SteamVR Not Launching: Solution

Lora Garcia28 Feb 2022

Is SteamVR not launching? You're not alone. Many people have this issue, and some don't know how to fix it. Luckily, we know the answer! SteamVR is a platform that allows you to explore virtual worlds with your home computer and headset, such as the HTC Vive or Oculus Rift. Downloading and launching SteamVR can be a more complicated process than some other platforms on the market like PSVR. We will walk you through the steps of getting SteamVR up and running quickly and efficiently on your PC.

What is SteamVR?

SteamVR is a platform that allows you to explore virtual worlds with your home computer and headset. Depending on your setup, you will need the following components to use the SteamVR platform:

  • Home computer
  • A Steam account
  • A VR headset capable of running SteamVR games
  • The latest release of the SteamVR software

Why is SteamVR not launching?

Some people are having trouble launching SteamVR on their PC. The most common reasons for this issue are:

  • They have not updated their video driver to the latest version. This can be done by going to the manufacturer's website and downloading the latest driver for your graphics card.
  • They have not updated their sound card to the latest version. This can also be done by going to the manufacturer's website and downloading the latest driver for your sound card.
  • They do not have enough resources on their computers, such as RAM or CPU power, so they should either get a new computer or upgrade certain parts of their current one (such as adding more RAM).
  • SteamVR failed to initialize because your video card does not support it. Your video card must be compatible with SteamVR for this error message to come up.

If you've confirmed that any of these issues prevent SteamVR from launching, please see below fixing them!

How to fix SteamVR not launching

SteamVR can't be launched? Don't worry! Below are the steps to fix the issue.

  1. Make sure you have all the correct hardware compatible with SteamVR.
  2. Make sure your headset is listed in Steam's hardware compatibility list.

Now follow these steps to start SteamVR:

  • Open Steam on your PC and log in
  • Click on "Library" in the bottom left corner of the screen
  • Click on "Tools" in the top bar menu
  • Click on "Install Game or App."
  • Select "SteamVR" from the list, click install and wait for the installation to complete.

Importance of SteamVR

SteamVR is a new technology that allows you to explore virtual worlds with your home computer and headset. SteamVR will allow you to play games in a virtual reality setting without having to go on expensive vacations. This platform is a great way for people who want to escape their lives for a while or those who want to try something new without having to risk it. SteamVR is important because it's not just any other video game. It's an environment where you can experience anything from traveling across the globe to exploring the deepest reaches of space right from your living room couch. There are many different titles for this platform, which gives you endless choices regarding what games to play. SteamVR also has many other uses. You can watch movies in 360 degrees with the headset, making it feel like you’re there! You can even go shopping online and look around any store or aisle of your choice right from your own home! It's exciting and can be used as a tool for empathy as players immerse themselves in the lives of others around the world.

Features of SteamVR

SteamVR is a virtual reality platform that allows you to explore virtual worlds with your HTC Vive or Oculus Rift. It includes features like the following:

  • Virtual Reality Headset Compatibility
  • Input Device Compatibility
  • Gamepad Compatibility
  • Roomscale Tracking
  • SteamVR has an expansive list of PC hardware requirements, making installation more difficult for some users. The minimum system requirements are as follows:
    • Nvidia GeForce GTX 970 or AMD Radeon R9 290 equivalent graphics card
    • Intel Core i5 4590 equivalent CPU
    • 8GB RAM
    • 2x USB 3.0 ports and 1x USB 2.0 port

Games That Can Be Played in SteamVR

SteamVR is compatible with a wide variety of games, but some of our favorites are:

  • Mirror's Edge - Explore the world while running and jumping over obstacles in the real world.
  • Skyrim VR - Become the Dragonborn in this fantasy RPG game set in medieval Skyrim.
  • Elite Dangerous - Colonize space, trade commodities, explore new star systems, and uncover long-forgotten secrets on humanity’s digital frontier.
  • Star Trek Bridge Crew - Team up or go it alone to explore uncharted territory by using any combination of VR devices, including Oculus Rift, HTC Vive Pro, Microsoft Mixed Reality, or Playstation VR, for this intergalactic voyage of exploration across the final frontier.
  • Beat Saber - One part rhythm game and one part slashing game, Beat Saber has quickly become one of the most popular VR games on Steam

Disadvantages of SteamVR

The main issue with SteamVR is how hard it is to download and launch the platform. The process of downloading the VR headset, installing SteamVR, and launching your VR game can be time-consuming. It isn’t easy to find the installation instructions for PC users.

Steps to Downloading SteamVR

The first step in downloading SteamVR is installing Steam itself. You must have a VR-ready computer to install Steam. This should take no more than 15 minutes on most setups. After you've installed Steam, you'll be prompted to select your VR headset or controllers. Then you'll be able to choose between Vive or Rift (HTC makes both). If you don't see your headset listed, make sure that it's plugged in and turned on before proceeding with the download process. After purchasing your Vive or Rift, you need to install the USB drivers for your device into your Windows 10 PC. This step can be tricky if this is not something that you're familiar with doing on Windows 10 PCs. SteamVR has many advantages, like exploring virtual worlds with a home computer and headsets like HTC Vive or Oculus Rift. Still, one disadvantage is how hard it is to download and launch the platform, which makes it difficult for PC users who don’t know what they’re doing when it comes to their Windows 10 PC because there are not many installation instructions available for them online so they’ll have to find their way of doing it.

Conclusion

SteamVR is the virtual reality (VR) platform that allows you to play games in a simulated 3D environment. SteamVR comes installed with the HTC Vive and the Oculus Rift. For some users, however, SteamVR fails to launch. With these fixes, you will be able to enjoy the immersive experience of SteamVR once again.

Lora Garcia

Lora Garcia

Hi There! I am Lora Garcia, the founder of VRLitic. I received the original oculus dev kit as a gift many years ago, and that kicked off my passion for XR tech. VRLitic was created to share that passion, so I hope you enjoy my content.

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