Summary
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Meta offers replacements for bricked Quest 2, 3, 3S due to recent update issues.
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Most headphones now work, replacements are available for those who are still experiencing problems.
Players who are still stuck with a Meta-research 2, 3 or 3S that were stuck with a recent update will be happy to know that Meta offers replacements for VR headsets. The offer is likely a relief for Meta Quest owners, but could still be perceived as an annoyance by some, especially first-time buyers.
Supported Meta Quests receive regular updates, but unfortunately something seems to have gone wrong with one of the newer versions. Meta Quest 2, 3, and 3S owners began reporting that following the launch of the update, their Meta Quest headsets were bricked and no longer working. Meta began investigating and initially suggested players simply boot their devices, but that wasn't a solution that worked for everyone.
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Now Meta is making up for its mistake by offering replacements to users who have had no success with the suggested fixes or updates. Gamers who still can't get their headset to work can visit Meta's support site and request a replacement for the Meta Quest 2, Meta Quest 3, and Meta Quest 3S. Users will need to have basic information on hand, such as their account details and the serial number of their device. According to some reports, not all models appear to be covered by the automated system. Anyone who finds themselves in this situation should try contacting support, as they may be able to issue a replacement anyway.
This problem, which Meta officially acknowledged a few days before Christmas, probably forced the team to look for a solution. Christmas is a big deal for all gaming companies, as many gamers receive consoles, games and headphones as gifts. While longtime owners have reported having issues getting the headphones out of storage following this update, the biggest issue will likely affect new buyers. Some who received Meta Quest as a gift and can't get it to work may simply end up returning the headset, and that could leave a bad impression on those who would otherwise have loved the VR experience.
According to vice president Mark Rabkin, who leads both the Horizon OS and Meta teams, most of the headsets now work and will not need to be replaced. While this is obviously a frustrating situation for anyone to find themselves in, it's nice to see that Meta is taking the problem seriously and offering a solution to those who still need it. With any luck, whatever went wrong with this particular update won't happen again in the future.