This troubleshooting page will help you diagnose problems with the HTC Vive controller.
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Vive controller is powered on but does not respond during gameplay
If the Vive controller is powered on and a blue LED appears on the controller, your controller is not connected properly to your PC. To pair your Vive controller with your PC again, follow these steps: Open Steam VR. Click on the drop down menu and select Devices. From the Devices tab, click Pair Controller. Follow posted instructions to pair your HTC Vive controller with your PC.
If the controller LED is a constant red, it may be unresponsive and in need of resetting. Hold down the trigger, menu button, trackpad button, and grip buttons simultaneously. While buttons are still pressed, plug the controller into your PC. Five seconds after plugging in, release the buttons. A prompt will appear on your PC to search for a new storage. Ignore this prompt and unplug the controller. The controller should now be reset and functioning properly.
If the controller is not displaying a lit LED, the controller is off. Press the system button to turn on the controller. If the LED doesn’t illuminate, your controller may need to be charged. Attach your MicroUSB cable and power adaptor to the controller and plug into an outlet. While charging, the controller LED will display different colors. Orange means the Controller is charging. Green means the battery is fully charged and the power is on. White means the battery is fully charged and the power is off.
You must be positioned between both base stations in order to connect.
Controller is connected to base station, but does not interact with the game environment
If you’ve dropped the controller or accidently hit it against something, then the infrared sensor ribbon cables may be disconnected from the motherboard. Please refer to our Front Panel Replacement Guide for information on how to access these cables. Plug the cables back into their respective ports and reassemble your controller.
Dirt and dust can block the sensor lense. Wipe the sensor lenses with a damp, clean cloth. Only dampen the cloth with water.
Scratch marks on the lenses can block the sensor. If you see scratches on the lenses, the saucer should be replaced. Please refer to our Saucer Replacement Guide.
Buttons do not move, get stuck when pressed, or are performing inadequately
Dirt or other foreign material may be stuck in the button’s path. Please refer to our Trigger, Front Panel Buttons, or Grip Buttons Replacement Guide for information on how to access the affected area. Once you access the area, carefully clean it with an air-duster, brush or cloth before reassembling. If necessary you may need to use rubbing alcohol lightly to clean the affected area.
When the system button is pressed and held there is no beeping sound, no LEDS on the controller light up, and the controller doesn’t track
To turn the controller on, hold the System Button until you hear a beeping sound.
If the controller’s LED lights fail to turn on, or if the lights begin flashing red then the remote battery may need to be charged. Plug the supplied charger into the micro-USB port located on the end of the controller opposite the halo. If you do not have the supplied charger, you can use any micro-USB and USB to wall adapter. While charging, the LED lights will turn orange and once the controller is fully charged, the LED lights will turn white.
If the power button does not move, gets stuck when pressed, or is performing inadequately, then there may be dirt or other foreign material stuck in the button’s path. You can access the power button area using the “Front Panel Buttons” replacement guide. Once you have access to the area, carefully clean it with an air-duster or cloth before reassembling. If necessary you may need to use rubbing alcohol lightly to clean the affected area.
If the device isn’t powering on after charging for several hours and the LEDs are not lighting up, then you may need to check if the battery is connected. Follow steps to access the battery in the Battery Replacement Guide. Check to see if the white, red, and black 3-pin cable that connects the battery to the daughter board is connected properly. If the cable is loose or disconnected, then firmly connect it to the black 3-pin port.
If the device isn’t powering on after charging for several hours and the LEDs are not lighting up, then you may need to replace the battery. Follow steps to replace the battery in the Battery Replacement Guide.
Trackpad is unresponsive when it is clicked. The trackpad is unresponsive when a finger is placed upon and moved over the trackpad surface.
Check the power of your remote, make sure it is ON. Your controller is on if it is connected to the headset. The Vive controller is on when the LED light flashes upon pressing the menu or system button. To turn on the controller, hold the System Button until you hear a beep and the LED light turns blue.
If you press the trackpad button and it does not move, there may be dirt or sticky residue from snacks underneath the trackpad. You will need to follow the guide Front Panel Buttons Replacement Guide to clean out the dirt or sticky residue below the trackpad.
If you move your finger upon the trackpad surface and there is no response, you will need to replace the trackpad. Follow the steps in Front Panel Buttons Replacement Guide to replace the trackpad button.
