DriversRecommendedOutdated drivers can make a good PC feel brokenScan driver issues before chasing fixes manually.Scan NowOctober DealsAmazon USOctober deal check: compare before you payAmazon US: current deals, useful picks and tech finds.Check DealsClean PCRecommendedOne scan can reveal what keeps slowing WindowsLook for cleanup and repair opportunities.Run Scan×
Skip to content
VGSources
Blog

How to Set Up OpenXR on Steam Frame for Unity VR Games

For PC-streamed Unity VR, enable OpenXR for the PC build target and set SteamVR as the PC’s active OpenXR runtime. Native Steam Frame deployment requires device-specific guidance not established in the available documentation.
Length3 min Posted Quest giverVGSources Team
Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.

For a Unity VR game streamed from a PC to Steam Frame, configure OpenXR in the Unity project for the PC build, then make SteamVR the PC’s active OpenXR runtime. Valve documents that runtime-selection procedure. A native Unity OpenXR build for Steam Frame is a separate path, and the device-specific build and deployment steps are not established by the available documentation.

First choose where the Unity game will run

Steam Frame supports PC streaming as well as standalone play, but these are different execution paths. In the streaming setup, the game runs on the PC and the headset receives the streamed experience. Native standalone play would require a Unity build and runtime configured for the headset itself. Valve describes Steam Frame as a SteamOS device with a Snapdragon 8 Series processor and ARM64 architecture, but does not provide a Unity-specific native OpenXR deployment recipe on its Steam Frame product page.

Path Where the game runs What is documented
PC streaming On the PC, with SteamVR configured there as the OpenXR runtime Valve documents selecting SteamVR as the PC’s current OpenXR runtime. This does not guarantee compatibility for every Unity game or custom input binding.
Native standalone On Steam Frame Steam Frame’s general standalone capability is described, but a Unity-specific build target, runtime, packaging, signing, and input workflow is not stated in the reviewed Valve and Unity documentation.

Set up a Unity project for PC streaming

Configure the project for the PC platform you intend to build for. Unity uses XR Plug-in Management to choose XR providers by build target; enabling OpenXR in the project does not itself configure SteamVR or prove support for a particular headset.

  1. In Unity, open Edit > Project Settings > XR Plug-in Management. If XR Plug-in Management is not installed, add it through Package Manager.
  2. Select the tab for the intended PC build target, such as Windows. Enable OpenXR for that target if the provider is available and appropriate for the project.
  3. Review the OpenXR provider settings and any validation messages. Add the XR packages, input configuration, and scene components your game requires; requirements vary by project.
  4. Build the game for the PC target. Unity’s general OpenXR support covers multiple devices and platforms, but that scope is not a certification of Steam Frame native support. See Unity’s XR provider plug-in guidance and XR project setup manual.

Make SteamVR the PC’s OpenXR runtime

Do this on the PC, not in the Unity project. Valve’s SteamVR troubleshooting guidance gives these steps; labels may vary between SteamVR versions.

Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.
#1 Best Overall
Meta Quest 3 512GB, VR Without Wires, Gorilla Tag Cardboard Monkenaut Bundle, Amazon Exclusive, 3-Month Trial of Meta Horizon+ Included
  • CARDBOARD MONKENAUT — Get our best Gorilla Tag bundle yet with this Amazon exclusive deal. Purchase Meta Quest 3 to get exclusive items, including the Gorilla Space Program Suit and Helmet, plus 2,000 SHINY ROCKS.
  • NEARLY 30% LEAP IN RESOLUTION — Experience every thrill in breathtaking detail with sharp graphics and stunning 4K+ Infinite Display.
  • NO WIRES, MORE FUN — Break free from cords. Game, play and explore in immersive worlds — untethered and without limits.
  • 2X GRAPHICAL PROCESSING POWER — Enjoy lightning-fast load times and next-gen graphics for smooth gaming powered by the Snapdragon XR2 Gen 2 processor.
  • EXPERIENCE VIRTUAL REALITY — Blend virtual objects with your physical space and experience two worlds at once in your VR headset.
  1. Exit the Unity game.
  2. Launch SteamVR on the PC.
  3. Open SteamVR Settings and select OpenXR.
  4. Click Set SteamVR as OpenXR Runtime.
  5. Confirm that Current OpenXR Runtime shows SteamVR, then restart the game.

Valve documents this procedure in its SteamVR guidance for VR display issues (May 23, 2024).

Check the streaming connection and troubleshoot a blank headset display

Start the game through the intended SteamVR and PC-streaming route. Confirm that the application appears in the headset and that tracking and controller input work. If the game launches on the PC but does not display on the VR device, first check that SteamVR is running and is still shown as the current OpenXR runtime; then restart the game after changing the runtime. A successful runtime selection is not a guarantee that every Unity application, device configuration, or custom binding will work.

