Fix Rift S Microphone intermittent quality dropping (Robot / Metallic voice)
I'd like to request you guys to fix the intermittent microphone quality dropping that a lot of users are facing on the Rift S. Here's a link to show you how the issue shows up:
https://clips.twitch.tv/IgnorantAntediluvianAlfalfaPanicBasket
As you can listen the quality drop occurs just for a few seconds, but it's random and intermittent getting people annoyed in social games like Pavlov VR, VRChat and RecRoom. Hope you guys can fix it somehow. I have opened a support ticket already but they couldn't help me to fix the problem. Thanks.

129 comments
-
Anonymous commented
Its an usb power thing some headsets are triggered by it.
-
Belial20XX commented
I am beginning to believe it is a USB bandwidth and power issue. This would be the only explanation I can give. The Rift S is using 1 cable to transmit the data for the sensors as well as power the head set. I have had this problem on a brand new set out of the box. I think I have negated the issues by management of my USB devices.
I had a MS Kinect 2.0, a HP webcam, several external USB 3.0 HDD that used the MB for power,1 HDD using a powered dock, 1 LG Bluray 5.5 bay drive using and external dock and I also have a PreSonus 24c audio interface. I had to move my KB and Mouse to a powered USB 2.0 hub along with the Bluray drive. I moved one external drive to use the USB C on my GPU for power since the Rift S did not like that with the adapter I got. I moved 2 other drives to the USB 3.1 Gen 2 controller because the Rift S does not like that one either. The powered HDD dock I just power off before playing.
I found making these changes solved my problem leading me to believe there is an issues with the Rift S and the USB controller data saturation. If you have a loaded set up like I do and use a lot of USB powered devices like even an RGB KB, you may be having the same issue as I had.
I would suggest getting 1 powered USB 2.0 hub and put whatever runs fine on 2.0 on that and get another powered USB 3.0 hub and put whatever external devices that require 3.0 on that. This way you can keep the majority of the MB USB ports clear and then there should not be a USB power issues and if you can turn off the devices you do not need while playing that should solve the data bandwidth issues.
Since I have done this the problem has not returned. I will add that I do disable all other sound devices while in VR as well to make sure there is no conflicts with windows being windows. I just re-enable after every session.
-
Vaxerino7 commented
Just bought an Oculus Rift S for Christmas and I am having the same problem. Please fix this!
-
DerangedVisions commented
Yep..I have a cable on the way thinking that might solve the issue. :(
-
Gambo F84 commented
same here
-
Izzy Truly commented
I'm having this problem too. People are complaining all the time about my audio in VRChat. Everyone is like "oh, you have a Rift S, right?" It's obviously a well known and widespread problem and it makes it really hard to have a conversation with anyone. It's pretty sad that the complaints on here go back over a year and no response from Oculus...
-
Anonymous commented
I just bought a Rift S for Christmas how is this still an issue it has been well over one and a half years and still no fix in sight what is this
honestly, this is the best way possible to show that your competition is better in every way...
Say nothing do nothing keep doing this and you'll lose a customer base
-
Johnathan Chandler commented
I have all of these same problems, and thought it was a computer problem, I am a little relieved to see other with the same exact problem. I bought a trackir and put the rift S on the shelf. But will not be buying any other oculus products, this has been an issue for some time, and no fix.
-
Benjamin Kellner commented
I am having this same issue.
-
Anonymous commented
Please fix the robot voice its very annoying
-
Anonymous commented
Make a complaint to the BBB and also the FTC if customer server is giving you a hard time fulfilling your warranty. This is unexpectable.
-
Norbert Felcsuti commented
Same problem here, my friends hate my voice... :( please fix it! :)
-
Rift S Regret Buying commented
Does this mean that if theres a problem on the new Quest 2, then they won't fix that either? I also have a random blackout issue that started a few weeks ago and I've only had this thing for 3 months.
-
squaddala king commented
Unbelievable how this company can be owned by one of the richest companies in the world (Facebook) and they still are so ******** mentally ******** they cant even do something as basic as a MICROPHONE. Its just unacceptable, what a garbage company and a rip off.
No fixes, no replies from a dev. Nothing. They take your money and dont even ATTEMPT to help after like A YEAR. Absolute nonsense, and there is no reason to do nothing about it except for greed and laziness.
Get it together
-
Anonymous commented
Same problem as the rest of you guys.....
-
Anonymous commented
same issue for me
-
SLYneT commented
Just got my Rift S. Same problem.
-
anthony commented
My rift s is unusable because of this mic issue. I already bought your Quest 2 like you are pushing me to do, but can you address an important flaw in a product that should not be considered obsolete?
-
crittersfritters commented
Just got the Rift S and have the same issue, kinda discouraging to hear Oculus doesn't care about it.
-
Levi van den Berg commented
I have the exact same problem. I have already heard some people say that if you disconnect the outgoing audio the mic works perfectly. So that would mean it's probably a bandwidth problem with the usb. I hope this could be fixed with a software update. But it sucks that I had to spent money on a audio extension cable and wear my gaming headset just to play vr chat.