware update. The headset starts normally, shows the Meta logo, then displays the down-arrow firmware symbol as if it’s updating. After that, the screen goes completely black and never turns back on. This problem has affected hundreds of users across multiple platforms, including Meta’s own community forums, Reddit, and Discord groups. Everyone describes the same sequence: Meta logo, firmware arrow loading, then a permanent black screen. People have already tried every official fix that Meta recommends: Rebooting the headset. Performing a full hard reset using the power and volume buttons. Installing the manual firmware update through the Meta update tool on a computer. Even after completing all of these steps successfully, the headset remains unusable. The issue clearly points to a defective firmware update or a corrupted boot process caused by the update itself, not user error or damage. Some customers have received replacements, while others have been denied support because their device is out of warranty. That inconsistency is unacceptable. A firmware defect that originates from Meta should not depend on warranty status. This needs to be recognized as a widespread product issue. Meta should take responsibility, publicly acknowledge the problem, and provide free repairs or replacements to all affected customers. Everyone affected should post here and share: When the problem started and what update version it followed. Any videos or photos showing the black screen sequence. What Meta Support said or offered in response. If enough reports are collected, this could draw the attention of consumer protection agencies, the media, or legal firms willing to pursue a class action. The goal is not to complain, but to get a fair solution for everyone who has been left with a bricked headset due to a faulty update. This issue is not isolated. It’s widespread, and it needs to be addressed now.
RMA woes
I want to be transparent, Meta are aware of this issue and are "investigating" but I wanted to post here for visibility. I'd also like to state this might not all be Meta's fault. Also, long post, sorry... 6 days ago, after the v85 update, I plugged my Q3 headset in to charge, original adapter, original cable in the wall socket. No charging light, so I popped the headset on to see if the battery icon was showing the symbol for charging, it wasn't. I grabbed the end of the usb cable to unplug it and it burnt my finger and thumb. On further investigation, the usb socket on the headset (middle rectangle with pins) was melted. I'm just lucky I noticed it wasn't charging in the moment and was able to remove the cable so quickly. Got in touch with Meta, started a return, got my labels, all good, smooth sailing. Printed them and arranged for collection 3 days later, took the day off work to make sure it was collected and DHL picked up my parcel. Next day the parcel comes back to me because there in no hazardous label on the box? Talked to meta and DHL for a few hours sharing screenshots between each company (I just wanted to get to the root cause of the return) DHL said it's because meta have stated on the waybill that meta produced there contains lithium-ion batteries inside, which would then require a hazard label. After advising DHL there is only 1 battery for the headset in the parcel, a hazard label won't be required, but the waybill will require editing. Advised Meta of this and got another return label - with the exact same wording on it which was the reason it was returned to me initially... Forwarded this to DHL who said it shouldn't be an issue, they copied in the depot who would receive it and advised it will be fine, they edited the waybill on their system, and when they receive it, just print the new waybill and process it. So, I arranged another collection, for yesterday (another day off work to make sure the headset is collected)... I get a notification, same night that it's being returned to sender again due to, yet again, no hazard label. Contacted Meta, advised them and now their team is looking into it with currently no ETA on a response. I feel like I'm going to be perpetually stuck with a dead headset and it just going on a nice day trip a few times a week. I find it hard to believe that this is the first headset in the UK that's been returned. So how is it other headsets have made it back the the quest 3 graveyard? Or why is it mine is the exception? Maybe I'm not, anyone else out there with nightmare return stories? Just noticed a similar post here - https://communityforums.atmeta.com/discussions/OtherTroubleshooting/uk-return-customer-service-nightmare-due-to-conflicting-advice-on-dhl-labelling/1366681 Does Meta need to change their policy here? Just either change their waybill description or supply a hazard label? Or does DHL require more training? Both? Thanks for reading & keep your fingers crossed for a quick(ish) resolution. EDIT - I HAVE A RESOLUTION - BUT META WON'T HELP! I contacted DHL and they advised if I provided them the returns label and waybill from Meta, they would edit it so it was fit for shipping and send it back for me to attach to the parcel. Told Meta this and they will not print me another waybill and shipping label because the case was escalated, now I've been told to wait for the team who has the escalation to contact me, and there is no ETA! Even though, I have an immediate resolution. QUOTE FROM DHL - In that instance we don’t need the “Lithium Ion Batteries in compliance with Section II of PI967” be declared, it’s moot given it’s moving by road & only contains the 1 battery powered device. META - if you read this, stop adding the above to your parcels, it's not required and only causing issues! I'm so frustrated by all of this!
HELP ASAP My meta quest is stuck in a boot loop
Hey Guys, For some reason my meta quest is stuck in a boot loop and tried everything even factory resetting and trying to side load update but nothing works. I’ve also contacted Meta and they said I could buy a new one, but I don’t want to waste another $100 for another headset so what should I do?
Dropped meta quest 3 and can’t turn on
I dropped my meta quest 3 and I couldn’t turn on cause when I did after 10 seconds it just shut down and I took it to a repair shop and they said they couldn’t fix it now I can’t turn in on and when I charge it it justs shoots air in and out every second if you need what’s the problem with the hardware is please tell me maybe I can fix itHeadset caught on fire while charging
hed my headset for quest 2 placed on a charger, walked away while it was charging in my kitchen, came back to find it was on FIRE in the socket of the headset and melted the headset, almost causing my home to catch on fire. while burning up cable to i have pictures of the after scene but dont know how to publish with this post
Quest 3 No Longer Charging / Holding Charge
My Quest 3 that I got in early December spontaneously stopped receiving or holding a charge to its battery. I use BoboVR accessories and have two spare batteries, the batteries do not charge the headset any more. Plugging in the headset onto its charger that it came with doesn’t charge it. I have checked that the charging cable is functional, as is the adapter it came with - still no luck. I have tried factory resetting the headset, but it has since died and I cannot get the menu to pop up. Looking in the Meta Horizon App hasn’t aided me either. Was there a bad update that rolled out and hurt the battery? The primary thing I use it for is VRChat. I kept out unplugged when not in use or when it was on low battery, but otherwise primarily used the BoboVR batteries to extend uptime as instructed, for roughly 3-6 hour intervals. I still have the warranty. Should I send it in to be fixed?
