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Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →Turn on Developer Mode on the HoloLens, then open Settings > Update > For Developers and tap Pair. When Visual Studio asks for a PIN during your first deployment, type in the PIN shown on the headset. After that, the PC can deploy to the device without asking again. Each additional development PC needs its own pairing.
What you need before you pair
Microsoft’s tool installation guidance for mixed reality development lists the following for the PC. The page showed a last-updated date of January 2023, so check Microsoft Learn for current versions.
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- Visual Studio 2022.
- A Windows 10 or Windows 11 SDK.
- The Universal Windows Platform development workload. Add USB Device Connectivity inside it if you plan to deploy over USB.
- The .NET desktop development and Desktop development with C++ workloads, which the page also lists.
- Game development with Unity, if your project is built in Unity.
Step-by-step: pair the headset with your PC
1. Enable Developer Mode on the HoloLens
On the device, open Settings > Update > For developers and turn on Developer Mode. If the device runs Windows Holographic 21H1 or newer, Microsoft’s Visual Studio guide also says to enable Device discovery.
In a multi-user setup, Developer Mode may be unavailable to anyone who isn’t an administrator or the device owner (see troubleshooting below).
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2. Choose how the PC will reach the headset
| Method | Visual Studio target | What to enter | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wi-Fi | Remote Machine | The HoloLens IP address, typed manually (Microsoft recommends this over automatic detection) | HoloLens 1, or any device when a cable is inconvenient |
| USB | Device | No address needed in Visual Studio; the USB network IP is used for Device Portal | HoloLens 2 with a USB-C cable |
For USB networking, Microsoft’s Device Portal guidance recommends UsbNcm, which HoloLens 2 supports by default. It says IpOverUsb is no longer recommended, and it recommends Wi-Fi for HoloLens 1. Don’t apply the HoloLens 2 UsbNcm steps to first-generation hardware.
3. Find the IP address (Wi-Fi)
On the headset, look under Settings > Network & Internet for the Wi-Fi connection’s IP address. In Visual Studio, set the debug target to Remote Machine and enter that address.
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4. Connect by USB (HoloLens 2, optional)
Connect the PC and headset with a USB-C cable. With Device discovery on and a supported Windows Holographic version, the UsbNcm IP appears in the developer settings or in Device Portal. Running winappdeploycmd devices on the PC is another documented way to list it. Microsoft doesn’t specify a cable brand or model; use one that carries data, not just power.
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- Start a deployment from Visual Studio. It prompts for a PIN.
- On the HoloLens, go to Settings > Update > For Developers and tap Pair. A PIN appears.
- Keep that dialog open and enter the PIN in Visual Studio.
- When pairing completes, dismiss the PIN dialog on the HoloLens.
Microsoft’s guide describes the result this way: “This PC is now paired with the HoloLens and you can deploy apps automatically.”
6. Build and deploy
- Set the build architecture to ARM or ARM64 for a physical HoloLens 2, per Microsoft’s guide.
- Debug > Start debugging deploys and attaches the debugger.
- Build > Deploy Solution deploys without debugging.
Pairing more PCs and clearing pairings
Pairing is per PC. Repeat the PIN process on each additional development machine. To remove existing pairings, tap Clear on the same For Developers page in Settings.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Where Device Portal fits in
Device Portal is optional for Visual Studio deployment. It is a browser-based tool for managing the headset over Wi-Fi or USB, and Microsoft says it isn’t meant for use in deployed organizational applications. Its first connection can show a certificate warning because the device uses a self-signed certificate. Microsoft documents downloading and trusting the device-specific certificate, which you should do only on a trusted network. This warning is unrelated to the Visual Studio PIN pairing.
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Troubleshooting
- Developer Mode is grayed out: in a multi-user configuration you may not be the device owner. Ask the owner to enable it, or ask IT to set the relevant developer-unlock policy through MDM.
- USB deployment fails: check that your Visual Studio install includes USB Device Connectivity, which Microsoft lists as required for USB deployment and debugging. Re-run the Visual Studio Installer to add it.
- Headset not detected over Wi-Fi: type the IP address into the Remote Machine settings instead of relying on auto-detect.
- “Unable to start debugging” with “Operation not supported. Unknown error: 0x80070057” on HoloLens 2: this occurs when debugging an installed UWP app. Microsoft suggests renaming the package or uninstalling the app from the device.
- No PIN prompt appears or pairing was lost: use Clear in For Developers, then start a new deployment and pair again. This is a reasonable general reset step rather than a documented fix for a specific error.
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