The Oculus Quest 2 often gets hot during gameplay. We’ve experienced this ourselves when we play active titles.
Fortunately, there are some documented ways to solve the problem, but some may require purchasing additional equipment.
We’re here to tell you why your Quest 2 patches fog up and how you can prevent them from doing so.
How to Stop VR Headset From Fogging Up?
Warm Up the Headset
Quest 2 fogging usually occurs because of a difference in temperature between the inside of your head and the outside air. To prevent this, place your Quest on your forehead (without playing) for five to ten minutes at an angle without getting too hot.
You could also use a hairdryer if you feel impatient. Just don’t turn the temperature too high or allow any strands of hair to blow into the lens.
Use a Cooling Fan
If you haven’t yet got used to wearing a headset, use one for an extended period of time. You’ll feel hot and uncomfortable so. To avoid this, keep yourself artificially cool by keeping your body at a constant temperature.
Set your thermostat to a comfortable level, then turn on a large, powerful ventilator (or two) to direct cool, fresh, clean, outdoor-scented wind directly at your uncovered skin. The bigger the fans, the better, since some of the best Oculus Quest 2 VR experiences will have you dancing and moving away from the airflow’s direction.
You can choose from three different models, each one offering a different number of speeds. They’re powered by four different motors, which means they offer up to four different resistance levels.
Try a New Facial Interface Replacement
The original foam headset was so bad that Oculus voluntarily recalled it, causing some people to get a second one. However, the new gasket didn’t allow for enough airflow, which contributed to the Quest 2 fogging.
However, if you look at some good facial covers, you’ll notice that they come with better ventilation systems designed to keep you from sweating too much, along with some custom padding to help cool you down.
Hopefully, one of those models will help you bid farewell to fog.
For instance, why not try out Quest 2’s new KIWI facial interface?
The comfy leather cushioning, an upgraded nose piece, and improved glasses spacers make it much more comfortable than Quest 2’s original design. At the same time, redesigned vents help create a greater degree of airflow and reduce fog. Including a sweat-absorption pad is a nice touch and keeps your face cool throughout longer VR sessions.
With this face mask, Oculus could’ve made the standard Quest 2 headset look even better than it did. And KIWI has done a fantastic job with this design.
Glasses-Wearers: Try Lens Inserts
If you’re having trouble seeing through the headset because of its lenses, we recommend trying these solutions. However, if they don’t work for you, you might want to consider replacing the lenses with prescription VirtuClear lens insertions.
It’ll help ensure you can see your favorite VR game clearly without having to squeeze your glasses into them.
Adjust your Fit
This might seem simple, but you may just be putting the Quest 2 on too tight in order to reduce light bleeding. That’ll cause increased sweating against the interface and decreased airflow. Let a little space between the headset and your face. Yes, it’ll allow a little light through, but also hopefully let more cool air in.
If you wear the Quest 2 more loosely, then you may experience some discomfort when doing more active activities. However, if you want to get an upgraded version, try the Elite Stap or one of the best straps available.
You can use any of these options to keep the headset on more firmly, but they won’t necessarily prevent fogging. However, some people report that using one of these options reduces fogging.
The Quest 2 Elite Headset replaces the standard headset that comes with the headset. It’s also more ergonomic, which means you can be comfier while also reducing fog.
Use a Microfiber Cloth
Sometimes, despite your very best efforts, the lens may get fogged. In that case, it’s important to have a microfibre cleaning towel handy to remove the condensation or smudges. Hopefully, you can wipe away their worst before they start building up again. Make sure you’re using microfibre, not something else because anything else could scratch the lens.
Is that not enough for you? Various companies offer anti-fog sprayers that’ll synthetically eliminate fogging from your lens.
We personally avoid these because Oculus says not to spray anything on the Quest 2 lens for fear of ruining it. Some users claim they work great; we think they aren’t a good long-lasting solution, no matter how much you try to clean them off.
If you don’t need them, you can get a bunch of these at a decent price. Use one of them to gently remove the condensation from your lenses without worrying about scratching them.
Anti-Fog Spray
It’s a product that’s often recommended for skiing, but people say it works really well for VR headsets, too, even though, again, it shouldn’t be worn on them.
You shouldn’t spray it every day; just use it occasionally to keep the fog from forming again.
Anti-fog Wipes
It is possible to find some antifog wipes online, which are optimal for cleaning the Oculus Rift lenses and preventing the formation of fog in future uses.
At some point, even using a microfiber towel, you’re essentially just smearing the grease around. The key is finding cleaning solutions that are 6% alcohol, so they don’t harm the plastic/polymer lens. Look for cleaning solutions that say “Safe for All Treated or Coated Lens.”
Redditors say that Oculus recommends using no chemical cleaners on its lenses but that they actually perform quite well without them.
What Causes Lens Fogging on VR Headsets?
When you’re wearing a VR device, don’t forget to wipe down your face before putting it on. If you leave it sitting for too long, moisture from your forehead could fog up your lens.
Add in sweat from workouts, an overly warm surface, and a tight seal that blocks both light and airflow, and it’s no surprise your lenses keep foggy.
Despite all that, fogging shouldn’t be an issue for most people if they use the right strategies and equipment, so let’s go through some of them now.
Conclusion
There are several different ways to keep your VR headsets from fogging up. Hopefully, this article has been useful to you.
Feel free to reach out to us in the comments below.