| title | description | author | ms.author | ms.date | ms.topic | keywords | appliesto | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Get help with PC compatibility |
Keep up to date with resources for solving PC compatibility issues when working with Windows Mixed Reality applications and devices. |
qianw211 |
qianwen |
9/24/2021 |
article |
Windows Mixed Reality, Mixed Reality, Virtual Reality, VR, MR, Feedback, Feedback Hub, bugs |
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When you're setting up Windows Mixed Reality or using the Mixed Reality Portal, you'll get a report on whether your PC is up to the task. We've broken out specific details on what you might see in the sections below.
Before going any further, try the most common fixes below:
[!div class="checklist"]
- Make sure your computer meets the minimum PC hardware compatibility requirements
- Check that your graphics card and processor are compatible
- Check the recommended adapters list
- Update your graphics driver by selecting Start > Settings > Update & security > Check for updates
If you want to get in contact, you can ask the community, contact support, or go over the troubleshooting information.
Good news, if you see the You're good to go message, your PC can run Windows Mixed Reality! There's still variation among computer hardware and configuration, so the Mixed Reality experience might not be the same on every PC.
If you're seeing the Supports some features message, your PC can run some Windows Mixed Reality experiences, but might not provide the best possible experience. Possible downsides include lagging graphics, performance hits, and some applications and games that you can't run at all. We've listed messages you might see and what to do about them below:
- This PC has an integrated graphics card with single-channel RAM
- This PC has a hybrid graphics configuration with an incompatible PCIe link
- This PC's graphics driver might not work well with Windows Mixed Reality
- This PC's processor might not work well with Windows Mixed Reality
- This PC might not have a compatible USB configuration
- This PC doesn't have Bluetooth 4.0 for controllers
- Depending on your headset, you may need a Bluetooth adapter to use motion controllers
- This PC doesn't have a self-powered USB port
- This PC's graphics card won't work with Windows Mixed Reality
- This PC's graphics driver won't work with Windows Mixed Reality
- This PC's processor won't work with Windows Mixed Reality
- This PC doesn't have enough free disk space to run Windows Mixed Reality
- This PC is running an edition of Windows that doesn't support Windows Mixed Reality
- This PC isn't running the latest version of Windows 10
- This PC isn't running the latest version of Windows 11
- This PC has no USB 3.0 port
- You can't run this app via remote desktop
Integrated graphics cards will provide the best Windows Mixed Reality experience on PCs with dual-channel RAM. If you run into performance problems:
[!div class="checklist"]
- Install a compatible discrete graphics card
- Install an additional RAM stick to create dual-channel RAM
- Switch to a compatible PC
PCIe stands for Peripheral Component Interconnect Express, which is the connection that a PC uses to communicate with a graphics card. Your configuration might work, but if you run into problems you'll need to switch to a compatible PC.
Try downloading a new graphics driver using Windows Update by:
[!div class="checklist"]
- Selecting Start > Settings > Update & security > Check for updates or going to your PC or graphics card manufacturer's website
- Check for updates
If that doesn't work, you'll need to:
[!div class="checklist"]
- Add a compatible graphics card
- Switch to a compatible PC
Your PC's processor might not work well with Windows Mixed Reality because it doesn't have enough cores. If Windows Mixed Reality doesn't run well:
[!div class="checklist"]
- Replace the processor with a compatible one
- Switch to a compatible PC
For problems running Windows Mixed Reality:
[!div class="checklist"]
- Check our recommended adapters documentation for solutions to common compatibility issues
- Consider using an external powered USB hub
If the problems persist:
[!div class="checklist"]
- Plug your headset into a different USB port, if you have one available.
- If that doesn't work, uninstall your PC's current USB driver, and then reinstall a Microsoft driver:
- Select Start, and then type "device manager" in the Search box.
- Select Device Manager from the results.
- Expand the category for Universal Serial Bus controllers, look at the devices listed, and uninstall any incompatible drivers.
- If the list includes an “eXtensible Host Controller” item that doesn't have “Microsoft” at the end of the device name, that driver isn't compatible with Windows Mixed Reality. You’ll need to uninstall it. To uninstall a driver, right-click the device in the list and select Uninstall device. Select the Delete the driver software for this device check box, then select Uninstall.
