VRChat won't open in VR mode

Help!
2

Hi there,

I understand how frustrating it can be when VRChat unexpectedly launches in Desktop mode instead of VR mode. Let’s go through some steps that might help resolve the issue:

1. Verify VRChat and SteamVR Settings

  • Ensure VR mode is enabled in both VRChat and SteamVR settings.
  • Confirm that your headset (Rift S or Index) is recognized and set as the active device in SteamVR.

2. Inspect USB and Hardware Connections

  • Double-check all USB and display connections for your headset. Disconnect and reconnect each cable to ensure a secure connection.
  • For Rift S users, try different USB ports (preferably USB 3.0 or higher) or use a powered USB hub if needed.

3. Reset VRChat Configuration

  • Navigate to C:\Users\[YourUsername]\AppData\LocalLow\VRChat\VRChat and delete the output_log.txt file. This resets certain configurations and can resolve potential conflicts.

4. Investigate Software Conflicts

  • Disable overlays or third-party utilities that could interfere with VRChat or SteamVR, such as:
    • Discord overlay
    • NVIDIA GeForce Experience overlay
    • Other VR utility programs
  • Temporarily disable any antivirus software to rule out interference.

5. Check Beta Branch Settings

  • Opt-out of beta branches for both VRChat and SteamVR. Beta versions can sometimes introduce unexpected issues or instability.

6. Perform a Clean Installation

  • Completely uninstall VRChat and SteamVR. Manually delete any leftover files from their directories, then reinstall both applications from their official sources for a clean setup.

7. Run Applications as Administrator

  • Launch SteamVR and VRChat as an administrator to ensure they have the necessary permissions to interact with your hardware and drivers.

8. Analyze SteamVR Logs

  • Enable debug logging in SteamVR by going to Settings > Developer > Write Debug Logs. Reviewing these logs can help identify errors or conflicts during the launch process.

9. Update or Roll Back GPU Drivers

  • Ensure your GPU drivers are up to date. If issues persist after updating, consider rolling back to a previous driver version that worked well with your system.

If these steps don’t resolve the issue, please let me know what you’ve observed during troubleshooting—patterns or specific errors in logs can provide valuable clues. Unless someone else gets to you first, I’ll do my best to keep track of your post.

Additionally, you can contact VRChat support for further assistance at (https://vrch.at/support). You can also share feedback or join ongoing discussions at VRChat Feedback.