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To play SteamVR games on a Meta Quest 3, install Steam and SteamVR on a compatible Windows PC, then install Steam Link on the headset and connect both devices to the same network. Steam Link is the wireless route; a USB-C cable is only needed if you choose Meta Horizon Link instead.
Choose wireless Steam Link or wired Meta Horizon Link
Steam Link streams games from the PC’s Steam library to Quest 3 over your local network. Meta’s app listing says it guides you through wirelessly connecting the headset to a computer on the same network with Steam installed and running. Valve’s Steam Link support page and Meta’s Steam Link listing describe the wireless setup.
Meta Horizon Link is a separate PCVR connection path. For its wired workflow, Meta calls for a USB-C data cable supporting 5 GB/s or higher and recommends its Link Cable. You do not need that cable for Steam Link.
| Option | Connection | What you need | Main trade-off |
|---|---|---|---|
| Steam Link | Wireless | PC running Steam and SteamVR, Quest 3 with Steam Link, and a suitable shared network | No headset-to-PC cable, but network conditions affect streaming. |
| Meta Horizon Link | USB cable for the wired workflow | Meta’s Link software and a USB-C data cable supporting 5 GB/s or higher | Requires a capable cable and PC port; it uses Meta’s Link connection path rather than Steam Link. |
Meta’s cable guidance is at Meta Horizon OS Developers’ Horizon Link page.
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Check the PC and network requirements
Valve’s minimums for Steam Link
- A PC running Steam and SteamVR, with Windows 10 or newer.
- An NVIDIA GTX 970 or better, or AMD RX 570 or better. The RX 6400 and RX 6500 XT are excluded because they lack supported hardware encoding.
- A 5 GHz Wi-Fi 5 router and a supported headset. Valve’s support page says Meta headsets require OS v74.
These are Valve’s listed minimum requirements, not a guarantee that every game will perform well on a particular PC.
Meta’s recommended setup
Meta recommends connecting the PC to the network by cable, using a Wi-Fi 6 or Wi-Fi 6E router, having 16 GB of RAM, and using an NVIDIA RTX 2070 or AMD RX 6600 or better. These are Meta’s recommendations rather than Valve’s minimums. See the Meta Steam Link listing.
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The PC and Quest 3 need to be on the same local network for Steam Link. Valve’s baseline is 5 GHz Wi-Fi 5; Meta recommends Wi-Fi 6 or 6E and a wired network connection for the PC. A router upgrade is not automatically necessary if your current network meets the requirements.
Set up Quest 3 for SteamVR with Steam Link
- Install Steam on the PC. Sign in to the account that owns the games you want to play.
- Install SteamVR on the PC. Open Steam and install SteamVR from the Steam library or store, then launch it.
- Connect the PC to your network. For the setup Meta recommends, use a network cable from the PC to the router.
- Connect Quest 3 to the same local network. Use a 5 GHz Wi-Fi 5 network or better; Wi-Fi 6 or 6E is Meta’s recommendation.
- Install Steam Link on the headset. Find Steam Link in the Meta Quest store and install it.
- Open Steam Link on Quest 3 and follow the on-screen pairing instructions. The app guides you through connecting to the PC on the same network with Steam running.
- Start a SteamVR game. Once connected, choose a game from the Steam library and launch it through Steam Link.
For the current Steam Link requirements and connection guidance, consult Valve Support.
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Use a cable instead: Meta Horizon Link
If you specifically want a wired PCVR connection, use Meta Horizon Link rather than treating a USB cable as part of Steam Link. Meta’s hardware guidance calls for a USB-C data cable with support for 5 GB/s or higher and recommends the Meta Horizon Link Cable. Make sure the PC port and cable support the required data connection. Meta’s cited guidance does not establish every current software-screen step, so follow the current Meta Horizon Link setup instructions for the PC and headset.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.What to expect from performance
Steam Link removes the headset-to-PC cable, but the stream depends on both the PC and local network. A PC meeting Valve’s minimums may still deliver different results from a more capable system; the published requirements do not promise a particular frame rate, latency, image quality, or compatibility for your individual setup.
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Meta announced on March 6, 2024 that Link supported a 120 Hz refresh rate for PCVR titles with Quest 3. That is historical release guidance, not a guarantee of current behavior across apps, games, and configurations. Check Meta’s current software information before relying on it.
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