MacOS is not supported

Virbela’s VR mode currently does not support Mac. A desktop computer running Windows is required.

Virbela is not on the Quest Store (But you can use a Quest)

You’ll continue to run Virbela on your desktop computer as usual, but use your VR headset to connect to your computer. This is possible even with a standalone Quest headset.

Using a powerful computer is strongly recommended for VR

In general, VR benefits from using a powerful desktop or laptop computer. And because Virbela’s VR mode is an experimental feature, Virbela software is not yet optimized to run smoothly in VR in all cases, so the more powerful your computer is, the smoother the VR experience will be.

Virbela may not be available for your Campus

Virbela’s VR mode is enabled on a per-Campus basis. To find out if VR is available for your campus, open the Preferences menu inside of Virbela. If you see a “VR Settings” section, then VR is available for you to use! You may need to scroll to the bottom to see it.

An active OpenXR Runtime is required

If you’re using a Quest headset (from Meta/Facebook/Oculus), you have several options to choose from:

• Have the Oculus/Meta Quest PC app installed on your Windows computer, to use with the Quest’s built-in Link or Air Link feature.
  • To use this option, the Oculus/Meta Quest PC app needs to be set as the active OpenXR Runtime in Settings → General.
  • This option is ideal from a convenience perspective, and provides the most accurate colors in the display.
• Have Steam (and the SteamVR tool) installed on your Windows computer, to use with the Steam Link app for Quest that can be found on the Quest Store (free).
  • To use this option, SteamVR needs to be set as the current OpenXR Runtime in SteamVR → Settings → OpenXR.
  • This option doesn’t need the increasingly-obscure Oculus/Meta Quest PC app, but the colors seen in Virbela aren’t as vibrant as they could be.
• Have the Virtual Desktop Steamer software installed on your Windows computer, to use with the Virtual Desktop app for Quest that can be found on the Quest Store (paid).
  • To use this option, the Virtual Desktop Streamer app needs to have its OpenXR Runtime set to VDXR in Options -> OpenXR Runtime.

If you’re using a Rift headset (from Meta/Facebook/Oculus), you have some options to choose from:

• Have the Oculus/Meta Quest PC app installed on your Windows computer.
  • To use this option, the Oculus/Meta Quest PC app needs to be set as the active OpenXR Runtime in Settings → General.
• Have Steam (and the SteamVR tool) installed on your Windows computer.
  • To use this option, SteamVR needs to be set as the current OpenXR Runtime in SteamVR → Settings → OpenXR.

If you’re using any other PC VR headset (such as Valve Index, HTC Vive):

• Have Steam (and the SteamVR tool) installed on your Windows computer.
  • SteamVR needs to be set as the current OpenXR Runtime in SteamVR → Settings → OpenXR.

Connecting your headset to your PC where Virbela is running

If you’re using a Quest headset to connect via Air Link:

• Ensure that the Oculus/Meta Quest PC app is running, and that it’s not prompting you to apply updates.
• Ensure that “Unknown Sources” is enabled in the Oculus/Meta Quest PC app in Settings → General.
• Ensure that both your Quest and your PC where Virbela is running are on the same Wifi network / same router. If you have an older router, or a non-standard network configuration, you may have trouble connecting or sending data fast enough to meet the high demands of VR.

If you’re using a Quest headset to connect via Link:

• Ensure that the Oculus/Meta Quest PC app is running, and that it’s not prompting you to apply updates.
• Ensure that “Unknown Sources” is enabled in the Oculus/Meta Quest PC app in Settings → General.
• Ensure that you are using a high-quality USB-C cable from your Quest to a high-speed USB-C port on your PC. Avoid using an adapter to plug into another type of USB port.

If you’re using a Quest headset to connect via Steam Link:

• Ensure that Remote Play is enabled in Steam → Settings → Remote Play. Note that this setting can be found in Steam itself.
• Ensure that both your Quest and your PC where Virbela is running are on the same Wifi network / same router. If you have an older router, or a non-standard network configuration, you may have trouble connecting or sending data fast enough to meet the high demands of VR.

If you’re using a Rift headset to connect directly to your computer:

• Ensure that the Oculus/Meta Quest PC app is running, and that it’s not prompting you to apply updates.
• Ensure that “Unknown Sources” is enabled in the Oculus/Meta Quest PC app in Settings → General.

If you’re using a PC VR headset to connect to your computer via SteamVR:

• Ensure SteamVR is running and that it’s not prompting you to apply updates.

One-Time Steps in Virbela

Open the Preferences menu inside of Virbela, and scroll down to the VR Settings section. Ensure that the “Show VR Toggle Button” option is enabled, then Save your settings.

At this point the “VR” button will be displayed onscreen above the microphone button in the lower-left corner of your Virbela window. This button will remain onscreen as long as the “Show VR Toggle Button” option is enabled & as long as VR is available for your campus.

Toggling in and out of VR

Once you have connected your VR headset to your PC where Virbela is running, such that the OpenXR Runtime of your choice is waiting for a VR program to be activated, to enter VR you can either click the VR button displayed onscreen above the microphone button, or you can use the Ctrl+Spacebar keyboard shortcut.

To exit VR, simply repeat this step.

Not recommended: Switching to other programs while in VR mode

Sometimes Virbela will not be able to resume VR mode if you switch focus to another program, even if you switch back.

External Support Links

If none of the above is resolving your issue, consider checking official support channels for the VR headset you’re using.

• Meta: Meta Quest Help Center
• SteamVR: Steam Support - Steam Hardware