How do you factory reset a Meta Quest or Oculus headset?

To factory reset a Meta Quest or Oculus Quest, switch it off, hold Power and Volume Down until the boot menu appears, select Factory Reset with the volume buttons, press Power, then confirm. This erases local headset data and settings, but apps you bought remain attached to your Meta account.

Meta Quest and Oculus models covered

These instructions apply to standalone Meta Quest and Oculus Quest headsets, including Quest, Quest 2, Quest Pro and the Quest 3 family. The older Oculus Go uses a similar button-controlled reset menu, though its wording may differ.

Oculus Rift and Rift S are PC peripherals rather than standalone headsets, so they do not have the same onboard factory-reset process. For those models, remove the device from the Meta PC software, repair or reinstall that software if necessary, and run device setup again.

Before erasing the headset

Back up anything that exists only on the headset, because a factory reset cannot be undone. This is a headset-level procedure: it will not erase Microsoft Flight Simulator, X-Plane, DCS or add-ons stored on your PC.

• Check Cloud Backup: Open the headset's system settings and confirm that cloud backup is enabled. Not every app supports it, so do not assume every save will return.
• Copy local media: Transfer any screenshots, recordings or other files you want to keep.
• Know your login details: You will need the Meta account credentials and any two-factor authentication method during setup.
• Charge the headset: If it will not hold enough charge to complete the reset, first rule out cable, charger and battery faults.

How do you factory reset Quest with the buttons?

The hardware-button method is the most reliable choice when the headset will not load its normal menus or the phone app cannot connect.

1. Power the headset off completely. Do not merely put it into standby. If it is frozen, hold the Power button until it switches off, then wait a few seconds.
2. Open the boot menu. Hold Power and Volume Down together until the boot or USB update menu appears, then release both buttons.
3. Select Factory Reset. Use the volume buttons to move through the menu. The motion controllers do not operate this screen.
4. Press Power to select it. Highlight the confirmation option stating that the device will be erased, then press Power again.
5. Let the reset finish. Keep the headset charged and do not interrupt it while it erases its storage and restarts.

Take care not to select options such as boot device or sideload update. The exact capitalisation and menu layout can vary between headset generations, but Factory Reset is the required entry.

Resetting through the Meta Horizon mobile app

The mobile-app method works when the phone still recognises the paired headset and can communicate with it.

1. Open the Meta Horizon app on the paired phone. Older instructions may call it the Meta Quest app.
2. Open the device list. Go to Menu > Devices and select the headset you want to erase.
3. Open the advanced headset settings. Look under Headset settings > Advanced settings.
4. Choose Factory Reset and approve the final reset prompt.

Meta occasionally rearranges the app's menus. If the factory-reset option is missing, check that the app is signed into the headset owner's account and that the correct device is selected. Otherwise, use the physical-button method above.

What does a Meta Quest factory reset erase?

A factory reset removes data stored locally on the headset but does not cancel the Meta account or delete purchases registered to it.

Why isn't the factory reset working?

Most failed reset attempts are caused by incomplete shutdown, the wrong volume button, insufficient power or a case pressing against the controls.

• The headset starts normally: Switch it off fully and repeat the process with Volume Down, not Volume Up. Hold both buttons until the boot menu appears.
• The menu selection moves by itself: Remove any facial-interface accessory, strap component or protective shell pressing a volume button.
• The controllers do nothing: This is expected in the boot menu. Navigate with the volume buttons and select with Power.
• The app cannot see the headset: Confirm that Bluetooth is enabled, the same Meta account is in use and the correct paired device is selected. Use the button method if communication cannot be restored.
• The screen remains black: Charge it before trying again. Our boot-menu and no-power troubleshooting covers the checks to make before assuming the headset has failed.
• The reset repeatedly returns to the boot menu: Retry once while connected to reliable power. Persistent failure points to damaged system storage, firmware corruption or a hardware fault that repeated resets are unlikely to repair.

When is a factory reset the right fix?

A factory reset is appropriate before selling or giving away a Quest, or when persistent headset software corruption survives a normal restart and software update. It should be a last resort for routine performance faults.

Resetting rarely fixes a weak Wi-Fi connection, overloaded PC, faulty USB cable, poor battery or unsupported graphics hardware. For flight simulation stuttering, diagnose Link and Air Link lag first rather than erasing the headset.

Setting up the headset again

After the reset, Quest returns to its initial pairing and account setup screen. Sign in, reconnect Wi-Fi, pair the controllers when prompted, recreate the boundary and download the required apps.

PC flight sim users must enable the required Link or Air Link options and pair the computer again; follow our steps for reconnecting a Meta Quest headset to a PC. If the headset is being sold, stop at the initial setup screen and power it off so the new owner can complete setup with their own account.