Oculus Software Releases FAQ

ShowbizDonkey

Hi everyone - On the past few release note threads, I've noticed that there are some common questions and misconceptions that pop up each time regarding our software release process. I've put together this FAQ to help explain how our rollout process works. If there are additional common questions in the future, I'll add to this post here. Please let us know if you have any feedback or additional questions, and I'll do my best to answer what I can!

Edit 11/20: Added Q&A about recent software release version numbering alignment.

Oculus Software Releases FAQ

Q: The release notes have been posted, but I have not yet received the latest update. Why not and how do I get it?

A: With each software update, we roll out the release gradually to ensure stability of the software. When release notes are posted, this signals that we have begun rolling out the software update to a percentage of users. Assuming everything looks good as we monitor the rollout progress and initial user feedback, we continue rolling out the software update to a larger percentage of users until it is rolled out to everyone. This typically occurs over the course of a few days. One exception here is the PTC (public test channel) for Rift software. When a new PTC update is rolled out, it is available to all users who have opted into the PTC at the same time.

Q: What is the PTC (public test channel) and how can I opt in?

A: The PTC is a release channel where you can try out and provide feedback on an upcoming software update before it is released to everyone. The PTC is only available for Oculus PC software (Rift and Rift S) at this time. If you would like to join the PTC, head to Settings > Beta within the Oculus desktop software and toggle the Public Test Channel option. Please note that you may encounter issues with a given PTC release since it is pre-release software, but you can always opt out which will return you to the latest non-PTC software version. We rely on user feedback to help us improve each software release and ensure that any issues are resolved before the update is made available to all users.

Q: How do automatic software updates work on Oculus Quest and Oculus Go?

A: If there is an available update for your Oculus Quest or Oculus Go device, it will download the update automatically if the device is on and in sleep mode. If you are currently using your headset or it is fully powered off, it will not download the update during that time. The next time the device is powered on and left in sleep mode, it will download the update. We recommend plugging your device in to ensure that it has enough power to complete the update process. Alternatively, you can use the new manual software update option to search for an available update.

Q: You recently released an update that includes the option to manually check for updates on the Oculus Quest. How does that work?

A: As of the 9.0 software update on Oculus Quest, you can head to Settings > About > Software Update to check if there is an available software update. While release notes for a new Quest software update may have been posted (indicating that the rollout has begun), this new feature will only find an available software update to download if you are part of the percentage of users that we have made the update available to at that time. As we mentioned above, we rollout new updates gradually over time to an increasing percentage of users. You must be part of the group for which the update is available at that time in order to manually find a new update.

Q: Someone in my region has received the latest software update, but I have not. Why?

A: Rollouts are not determined by region. Rather, we start each rollout with a percentage of our global users and ramp that percentage up over time. Other users in your region receiving an update is not a good signal that the update should be available for you as well, but you can typically expect to receive the update within a few days.

Q: How can I provide feedback or receive support on an issue I’m experiencing with a recent software update?

A: If you are running into an issue for which you need support, please first head to our support center and see if we may have already documented some troubleshooting steps for your particular issue. If that does not answer your question, please use the Contact Us link to open up a ticket with our support team.

For Rift and Rift S, if you believe you are running into a bug that may need to be resolved with a future software update, please use the Help Center > Provide Feedback option within the Oculus desktop application to send us a report of what happened. Please be aware that you will not receive a response, but it will allow our engineering team to review your issue and look into possible resolutions. For all other platforms (Quest, Go, Gear VR), please open up a support ticket and provide your report there.

Finally, if you simply wish to leave feedback in the form of a feature, functionality, or enhancement request, please head to the Oculus UserVoice channel and send us your idea!

Q: My PC software version recently updated from 1.43 to 12. What happened?

A:  In an effort to simplify our software update processes, we are aligning the software version numbers across all of our products. This numbering change does not affect any of the software functionality.

kevinwarhaft

ill have to see if i get update 11 this week on my oculus go 

Ubedead

cv1 microphone does not work with voice attack software shows as mic muted.Now what?

