How to Connect Meta (Oculus) Quest or Quest 2 to PC

This article explains how to connect your Meta (Oculus) Quest or Quest 2 headset to your gaming PC to give you the option of upgraded PC graphics in a wider array of virtual reality games and experiences.

How to Connect Your Meta (Oculus) Quest to Your PC

The process for connecting the Quest to a PC is the same whether you have a first- or second-generation Quest virtual reality headset. Before you can make that connection, though, you need to make sure that your PC meets the minimum requirements to support the Quest and Quest 2.

Meta lists the PC requirements as:

• CPU: Intel Core i5-4590 or an AMD Ryzen 5 1500X
• Graphics: Nvidia GTX 970, 1060 3GB or better. That includes all GTX 16-series graphics cards besides the GTX 1650. Any from the AMD RX 500, 600, 5000, and Vega series.
• Memory: 8GB
• Operating System: Windows 10
• Port: USB 3.0

If your PC meets or exceeds those specifications, you also need to purchase a high-quality USB cable that simultaneously supports data and power. Meta sells its own, but at $79, it"s far from
cheap. Fortunately, you can use a generic USB-C 3.0 cable, but you still want one that uses high-quality materials and features excellent shielding. There"s no point in trying to enjoy better PC visuals if your cable degrades the picture quality.

You want a 3M cable at a minimum to make sure you can still walk around to experience standing and some room-scale features.

The Meta (Oculus) Quest Connect-to-PC Process

When you've got the cable and determined that your PC can handle the demands of your Quest or Quest 2 headsets, here's how to actually connect them.

1. Download and install the Oculus app on your PC.

2. Plug the USB-C cable into a USB port (3.0 or greater) on your PC, and then plug the other end into the headset.

   

3. Put on the headset, and you should see a message that asks if you want to allow the connected device to access files on the headset. Select Allow by looking at the virtual button and pressing the headset volume button.

4. You'll then be prompted to Enable Oculus Link (or Meta Quest Link). Select Enable to do so.

You can now play compatible Rift and Rift S games on your Meta (Oculus) Quest. Those include those sold in the Oculus store and on the SteamVR platform. To do so, select them from the Oculus menu"s Apps section.

What to Do When Meta Quest Link Isn't Working

If you find that after following the Quest setup steps you"re having issues with sound or picture, there are some steps you can take. First, confirm you"re using a cable that meets Meta"s specifications. It has said any good quality USB-C cable will do, but it"s worth checking.

Second, try restarting your PC or laptop, as that can sometimes fix issues with graphics cards that aren't as well supported as others.

For more help, check out the official Meta Quest Link support section.