Quest 2 General Device Problem? The Fix!

Seeing the “General Device Problem” warning on your Oculus Quest 2 can be worrying – but this catch-all alert is usually harmless.

While it may affect performance, a general device problem won’t render your VR headset unusable.

The “General Device Problem” warning is often tied to USB connectivity issues between the Quest 2 and your PC.

In this article, I’ll be breaking down the meaning behind the general device problem alert and troubleshooting tips to resolve it so you know what to do if it comes up again.

Why is Oculus Quest 2 Saying Device Problem?

If you’re Oculus is saying general device problem then it just means that there is a problem with your Quest 2 that is general and not that serious.

It also means that the problem won’t stop the basic functions of your Meta quest, but it may affect how well you can use your Oculus.

In most cases, it usually means that your USB isn’t good enough. Either that it’s not compatible, or it doesn’t provide enough power. This includes the cable and the port on your PC.

Bother your cable and PC need to be USB 3.0. This port is usually blue, If it is black to white then it won’t be good enough for the Oculus link to work optimally.

You won’t need to address the device problem right away but if you experience a problem with the device, this will most likely be related to the general device problem you didn’t address.

Turn off The Air Link Setting in the Oculus Menu

Sometimes, the problem could just be the connection between your WiFi network and your Oculus. Your connection could just not be strong enough for a proper connection.

It’s either this, or there could be a conflict with Airlink and the USB connection you’re using. So if you’re using a USB connection then turn off Airlink in your Oculus menu.

If you are already using Airlink then resetting it may get rid of this General Device Problem.

To Turn off the Air Link Setting in the Oculus Menu:

Disconnect the USB Cable from Quest 2 and your PC

Now the main reason why you are seeing this general device problem is because your USB isn’t compatible with the Oculus, or is having issues connecting/transferring power to your Oculus.

Now disconnecting your USB cable from all devices will help with this issue as it will stop and restart the connection.

This is the best way to restart this kind of connection. Making sure that there isn’t anything in the USB ports will also help in troubleshooting this issue.

Since you don’t know which device the issue stems from, unplugging it from both will be best.

Just remove your USB cable from your Quest to your PC. Wait for a few seconds and check if your Oculus is still saying general device problem. If it is, then plug the USB cable back into both devices and reassess the issue.

Restart the Device

One of the best ways to fix this issue is to just restart your Meta Quest 2. Restating it is the best way to fix any temporary problem you’re having with a device.

This just restarts the software within your devices and will clear any temporary glitches that may arise.

You will have to restart all your devices which I will show you how to do below since we don’t know which device the problem is stemming from.

Before you begin, make sure that your Quest 2 is powered on.

How to Restart Quest 2:

Press and hold the power button on the right side of the device. The power off button should now show on the screen
Click on the Restart option.
YourQuest 2headsets should now restart and will take a few seconds.

Restart your Windows PC

Click on the Windows button in the bottom right corner.
Hover over the Power button.
Click on the Restart option.

Restart MacOS PC:

Press on the Apple Menu.
Select the Restart option.

Force Quit Oculus App

Force closing the Oculus app has solved the issue for a lot of users. This error could be coming up because of a glitch.

To get rid of this glitch, your best bet would be to close the app. This usually gets rid of temporary software problems.

I would recommend you force close anything related to your Quest 2 device. Force closing just means that you are closing an application without it closing itself due to a glitch.

Use a Different USB Cable

As I mentioned previously, the main reason you’re seeing general device problems is because of a USB compatibility issue.

When you’re USB doesn’t meet the 3.0 requirements like the original cable that comes with your Oculus. If you’re cable isn’t 3.0 then it’s unlikely that it will be able to provide enough power to your Oculus.

The best thing you can do is purchase a USB 3.0 cable and see if that does the trick. It could also be that the port on your PC can’t handle the power supply to run your Oculus.

If you find that you’re having trouble charging your Oculus, the general device problem may be with your USB cable.

You may need to replace the PCIE board if it is providing enough power to your Oculus.

Plug the Cable in Different Ports

If there is a problem with the ports on your PC, then this may cause a problem with your Oculus. If there is debris or a hardware problem with that port, you will need to find a different one.

If possible, plug your USB cable into another port on your PC. If this doesn’t work, then you may want to use the method from the previous step and grab and USB cable and plug it into a different USB port.

Continuously disconnecting and connecting the USB cable to different ports should resolve the issue but if it doesn’t then go on to the next solution.

Update Drivers & Software

If the drivers aren’t up to date on your PC then this will cause many compatibility issues for your Oculus and PC. You will need to make sure the software below is up to date.

Windows Update
Oculus PC software
Graphics Card Drivers
Oculus Firmware

Once you update them, you should check if your Oculus is still having the device problem

Check For Software Updates

Since this warning can also arise because of a bug, updating the software on your Oculus would prevent bugs from arising.

If you haven’t updated the software on your Oculus in a while then there is an increased chance for a bug developing.

Bugs and glitches usually prevent your Quest 2 from working properly.

Make sure to check your Oculus for software updates.

Here’s how to Update the Oculus:

Get the right controller and click the Oculus button.
The menu should now come up on the screen.
Hover over the clock on the left. The Settings screen will then appear.
Press Settings > System > Software Updates.

Your device will now check for software updates. If there is one available, it will be installed automatically, just follow the prompts on the screen.

Create a Ticket For Oculus Support

If none of the solutions above has fixed the general device problem then it would be best to create a ticket atOculus support.

This will allow you to interact with Oculus Support and get a professional opinion from the people who created the device.

They will be able to pinpoint the exact cause of the problem rather than us just giving you a general reason.

Scroll down all the way to the “Still need help?” section and click on the Contact Support option. From here you will need to select the “device you’re using”Meta Quest software or content”.

Now select “Other Software and Content Issues”. Press on “Chat with support” to create a support ticket.

Now put in your full name and email. From here, describe that your Oculus is showing a “General Device Problem”. Make sure it’s in detail with an attachment fill in the form and press start chat with agent.

Quest 2 General Device Problem? The Fix! - VR Chase (3)

Conclusion

The “General Device Problem” on your Oculus Quest 2 typically comes down to an incompatible or faulty USB cable/port that can’t adequately power the headset.

By trying different cables, USB ports, restarting devices, and updating software, you should be able to pinpoint and correct the USB connection issue.

If the device problem persists, reaching out to Oculus support can provide tailored troubleshooting advice. Make sure to provide as much detail as possible,

While the “general device problem” warning may not be too serious, a bit of trial and error should get your Quest 2 back to full functionality.

Quest 2 General Device Problem? The Fix! - VR Chase (2024)