DCS World VR Issues After 24 Sep Update – Fixes and Rollback Guide.
Community Update – What’s Happening & Fix Options.
Eagle Dynamics released a patch on 24 Sep 2025 (DCS 2.9.20.15384) that explicitly fixed a VR crash related to the Secondary Shadow map module, but many VR users particularly Meta/Oculus setups report that VR still either won’t launch.
It just shows a black/blank HMD or loses controller/input tracking. The 17 Sep build (2.9.20.15010) introduced changes that many players reverted to after early instability.
What Faults People Are Reporting
VR fails to start
Black screen, game stays on desktop while headset remains inactive. This usually still happens after the DCS Launcher loads, then when VR is selected you choose the VR option. DCS will load through to the NVIDIA screen then just after that it freezes at that point. Sometimes you get a headset disconnected message but when checked its connected.
VR crash or freeze
VR starts but locks up or crashes after a few seconds; 24 Sep patch fixed one class of VR crash but not all reports.
Controllers / input not detected
Motion controllers not showing or raw inputs missing (reported frequently by Meta/Quest/Oculus users).
OpenXR/runtime mismatches
Recent Meta/OpenXR client runtime updates can break how DCS uses OpenXR; users report Meta runtime updates as a root cause in many cases.
Mixed impact across headsets
While Meta/Oculus users seem hit hardest, some non-Meta users report glitches — impact varies by driver/runtime version and local config.
Options While We Wait for an Official Fix.
It’s frustrating but this happens from time to time. We as users need to remember the combination of PC hardware is incredibly diverse and this can cause problems as well as more likely optimizations and core improvements stepping on each other.
Here are a few options that may help get you back in the air. The most severe option is to roll back to the release prior to the 17th of September 2025 which is:
DCS 2.9.19.13478 – 13.08.2025 –
Check out the DCS WORLD CHANGELOG PAGE HERE!
Step by Step.
1. Check Meta/OpenXR runtime
Ensure your Meta Link / Meta (Oculus) PC app and OpenXR runtime are set correctly users often fix launch problems by toggling the default OpenXR runtime in the Meta app.
2. Disable OpenXR Toolkit or overlays
Temporarily uninstall or disable third-party tools that can conflict with DCS VR. Although popular XRTOOLKIT is not now recommended for DCS WORLD even though still popular. The developer has stopped supporting OPENXR toolkit as far as II know. Read Here! OPENXR TOOLKIT
3. Try SteamVR/OpenXR pathway
Alternative runtime paths sometimes work where native runtime fails. VR has a number of choices for DRIVERS essentially. Meta has their own then there is Steam’s options including OPENXR, not to be confused with the OPENXR Toolkit.
One is a DRIVER essentially and the other is a program/Utility. Read More about OpenXR here on Letsflyvfr.com on a previous post. READ HERE
4. Roll back to pre-17 Sep release
If you were stable before 17 Sep, consider rolling back to a previous build using the tutorial below. This is probably the easiest way to get back flying SINGLE PLAYER ONLY.
Why Single Player Only? We all need to be on the same version to use the many incredible Multiplayer servers like DCS Dogfighters or Heatblur 80’s Server to operate. Having multiple standards and update levels is not good and so they all limit you to fly if you’re on the latest DCS WORLD release. It’s just the way it is!
How to Roll Back DCS to a Previous Release.
Step 1: Close applications
Close DCS and Steam (if you use Steam).
Step 2: Locate bin folder
Find your DCS installation “bin” folder, for example:
C:\Program Files\Eagle Dynamics\DCS World\bin\
Step 3: Open Command Prompt
Open a Command Prompt with admin rights and cd into the bin folder.
Windows Key + R
Step 4: Run updater command
Use DCS_updater.exe to request a specific version. Example:
DCS_updater.exe update 2.9.19.13478@release
Step 5: Steam users
Steam will try to force updates. To prevent auto-update:
- Right-click DCS in Steam Library → Properties → Updates → “Only update this game when I launch it”
- Then run DCS_updater.exe manually.
Note: Steam rollbacks can be more limited — standalone is easier.
Step 6: Version availability
Only versions still hosted by Eagle Dynamics can be rolled back to. Older builds may not be available.
Step 7: After rollback
Test VR in a simple mission. If stable, stay on that build until an official fix is confirmed.
Quick Troubleshooting Checklist for Meta / Oculus Rift S.
- Confirm Meta (Oculus) app is up to date and Default OpenXR Runtime is set correctly.
- Remove or disable OpenXR Toolkit and other overlays.
- Update graphics drivers.
- Try running DCS as Administrator once after an update.
- Check log files under Saved Games\DCS\Logs if posting for help.
Conclusion
This is frustrating especially when a previously working VR setup (Meta/Oculus Rift S included) stops after an update. The good news: Eagle Dynamics is actively patching VR issues, the community has repeatable rollback methods, and runtime/workaround checks are helping some users restore functionality.
With ED’s ongoing fixes, stability for Meta/Oculus users should improve in coming patches.
Author
Brendon McAliece (Aka Gunnie) is a military veteran with 23 years working on Jet Fighters, their weapons systems and ejection seat/module systems as well as munitions and R&D.
Involved with flight simulation since the 1980s, he has flown all the major flight simulators over the years. He is an Australian expat who has lived in Malaysia, UK, Saudi Arabia and more recently Thailand.
He is a multi-lingual blogger who loves to share his life experiences here on LetsFlyVFR.com and DreamingGuitar.com, with his lifestyle and Travel experiences Blog plus his Dreaming Coffee website.
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