Are you playing Oculus Quest 2 but have experienced a black screen with audio still playing? This can be very irritating during gameplay, and it’s an error that other users of Oculus 2 have experienced too.
If you are experiencing a black screen on your Oculus 2 but the audio is still working this is usually due to a low battery or a necessary firmware update that is due. To fix this, charge the battery of your Oculus Quest 2 and check the settings for any latest updates.
Continue reading to find out our full list of fixes for the black screen with audio error on the Oculus Quest 2, and get on your way to seamless gameplay once again.
Check Battery is Charged
The first thing you should do when faced with the black screen error is to make sure your battery is fully charged. Sometimes a low battery can interfere with the game visuals, so this is an excellent place to start in resolving this error.
Make sure to charge your Oculus Quest 2 until the battery is completely full. Then try loading up a game once again and see if the black screen with audio issue has been resolved.
Ensure You’re Using a Compatible Charger
On the subject of chargers, it’s important to use a compatible charger when charging up your Oculus Quest 2. There are many fake chargers available on the market for cheap prices, but for the best performance, we recommend using the charger that accompanied your Oculus Quest 2 when you initially purchased it.
These can be purchased from a range of retailers online, or you can buy one directly from Meta.
Open Oculus Menu
This fix may sound basic, but sometimes simply opening the Oculus menu and returning to the game can cause the black screen error to disappear.
Press the menu button on the left controller and the Oculus button using the right controller. If the menu opens successfully, try clicking on an app to see if the black screen disappears.
Wait 30 Minutes
This next fix is easy – simply give your Oculus Quest 2 some time. It may be that an update is installing and your screen has frozen due to a temporary glitch.
Leave your Oculus Quest 2 in a safe area for at least 30 minutes and then re-check it. If the black screen is still there you can find more fixes below.
Reset Device
We know it sounds obvious, but turning your device off and on again is sometimes all you need to resolve any small errors. Switch off your Oculus Quest 2 headset and wait at least 5 minutes before turning it back on.
This should help resolve any minor issues and get you back to normal game play in no time at all. Resetting your device can also help with other issues, for example if your Oculus Quest 2 won’t cast to your computer.
Reboot Using Bootloader Menu
Another fix you can try if none of the solutions so far have done the trick is to reboot your Oculus Quest 2 using the Bootloader Menu. This offers another way of resetting your device and can help remove the black screen with audio error.
To reboot your Oculus Quest 2 using the Bootloader Menu, simply follow the below set of instructions:
- Hold down the Volume Down and Power buttons for 10 seconds
- Navigate to Boot Device using the volume buttons
- Press the Power button to reset your device
When your Oculus Quest 2 reboots you should find that the black screen is gone. If not, see below for more possible solutions.
Check for Firmware Updates
If your issue is still persisting, it’s always worth checking if there are any firmware updates that require your attention.
Developers frequently find glitches/errors in the game and work on fixes for these which are released in future updates. It may be that other users have experienced the same issue you currently have and Oculus developers have released a fix in an update.
To check for updates on your Oculus 2, follow the below steps:
- Using the right controller, access the Menu by pressing the Oculus Button
- Choose Settings
- Navigate the Settings column using the right pointer and select About
- If there is an update available, download and install it
You should check your Oculus Quest 2 regularly for updates as these could fix any potential issues you’re facing.
Launch a Game Using your Phone
Sometimes launching a game from your phone can trigger a black screen with audio error to fix on your headset. Use your phone to load the Oculus app and log in. Ensure the app has registered your headset and load up a game.
Once the game has loaded, check to see if the black screen has disappeared on your headset.
Check Proximity Sensor
Another fix you can try when experiencing a black screen with audio on the Oculus 2 is to ensure the proximity sensor is working. To do this, cover the sensor with your thumb and check to see if the black screen has gone away. It’s also worth giving the sensor a clean with a microfibre cloth.
It could be that there are gaps/damage that allow light to pass through the foam insert/spacer if you find that the black screen disappears when the sensor is covered, but comes back when you’re wearing the headset. Check for gaps/damage to see if this could be the cause of your black screen issue.
Reset Device to Factory Settings
The final fix we recommend is to restore your device to factory settings. This is very much a last resort as you will lose game data by doing this, but ultimately it should help resolve your black screen with audio issue on the Oculus Quest 2.
To reset your Oculus Quest 2 to factory settings, follow the below instructions:
- Hold the Volume Down button and the Power button for 10 seconds
- Choose Factory Reset using the volume buttons
- Press the Power button
This will completely restore your device and should resolve the black screen with audio problem you’ve been having.
Conclusion
Hopefully, these fixes have solved your problem with the black screen with audio on the Oculus 2. If you’re still experiencing problems, we recommend reaching out to Oculus directly via their support center where they can give you more specific advice to solve your problem.