Rank #2
HTC Vive Focus Vision Wired Bundle — XR Headset with DisplayPort PC VR Streaming Kit
  • All-In-One VR Solution: The VIVE Focus series offers standalone and PC VR experiences. Harness the power of virtual reality with high-resolution displays, versatile tracking features, and immersive applications. Base station-free.
  • PC VR Gaming Headset: Immerse yourself in low-latency VIVEPORT andSteamVR gameplay. DisplayPort mode delivers lossless, high-fidelity visuals straight from your PC.(1) Connect your PC directly to your Wi-Fi router using an Ethernet cable for PC VR streaming.
  • Make Interactions Real: Connect in VRChat like never before. With built-in eye and low-light, hand tracking plus face and body tracker support, movement in VR is intuitive and lifelike.(2)(3)
  • Immersive 5k Headset Display: The immersive display puts you right at the heart of the action with a 5K resolution of 2448 x 2448 pixels per eye, up to 120° field of view, and 90 Hz refresh rate.
  • Personalize Your Fit: Auto-IPD adjustment aligns the XR headset's lenses with the centers of your pupils, giving your eyes the clearest, most comfortable viewing experience.(4)
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Support on Ko-Fi

What to verify before attempting native deployment

Do not infer a Steam Frame Unity build recipe from its ARM64 hardware or from Unity’s general OpenXR platform support. Before targeting standalone operation, obtain current Valve developer documentation or developer-kit guidance and verify the supported Unity version, build target and architecture, OpenXR runtime, packaging and signing requirements, and input requirements. Valve’s product page points developers to its developer-kit program, but the reviewed sources do not establish those technical details.

Unity’s project-creation documentation also covers XR project setup and platform modules: Create an XR project. Use the documentation for the Unity version actually installed, since package and interface details can change.

Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.
Best Value
Sale
HTC Vive Focus Vision — Mixed Reality and PC VR Headset + Controllers — Consumer Edition
  • All-In-One VR Solution: The VIVE Focus series offers standalone and PC VR experiences. Harness the power of virtual reality with high-resolution displays, versatile tracking features, and immersive applications. Base station-free.
  • PC VR Gaming Headset: Immerse yourself in low-latency VIVEPORT and SteamVR gameplay. DisplayPort mode delivers lossless, high-fidelity visuals straight from your PC.(1) Connect your PC directly to your Wi-Fi router using an Ethernet cable for PC VR streaming.
  • Make Interactions Real: Connect in VRChat like never before. With built-in eye tracking and low-light hand tracking; plus face and body tracker support, movement in VR is intuitive and lifelike.(2)(3)
  • Immersive 5k Headset Display: The immersive display puts you right at the heart of the action with a 5K resolution of 2448 x 2448 pixels per eye, up to 120° field of view, and 90 Hz refresh rate.
  • Personalize Your Fit: Auto-IPD adjustment aligns the XR headset's lenses with the centers of your pupils, giving your eyes the clearest, most comfortable viewing experience.(4)
Rank #4
Meta Quest Pro Headset with Virtual Reality Field Trips 1-Month Subscription
  • Your purchase of this item includes a new Meta Quest Pro 256 GB VR headset and a 12-month subscription to Optima Academy Online (OAO) field trips.
  • Optima Academy Online (OAO) harnesses the power of virtual reality to make previously impossible learning opportunities just a few clicks away. Our VR Field Trips provide powerful ways of engaging users on a whole new level while providing learning experiences. With our VR Field Trips, we deliver users directly into an immersive educational experience that engages them like never before. We offer a one-month subscription to our VR Field Trips. During your subscription, you can spend as much time in our uniquely created Metaverse environments as you like. Each environment has its own theme, learning experiences, and adventures.
  • High resolution mixed reality passthrough uses full-color sensors to let you see and engage with the physical world around you, even as you connect, work and play in virtual spaces.
  • Share your true emotions and reactions with real time natural avatar expressions. Meta Avatars translate your natural facial expressions into VR so you can bring your true personality to meetings and gatherings with friends.
  • Meta Quest Touch Pro Controllers translate instinctive hand gestures and detailed finger actions directly into VR with self-tracking cameras and precision controls. Multi-point, advanced haptics make virtual interactions feel entirely real
Rank #3
Meta Quest 3S 128GB | Virtual Reality — VR Headset — Gorilla Tag Bundle
  • CARDBOARD MONKENAUT — Get our best Gorilla Tag bundle yet with this Amazon exclusive deal. Purchase Meta Quest 3S to get exclusive items, including the Gorilla Space Program Suit and Helmet, plus 2,000 SHINY ROCKS.
  • NO WIRES, MORE FUN — Break free from cords. Game, play and explore immersive worlds — untethered and without limits.
  • 2X GRAPHICAL PROCESSING POWER — Enjoy lightning-fast load times and next-gen graphics for smooth gaming powered by the Snapdragon XR2 Gen 2 processor.
  • EXPERIENCE VIRTUAL REALITY — Take gaming to a new level and blend virtual objects with your physical space to experience two worlds at once in your VR headset.
  • 2+ HOURS OF BATTERY LIFE — Charge less, play longer and stay in the action with an improved battery that keeps up. *Based on the graphic performance of the Qualcomm Snapdragon XR2 Gen 2 platform vs the Meta Quest 2 platform.

Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.

More quests from Patch Notes

  1. How to Turn On Vibrant Visuals in MinecraftMinecraftBlog3min
  2. Best Multiplayer Games for Low-End PCsBlog4min
  3. Minecraft: How To Use And Install OptiFineBlog5min
Recommended PC Tool
Recommended PC Tool
Windows Errors? Fix Them Before They SpreadFree repair scan
Crashes, No Sound, or Screen Glitches?Free driver scan

Two free Windows tools

One Free Minute Could Fix That PC

Before you go - each of these free tools takes about a minute and tackles what quietly slows a Windows PC down.

Special offer. View Outbyte info, uninstall instructions, EULA, and Privacy Policy.