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1Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problems2Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minute3Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsYes—but Half-Life: Alyx runs on a Windows gaming PC, not on the Quest headset itself. Connect a compatible Quest to that PC with wired Meta Link or a supported wireless option, then run the game through SteamVR. Valve describes the game as VR-only and says a VR headset is required (Steam store page).
What you need to play
The Quest serves as the headset and controller system; the PC does the game processing. Valve’s Steam listing specifies a 64-bit Windows 10 PC, SteamVR, and these minimum specifications (listed on the game page in 2020):
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- Processor: Intel Core i5-7500 or AMD Ryzen 5 1600
- Memory: 12 GB RAM
- Graphics: NVIDIA GTX 1060 or AMD RX 580, each with 6 GB VRAM
These are minimum requirements, not a promise of a particular frame rate, image quality, or experience. Check the PC against them before troubleshooting headset connections.
Choose a connection method
| Option | Connection and PC software | Headsets named in the cited documentation | Published network or cable guidance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wired Meta Link | USB-C data cable; Meta PC connection software, plus SteamVR to run Alyx. | Quest 2, Quest 3, Quest 3S, Quest Pro (Meta Link documentation). | Meta’s developer-oriented hardware guidance recommends a USB-C data cable capable of 5 GB/s or higher. This is not a universal consumer compatibility guarantee. |
| Wireless Steam Link | Streams from a PC running Steam and SteamVR to the headset. | Quest 2, Quest 3, Quest Pro (Valve Steam Link support page). | Valve specifies a 5 GHz router channel and Wi-Fi 5 minimum. |
| Wireless Meta Link / Air Link | Uses Wi-Fi with Meta Link and Meta’s PC connection software. | Quest 2, Quest 3, Quest 3S, Quest Pro (Meta Link documentation). | The cited Meta material does not establish a universal network baseline or comparative performance. |
Sources: Valve’s Steam Link support page, Meta Link hardware guidance, and Meta Link compatibility information. Steam Link’s listed models and Meta Link’s compatibility list describe different products; Meta’s listing of Quest 3S does not establish Steam Link support for that headset.
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Set up wired Meta Link
- Install Meta’s PC connection software on the Windows computer and ensure Steam and SteamVR are available.
- Connect the Quest to the PC using a compatible USB-C data cable. Check that the cable supports data, that its length suits your setup, and that it fits an available PC port; a charging-only cable will not provide the required wired data connection.
- Complete the connection prompts in Meta’s current consumer PC software, then open SteamVR and launch Half-Life: Alyx from Steam.
Meta’s developer hardware pages document cable and compatibility details, but do not provide a complete current consumer menu walkthrough. Follow the prompts shown by the installed Meta software rather than relying on fixed menu names that may change.
Set up wireless Steam Link
- On the PC, have Steam and SteamVR running.
- On the Quest, install and open the Steam Link app, then follow its on-screen connection flow to connect to the computer.
- Start Half-Life: Alyx through SteamVR.
Valve describes Steam Link as streaming Steam library games from the computer to Meta Quest. Its support page calls for a 5 GHz Wi-Fi channel and Wi-Fi 5 minimum, and names Quest 2, Quest 3, and Quest Pro. The cited page does not name Quest 3S; do not assume compatibility for that model from Meta Link support alone.
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- 2X GRAPHICAL PROCESSING POWER — Enjoy lightning-fast load times and next-gen graphics for smooth gaming powered by the Snapdragon XR2 Gen 2 processor.
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Use wireless Meta Link / Air Link
Meta’s Link hardware documentation identifies Wi-Fi as an alternative to a cable. Pair the headset and PC using the current Meta consumer setup instructions, then open SteamVR and launch the game. The cited documentation does not establish a single network requirement for Air Link, so avoid treating Steam Link’s stated Wi-Fi baseline as an Air Link specification.
Which option should you choose?
- Choose wired Meta Link if you want a cable connection and have a suitable USB-C data cable.
- Choose Steam Link if you prefer wireless streaming and your headset is one of the models listed by Valve, with the specified Wi-Fi setup.
- Consider Air Link if you want wireless Meta Link and can complete Meta’s current pairing flow.
The cited sources do not compare latency, image quality, or reliability among these methods, so there is no evidence-based universal winner. Steam Link is the only option here with a stated network baseline from its provider.
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- NO WIRES, MORE FUN — Break free from cords. Play, explore and exercise in immersive worlds — untethered and without limits.
- 2X GRAPHICAL PROCESSING POWER — Enjoy lightning-fast load times and next-gen graphics for smooth gaming powered by the Snapdragon XR2 Gen 2 processor.
- EXPERIENCE VIRTUAL REALITY — Blend virtual objects with your physical space and experience two worlds at once.
- 2+ HOURS OF BATTERY LIFE — Charge less, play longer and stay in the action with an improved battery that keeps up.
Common questions
Can you play without a PC?
No, not with the documented setup. Valve lists Windows PC requirements and SteamVR for Half-Life: Alyx; the Quest alone is not the game-running device.
Does Quest 3 work?
Yes. Meta documents Quest 3 for Link, and Valve names Quest 3 for Steam Link. You still need a Windows PC that meets the game’s minimum requirements.
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- EXPERIENCE VIRTUAL REALITY — Take gaming to a new level and blend virtual objects with your physical space to experience two worlds at once.
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Does Quest 3S work?
Meta’s Link documentation includes Quest 3S. Valve’s cited Steam Link support page does not list it, so Steam Link support for Quest 3S is not established by those sources.
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Can the Quest run the game by itself?
No. The documented version is PC VR: SteamVR and the Windows PC run the game, while Quest provides the headset and controls.
Quick Recap
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