Fix: The Forest VR Controllers Not Working

Endnight Games Ltd did a tremendous job releasing The Forest in 2018 as an open-world survival game. As the name suggests, players must fight to survive after...

Subodh Gupta

Last updated on October 6, 2025

Subodh Gupta

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Subodh loves to write content whether it may be tech-related or other. After writing on tech blog for a year, he becomes passionate about it. He loves playing games and listening to music. Apart from blogging, he is addictive to the gaming PC builds and smartphone leaks.

Fix: The Forest VR Controllers are Not Working

Now, if you’re also one of the victims to encounter such an issue then make sure to follow this guide. Luckily, here we’ve shared a couple of possible workarounds for you that should gonna come in handy. So, without wasting any more time, let’s jump into it.

1. Restart VR Headset and PC

It’s highly recommended to restart the VR headset as well as the computer to ensure there is no connectivity glitch or temporary cache data troubling you. Though this is a quite simple method for troubleshooting, it may come in handy in most scenarios. To reboot the SteamVR Headset, you can follow the steps below:

Launch your SteamVR > Right-click on the headset icon.

Select Devices > Choose Reboot Headset.

Wait for the process to complete and then check for the issue again.

2. Check for Connectivity Options

Sometimes issues with the connectivity options or loose ports can also trigger not detected errors with the devices. It’s highly recommended to check for the connectivity options properly and whether the SteamVR headset is connected to the PC or other devices properly or not. You can follow a couple of steps below to ensure it:

Plug your Link Box into a UBS 2.0 port on your PC because some ports do come with USB 3.0 or USB 3.1 connectivity which can trigger connectivity issues whatsoever.
You should also use the USB or HDMI cable directly of your SteamVR headset into the computer. You can also connect the power supply to Link Box or choose another power adapter.
Make sure to power cycle the Link Box by just disconnecting all the cables on the SteamVR headset and unplugging the Link Box.
Try removing USB devices from the SteamVR headset (if previously connected) and then reconnect it. To do so: Launch SteamVR > Go to Settings > Select Developer > Select Remove All SteamVR USB Devices and wait for the process to complete > Once done, plug back the cables again.

3. Run Steam as an Administrator

Issues with the user account control on the PC with your Steam application may trigger multiple conflicts whatsoever. You should grant the admin permission to your Steam launcher by following the steps below:

Right-click on the Steam app on your PC > Click on Properties.
Select the Compatibility tab > Click on the Run this program as an administrator checkbox to enable it.
Then click on Apply and OK to save changes > Once done, you can just double-click on Steam to launch it with admin access from now on.

4. Close all Steam apps including Steam VR

It’s worth recommending to close all running Steam apps on your computer from Task Manager including the SteamVR app too. By doing so, you’ll be able to re-open the SteamVR and Steam apps on the PC freshly which will eliminate temporary glitches or cache data issues. To do so:

Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc keys to open up the Task Manager.
Now, click on the Processes tab > Click to the Steam or SteamVR task and select End Task to close it. [Make sure to do the same steps for each task one by one]
Once done, restart your system to apply changes.

5. Reconnect the Connectivity Cables and Power Cable

Try reconnecting the USB or HDMI cables as well as the power cable to the SteamVR and PC properly to ensure both ends are connected well enough. Sometimes connectivity issues with the HDMI and USB on the PC can trigger the not detected error. Whereas issues with the loose power cable to the power outlet can also occur such errors.

6. Turn Off USB Power Management

In some cases, the SteamVR Power Management feature may cause the headset not to be detected easily. It’s recommended to turn off the USB power management manually to check for the issue. To do that:

Open SteamVR > Go to the Settings panel.
Choose the Developer tab > Click on Disable Power Management.
Make sure to save changes and then check for the Steam VR Headset Not Detected Error. Some affected players did find this useful.

7. Update Device Drivers

You should always check for the available update of your installed device drivers on the PC because a corrupted or outdated device driver can eventually trigger multiple issues whatsoever. Drivers are quite useful in creating a communication bridge with multiple devices on the PC. So, it’s important to install the latest driver update (if available). To do so:

Right-click on the Start Menu to open up the Quick Access Menu.
Click on Device Manager from the list.
Now, double-click on the specific adapter category to expand the list.
Then right-click on the dedicated device.
Select Update driver > Choose Search automatically for drivers.
If there is an update available, it’ll automatically download and install the latest version.
Make sure to do the same steps for each device driver whatever you want to update. If there is no update available, leave it.
Once done, make sure to reboot your computer to change the effects.

8. Adjust Controller Binding on SteamVR

You can also try adjusting the controller binding option on SteamVR by following the steps below to fix buttons on the controller doesn’t function properly.

Put on the VR headset to start The Forest VR game > Click on the home button on the left-hand controller.
Open the SteamVR Control Panel > Click on the ‘Settings’ option (you can also do it in SteamVR settings on your computer).
Now, click on the ‘Controllers’ option in the list on the left side of the settings panel.
Click on the second option ‘MANAGE CONTROLLER BILDINGS’.
Then select the ‘CUSTOM’ button > Click on the ‘CHOOSE ANOTHER’ button.
Wait for a while and it’ll go directly into the button settings page of the game.
Find the ‘Shared binding’ option in ‘Community Button Settings’.
Click on ‘View’ > In the details page of button settings, click on ‘Choose this button’s settings’.
Once it’s completed, choose the ‘Select this Binding’ option.
Then click on the home button on the left-hand controller to go back to the game.
Finally, you can run The Forest VR game normally.

9. Try Using Microsoft Xbox Controller

If in case, you’re having a VR headset to get detected issue on the PC or on The Forest VR game via Steam client, then you should try using a Microsoft Xbox Controller for Win10 on the Oculus or HTC Vive products via a USB cable instead of wireless. So, just connect a USB cable to the PC and the controller then the VR headset will instantly get recognized.

10. Opt-in or out for SteamVR Beta

if none of the methods worked for you then you should opt-in for the SteamVR Beta program directly from the Steam application. Sometimes the beta version does come with additional and new features that can come in handy. To do so:

Launch the Steam client on the PC > Go to Library.
Click on Tools > Right-click on SteamVR.
Click on Properties > Select the BETAS tab from the left panel.
Choose Beta – SteamVR Beta Update from the drop-down list.
Once done, reboot the Steam client to check for the issue.

Note: If you’re already using the SteamVR Beta version then make sure to turn it off by choosing NONE – Opt-out of all beta programs. Some reports are also suggesting that opting out of the SteamVR Beta profile did fix the controllers not working issue.

That’s it, guys. We assume this guide was helpful to you. For further queries, you can comment below.