SteamVR Bluetooth won't turn on

[JLags]

It says bluetooth unavailable and when I go into settings to turn it on its not there. I'm trying to set up just the v1 htc Vive base stations with no headset or controllers.

[Damsteri]

It's not a regular bluetooth that appears in the SteamVR settings. It's a specific bluetooth receiver that is located in the Vive's (or Vive Pro's) link box (or in the Index headset) and it's main job is to power manage base stations (put them to sleep when SteamVR is not active). It can be used to upgrade the firmware too, but I guess there would be no new firmware for v1 base stations anymore.

You might get power management working without a headset if you have just the link box connected, but I'm not sure about that. At least you need that link box connected as otherwise you don't have the BT device and it will be "unavailable".

So, the main question is: Do you have the link box connected? And why to have base stations power managed with SteamVR without a headset or controllers?

[JLags]

Originally posted by Damsteri:

It's not a regular bluetooth that appears in the SteamVR settings. It's a specific bluetooth receiver that is located in the Vive's (or Vive Pro's) link box (or in the Index headset) and it's main job is to power manage base stations (put them to sleep when SteamVR is not active). It can be used to upgrade the firmware too, but I guess there would be no new firmware for v1 base stations anymore.

You might get power management working without a headset if you have just the link box connected, but I'm not sure about that. At least you need that link box connected as otherwise you don't have the BT device and it will be "unavailable".

So, the main question is: Do you have the link box connected? And why to have base stations power managed with SteamVR without a headset or controllers?

Yeah I don't have a link box just bought one on scan I'm trying to get full body tracking to work with my rift s.

https://youtu.be/JnX8NK-lsPY

[Damsteri]

Link box would be just optional addition to you for base station power management. You don't need that for Trackers. Each Tracker has it's own USB-receiver, they work regardless that SteamVR's BT settings. You can update base stations with a cable if needed. I have done some 6-point tracking research, so I have three old and three new Trackers, but never tried them without a Vive/Vive Pro. Nice video, didn't know it's that "easy" to get Trackers to work with non-SteamVR headset.

[JLags]

Originally posted by Damsteri:

Link box would be just optional addition to you for base station power management. You don't need that for Trackers. Each Tracker has it's own USB-receiver, they work regardless that SteamVR's BT settings. You can update base stations with a cable if needed. I have done some 6-point tracking research, so I have three old and three new Trackers, but never tried them without a Vive/Vive Pro. Nice video, didn't know it's that "easy" to get Trackers to work with non-SteamVR headset.

when I plug the base stations in via USB they don't show up on steamvr or my PC ports

[Damsteri]

Base stations are static light houses, they don't need connection to the PC to operate. They just send IR-laser beam and SteamVR devices recognize that. Base stations doesn't appear in SteamVR unless you have an active tracking device in SteamVR that see the light they send. You have no headset or controllers, so you need to have at least one Tracker paired, turned on, and visible to the base station(s), that will make them to show green in SteamVR.

Are you following this guide[www.vive.com]? You need to hold down channel-button when plugging them in if you want to update the firmware. That step was missing in the video. Why to update? Most likely they already have the latest firmware.

[JLags]

Thank you its working now

Originally posted by Damsteri:

Base stations are static light houses, they don't need connection to the PC to operate. They just send IR-laser beam and SteamVR devices recognize that. Base stations doesn't appear in SteamVR unless you have an active tracking device in SteamVR that see the light they send. You have no headset or controllers, so you need to have at least one Tracker paired, turned on, and visible to the base station(s), that will make them to show green in SteamVR.

Are you following this guide[www.vive.com]? You need to hold down channel-button when plugging them in if you want to update the firmware. That step was missing in the video. Why to update? Most likely they already have the latest firmware.

Thank you its working now. Its not a waste of money now :D

[Damsteri]

Originally posted by JLags:

Thank you its working now. Its not a waste of money now :D

No problem, glad it helped. Setting up that thing might have been little bit complicated without prior knowledge of SteamVR tracking. I didn't watch the whole video you linked, but I noticed that it skipped some things that might not be obvious to someone who hasn't used SteamVR tracking.

[Miskk]

a

[dowop]

Originally posted by Damsteri:

Originally posted by JLags:

Thank you its working now. Its not a waste of money now :D

No problem, glad it helped. Setting up that thing might have been little bit complicated without prior knowledge of SteamVR tracking. I didn't watch the whole video you linked, but I noticed that it skipped some things that might not be obvious to someone who hasn't used SteamVR tracking.

yo i have the same problem accept updating the baystations hasnt worked for me. ive updated them but they still arnte connected correctly via bluetooth.

[Dr.Shlitz]

Bough index. installed and updated no issues a week ago. Been using and enjoying. Bought a 3rd base station and it arrived today. Works fine but can't update. I get a bluetooth error.
I've tried using steam beta, removing all usb drives and reinstalling. nothing works.
Any input is appreciated

[Benbo]

TYVM WORKED for me what a legend

[CarinaTheWerewolf]

Originally posted by Damsteri:

Base stations are static light houses, they don't need connection to the PC to operate. They just send IR-laser beam and SteamVR devices recognize that. Base stations doesn't appear in SteamVR unless you have an active tracking device in SteamVR that see the light they send. You have no headset or controllers, so you need to have at least one Tracker paired, turned on, and visible to the base station(s), that will make them to show green in SteamVR.

Are you following this guide[www.vive.com]? You need to hold down channel-button when plugging them in if you want to update the firmware. That step was missing in the video. Why to update? Most likely they already have the latest firmware.

i have base station 2.0 so they do not have a channle button, what do i do now