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To use Steam Link VR, run Steam and SteamVR on a compatible Windows PC, install Steam Link on a supported standalone headset, and connect both devices to the same home network. Steam Link streams PC VR games to the headset; it does not replace the PC or SteamVR.
Check that your PC, headset and network are compatible
Steam’s support page lists these requirements and recommendations. They are compatibility guidance, not a guarantee that every game will perform well at the minimum specification. Steam does not provide a universal performance result for these thresholds. Steam Link requirements and setup
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PC requirements
- Operating system: Windows 10 or newer.
- Software: Steam and SteamVR.
- Minimum GPU: NVIDIA GTX 970 or better, or AMD RX 570 or better. Steam excludes the RX 6400 and RX 6500 XT because they lack the required hardware encoding support.
- Recommended PC specifications: Intel Core i5-4590 or AMD FX 8350 equivalent or better, 16 GB RAM, and NVIDIA RTX 2070 or better. Steam also recommends broadband internet.
Supported headsets and software versions
| Headset family listed by Steam | Minimum headset software version listed |
|---|---|
| Meta Quest 2, Quest 3, Quest Pro | Meta v74 |
| PICO 4 Ultra, PICO 4, PICO Neo 3 | PICO v5.13 |
| HTC Vive Focus Vision, HTC VIVE XR Elite | HTC v7.0.999.344 |
Steam’s listed headset models and software versions can change. Check the current Steam Link compatibility page and update the headset before troubleshooting connection problems.
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- Minimum listed: a 5 GHz channel and Wi-Fi 5.
- Recommended: Wi-Fi 6 or Wi-Fi 6E.
Wi-Fi 6/6E is a recommendation, not a stated requirement. If your router already supports 5 GHz Wi-Fi 5, Steam’s listed minimum does not by itself mean you need to replace it.
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How do I set up Steam Link VR on my PC and headset?
- On the Windows PC, sign in to Steam and make sure SteamVR is installed and running.
- Connect the PC and headset to the same home network. For best results, connect the PC to the router with Ethernet if practical; the headset still connects over Wi-Fi.
- Install Steam Link from the headset’s app store. Steam says the app is free to download from the headset or phone store where applicable.
- Open Steam Link on the headset and follow its on-screen instructions to find and connect to the PC. Steam’s setup instruction is: “After you’ve installed Steam Link, open it and follow the on-screen instructions for connecting your headset to your PC.” Steam Support setup guidance
Why won’t my Quest connect to Steam Link?
Work through these checks in order. They apply to other supported headsets as well as Quest models.
- Confirm model and software version. Check that your exact headset model is on Steam’s supported list and that its software meets the version Steam lists.
- Check the PC host. Confirm the Windows PC meets Steam’s requirements and that Steam and SteamVR are running.
- Put both devices on the same home network. A headset connected to a guest network while the PC is on the main network may not be able to discover it.
- Use the 5 GHz Wi-Fi band for the headset. Steam recommends 5 GHz rather than the more congested 2.4 GHz band. Keep in mind that 5 GHz has shorter range.
- Connect the PC to the router by Ethernet, if possible. Steam recommends this because simultaneous wireless transmission from the PC and router to the headset can contribute to interference and choppy streaming.
- Check isolation and firewall settings. Disable access point or client isolation on the network, and allow Steam through the host PC’s firewall.
Network and firewall settings to check
Steam says Remote Play is generally not supported on public, workplace, school or university, guest, captive-portal, or client-isolated networks. A connection can fail even when both devices appear to have internet access if the network prevents devices from communicating with one another.
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For VR streaming, Steam lists UDP ports 10400 and 10401. Its Steam Link/Remote Play guidance also lists UDP 27031 and 27036, and TCP 27036 and 27037. If you manage the router or firewall, check that these ports and Steam traffic are not blocked, while avoiding unnecessary broad firewall changes. See Steam Link support and Steam Remote Play network guidance.
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Use the compatibility thresholds to identify a specific shortfall before buying anything. A Wi-Fi 5 router with 5 GHz meets Steam’s stated minimum; Wi-Fi 6/6E is recommended. Ethernet for the PC is Steam’s recommendation for reducing wireless interference, not a requirement to wire the headset. On the PC, compare the GPU and memory with Steam’s stated minimum and recommended specifications. Steam’s support guidance does not establish that one supported headset or router is faster than another.
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