How To Fix "Unable To Track Surroundings" Error On PlayStation VR2 (PSVR2)

The PlayStation VR2 (PSVR2) promises an immersive virtual reality experience, but like any sophisticated technology, it can encounter issues.

One common problem is the “Unable to Track Surroundings” error, which can disrupt your VR gaming. This error typically occurs when the PSVR2’s tracking system cannot accurately detect and map the environment.

In this blog post, we’ll explore the reasons behind this error and provide a step-by-step guide to resolving it

What causes the How to Fix “Unable to Track Surroundings” Error on PlayStation VR2 (PSVR2)

Understanding why the “Unable to Track Surroundings” error occurs is key to fixing it. Here are some common causes:

Poor Lighting Conditions: VR systems rely heavily on consistent lighting to track movements. Too much or too little light can cause tracking issues.
Reflective Surfaces: Mirrors, windows, or any reflective surface can confuse the PSVR2’s sensors.
Obstructions: Objects blocking the line of sight between the headset and the camera can prevent proper tracking.
Software Glitches: Sometimes, a simple software bug can cause tracking errors, which might be fixed with a restart or update.
Hardware Issues: Faulty sensors or cameras within the headset can also lead to tracking problems.

How to Fix “Unable to Track Surroundings” Error on PlayStation VR2 (PSVR2)

To fix the “Unable to Track Surroundings” Error on PlayStation VR2 (PSVR2), try to adjust the room lighting and clear the play area. If it doesn’t work update the software and calibrating PSVR2 will fix the issue.

Step 1: Adjust The Room Lighting

Make sure your room has even, diffused lighting without any direct sunlight.
Avoid playing in overly dark or brightly lit environments.

Step 2: Clear The Play Area

The play area conditions can also affect the tracking performance of your PSVR2 system.

Ensure that the play area meets the following requirements:

The play area should be well-lit, with no direct sunlight or bright lights shining into the camera.
The play area should be clear of any obstructions, such as furniture or other objects.
The play area should have a clear line of sight to the camera.
The play area should be free of reflective surfaces, such as mirrors or glass.

Ensure there are no obstructions between your VR headset and the camera.
Keep the play area clean and free of clutter that could interfere with tracking.

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Step3: Inspecting the VR Headset for Damage

The first step is to inspect the VR headset for any damage or cracks. If there is any damage, it may cause the error to occur. Here are the steps to inspect the VR headset:

Turn off the VR headset and unplug all cables from the back of the processor unit.
Inspect the VR headset for any visible damage or cracks. Check the lenses, the headband, and the cables.
If you find any damage or cracks, contact Sony customer support for repair or replacement.

Step 3: Cleaning the Camera Lenses

The camera lenses on the VR headset can become dirty or smudged, which can cause the error to occur. Here are the steps to clean the camera lenses:

Turn off the VR headset and unplug all cables from the back of the processor unit.
Use a microfiber cloth to gently clean the camera lenses on the front of the VR headset.
If the lenses are still dirty or smudged, use a small amount of lens cleaning solution on the microfiber cloth to clean the lenses.
After cleaning the lenses, plug all cables back into the processor unit and turn on the VR headset.

Step 4: Restart Your PSVR2 and PS5

Power down your PS5 and PSVR2 completely, then restart them to refresh the system and potentially clear any minor software issues.

Turn off your PSVR2 Sense Controller and PlayStation console.
Unplug the power cable from the console and wait for a couple of minutes.
Reconnect the power cable and turn on both the console and the Sense Controller.
Attempt to pair the controllers again.

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Step 5: Repositioning the VR Headset

If restarting the PSVR2 system doesn’t work, the next step is to reposition your VR headset. Here are the steps to do so:

Take off your VR headset and turn it off.
Make sure the camera is properly positioned and aligned with your headset.
Check if there are any obstructions or reflective surfaces in the play area.
Move the camera to a higher position if possible.
Turn on your VR headset and see if the “Unable to Track Surroundings” error still persists.

Step 6: Adjusting the Camera Setup

The next step is to adjust the camera setup will remove errors in camera positioning angles. Here are the steps to do so:

Go to the PS4 home screen and select “Settings”.
Select “Devices” and then “PlayStation VR”.
Select “Adjust PlayStation Camera” and follow the on-screen instructions to adjust the camera setup.
Turn on your VR headset and see if the “Unable to Track Surroundings” error still persists.

Step 7: Check for firmware Updates

Outdated firmware can cause connectivity issues. So update to the latest version to avoid unnecessary fixes.

To Update Firmware:

Navigate to the “Settings” menu on your PlayStation console.
Select “Devices” and then “PlayStation VR”.
Look for any available updates for your PSVR2 Sense Controller and Sense Controller.
Download and install any updates, then try pairing the controllers again.

Step 8: Calibrating the Motion Sensors

Calibrating the motion sensors helps you to optimize the motion sensor technically and can help fix tracking issues.

Here’s how to do it:

Turn on the PSVR2 headset and connect it to the PS4 console.
From the PS4 menu, go to “Settings” > “Devices” > “PlayStation VR.”
Select “Adjust PlayStation Camera” and follow the on-screen instructions to calibrate the motion sensors.

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Step 9: Manual Override of Tracking Settings

If the above techniques don’t work, you can try manually overriding the tracking settings. Here’s how to do it:

Turn on the PSVR2 headset and connect it to the PS4 console.
From the PS4 menu, go to “Settings” > “Devices” > “PlayStation VR.”
Select “Adjust Tracking Lights” and follow the on-screen instructions to manually adjust the tracking settings.

Step 10: Reinstalling VR Device Drivers

If updating the PSVR2 software does not fix the error, you can try reinstalling the VR device drivers. Here are the steps to follow:

Turn off your PlayStation 4 console and unplug the PSVR2 headset.
Go to the PlayStation Home screen and select “Settings”.
Scroll down and select “Devices”.
Select “PlayStation VR”.
Select “Remove Device”.
Follow the on-screen instructions to remove the device.
Restart your PlayStation 4 console.
Plug in the PSVR2 headset and follow the on-screen instructions to reinstall the device.

Step 11: Contact PS5 Support

Reach out to respective customer support for further assistance. Provide them with details of the steps you’ve already taken to resolve the issue.

They may provide additional solutions or indicate a need for professional repair services.

You can also reach out to them via social media such as Instagram, and Facebook.