ShowbizDonkey

Ubedead said:

cv1 microphone does not work with voice attack software shows as mic muted.Now what?

This report is better suited for our customer support team to help troubleshoot. I recommend opening a ticket here: https://support.oculus.com/885981024820727/

RattyUK

Ubedead said:

cv1 microphone does not work with voice attack software shows as mic muted.Now what?

Have you checked your Sound Devices Control Panel - V12 added both 'virtual' headphones and microphone - set as Default - resetting default to whichever you use fixes it.  Oculus then 'uses' its device and resets on exit to the set default.

jmalmsten

So... Uhm... I've been reading that controllerless hand tracking will be on v12 for Quest. Which is supposedly rolling out this week.

I am still on v11. I still see no trace of environments or most other new features that are supposed to be there. I have read the posts that state the nebulous "will be rolled out in the coming weeks"... I am just curious... When is it a bug and not a delay? Is there a cutoff date when we should be expecting to have all Quests up to date?

And even if I get v12 in the coming seconds... Does that imply anything about me being able to use the new features? Or is it basically a game of roulette that determines who of the paying customers are worthy? And the rest will simply have to wait until someday, maybe we can use a feature that is being advertised as imminently available but not even an asterix mentioning the potential random-based rollout? 

And... Is the final environments update needed before v12 and the handtracking it promises? 

I just want to know if I'm wasting energy expecting to be able to try out new features before... Say... February 2020.

donkeyhigh

If the newer versions are released to the public in batches, do you have any idea about the time-frame between each batch? Like, is it a small percentage every 5 minutes, or like a bigger one every 4 hours? I would just like to know in chase it's closer to the latter, so I don't keep checking my Quest for updates every 10 minutes...

damnKris

Manual update checks should bypass the rollout delay, dedicated users should get the update straight away.

jmalmsten

damnKris said:

Manual update checks should bypass the rollout delay, dedicated users should get the update straight away.

Please do define "dedicated users". How does one get elevated from "enthusiastic" to "dedicated" to get access to updates that normally aren't available with "check for updates".

BenMcLean

Three important issues of feedback I'd like to bring up:

1. If the Quest firmware update isn't ready then the PC Oculus app update shouldn't be out either! The two releases have to be synchronized if either one breaks Link!

2. People need to have a way to downgrade to old versions if the new versions have problems!

3. This gradual rollout crap is ridiculous. It's software. Just post it or don't.

strqaz

So I have my Quest and Desktop are both in v12 yet I still don't have the hand-tracking option in the quest under the experimental tab, just the bluetooth connection option. Already rebooted twice and even left the quest turned off for sometime (while plugged in). Is there a step that I missed or a possible bug happened?

MattC2510

Link was ok until i updated to V12, seem to be on a loop with desktop app, tried setup again on desktop app and told me to update graphics card drivers which i already done and still nothing.  I have noticed that nvidia pops up and says cannot find nvidia control panel, never had that before.

masterx1234

We seriously need a way to backtrack firmware updates, the latest update has not only broken a lot of headsets but ruined the smooth gameplay we had before 12.0. 

Richooal

masterx1234 said:

We seriously need a way to backtrack firmware updates, the latest update has not only broken a lot of headsets but ruined the smooth gameplay we had before 12.0. 

V12.0 is not a firmware update, it's an Oculus Software update.
Firmware updates are pushed separately with their own unique version number.

TheXReal

Richooal said:

masterx1234 said:

We seriously need a way to backtrack firmware updates, the latest update has not only broken a lot of headsets but ruined the smooth gameplay we had before 12.0. 

V12.0 is not a firmware update, it's an Oculus Software update.
Firmware updates are pushed separately with their own unique version number.

well he/she didn't say the v12.0 update was a firmware update, he/she just said that the update to V.12 gave us problems..
 
but it's true after the Oculus V.12 update a lot of problems just came.
not saying it's the software update but it's more the firmware update it came with that basically broke the performance for most oculus users.

