The Meta Quest 2 (formerly known as the Oculus Quest 2) is unarguably one of the best VR headsets due to its excellent design, ease of use, and a large library of games available directly from the headset. However, if you connect your Meta Quest 2 to a PC, you will be able to use it to play games on your PC and much more.
In the meantime, let’s go over simple, straightforward methods for connecting your Meta Quest 2 to a PC and all you should know.
What You’ll Need to Use Oculus Link on Windows
Oculus Link is a useful app that lets you connect an Oculus Quest 2 headset to your PC and power it. With this tool, users can put Oculus VR apps on the storage drives of their PCs. Installed VR apps use the PC’s processor instead of the one in the Oculus Quest 2, so you can use PC VR software in the Oculus Quest 2 in a way that is similar to what you can do with the Oculus Rift.
But the Oculus Quest 2 headset doesn’t work with every PC. To use Oculus Link, you’ll need a PC that can handle VR. Most PCs that can be used with VR are advertised as such, and some even have stickers on them to show that they can be used with VR.
For connecting the Oculus Quest 2 to your desktop or laptop, you’ll also need a long link cable. There is also a wireless option for Air Link, but this article is about how to connect headsets with a cable.
System Requirements for Connecting Meta Quest 2 to a PC
Meta recommends that you have at least an Intel i5-4590 or AMD Ryzen 5 1500X processor and at least 8GB of RAM on your PC if you want to use the Meta Quest 2 with it. Most Nvidia GPUs from the 970 series and up, as well as AMD GPUs from the 400 series and up, are compatible. Some older Nvidia and AMD GPUs, on the other hand, are not compatible.
If you’re still not sure if your computer can work with VR, you can find out more on Meta’s website. This page about Meta Quest Link compatibility also has information about the minimum system requirements for a PC.
How to Download and Install the Oculus Windows Software
A VR-ready PC and an Oculus Link cable are the major things you’ll need. The Oculus Desktop software for Windows is the only other thing you’ll need. Oculus Desktop is free software that lets you connect and manage your Oculus headsets and PC VR apps in Windows 11 and 10. It’s a big piece of software that takes up about 9.26 gigabytes of space on the hard drive. Here’s how to download and set up the Oculus app:
- Open up a browser and go to the Meta Quest 2 page.
- Click the option that says “Download Software” for the Oculus Quest 2.
- The Oculus Windows app has a Download Software button.
- Once the OculusSetup file has been downloaded, double-click it.
- Click “Get started” and “I agree.”
- To add Oculus to your software library, click Install Now.
- You will be asked to create an Oculus account or sign in with one you already have. Use the account you use for your Oculus Quest 2 headset to sign in.
How to Connect Oculus
Once you’ve followed the steps above to install the Oculus software, you can connect your Oculus Quest 2 headset to a Windows PC. With the Oculus software, these are the steps for adding a device.
- You can open the Oculus software you installed by clicking the shortcut on your desktop or choosing it from the Start menu.
- Click the tab called Devices.
- Choose Add Headset from the list.
- Add-Headset-option
- Click on “Oculus Quest 2” and then click “Continue.”
- Click Continue after you have chosen Link (Cable).
- Then your PC will ask you to hook up a headset. Connect the PC to the Oculus Quest 2 by plugging the Oculus Link cable into a USB 2.0 or 3.0 port, and then turn on the VR headset.
- Choose to connect your headset
- After putting the headset on, press Continue.
- Click Test to check the connection, then click Continue. Keep in mind that a USB 3.0 connection is recommended because it moves data more quickly.
- When you see the message “Setup is done,” choose “Close.”
- Now, your Oculus Quest 2 is linked to your computer. To get into the home environment, put on the headset and type in the unlock pattern as usual.
- Choose the “Allow” option to give your computer access to the Oculus Quest 2’s data. Then you can move files from the Oculus Quest 2 to your PC.
- In the second prompt, you are asked to turn on Oculus Quest Link. Choose the option to turn it on.
How to connect your Meta Quest 2 to a PC via Link (Simple Steps)
This is probably the easiest way to hook up your Meta Quest 2 to a PC, but it will keep you tied to your computer and make it harder to move around. You’ll need a USB-C cable for this. You can use a USB-C to USB-C cable if your PC has a USB-C port. If not, you’ll need a USB-C to USB-A cable. Meta sells a 16-foot Oculus Link cable for $79. Any USB-C cable should work, but you’ll want one that’s long enough. There are a lot of them on Amazon for around $20.
- Make sure your Meta Quest 2 is on. Select Devices and then Add Headset in the Meta Quest app.
- Select Quest 2.
- Choose Link (Cable) as the way to connect.
- Plug one cable end into your Meta Quest 2 headset and the other into your PC.
- Press Continue in the Meta Quest app. On the next screen, you can either press Continue or choose to test your cable connection.
- Your PC is now linked to your Meta Quest 2.
How to Connect Your Meta Quest 2 to a PC via Air Link
This method takes a few more steps, but it lets you use your Meta Quest 2 without being connected to your PC.
- Make sure that both your Quest 2 and your PC are on the same Wi-Fi network. Meta says that they should both be connected to a 5GHz network.
- On your PC, open the Meta Quest app and go to Devices. Then click Add Headset.
- Choose Meta Quest 2, and then choose Air Link (Wireless) as the way you want to connect.
