SteamVR Error 208 – Steam vr headset not detected

SteamVR Error 208 or Steam vr headset not detected is a generic HMD error message. HTC Vive is developed by HTC and Valve for virtual reality experience as a fully immersive virtual reality headset. It uses the room-scale tracking technology that makes it possible for users to move and interact with the 3D environment. However, as many other peripheral device it has it’s own issues. Sometimes users cannot connect the HTC Vive headset to the SteamVr. The most common errors they are getting are HTC Vive Error 108 and HTC Vive Error 208. Those errors can have a number of solutions, so please follow our today’s guide to make sure you’ve attempted all available solutions.

SteamVR error 208

How to fix the Steam vr headset not detected – Hardware Issues

Before beginning with any of the methods how to fix it, you need to check if each cable is connected properly. Also, check that Link Box isn’t connected backward. The HTC fully immersive virtual reality headset will have the power port in the middle and all the cable will be close to. The computer will have the power port on the corner and there’ll be a space between HDMI and USB port. The solutions mentioned below are from the hardware part.

Fix 1  – Restart your computer

The “old trick” in some cases by simply restarting your computer can solve SteamVR error 208. By restarting your computer you also are restarting even your devices or applications. In this way it allows your headset device to reload his resources by solving the connectivity issues.

1. Click on the Start menu in your taskbar
2. Click on the Power button.
3. Choose Restart from the context menu. Or you can choose the Shutdown option and manually power on your computer after it is powered off.
4. After your computer has restarted, check if it resolves the problem.

Note: If after the restart the problem is still present, you can try to run your Steam in an administrator mode. Right-click on Steam shortcut and choose Run as administrator option to run steam as admin.

Fix 2  – Connect HTC Vive Headset Directly to Computer

Sometimes the Link Box can be the main cause for the connection problem between HTC Vive headset and your computer. You as a user in this case will get the pop-up message with vive error 208. You can try to skip the Link Box and connect the USB and HDMI direct to PC. However, do not disconnect the power cables from Link Box, as your HTC Vive headset needs the power to run. Before trying to perform the below steps make sure all the cables are connected.

1. Unplug the USB and HDMI cables from your PC. Now unplug the HDMI and USB cables from Link Box.
2. Do not unplug the Power cable from both sides of the Link Box.
3. Now plug the USB and HDMI cable of the HTC Vive headset directly into your PC.
   Note: Try connecting the USB cable in USB 2.0 port rather than USB 3.0.
4. Reboot your computer and then check if the SteamVR error 208 is solved.

Fix 3 – Checking the HTC Vive Headset Connections

Most of the time the USB cable inside the HTC Vive headset is connected to the wrong port. You can open the headset top part and change the cable by performing this simple steps:

1. Take the top part of the HTC Vive headset off. Change the USB cable port from the side port to the middle port (USB 2.0).
2. If that doesn’t work, then make sure to unplug all the other cables connected to the HTC Vive headset and plug it back again.
3. Check if this will solve HTC Vive Error 208.

How to fix the Steamvr headset not detected – Software Issues

Fix 1 – Uninstall the Graphics drivers, and let Windows install its own

Since this is after all a driver issue, one more possible solution is to uninstall the drivers you have installed and let Windows install its own. Windows will find compatible drivers which shouldn’t be causing any issues with your computer, and you will be able to use it without worrying afterward. The steps to doing this are fairly easy.

1. Go to “Search”, type device manager, and choose “Device Manager” from the result. Then it opens with your computer name at the top and a list of devices that are installed on your computer beneath your computer name.
2.  Find and right-click the problematic device and choose “Properties”.
3.  Click “Driver” and then choose “Update Driver”.
4. Click “Search automatically for updated driver software”.
5. After the update, restart your computer
6. Check if this will solve Vive Error 208.

Fix 2 – Enable Direct Mode on SteamVR

1. Go to the Start menu, and launch Steam.
2. Start SteamVR by clicking the VR button.
3. Click the dropdown arrow, go to Settings, and select Developer.
4. Make sure that Direct Mode is enabled, and restart your PC.
5. Check if this will solve SteamVR error 208.

Fix 3 – Select the beta version of SteamVR

1. Launch Steam, go to Library, and select Tools.
2. Right-click on SteamVR, and go to Properties.
3. Click on the Betas tab, and navigate to Select the beta you would like to opt into.
4. Select None, close the menu, and restart your PC.
5. Check if this will solve HTC Vive Error 108 and HTC Vive Error 208  issues.

Fix 4 – Reinstall your SteamVR USB devices

1. Unplug all cables from your PC, and launch Steam.
2. Open SteamVR, go to Settings, and select Developer.
3. Click on Remove all SteamVR USB Device.
4. Select Yes, and Continue.
5. Restart your PC.
6. Check if this will solve the error.

Fix 5 – Re install SteamVR to fix SteamVR error 208

1. Launch Steam, go to Library, and select Tools.
2. Right–click on SteamVR, select Uninstall, and click Delete.
3. Restart your PC, and follow the above steps again, but this time select Install.
4. Check if this will solve the error.

Fix 6 – Other fix for SteamVR error 208 from Steam Support

1. Make sure that your Vive’s Link Box and the monitor or TV you use as a primary display are plugged into the same graphics card. If you are connected to your onboard display adapter, you will see an Intel HD Graphics device listed in your SteamVR system report. Onboard cards, such as those connected to a PC’s motherboard, will not be powerful enough to use the Vive. Reconnect your Vive to your PC’s dedicated graphics card.
2. Check to make sure you are in Direct Display Mode by going to the menu in the upper left of the SteamVR window and then Developer > Developer Settings > Direct Display Mode. Click the button that says “Enable Direct Display Mode.” SteamVR will restart with this setting.
3. If Direct Display Mode is not enabled, SteamVR will still work but will run in Extended Mode. For this to work correctly, make sure your displays are extended in Windows > Display Settings

Fix 7 – General fix for SteamVR Error 208

1. Open SteamVR Settings and choose MANAGE ADD-ONS

vive error 208

2. Turn on Pimax and Gamepad Support etc.

htc vive headset not detected

SteamVR Setting

3. Finally,Restart Steam VR

Restart Steam VR

If the settings cannot be saved after restarting Steam VR, please save the settings and restart your computer before opening Steam VR.

Conclusions about SteamVR error 208:

In our step-by-step tutorial, we have provided all the possible solutions for you to fix SteamVR error 208. We hope you will find this methods helpful. Have you managed to solve it? Please let us know in the comments below.