- If the list includes an "eXtensible Host Controller" item that includes "Etron" in the name, that USB controller isn't compatible with Windows Mixed Reality. You'll need to use a different USB port on the PC or purchase a different USB 3.0 host controller.
- Restart your PC.
- Return to Device Manager and locate the eXtensible Host Controller item again. If you now see “Microsoft” at the end of the device name, you’re good to go. If not, repeat the uninstall steps to remove any extra non-Microsoft versions of the driver.
[!div class="checklist"]
- If that still doesn't work, add a PCIe USB card to your PC.
2018 and newer Windows Mixed Reality headsets already have the built-in Bluetooth, but if you have older headset, bluetooth 4.0 is required for mixed reality motion controllers. You can still use Windows Mixed Reality with an Xbox controller, a mouse and keyboard, or a USB Bluetooth adapter to connect motion controllers to your PC. See recommended adapters
Some headsets have Bluetooth built in so controllers can pair directly to the headsets. Others require a Bluetooth radio in the PC (or a separate dongle) to use motion controllers. For more information, see the recommended adapters page.
A self-powered USB 3.0 port is needed to connect a Windows Mixed Reality headset. Connect a powered USB 3.0 hub to the PC and use that to connect your headset.
This PC's graphics card isn't compatible with Windows Mixed Reality. You'll need to:
[!div class="checklist"]
- Add a compatible graphics card
- Switch to a compatible PC
This PC's graphics driver won't work with Windows Mixed Reality. Try downloading a new graphics driver using Windows Update by:
[!div class="checklist"]
- Selecting Start > Settings > Update & security > Check for updates or going to your PC or graphics card manufacturer's website
- Check for updates
If that doesn't work, you'll need to:
[!div class="checklist"]
- Add a compatible graphics card
- Switch to a compatible PC
This PC's processor doesn't support AVX/Popcnt instructions. To run Windows Mixed Reality, you'll need to:
[!div class="checklist"]
- Replace it with a compatible graphics card
- Switch to a compatible PC
Windows Mixed Reality requires 10 GB of free disk space for setup and best performance. Clear some space on your drive and then try setting up again from the beginning.
Windows Mixed Reality works on Windows 10 Home, Windows 10 Pro, and Windows 11. You'll need to install one of those editions to use Windows Mixed Reality.
Windows Mixed Reality requires the Windows 10 Fall Creators Update. Update your PC and try again.
Windows Mixed Reality requires the Windows 11 latest release. Update your PC and try again.
You'll need a USB 3.0 port to connect a Windows Mixed Reality headset. If you're using a desktop PC, add a PCIe USB card. For laptops, you'll need to switch to a compatible PC.
To use Windows Mixed Reality, you need a PC with a monitor connected. If you're using a virtual machine or don't have a monitor, try using a virtual display adapter. This is a device that plugs into the PC's DisplayPort and emulates a computer display.
Some hardware configurations might cause performance problems with Windows Mixed Reality. For problems like slow loading, choppy visuals, or poor visual quality, try these common fixes:
- Close any open apps running on your PC desktop
- If you’re using a USB-C or DisplayPort to HDMI adapter, try a different one. See recommended adapters
- If there are extra monitors connected to the PC’s graphics card, disconnect them
- Try downloading some different mixed reality apps from the Windows Store—some may work better with your computer setup
- Check out our performance questions documentation
If you're still having performance issues, update the following Windows Mixed Reality settings for an optimal user experience:
- Experience
- Resolution
- Frame-rate
- Calibration
Note
If you see a message that says, "This hardware configuration might work with Windows Mixed Reality, but it hasn't been tested yet," you could run into some performance issues when running Windows Mixed Reality for long sessions.
Enjoying games from SteamVR is a great way to experience everything VR has to offer. However, you'll want to make sure that you're getting the best performance out of your immersive device. After you've installed Steam:
- Follow the instructions for using SteamVR with Windows Mixed Reality
- Install the SteamVR Performance Test apps
If you're following the VR journey we've laid out, you're almost ready to buy a device. From here, you can continue to the last before you buy checkpoint:
[!div class="nextstepaction"] Buying FAQs
Or jump right into the getting started section:
[!div class="nextstepaction"] Setting up Windows Mixed Reality
You can always go back to the VR journey at any time.