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Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →Steam Link VR streams SteamVR games from a Windows PC to a supported standalone headset over your local network. Your PC still runs the game; the headset receives the video and audio and sends your controls back. Valve’s current compatibility list covers select Meta, PICO, and HTC consumer headsets, and requires a wired PC-to-router connection plus 5 GHz Wi-Fi for the headset.
Steam Link VR requirements at a glance
| Component | Valve’s minimum or requirement | Recommendation or qualification |
|---|---|---|
| Host software | Steam and SteamVR | Restart Steam if needed to obtain current software, according to Valve’s launch instructions: Steam Link VR launch announcement. |
| Operating system | Windows 10 or newer | The current FAQ does not name a newer Windows version as a requirement. |
| Graphics card | NVIDIA GTX 970 or better; AMD RX 570 or better | NVIDIA RTX 2070 or better is recommended. RX 6400 and RX 6500 XT are excluded because they lack required hardware encoding support. |
| CPU and memory | No minimum CPU or RAM figure is stated in Valve’s current FAQ. | Intel Core i5-4590/AMD FX 8350 equivalent or better and 16 GB RAM are recommended. |
| Router and network | 5 GHz Wi-Fi 5 or newer; connect the PC to the router by cable and put the headset and PC on the same network. | Wi-Fi 6 or Wi-Fi 6E is recommended, not required. |
| Headset | A listed supported consumer model running its specified vendor OS version. | Business headset editions are not officially supported. |
These are Valve’s published requirements and recommendations, not a guarantee of a particular frame rate, latency, or image quality. See the Steam Link FAQ for the current list.
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Which headsets work with Steam Link VR?
Compatibility is model-specific. Valve’s current FAQ lists these consumer standalone headsets and minimum software versions:
| Manufacturer | Supported models | Required headset software |
|---|---|---|
| Meta | Quest 2, Quest 3, Quest Pro | Meta OS v74 |
| PICO | PICO 4 Ultra, PICO 4, PICO Neo 3 | PICO OS v5.13 |
| HTC | Vive Focus Vision, VIVE XR Elite | HTC OS v7.0.999.344 |
Valve warns that earlier PICO OS versions can cause major video corruption. The FAQ says business headset editions are not officially supported, so support for a consumer model does not imply support for every edition from the same manufacturer.
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Valve initially announced Steam Link VR for Quest 2, Quest 3, and Quest Pro on November 30, 2023. It announced PICO and HTC consumer headset support on September 25, 2025; the FAQ now specifies the models and OS versions above: 2023 announcement and 2025 announcement.
What PC do you need for Steam Link VR?
Windows, Steam, and SteamVR
The host must run Windows 10 or newer and have both Steam and SteamVR installed. Steam Link VR does not replace the PC or run the PC game natively on the headset: the PC performs the game work and streams its output across the network.
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GPU support and exceptions
Valve’s minimum graphics guidance is NVIDIA GTX 970 or better, or AMD RX 570 or better. The RX 6400 and RX 6500 XT are specifically excluded because they do not provide the hardware video encoding support Steam Link needs. Valve recommends an NVIDIA RTX 2070 or better; that is a recommendation rather than the minimum threshold.
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Valve recommends an Intel Core i5-4590 or AMD FX 8350 equivalent (or better) and 16 GB RAM. Its current FAQ does not state minimum CPU or memory figures, so do not treat the recommended specifications as official minimums.
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Do you need Wi-Fi 6?
No. Valve’s minimum is a router using 5 GHz Wi-Fi 5 or newer, with the headset and PC on the same network and the PC connected to the router by Ethernet. Wi-Fi 6 or Wi-Fi 6E is Valve’s recommendation, not a prerequisite. If your network is already at least Wi-Fi 5 on 5 GHz and configured as described, the published requirements do not say that you must replace the router.
Wireless conditions, distance, congestion, and the host PC can affect the streaming experience. Valve does not publish one universal latency, frame-rate, or image-quality result for all setups. Its general Remote Play wording about streaming “within milliseconds” is not a measured VR latency guarantee. For the basic streaming model, see Valve’s Remote Play page.
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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.
- 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.
How to connect a headset
- Start a Windows 10-or-newer PC, sign in to Steam, and ensure SteamVR is installed.
- Connect the PC to the router using Ethernet. Connect the headset to the same local network over 5 GHz Wi-Fi; Valve’s minimum is Wi-Fi 5 or newer.
- Install the Steam Link app from the headset’s store and open it.
- Follow the app’s on-screen instructions to pair with the PC and begin streaming.
Valve describes the headset app as free in its Steam Link FAQ.
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What Steam Link VR does not support
Valve states that “Remote Play Together is not supported for VR” on its Remote Play page. That limitation concerns Remote Play Together; it is distinct from streaming VR games from one local Steam PC to a headset with Steam Link.
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