VRChat lags only with cable connected

Help!
1

For starters I use Oculus Meta Quest 2 with Airlink (PCVR) and like to let the cable be plugged in so it keeps charging while I play.

I don’t know if anyone else is having the same issue, but since the day before yesterday (everything was fine last week) I’ve been have extreme difficulties playing VRC to the point where it lags (it‘s VERY unplayable!!) if I have my cable plugged in (runs between 2 and 7 fps with some 30 fps spikes for half seconds sometimes).

If I unplug the cable then it runs smoothly. Only with cable on that I have this issue.

This cannot be a cable problem since I don’t lag anywhere else (Steam overlay nor Oculus Overlay). Only in VRC.

I’ve had this issue before and I could solve it by reverting back from Windows 11 to Windows 10 but I don’t want to have to do that again.

I already did everything possible. Updated drivers, updated quest drivers, reinstalled VRC, cleaned cache, nothing works.

Anyone able to shed light on the issue?

2

Check your quest settings, it might decide sense it’s plugged in to enhance resolution or Hz

3

I don’t know of any setting on quest that would do what Sleepy says: The only similar setting affects Tracking* frequency and is affected by the outlet Hz as per regional standardization, between US and EU outlets. This wouldn’t lag the software on your pc if it were just charging, nor would it affect your display resolution in any way.

When you say you’re sure it can’t* be the cable: Are you ABSOLUTELY sure?

For one: Are you plugged into the PC to charge, or a standalone wall outlet?

If you’re trying to charge from the PC, ALVR is probably trying to send hardline data to the headset while you think you’re connecting wirelessly.

Even if you’re using a standalone wall adapter, your cable or headset may be malfunctioning: There are numerous known issues when it comes to the Quest 2 and 3’s charging ports; everything from them failing to deliver adequate power to literally delivering so much power that they catch on fire and fry the entire arm of the headset (You can find dozens and dozens of unique photos of this all over online.)

Even on my quest 3, the included cable is showing noticeable yellowing from what I can only assume to be short circuits and minor sparks inside of both ends of the plugs, right where they bend downward from their own weight when plugging in and dangling.

Have you tried multiple different cables of different types? Different outlet adapters and plugs?

Finally: Are you SURE it only affects VRC, and no other games or software (including non-vr software when running in remote display.)

My guess is this is almost 100% a cable issue, caused by mediocre quest cableage and charge port design, and the reason it only just started happening is because your cable only just decided enough is enough. If your quest is constantly thinking it’s being plugged and unplugged over and over again, this will immediately and directly affect ALVR if you’re plugged into the pc and ALVR is trying to rapidly switch between hardwire and wireless display modes.

I recommend getting a watt meter tester and using only wall power, test you’re getting proper QC delivery (12-24w depending on your charger) and see if the problem persists.

In short: I highly doubt this is somehow a VRC bug.

1 Like
4

Thanks for the reply. And yeah I’m 100% sure it’s NOT a cable issue since I don’t lag anywhere else with the cable plugged. I’ve tested connecting through link cable and if it were a cable issue I’m quite sure I’d have problems on the Meta Quest Overlay before even connecting to VRChat.

This issue only happens ONLY and EXCLUSIVELY in VRChat (fps drops) the moment I plug in the cable to connect from the PC. Otherwise without the cable plugged in, it runs smooth as a butter (kind of ironic since people seem to have issues with AirLink).

Short answer: I’m plugged to the PC to charge and I my FPS drops ONLY on VRCHAT when I do that. Other stuff (Steam Overlay, Meta Quest Overlay, Other games, etc.) are not affected.

5

The issue I described wouldn’t necessarily affect the overlay and isn’t solved by explaining it away without trying alternatives.

The other solution beside wall charging that I can think is to ensure ALVR has disabled wired mode entirely, if you absolutely must charge from the pc.

1 Like
6

Is there a way to “disable wired mode entirely”?

7

You can fully disable ADB, de-link usb debugging, or there should be a setting toggle for it somewhere on the desktop side. You could also use non-data, power only usb port on your pc if its old enough to have one.

You can also switch to a power-only usb ccable, most often found in the same type of chargers known to set quests on fire.