How Can I Fix My Meta Quest 2 Guardian Boundary Issues?

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How Can I Fix My Meta Quest 2 Guardian Boundary Issues

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The Meta Quest 2 Guardian system is a great way to keep yourself from walking into walls or furniture while playing VR games, but sometimes it can be a little too sensitive. You may constantly get tripped up by the Guardian boundary and therefore wonder how you can fix your Meta Quest 2 Guardian boundary issues.

To fix your Meta Quest 2 Guardian boundary issues:

  • Ensure that the Guardian boundary is set up correctly. 
  • Calibrate the Guardian boundary.
  • Try resetting the Guardian boundary. 
  • Turn off the Guardian feature and turn it back on.
  • Move to a different play area.
  • Delete Guardian history.
  • Check whether the play area has adequate lighting.
  • Factory-reset the Quest 2.
  • Restart your headset.

In this blog post, I’ll discuss some ways that you can try to fix it. I’ll also provide some tips on how to prevent the problem from happening in the first place.

How Can I Fix My Meta Quest 2 Guardian Boundary Issues
Photo by Eren Li

How Can I Fix My Meta Quest 2 Guardian Boundary Issues?

If you’re constantly getting tripped up by the Meta Quest 2 Guardian boundary (formerly known as Oculus Quest), there are a few things you can do to fix it:

1. Try Calibrating the Guardian Boundary Again

If the Guardian boundary is not set up correctly, you may want to try calibrating it again.

Step 1: It’s a good idea first to reset your Guardian’s history from the settings to calibrate your Guardian and the floor level of your border.

Step 2: Next, put one controller on the ground to adjust the floor level.

 Calibrating the Guardian Boundary
Calibrating the Guardian Boundary | Photo by Meta

Step 3: Set the Guardian using the second controller so it can now detect the floor level depending on the controller on the ground.

Step 4: Define your play area by pointing the controller at the ground and using the trigger button on the controller to draw the playing area.

NOTE! Be sure to create some space between the edge of your playing area and external obstacles to make sure you don’t bump into them.

After the calibration, you should have a more accurate representation of the space around you.

This simple trick has helped many people with their Guardian boundary issues.

If this is the first time setting up the Guardian Boundary, check out the Meta Quest support website with a detailed guide.

2. Check Whether the Play Area Has Adequate Lighting

If you’re having trouble with your Quest detecting the Guardian boundary, one thing you can check is whether there is adequate lighting in the play area.

The Quest’s cameras need a certain amount of light to properly detect the boundary.

If there isn’t enough light, try turning on more lights or moving to a different location.

You can also remove any reflecting objects (mirrors, etc.) and single strong light sources from the play area (if possible, add a cover).

READ MORE! 18 Tips & Tricks For Oculus Quest 2 (You Need To Know!)

3. Factory Reset the Quest

Sometimes you’ll learn that most technical glitches are software problems that require a little “kickstart.”

When you do a factory reset on your Quest 2, all your data is erased, and the headset is returned to its factory default settings.

Additionally, it will probably fix several software-related guardian problems with your Quest 2 headset. This will restore your Quest to its default settings and should fix any software issues that may be causing the problem.

To perform a factory reset, you can use the headset or the Oculus app on your phone.

To use the app:

  • Open the app on your phone
  • Click “Device
  • Tap the headset connected to your phone
  • Click on “Advanced Settings
  • Click “Factory Reset” and then Reset

To use the headset:

  • Turn off your headset
  • Press and hold the volume down button
  • While still holding the volume down button, press and hold the power button until you hear a start-up sound
  • Release both buttons when you see the Oculus logo
  • Select Factory Reset from the list of options

Once you’ve done this, all of your data will be erased, and the headset will be returned to its factory default settings.

This should fix any software issues that may be causing the problem. Set up Guardian again and see if that solves the problem.

READ MORE! How Do You Factory Reset Your Meta Quest 2? (Solved!)

4. Restart Your Headset

If you’re still having trouble with your Guardian boundary, one thing you can try is restarting your headset. To do this:

  • Press the power button on your headset to turn it off
  • Wait a few seconds and then press the power button again to turn it back on
  • Once your headset is turned back
  • Put on your Quest and go to Settings > Guardian > Reset Floor
  • Select an option to reset your Floor: “Reset Z Height Only”, “Reset X/Z Plane Only”, or “Reset Everything.”
  • Once you’ve selected an option, follow the on-screen instructions to calibrate your guardian boundary.

