Windows 11 and 10 users, especially those enthusiastic about Virtual Reality (VR), might have come across a process called OVRServer_x64.exe. This executable can sometimes be demanding in terms of system resources such as CPU, GPU, Memory and even Network resources. Let’s embark on a detailed journey to unravel the intricacies of this process. In this article, we will look into the details of OVRServer_x64.exe, its functionalities, and the reasons behind its resource-intensive behavior.
Also see: How to Scan an .exe File for Viruses to Check If It’s Safe
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What is OVRServer_x64.exe?
OVRServer_x64.exe is an essential component of the Oculus VR platform developed by Oculus VR, LLC, a subsidiary of Meta Platforms, Inc. (formerly known as Facebook). Oculus VR is a leading company in the field of virtual reality and has been instrumental in bringing VR technology closer to mainstream users.
OVRServer_x64.exe is primarily responsible for handling communication between Oculus Rift or Oculus Quest devices and the software running on your Windows 11 or Windows 10 PC. It acts as a mediator, facilitating the transfer of data and instructions between the Oculus hardware and the VR applications you run on your computer.
Useful tip: How to Take a Screenshot on Oculus Quest 2 or Rift S
What are OVRRedir.exe and OVRServiceLauncher.exe?
Additionally, it’s essential to note that OVRServer_x64.exe is often accompanied by two other processes, namely OVRRedir.exe and OVRServiceLauncher.exe. OVRRedir.exe, or OVR Redir, is responsible for handling input redirection between the Oculus VR application and the virtual reality device, ensuring smooth and accurate tracking of user movements.
On the other hand, OVRServiceLauncher.exe, or OVR Service Launcher, is responsible for starting and stopping the Oculus VR service as needed, ensuring seamless communication between the Oculus hardware and software components.
The combined operation of these three processes forms a critical foundation for the Oculus VR platform, enabling a captivating and immersive VR experience on compatible systems. Understanding the role of these additional processes enhances our comprehension of OVRServer_x64.exe’s overall functionality and resource usage.
Why is OVRServer_x64.exe causing high CPU, GPU, and memory usage?
The high CPU, GPU, and memory usage caused by OVRServer_x64.exe can be attributed to several factors.
VR application demands
When you use VR applications, they often require significant computational resources to deliver an immersive experience. VR applications render complex 3D graphics and require real-time processing, which can put a considerable load on your CPU and GPU. OVRServer_x64.exe plays a crucial role in managing these demanding applications, leading to higher resource consumption.
Handy guide: How to Limit CPU Usage of a Process in Windows 11
Background processes
OVRServer_x64.exe doesn’t just manage VR applications while they are actively running; it also handles background processes related to Oculus devices. This constant monitoring and communication with Oculus hardware can result in sustained high resource usage even when you are not actively using VR applications.
Recommended read: GPU 100% Usage When Idle or Gaming (Good or Bad)
Driver and software updates
Oculus regularly releases updates for their hardware drivers and software to improve performance, fix bugs, and introduce new features. These updates may sometimes cause temporary spikes in CPU and memory usage during the installation process, but it should subside once the updates are complete.
Hardware compatibility
In some cases, high resource usage may be due to hardware compatibility issues. If your computer’s hardware is not optimized for VR, it may struggle to handle the demands of OVRServer_x64.exe and VR applications, resulting in higher CPU, GPU, and memory usage.
Linked issue: Oculus Rift S or Quest 2 No Headset Audio on Windows 11/10 PC
Why does OVRServer_x64.exe sometimes also cause high network usage?
Apart from CPU, GPU, and memory usage, OVRServer_x64.exe may occasionally cause high network usage. This behavior is primarily related to the following reasons:
Software updates
When Oculus releases software updates for its VR platform, OVRServer_x64.exe may use your network connection to download these updates in the background. This can lead to a temporary increase in network usage.
VR content streaming
Some VR applications may require streaming content or data from the internet to provide a seamless experience. In such cases, OVRServer_x64.exe may use your network connection to fetch the necessary data, contributing to higher network usage.
Related resource: How to Know Which Process is Using The Internet in Windows 11
Why is OVRServer_x64.exe always running in the background?