- Put your headphones on. To get to Quick Settings, move your mouse over the clock on the left side of the navigation bar and click on it.
- Press the gear icon in the window’s upper right corner to open the full Settings menu.
- Check the box next to System.
- Find the Quest Link button and turn it on. A window will pop up that lists all of the PCs on your network that can use Air Link. Choose your PC.
- Your Meta Quest 2 will show a pairing code. Take off the headset and make sure the code on it matches the one on your computer’s screen.
- Put the headset back on and finish pairing it with your phone.
You should now be linked up. From here, you can mirror the display of your PC onto the Meta Quest 2, which lets you play any VR-compatible games like Microsoft Flight Simulator, Half-Life: Alyx, and Star Wars: Squadrons.
In this mode, you can also use the headset and its controllers to control your PC. You can launch apps, open windows, and do anything else you could do with your PC’s keyboard and mouse, though typing is harder.
How to Use Air Link to Play VR Games Wirelessly on Quest 2
Air Link lets your Quest 2 work as a wireless VR headset and play games on a PC that is ready for VR. The easiest way to do this is to buy and play games through the Oculus storefront. If you have bought games through that storefront in the past to play on an Oculus Rift, you can play them on your Quest 2 through Air Link.
You also have full access to the desktop of the connected PC, so you can use Air Link to control your PC in VR, watch movies and other media, and play games through SteamVR.
Here’s how to use Air Link to play games on your Quest 2:
When you use Air Link to connect, you will see this screen. You can start games you bought from the Oculus Store from this screen, or you can look down to see a list of controls for games that don’t come from the Oculus Store.
- To get to Desktop Mode, click the monitor icon.
- You can open a game directly from your desktop or through a platform like Steam.
- You’ll need to install SteamVR before you can play Steam games in VR.
- The game will run on your PC while streaming wirelessly to your Quest 2.
- The Steam library is highlighted, and a Quest 2 is connected to it via Air Link.\
Why Connect a Meta (Oculus) Quest 2 to a PC?
The Meta (Oculus) Quest 2 is a VR headset that works without a PC. This means that you don’t have to connect it to a PC in order to play VR games. It’s basically a small computer and a VR headset all in one, and it comes with a storefront where you can buy games and play them without any extra hardware. These games were made or changed just for the Quest 2 hardware, so they work well even though the Quest 2 is much less powerful than most PCs that are ready for VR.
PCs that are ready for VR are much more powerful than the Quest 2, so they can run more games. You don’t have to play only the games that are in the Quest 2 store. Even games that are in the Quest 2 store often have PC versions that run better, have better graphics, or have options that aren’t in the Quest 2 version.
For example, in the Quest 2 version of VR Chat, you can only go to certain worlds, choose certain avatars, and even see only certain avatars. If you hook up your Quest 2 to a PC that’s ready for VR and load VR chat that way, you can do away with all of these restrictions.
What Makes the Game Play Choppy When You Use Air Link?
Through your Wi-Fi network, Air Link connects your Quest 2 to your PC. For the best experience, connect your PC to your router with a wired Ethernet connection and make sure your Quest 2 can see your router.
If there are things in the way of your router and your Quest 2, interference will happen. This can cause choppy gameplay, blurry graphics, and other problems. Having a lot of devices connected to your wireless network can also slow down your game.
Through Quest Link, you can also connect your Quest 2 to a PC with a USB cable instead of using Air Link. For this method to work, you need to connect a high-quality USB-C cable to your PC while you play.
When you connect your Quest with a physical cable, the gameplay and graphics are more consistent, but you can’t move around as much, so it’s best to use it when you’re sitting down.
If you’re using a wired Quest Link connection, don’t pull or pull on the USB-C cable. If you move your head or body quickly, the USB-C port on your Quest 2 or PC could get broken.
How do I wirelessly connect my Oculus Quest 2 to my TV?
To connect your Quest 2 to your TV wirelessly from the headset, go to Share > Cast, choose your TV, and click Next. Open the Meta app on your phone and tap Cast.
How do I use a cable to connect my Meta Quest or Quest 2 to my PC?
Install the Oculus Link app on your PC and turn on your headset to connect it to your PC with a cable. Connect a USB-C cable that works with both Quest and your PC. Put on the headset, look at the virtual button, and press the headset volume button to choose Allow.
How do I link my phone to my Oculus Quest 2?
To pair your Quest 2 with your phone, go to Settings > About on your Quest 2 and write down the pairing code. Then, open the Oculus phone app and go to Menu > Devices > Pair Your Headset > Quest 2 > Continue. Tap the check mark after entering the pairing code.
How do I connect my Oculus Quest 2 to SideQuest?
If you want to sideload apps onto your Quest or Quest 2, open the Meta Quest app on your computer, go to Settings > General, and turn on Unknown Sources. Then, turn on developer mode and install SideQuest on your PC.
Conclusion
Here, you can choose between a wired or wireless PC connection. The best option for you will depend on your personal preferences. The Link Cable is your best bet if you want the most stable connection possible. Your Wi-Fi speed won’t slow down the wired connection, which is fast.
But there are some downsides to using the cable. You have to buy an extra accessory and it takes away some of the freedom that the Quest 2’s all-in-one design gives you. You can get around these problems by using Air Link, but it only works if you have a strong Wi-Fi connection.
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