HTC Vive Instruction Manual
User guide
2 Contents
Contents
Unboxing
What's inside the box?
Headset and link box
Headset
Link box
Product care and repair
Troubleshooting
Base stations
About the Vive base stations
Installing the base stations
Tips for setting up the base stations
Using the mounting kit
Updating base station firmware via cable connection
Updating base station firmware via Bluetooth
What does the status light on the base stations mean?
What should I do if any of the base stations is not detected?
Do I need to use the sync cable?
Are the base stations covered by warranty if accidentally damaged?
When Vive is in use, my TV remote isn't working. What can I do?
Controllers
About the Vive controllers
Charging the controllers
Turning the controllers on or off
Pairing the controllers with the headset
Attaching the lanyards to the controllers
Updating controller firmware
What does the status light on the controllers mean?
What should I do if any of the controllers is not tracked?
How do I know which of the controllers is not being tracked?
What can I do if the controller's trackpad is oversensitive?
What should I do if my controller won't turn on?
My controller won't turn on after I accidentally unplugged it during firmware update. What should I do?
Viveport
Using Viveport
Viveport basics
Viveport Subscription
Viveport mobile app
HTC Account for Viveport
Viveport PIN
Purchasing content
Downloading and launching content
Reviewing content
3 Contents
Viveport troubleshooting
Vive Home
What is Vive Home?
Launching Vive Home
Moving around Vive Home
Teleporting
Adding app shortcuts or objects to your Home space
Managing app shortcuts and objects
Working with app shortcuts
Adding picture frames on the Home space
Playing videos in Vive Home
Browsing the web in Vive Home
Changing your Home space
Resetting the Home space
Phone notifications
Downloading and installing the Vive phone app
Pairing your phone with Vive
Choosing which notifications to receive on VR
Receiving notifications while in VR
Checking your notifications
Editing or adding message replies (Android users)
Unpairing your phone with Vive
What types of phone notifications can I receive on Vive?
Can I receive notifications from more than one phone on Vive?
What features of the Vive phone app are not supported in the iOS version?
Play area
What is the play area?
Planning your play area
Choosing the play area
Setting up Vive for the first time
Setting up a standing-only play area
Setting up a room-scale play area
Resetting the play area
Verifying your setup
After setting up, how do I turn the Vive system on?
What is the recommended space for the play area?
Can I include space occupied by furniture for the play area?
Will VR apps for seated/standing-only experiences work with room-scale setup?
How do I resolve download errors during Vive Setup installation?
I can't complete the room setup. What should I do?
Settings
Vive app settings
System Dashboard settings
SteamVR
Activating the front-facing camera
Checking for firmware updates
What can I do if I'm having issues with the SteamVR app?
How do I resolve SteamVR Error 208?
4 Contents
How can I opt-in to SteamVR Beta?
Trademarks and copyrights
Index
5 About this guide
About this guide
In this user guide, we use the following symbols to indicate useful and important information:
This is a note. A note often gives additional information, such as what happens when you
choose to do or not to do a certain action. A note also provides information that may only be
applicable to some situations.
This is a tip. A tip gives you an alternative way to do a particular step or procedure, or lets you
know of an option that you may find helpful.
This indicates important information that you need in order to accomplish a certain task or to
get a feature to work properly.
This provides safety precaution information, that is, information that you need to be careful
about to prevent potential problems.
6 Unboxing
Unboxing
What's inside the box?
Your Vive™ comes with the following items, which you'll use to experience immersive VR
environments:
Main component Accessories
Vive headset 3-in-1 cable (attached)
Audio cable (attached)
Earbuds
Face cushions (1 attached and 1 alternate for narrow face)
Cleaning cloth
Link box Power adapter
HDMI cable
USB cable
Mounting pad
Vive controllers (2) Power adapters (2)
Lanyards (2 attached)
Micro-USB cables (2)
Base stations (2) Power adapters (2)
Mounting kit (2 mounts, 4 screws, and 4 wall anchors)
Sync cable (optional)
You can also find documentation in the box, such as the Safety and regulatory guide and
warranty card.
7 Headset and link box
Headset and link box
Headset
About the Vive headset
The headset is your window to the VR environment.