OVRServer_x64.exe is designed to run in the background persistently to ensure a seamless VR experience. Keeping the process running in the background allows it to manage Oculus devices and VR applications efficiently. Additionally, OVRServer_x64.exe needs to maintain constant communication with Oculus hardware, which necessitates its continuous operation.
While it may consume some resources, this design ensures that you can seamlessly switch between VR and non-VR experiences without the need to manually start or stop any processes.
Related concern: Why is My Memory Usage So High When Nothing is Running?
How to set OVRServer_x64.exe priority?
If you find that OVRServer_x64.exe is causing performance issues on your computer and want to manage its priority, you can do so through the Task Manager. Here’s how:
- Right-click on the taskbar and click “Task Manager” or press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open the Task Manager.
- In the Task Manager window, go to the “Details” tab.
- In the “Details” tab, right-click on “OVRServer_x64.exe” and hover over “Set priority.“
- Choose the desired priority level. It is essential to exercise caution when changing process priorities, as setting it to a higher priority might affect the performance of other critical processes.
How to disable OVRServer_x64.exe?
If you find the OVRServer_x64.exe process consuming too many resources and you don’t frequently use your Oculus device, consider disabling it. Here’s a step-by-step guide:
Using the Services application
This method allows you to stop the service from starting up automatically when you boot your computer:
- Press Win + R to open the “Run” dialogue box.
- Type “services.msc” and press Enter to open the Services application.
- Scroll through the list to find “Oculus VR Runtime Service”.
- Right-click on this service and select “Properties”.
- In the “Startup type” dropdown, select “Disabled”.
- If the service is running, click “Stop” to halt it immediately.
- Click “Apply” and “OK”.
Remember to enable the service again if you plan to use the Oculus device, as it won’t function correctly without the associated service running.
Using Task Manager
If you want to temporarily stop the process without preventing it from starting up during the next boot:
- Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc or Ctrl + Alt + Del and choose “Task Manager”.
- Under the “Processes” tab, locate OVRServer_x64.exe.
- Right-click on the process and choose “End Task”.
Note: This method only stops the process temporarily. It will likely start again when you reboot your system or launch Oculus software.
Through the Oculus application
For those who have the Oculus application installed:
- Open the Oculus app on your PC.
- Click on “Settings” in the left pane.
- Go to the “General” section.
- Toggle off “Automatically Start Oculus Service on Login”.
OVRServer_x64.exe has stopped working issue
Sometimes, users might face an issue where the OVRServer_x64.exe process stops working. Here are steps to troubleshoot:
- Update Oculus Software: Ensure you have the latest Oculus software. Click on “Settings” in the Oculus application, go to “General”, and check for updates.
- Graphics Driver Update: Outdated graphics drivers can cause compatibility issues. Ensure you have the latest version from your GPU manufacturer’s website.
- Reinstallation: If the above steps fail, consider reinstalling the Oculus software.
- Contact Support: If the issue persists, reach out to Oculus support for assistance.
Insight from Reddit users about OVRServer_x64.exe
On a Reddit post about OVRServer_x64.exe, users engaged in a discussion to gain clarity about the process and its behavior. One user mentioned that OVRServer_x64.exe communicates with the internet to perform various tasks, including content fetching, store and app updates, and friend list tracking related to Oculus Home.
Another user tested the process and found that it continues to run even when Oculus Home is not in use. The process appears to maintain connections with Facebook content servers, possibly for background game installations. While it periodically retains a connection to Facebook, there’s no apparent identifying content that could be used for advertising purposes.
Some users speculated that this connection may help track the Rift’s location, allowing Oculus to know when the device is being used elsewhere. However, the exact purpose remains unclear.
Summary
In conclusion, OVRServer_x64.exe is a vital process that enables the seamless functioning of Oculus VR applications on Windows 11 or Windows 10 PCs. Its high CPU, GPU, memory, and network usage can be attributed to the demanding nature of VR experiences and its continuous communication with Oculus devices.
While its resource-intensive behavior is normal during VR usage, users can manage its priority through the Task Manager if necessary. However, caution should be exercised when adjusting priorities to avoid potential impacts on other critical processes.
For those who rarely use VR applications, temporarily disabling OVRServer_x64.exe is possible through the Task Manager, but it’s essential to remember that this action will render Oculus VR devices unusable until re-enabled.