5. Clean the Cameras

A dirty camera can prevent the Quest from properly detecting the Guardian boundary. To clean the cameras:

  • Turn off your headset
  • Remove the facial interface by gently pulling on it until it pops off
  • Using a cotton swab or another soft, lint-free material, lightly wipe each camera lens(there are four total)
  • Be careful not to press too hard on the lenses, as this could damage them
  • Reattach the facial interface and turn your headset back on
  • Then go to Settings > Guardian and follow the instructions to recalibrate your boundary.

6. Check for Firmware Updates

It’s always a good idea to make sure that you have the latest firmware installed on your Quest. Meta periodically releases firmware updates that can fix a number of issues, including guardian problems.

To check for updates:

  • Open the Oculus app on your phone
  • Click “Settings” in the bottom right corner
  • Click “Quest
  • Click “Software Update

If there’s an update available, follow the instructions to install it. Once the update is installed, restart your headset and see if that fixes the problem.

7. Delete the Guardian History

You wouldn’t be alone if you were surprised to learn that the Guardian even had a past to delete. You essentially have to reset the Guardian’s perception of your room at this stage.

This is especially helpful if you’re switching play areas or going somewhere new.

Simply remove the Guardian’s history to “reset” the stored limits and compel a new guardian for your play area if you discover the Guardian moving or experiencing problems.

To do this:

  • On your Quest 2’s right-hand controller, press the primary Oculus button.
  • In the pop-up menu on the right, choose Settings.
  • Go to the “Guardian” menu selection.
  • Scroll down until you see the “Clear Guardian History” option.
  • Select this option.
  • As you test a game, let the Guardian adjust.

8. Unpair and Repair the Controllers

It is very important that the controllers communicate efficiently with the headset for an optimal VR experience.

Any lag, interference, or low battery can completely break the immersion.

If you’re having trouble with your Quest’s guardian boundary, one thing you can try is re-pairing your controllers.

To unpair your controllers:

  • Open the Oculus app on your phone
  • Enable location/Bluetooth on your phone and connect your Quest 2 to the app
  • Click “Menu” in the bottom right corner
  • Click “Devices”
  • Click “Controllers” in the Headset selection option
  • Click “Unpair” next to each controller
  • Select “Confirm,” and they will automatically unpair

Now, to re-pair your controllers:

  • Open the Oculus app on your phone
  • Enable location/Bluetooth on your phone and connect your Quest to the app
  • Click “Menu” in the bottom right corner
  • Click “Devices”
  • Click “Controllers” in the Headset selection option
  • Click “Repair” next to each controller
  • Select “Confirm,” and they will automatically repair themselves

Once they’re repaired, try recalibrating your guardian boundary.

9. Move to a Different Play Area

Meta Quest’s Guardian boundary system is designed to work best in small to medium-sized rooms.

If you’re having trouble getting it to work properly, one thing you can try is moving to a different play area.

A smaller room will give the cameras less area to scan, making it easier for them to track the controllers and your position.

If you have a large open space, like a living room, try moving to a smaller space, like a bedroom.

10. Make Sure That the Guardian Boundary Is Set Up Correctly

Make Sure That the Guardian Boundary Is Set Up Correctly
Photo from Meta

The Guardian boundary is designed to keep you from walking into walls or furniture while playing VR games.

However, sometimes the boundary can be a little too sensitive. If you find yourself constantly getting tripped up by the Guardian boundary, make sure that it is set up correctly.

To set the Guardian boundary,

  • Open the Oculus app on your phone.
  • Go to Settings > Devices > Guardian.
  • Then, follow the instructions on the screen to set up your Guardian boundary.

11. Meta Support

If you’re still having trouble with your Quest’s guardian boundary after trying all of the above solutions, the next best thing to do is contact Meta support.

They may be able to help you troubleshoot the issue or provide further assistance.

Meta has a dedicated support website that you can use to submit a ticket. To do this:

  • Visit the Meta support website.
  • Click “Submit a Ticket.”
  • Fill out the form with as much detail as possible about your issue.
  • Click “Submit.”

Final Thoughts

Meta Quest’s Guardian boundary system is a great way to keep yourself safe while playing VR games.

However, sometimes the system can be a little finicky. If you’re having trouble with your Quest’s guardian boundary, try one of the solutions above. And if all else fails, contact Meta support for further assistance.

I hope this article was helpful. Thanks for reading.

!! For more information about the different VR headsets on the market, check out this product specification list.


Espen is the Director of PursuitMeta

Espen

Espen is the Director of PursuitMeta and has written extensively about Virtual Reality and VR Headsets for years. He is a consumer product expert and has personally tested VR Headsets for the last decade.


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