How To Fix Steam VR Error 499

Are you struggling with SteamVR error 499 and looking for a solution?

This frustrating issue can pop up and disrupt your immersive gaming experience.

The full error message usually reads: “Video Encoder Error You may need to update your computer’s graphics driver. More info (499)“

In this article, we will guide you through simple steps to fix this common issue..

How to Fix Steam VR error 499?

To resolve the issue of error 499 on Steam VR, you should ensure that the internet connection is stable and make sure that the graphics card is up to date.

Down below, we have discussed the solution in step-by-step detail.

1. Check Your Internet Connection

Error 499 can sometimes be related to Internet issues, particularly if the error is an HTTP 499 error, which indicates that the client has closed the request before the server could send a response.

Ensure that your network connection is stable and that there are no interruptions that could cause this error.

Here are the steps to Check Your Internet Connection:

Turn off your router or modem, wait for a few seconds, and then turn it back on.
If the problem persists, you can reset your network settings on your device. Go to the network settings menu and look for an option to reset or restart network settings.
If you’re using Wi-Fi, try switching to a wired connection to rule out any potential wireless issues.
Restart your router or modem to refresh the connection.

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2. Unplug and Reconnect Your Headset

A simple yet sometimes effective solution is to unplug your headset from the computer and then reconnect it.

Before plugging it back in, you can also remove all SteamVR USB devices from the SteamVR settings under the ‘Reset’ section.

3. Update Your Graphics Drivers

One of the most common fixes for the Error 499 in Steam VR is updating your graphics card drivers.

Outdated or corrupt drivers can cause a multitude of issues, including this error.

Users have reported that updating their Nvidia drivers has resolved the issue.

Here are the steps to Update Your Graphics Drivers:

Check graphics card model: Use Device Manager to find your GPU model.
Download latest driver: Go to your GPU manufacturer’s website (NVIDIA, AMD, Intel) and download the appropriate driver.
Install the driver: Execute the downloaded file and follow the installation prompts.
Restart your PC: Reboot to apply the driver update.
Launch Steam VR: Test to see if the error is resolved.

4. Check File Integrity and Updates On Steam

Sometimes, the issue can stem from a file integrity problem or a required update. Make sure that your Steam VR application is up to date and that all files are intact. You can verify the integrity of game files through the Steam client.

Here are the steps to Check File Integrity and Updates On Steam:

Access your list of games and tools in Steam.
Find and right-click on SteamVR.
Click on “Properties” from the context menu.
In the Properties window, navigate to the “Local Files” tab.
Select this option to begin the verification process.
Wait for Steam to finish verifying and repairing files.
Ensure SteamVR is fully updated to the latest version.

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5. Adjust SteamVR Path

If the error persists, you might need to check the SteamVR path settings. Navigate to the SteamVR installation directory and run vrpathreg to confirm that the paths are correctly set to the drive and directory where SteamVR is installed.

If necessary, correct the paths or delete the openvr.vrpath file to reset the settings.

Here are the steps to Adjust SteamVR Path:

Open SteamVR installation directory: Find where SteamVR is installed on your PC.
Run vrpathreg: In the directory, use the command prompt to execute vrpathreg to check paths.
Correct paths if needed: If paths are incorrect, use vrpathreg to set the correct ones.
Delete openvr.vrpath: If paths can’t be corrected, delete openvr.vrpath to reset settings.
Restart SteamVR: Close and relaunch SteamVR to apply changes.

6. Uninstall and Reinstall SteamVR

As a last resort, you can try to uninstall and then reinstall SteamVR.

This can help resolve any issues caused by corrupted files or installation errors.

Before you do this, ensure that you’ve backed up any important settings or data related to SteamVR.

Here are the steps to Uninstall and Reinstall SteamVR:

Launch the Steam client on your PC.
Go to your Steam Library where your games and applications are listed.
Right-click on SteamVR, select “Manage” and then “Uninstall“.
After uninstallation, find SteamVR in the Steam Store and click “Install“.
Once reinstalled, start SteamVR to check if the issue is resolved.

Also Read: How To Fix Mac Virtual Display On Apple Vision Pro Not Working

7. Contact Steam Support

If you’ve tried all the troubleshooting steps and still encounter the Steam VR Error 499, it’s time to contact Steam Support.

Provide them with details of the steps you’ve already taken and any error messages you’ve received.

They may have additional solutions or be able to identify a more complex issue with your system.