The headset has sensors that are tracked by the base stations.
The sensors on the headset are sensitive. Do not cover or scratch the sensor lenses, including
the proximity sensor.
Front and side
1 Camera lens
2 Tracking sensor
3 Headset button
4 Status light
5 Lens distance knob
8 Headset and link box
Back
1 Strap
2 Audio cable
3 3-in-1 cable
4 IPD (interpupillary distance) knob
5 Face cushion
6 Lenses
7 Proximity sensor
Bottom
1 Microphone
2 Nose rest
3 Lens distance knobs
9 Headset and link box
Putting the headset on
Before putting the headset on, make sure that you've peeled off the protective film from the
lenses.
1. Pull the headset down over your eyes.
2. Slide the straps around the back of your head, and adjust them so that the headset fits
snugly and comfortably.
3. Make sure that the cables pass through the sleeve at the back of the headset, and are
positioned straight down your back.
Using the IPD knob on the headset
Interpupillary distance (IPD) is the distance between the center of the pupils in your eyes. A quick
way to get an estimate is by facing a mirror and holding a millimeter ruler against your brow. Use
this measurement as a guide to adjust the distance between the lenses of the headset so that
you'll have a better viewing experience.
To change the distance between the lenses, rotate the IPD knob.
As you adjust the IPD, you'll see information displayed in the headset that indicates the current
distance between the centers of the lenses.
10 Headset and link box
Can I wear my prescription glasses while using Vive?
Most glasses fit inside the headset. If you wear large prescription glasses, adjust the lens
distance knobs to increase the space in the headset.
Make sure that no part of your glasses scratch the headset lenses.
Adjusting the lens distance on the headset
If you wear large prescription glasses or have long eyelashes, you may need to increase the lens
distance further from your face. Only increase this distance as necessary, as the closer the lenses
are to your eyes, the better your field of view will be while wearing the headset.
Make sure that no part of your glasses scratch the headset lenses.
1. Pull out each lens distance knob to unlock it.
2. Rotate both lens distance knobs to adjust the lens further or closer to your face.
3. After you're done adjusting, push each knob to lock it back in.
11 Headset and link box
Connecting a USB device to the headset
Plug in a USB cable to the headset for using a compatible third-party device with Vive. Viveoptimized USB cable is sold separately by HTC.
1. Push open the compartment cover to access the connector slots on the headset.
2. Plug in the USB cable to its corresponding slot.
3. Connect the third-party device to the USB cable end.
4. Replace the compartment cover.
12 Headset and link box
Unplugging the 3-in-1 cable from the headset
1. Push open the compartment cover to access the connector slots on the headset.
2. Carefully pull the tab until the HDMI cable is unplugged.
3. Unplug the power cable and USB cable from the connector.
4. Replace the compartment cover.
13 Headset and link box
Replacing the face cushion
If the attached face cushion is too wide for you, replace it with the alternate cushion (narrow) that
comes in the box.
You should also remove the face cushion to clean it. For more information, see Cleaning the face
cushion on page 20.
1. To remove the face cushion, peel off starting from both ends of the face cushion until it
detaches from the headset.
2. To replace the face cushion, insert the tab on the face cushion into the slot on the headset,
and then align the hook and loop strips.
14 Headset and link box
Replacing the nose rest
1. To remove the nose rest, peel off the flaps of the nose rest until it detaches from the
headset.
2. To replace the nose rest, press its tabs into the corresponding slots on the headset. Make
sure that the nose rest is fastened in place and its flaps are behind the face cushion.
15 Headset and link box
Replacing the headset buckle
To detach the buckle, rotate the buckle clockwise. You'll hear a click when the buckle is
released.
To reattach the buckle, with the headset strap hanging down, align the buckle to the
connector and then rotate it counterclockwise. You'll hear a click when the buckle locks in
place.
Updating headset firmware
1. From your computer, open the SteamVR app.
2. If you see the icon, mouse over it to check if the firmware is out of date. If so, click
Update headset firmware.
The firmware update will start automatically.
Do not unplug any cables from the headset, link box, or your computer any time before the
firmware update is complete. Doing so could result in a firmware error.
3. When the update is complete, click Done.
16 Headset and link box
What does the status light on the headset mean?
