Hi folks. This may sound like a weird one, it sure does to me. But I am a fairly experienced IT professional (retired) and I cannot figure this one out. I have a pretty standard router in my house (TP-Link AX1800). There are lots of different things on my property that use the WiFi and all of them work perfectly fine all the time, unless my ISP goes down.

Now, enter the Quest 3. I used to use the Quest 3 connected to a different WiFi on an access point router. Then life got busy and I did nothing with the Quest 3 for weeks. However, it was plugged in. I do not know exactly when the problem started.

Here's the problem: I can have many different devices on my home network just humming along, many accessing internet. But, as soon as the Quest 3 connects to the WiFi, all devices in my network lose their internet access.

If I turn off the Quest 3 WiFi, the network will return, but it will take a while, I am guessing because it is probably reconnecting with my ISP, or something like that.

Does anyone know anything that could help me know what's going on? I know how to log into my router and I have checked all the available settings I see. As stated, everything else works perfectly.

I opened a support ticket with Meta about an hour ago but I don't know how long that will take or whether they will even address it with me.

I should add that the headset has no problem connecting to my iPhone WiFi hotspot. So, I know it's either something in the TP-Link router configuration, or something at the ISP. I have not contacted the ISP yet.

I even had a brand new TP-Link BE9700 WiFi 7 router so I set it up and same result. That makes me think it's the headset. I changed mac addressing to Use Device Mac on the headset. And yes, I did a factory reset of the headset, and when everything was re-initialized, the problem still exists. I am lost.

Any help, suggestions, I am all ears. I can't think of anything else to check.

Have you tried setting up a guest network and exclusively connect the Quest 3 to that network?

2 hours ago, Flyfox said:

Have you tried setting up a guest network and exclusively connect the Quest 3 to that network?

Yes, it connected but a guest network does not allow it to see any other devices on the network. So headset could not interface with main computer. 

I use Virtual Desktop with my Quest 3. Might be worth trying. For me, Virtual Desktop works much better (faster and more stable) than Air Link or USB-C cable.

If you can’t get it work like this you might have to use a dedicated Wifi 6 router.

1 hour ago, Flyfox said:

I use Virtual Desktop with my Quest 3. Might be worth trying. For me, Virtual Desktop works much better (faster and more stable) than Air Link or USB-C cable.

If you can’t get it work like this you might have to use a dedicated Wifi 6 router.

although i agree with you on VD working way better than usb-c cable i read nothing in the issue about a problem related to PC connection or playing flightsim in VR for that matter. Only that connecting the Q3 to WiFi makes the other devices loose internet connection.

So, all devices are still connected to the network and have (dedicated IP addresses?) but the Q3 being the only one accessing the internet?

Could it have something to do with DNS settings?

 

I was using virtual desktop previously but you can’t use it if you can’t connect to a home wifi network. When the problem occurs, everything loses internet access, including the headset. I have tried with an additional access point but it didn’t help. I actually get a pretty good image with the link cable. I’ve got the Oculus link app and the Oculus tray tool dialed in port we’ll. But i don’t fly large airliners so the load on the system isn’t that bad.
 

But i don’t want to ignore the problem because the unit is still under extended care for another 13 months. 
 

the behavior sounds a bit like what happens if you get duplicate ip addresses in the network but i can’t find anywhere that would be coming from in my system. I do use ip reservations but a duplicate would almost certainly have to be coming from something with a static ip defined but the only thing in my system with a static ip is the actual router. 

Why bother rather than just buy a cheap Wifi 6 router to avoid any hassle?

Already own a new wifi 7 capable router. Didnt help. All devices still lost internet when quest 3 connected to wifi. 

On 12/5/2025 at 5:22 PM, Rob G said:

Already own a new wifi 7 capable router. Didnt help. All devices still lost internet when quest 3 connected to wifi. 

I am talking about a dedícated router exklusively for the Quest 3; it should not cause any problem with your main router.

I use a Wifi mesh from TP-Link and observe no problem at all, although many other devices are connected to the same network.