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Unity 2022.3 Oculus Link Constant Hourglass Windows 11: Troubleshooting and Solutions

Author3 January 27, 2025

0 1 5 minutes read

unity 2022.3 oculus link constant hourglass windows 11

Unity 2022.3, Oculus Link, and Windows 11 are powerful technologies that bring virtual reality (VR) experiences to life, but when combined, they can sometimes cause frustrating issues, particularly the “constant hourglass” problem. If you’ve encountered this issue where the Oculus Link freezes or shows a spinning hourglass on your Windows 11 system, you are not alone. This article delves into the causes of this problem and provides troubleshooting steps and potential solutions for Unity developers and Oculus VR enthusiasts.

Understanding the Unity 2022.3 and Oculus Link Setup

Before we dive into the specifics of the hourglass issue, it’s important to understand the setup you are dealing with. Unity 2022.3 is a robust game development engine that supports a variety of platforms, including virtual reality (VR) headsets like the Oculus Rift and Oculus Quest. Oculus Link allows you to connect your Oculus Quest to your PC, turning it into a powerful VR headset capable of running high-end PC VR games and experiences.

Windows 11, the latest operating system from Microsoft, offers numerous improvements over its predecessors, including enhanced performance, security, and user interface features. However, it can sometimes conflict with the drivers, applications, or settings required to run Oculus Link smoothly.

The Constant Hourglass Issue: What It Is and Why It Happens

The “constant hourglass” problem is an issue where Windows 11 displays the hourglass cursor (or spinning circle) indefinitely when attempting to use Oculus Link with Unity 2022.3. This issue may arise when you try to launch a VR scene or open the Oculus app through Unity, and it can be quite frustrating. The system seems to be stuck in a loading state, unable to proceed or initialize the connection.

The root causes of the constant hourglass problem can be varied, but some of the most common issues include:

Outdated or Corrupt Oculus Drivers: Oculus Link requires specific drivers to communicate with your PC, and if these drivers are outdated or corrupted, they can cause the system to freeze when attempting to connect.
Unity Configuration Errors: Misconfigurations within the Unity project, such as incorrect VR settings, improper Oculus SDK integration, or performance settings, can lead to unexpected behavior, including the constant hourglass issue.
Windows 11 Compatibility Issues: Although Windows 11 is designed to work well with VR hardware, certain system updates, patches, or background processes can cause conflicts with Oculus Link and Unity, especially if the drivers are not optimized for the latest operating system version.
USB Port or Cable Issues: Oculus Link requires a high-quality USB connection between the Oculus Quest and your PC. A faulty cable, insufficient USB port power, or a damaged USB port can result in instability when trying to use Oculus Link.
Overloaded System Resources: Unity 2022.3 is a powerful engine, but it can sometimes tax system resources. If your system is under heavy load or has insufficient RAM/CPU power, the Oculus Link connection might freeze or stall, triggering the hourglass issue.

Step-by-Step Troubleshooting for Unity 2022.3 Oculus Link Constant Hourglass Windows 11

If you are facing the constant hourglass issue with Unity 2022.3, Oculus Link, and Windows 11, don’t worry! Below are a series of steps you can follow to troubleshoot and resolve the problem.

1. Update Oculus Software and Drivers

The first step in troubleshooting is to ensure that your Oculus software and drivers are up to date. Oculus regularly releases updates that fix bugs and improve compatibility with PC VR setups.

Open the Oculus app on your PC.
Go to the settings menu and check for updates. Make sure both the Oculus app and your headset firmware are up-to-date.
Additionally, check your device manager in Windows 11 for any outdated drivers related to Oculus hardware (e.g., USB drivers, graphics card drivers).

2. Check Unity VR Settings

In Unity, ensure that your VR settings are configured correctly for Oculus integration. Follow these steps:

Open your Unity project and navigate to Edit > Project Settings > XR Plug-in Management.
Make sure that the Oculus plugin is installed and enabled for both the PC and Android platforms.
In the Player settings, under XR Settings, ensure that the Oculus SDK is selected as the active VR system.
If you’re using any custom scripts or packages, verify they are compatible with Unity 2022.3 and Oculus Link.

3. Verify USB Port and Cable Connections

The Oculus Link connection relies heavily on a stable USB connection. A faulty or low-quality cable can cause connection issues, including the constant hourglass.

Use a high-quality USB 3.0 cable. Oculus recommends their official Link cable or a similar high-speed cable to ensure stable data transfer.
Try different USB ports on your PC. Some USB ports may not provide sufficient power or bandwidth for Oculus Link, particularly older USB 2.0 or low-powered USB 3.0 ports.
Consider using a USB 3.1 or USB-C port if available, as these offer the best performance for Oculus Link.

4. Check Windows 11 Performance Settings

Windows 11 can sometimes be the culprit behind system instability, particularly when running resource-heavy applications like Unity and Oculus Link simultaneously.

Open Task Manager and check the CPU and memory usage when using Oculus Link with Unity. If your system is nearing its limits, try closing unnecessary background applications to free up resources.
Disable any aggressive power-saving settings that may be throttling your system’s performance. To do this, go to Settings > System > Power & Battery, and ensure your system is set to a “High Performance” power plan.
Make sure Windows 11 updates are fully installed. Sometimes, a missing patch or compatibility fix can lead to issues like the hourglass cursor.

5. Reinstall Oculus Software

If updating the software and drivers didn’t solve the problem, a fresh reinstall of the Oculus software may help.

Uninstall the Oculus app from your system.
Restart your computer.
Download the latest version of the Oculus app from the official website and reinstall it.
Reconnect your Oculus headset and check whether the constant hourglass issue persists.

6. Test with Simple Projects in Unity

Sometimes, the issue may be related to specific project settings or assets. Test with a simple Unity VR project to check if the problem is still present.

Create a new Unity project with basic VR functionality (no complex assets or scripts).
Connect the Oculus headset using Oculus Link and see if the constant hourglass appears.
If the problem does not occur in the simple project, it may indicate an issue with your specific project’s settings or assets.

7. Check for Windows 11 Compatibility Updates

Windows 11 is still relatively new, and there may be compatibility issues with certain hardware or software. Keep your system updated with the latest patches and fixes.

Go to Settings > Update & Security and check for updates.
Pay attention to any firmware or compatibility updates for your graphics card and USB drivers, as these can sometimes resolve issues with Oculus Link.

Conclusion

The “constant hourglass” problem with Unity 2022.3, Oculus Link, and Windows 11 can be frustrating, but by following the steps outlined in this article, you can identify the cause and find a suitable solution. From updating software to checking your hardware connections, these troubleshooting tips should help you resolve the issue and get back to developing and enjoying immersive VR experiences. Remember, patience and persistence are key when solving technical problems, so take each step methodically, and you should soon be able to use Unity and Oculus Link seamlessly on Windows 11.