The status light shows:
Green when the headset is in normal mode
Dim green when the headset is on standby
Red when an error is encountered (with cables, display, or the like)
Link box
About the link box
Use the link box to connect the headset to your computer.
1 3-in-1 cable
2 Power port
3 USB port
4 Mini DisplayPort
Note: Cable is not provided. Use if your computer doesn't have a spare HDMI port or doesn't
support HDMI.
5 HDMI port
™
Connecting the headset to your computer
1. Connect the power adapter cable on its corresponding port on the link box, and then plug
the opposite end into an electrical outlet to turn the link box on.
2. Insert the HDMI cable on the HDMI port on the link box, and then insert the opposite end
on the HDMI port on your computer's graphic card.
17 Headset and link box
3. Insert the USB cable on the USB port on the link box, and then insert the opposite end on
your computer's USB port.
4. Connect the 3-in-1 headset (HDMI, USB, and power) cables on the side with matching
orange trims on the link box.
5. To secure the link box in a permanent position, peel the covers from the mounting pad and
firmly press one side of the adhesive surface on the bottom part of the link box, and then
attach the link box on the area where you want it installed.
DisplayPort
Mini DisplayPort
18 Headset and link box
When should I use the Mini DisplayPort on the link box?
If your computer doesn't have a spare HDMI port or doesn't support HDMI, you can use a Mini
DisplayPort™ cable to connect your Vive to your PC.
Mini DisplayPort cable is not provided and must be purchased separately.
Connect the Mini DisplayPort cable end to the link box, and then plug the opposite end to the
DisplayPort™ on your computer's graphics card.
Restarting the link box
If you need to restart the link box, follow these steps.
1. Close all Steam apps on your computer, including the SteamVR app.
2. Unplug the power and USB cables from the PC side (without the orange trims) of the link
box.
3. Wait for a few seconds, and then plug the power and USB cables back in. On your
computer, you might see a notification that drivers are being installed. Wait for the
installation to finish.
4. To verify that Vive hardware are detected, restart SteamVR on your computer.
19 Headset and link box
Product care and repair
Caring for your Vive
Follow these tips to properly care for your Vive.
Keep the headset lenses away from sharp objects, including cable tips. This will prevent
the headset lenses from being scratched.
When not in use, store the headset with the lenses pointed away from direct sunlight.
Failure to do so may damage the headset display.
When storing the headset, it is recommended to cover the lenses with the protective film
to help prevent accidental scratches.
20 Headset and link box
Cleaning the face cushion
1. Before cleaning the face cushion, remove it first from the headset. For details, see
Replacing the face cushion on page 13.
2. When cleaning the face cushion, remember to:
Dampen a clean smooth cloth with cold water and gently wipe the area you want to
clean.
Air dry at room temperature. Don't tumble dry, iron, or expose it to direct sunlight.
Don't scrub, wring, or bleach.
Don’t dip or soak in water.
Cleaning the headset lenses
1. Use the cleaning cloth provided in the box to wipe the lenses.
2. Moisten the cleaning cloth with alcohol or lens cleaner.
3. Wipe in a circular motion from the center to the outer edges of the lenses.
While cleaning the lenses, do not scratch the lenses nor disassemble other parts of the
headset.
21 Headset and link box
How do I prepare the headset if I'm returning it for repair?
Before sending in the headset for repair, remove the following accessories and store them for
safekeeping:
1 Face cushion
2 Compartment cover
3 Headset strap with buckles
4 3-in-1 cable
5 Audio cable
Follow these steps to properly detach the accessories from the headset:
Remove the compartment cover and unplug the 3-in-1 cable and audio cable from the
headset.
Push open the compartment cover to access the connector slots.
22 Headset and link box
Carefully pull the tab until the HDMI cable is unplugged, and then unplug the power cable
and USB cable as well as the audio cable.
Remove the face cushion. Peel off starting from both ends of the face cushion until it
detaches from the headset.
Remove the head strap and its buckle from the headset. To detach the buckle, rotate the
buckle clockwise. You'll hear a click when the buckle is released.
23 Headset and link box
After removing the accessories, the headset you'll send for return should look like the following:
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