Meta Provides Complimentary Quest 3S Replacement After Software Update Disables Some Headsets

Gathering around the Christmas tree only to find yourself stuck downloading updates and charging batteries can be a real buzzkill. Worse yet? Running into an update that renders your shiny new device useless before you’ve even had a chance to play with it. This unfortunate scenario hit a swath of users last week, prompting Meta to step up with replacement units and Horizon Store credit to make amends.

On December 25th, Reddit lit up with reports from new Quest owners facing a nightmare: a critical error message post-update warning that their device is corrupt and untrustworthy. This error essentially bricked their VR headsets, leaving no option for a reset.

The culprit appears to be the Quest’s v72 update, rolled out earlier in the month. It’s not just affecting new devices but also older models that hadn’t been updated for some time.

Meta acknowledged the issue in a user support thread, saying, “We’ve discovered a software update issue causing some Quest 2/3/3S headsets to become unresponsive. We’re actively working to resolve this for everyone, but most users should now be able to operate their devices normally.”

A small fraction of new headsets seemed to fall victim to this glitch. However, since Meta hit pause and pulled the problematic firmware, new users who haven’t yet set up their Quest headsets should avoid the hassle altogether. For those already impacted, Meta is replacing the bricked devices and tossing in some Horizon Store credit as a gesture of goodwill.

In a follow-up communication, Meta confirmed the software hiccup affecting a limited number of Quest 3S headsets, promising, “If you’re affected, we’ll send you a replacement device free of charge, along with some Horizon Store credit to underline our support for you.”

Despite Meta’s quick action, the damage couldn’t be undone for everyone. Some, like Reddit user ‘Physical-Slip5049’, decided to return their faulty headsets and hoped for better luck on the next try. Sharing their story, Physical-Slip5049 wrote, “I picked up a never-used Quest 2 from eBay as a gift for my 9-year-old son. On Christmas morning, he eagerly unwrapped it, only to be hit with a mandatory update. After trying to reset it per Meta’s instructions, it was completely bricked. My son watched his Christmas dreams crash, and he spent the holiday in tears.”

Adding to the resolution efforts, Meta is reportedly extending offers of refurbished units to those with out-of-warranty devices like the Quest 2, along with the store credit.

As we continue to monitor developments, we’d love to hear your experiences. If you’ve been caught in this update mishap, share what Meta is doing to rectify the situation in the comments below!