Richooal

TheXReal said:

Richooal said:

masterx1234 said:

We seriously need a way to backtrack firmware updates, the latest update has not only broken a lot of headsets but ruined the smooth gameplay we had before 12.0. 

V12.0 is not a firmware update, it's an Oculus Software update.
Firmware updates are pushed separately with their own unique version number.

well he/she didn't say the v12.0 update was a firmware update, he/she just said that the update to V.12 gave us problems..
 
but it's true after the Oculus V.12 update a lot of problem just came.
not saying it's the software update but it's more the firmware update it came with that basically broke the performance for most oculus users.

In fact, both the CV1 and the Rift S are having issues, however, the CV1 did NOT get a firmware update. The firmware update was only for the Rift S.

TheXReal

Richooal said:

TheXReal said:

Richooal said:

masterx1234 said:

We seriously need a way to backtrack firmware updates, the latest update has not only broken a lot of headsets but ruined the smooth gameplay we had before 12.0. 

V12.0 is not a firmware update, it's an Oculus Software update.
Firmware updates are pushed separately with their own unique version number.

well he/she didn't say the v12.0 update was a firmware update, he/she just said that the update to V.12 gave us problems..
 
but it's true after the Oculus V.12 update a lot of problem just came.
not saying it's the software update but it's more the firmware update it came with that basically broke the performance for most oculus users.

In fact, both the CV1 and the Rift S are having issues, however, the CV1 did NOT get a firmware update. The firmware update was only for the Rift S.

True i guess, but if the CV1 didn't get a firmware update then the problem must be on the software update or a failed firmware push. (idk)
but well the only thing we really can do ATM is wait and see if they come up with a fix that will fix both headsets.
just sad that this update basically kills it for most people and the new VR players (if they get this problem)

Dishmonkey

Currently not using Oculus because it refuses to install (failed update & went for a complete re-install, fails that too) PC is up to date. Oh well, no Oculus for a while.

Fedoriya

Dishmonkey said:

Currently not using Oculus because it refuses to install (failed update & went for a complete re-install, fails that too) PC is up to date. Oh well, no Oculus for a while.

im having the same issue. i had an issue with the driver update around the beginning of the month, and i cant reinstall the software. anyone else having this issue?

Fedoriya

Fedoriya said:

Dishmonkey said:

Currently not using Oculus because it refuses to install (failed update & went for a complete re-install, fails that too) PC is up to date. Oh well, no Oculus for a while.

im having the same issue. i had an issue with the driver update around the beginning of the month, and i cant reinstall the software. anyone else having this issue?

Acedout1

yes everybody is having that issue and tech support is no help they just told me they would get back to me in 3 or 4 days seems crazy to me I wish I could get my money back on all the software I purchased and dump this worthless paper weight

Dishmonkey

Bad time of the year to roll out updates

Fedoriya

Acedout1 said:

yes everybody is having that issue and tech support is no help they just told me they would get back to me in 3 or 4 days seems crazy to me I wish I could get my money back on all the software I purchased and dump this worthless paper weight

honestly, i never should have bought this damn thing. i should have just gotten a vive. Leave it to a company owned by facebook to have shitty business practices.

bunynin

Я тоже завис на обновлении и растерян

Romario174

Ну как я понимаю, работать уже ПО не будет?

Fedoriya

still having the same issues, any updates?

S_Gray

Приложение Oculus выдаёт ошибку "Не удаётся связаться с сервисом Oculus"

Umpa_PC

Вы можете получить помощь, если вы пишете на английском языке

Narnia12

On the off chance that the more up to date forms are discharged to the general population in bunches, do you have any thought regarding the time allotment between each group? Like, is it a little rate at regular intervals, or like a greater one at regular intervals? I might simply want to know in pursue it's nearer to the last mentioned, so I don't continue checking my Quest for refreshes like clockwork...