Meta paused shipments of its Elite Strap with Battery for Quest 3 late last month due to a widespread charging fault that would render the battery useless for some users. Meta is now unpausing orders of the device, as it hopes to send out a new batch of battery straps with new firmware by the year’s end.

Update (December 14th, 2023): Meta is resuming orders of its Elite Strap with Battery for Quest 3, which for now is only available direct from Meta. The company has yet to resume orders for the device through third-party vendors such as Amazon or Best Buy, as it seems the company is catching up to fulfill replacements made by existing customers who initially encountered faulty units.

In the US, new orders for the battery strap placed today result in a December 19th shipment date, while European orders are slated to arrive a bit later, estimated for December 29th.

The original article discussing the sales pause follows below:

Original Article (November 28th, 2023): We reported earlier this month that the Elite Strap with Battery was facing serious reliability issues among its users. For some, the $130 accessory, which provides around two hours of extra playtime and better ergonomics than the stock strap, simply refused to charge Quest 3 after a certain point, rendering it largely an expensive counterweight.

At the time, Meta Support told Road to VR that replacing faulty units with a fresh one “may not necessarily resolve the problem,” which ostensibly pointed either to a hardware fault or an issue with the Elite Battery Strap’s firmware.

Quest 3 Elite Strap with Battery | Image courtesy Meta

A Meta spokesperson has now confirmed with Road to VR that it has temporarily paused sales of the device while it manufactures new ones without the fault, which the company says was indeed related to the device’s firmware.

Meta says it’s not recalling the device as such, but rather replacing affected units on a case-by-case basis, and that it’s working with retailer partners to stock new units “as soon as possible.”

In the meantime, official Meta retail partners Target and Best Buy have completely removed listings for the device. Listings are still available on a few retailers, including Amazon and directly through Meta, albeit marked as ‘out of stock’ with no indication when new stock will ship. We’ve reached out to several major retailers for a quote on availability, and will update this article when/if we hear back.

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For now, you may still find the odd Elite Strap with Battery for Quest 3 still on the store shelves at places such as Best Buy, although some Reddit users have reported being unable to actually buy units in-person as late as last week, as stores weren’t allowed to sell them. Until new stock arrives, users should be aware they potentially have a faulty unit.

That said, many users haven’t experienced the fault at all, so it’s still not clear what behavior can set it off. Whatever the case, US consumers have a one-year warranty to replace Meta devices, while EU consumers have two years to do so. If you have issues with your Elite Strap with Battery for Quest 3, the company suggests reaching out to Meta Support for troubleshooting and/or replacement.

This isn’t the first time Meta faced manufacturing issues with the Elite Strap line. Released for Quest 2 in 2020, both the Elite Strap and Elite Strap with Battery suffered premature breakage due to design issues that caused the device’s plastic struts to spontaneously crack. Meta extended the warranty of both Elite Strap variants once it unpaused sales in late 2020, or around two months after the company initially halted shipments of faulty units.

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Well before the first modern XR products hit the market, Scott recognized the potential of the technology and set out to understand and document its growth. He has been professionally reporting on the space for nearly a decade as Editor at Road to VR, authoring more than 4,000 articles on the topic. Scott brings that seasoned insight to his reporting from major industry events across the globe.
  • Cl

    Mine stopped working the other day

  • Horshu

    My Quest 2 had the same problem – the charger did *not* want to charge the battery through the headset, so I’d have to disconnect it and charge the battery directly.

  • Joseph Dea

    When is this expected to be resolved and available again?

  • I just got an email from meta, they will send me a refurbished unit.

    • This is happening with all after marke backup batteries! It’s a Quest 3 battery/software issue! Meta fighting not to admit it! Likely will be huge recall on Meta 3s and possibly class action! Might end Meta unfortunately. They really screwed up on battery technology on The Meta 3!

      • Arno van Wingerde

        Well, my Transnovo battery strap charges, as well as the Quest3.

        • My Quest 3 has been approved for replacement !

        • I have a first release quest meta has admitted it doesn’t Matter what backup it is it won’t keep up if in use unfortunately.

        • Good for you. Mine won’t go more than 6 hours plugged in directly to wall outlet while playing, or on multiple types of battery back ups with 30w output.

          • ViRGiN

            Too poor for proper electricity?

    • LBuskey

      Just curious, do you know if the strap’s battery is supposed to be able to charge through the Meta charging dock if used?

      • I see a comment on Amazon that it will change the external battery

  • Nads

    My quest 3 issue is far worse then this, every play session one of my remotes will just die suddenly even with 50% battery remaining! The only way to fix it and get it to work again is to remove the battery from it and put it back in. It will then again die a second time within a few mins, so you have to take out and reinsert again. Only after the second time it stops happening again in that play session! :(

    • Arno van Wingerde

      Sounds like a guarantee issue, I would contact Meta and get a replacement… even when that means not having that controller for some time.

      • Nads

        I contacted them last night actually, they want me to do further testing with a brand new set of batteries, even though I told them that the remote dies when battery is still 30% left etc…

  • LP

    “Ah shit, here we go again”

  • I wonder what problem will have the Elite Strap for Quest 4…

    • ViRGiN

      out of stock due to massive demand

      • They’re junk just like Quest 2 elite junk straps!

        • ViRGiN

          sad to see people unable to afford it

          • LOL

            Ignorant troll alert..
            Do not feed it..

          • ViRGiN

            People have mind of their own and don’t need to listen senseless propaganda of yours.

  • digitaldeity

    I haven’t had a problem with mine since day 1, but I have to admit that I wouldn’t mind having the new and approved one that’s going to come out.

  • I played population one yesterday with no battery backup on a full charge. The headset lasted less than 1 hour and 20 minutes. Opened a return with Meta! I have a 21,000 mAh Anker backup battery I normally use for Quest 2 no issues! Unfortunately when I use the Anker 21,000 mAh woth Quest 3 it doesn’t keep up on the Quest 3 charge. I’m limited to Quest 3 usage due to Meta’s failed battery tech Unfortunately! This is a complete headset/Quest battery issue! I expect a recall or class action soon!

    • ViRGiN

      Get a proper battery pack that wasn’t designed for slow charging of a smartwatch.

      • You’re a fucking retard! Never go full retard!

        • ViRGiN

          You clearly have a punch able face!

          • Come to Stockton and get on a mat with me. You wouldn’t last 30 seconds before tapping or crying!

          • ViRGiN

            You wouldn’t last 30 seconds buns!

    • Sven Viking

      Regarding “doesn’t keep up on the Quest 3 charge” — does it actually run out of power if you start using it on the battery from fully charged? It wouldn’t matter if the headset doesn’t maintain 100% charge as long as it doesn’t hit 0% before you’re finished playing.

      • Yes it’ll will run out of power with battery backup and shut off unfortunately. Meta has issued a replacement.

        • BlueScreenJunky

          Might be that your battery/cable doesn’t provide enough power to the Quest. This might sound stupid but Anker batteries have a “trinkling charge” mode that’s designed for charging earbuds and stuff and can be activated manually, once in this mode they will charge very slowly, maybe make sure you didn’t activate it buy mistake.

          Also the Quest3 is eating a LOT of power, so you’ll need a battery and cable that can deliver enough. I’m using a 30W PD battery and cable (Anker Powerbank Nano 10000), and the Q3 is very slowly charging up when I use it… I suspect on the most demanding games it might actually charge down slowly even with the battery. So if your battery only goes up to 20W charging (like the PowerCore Essential 20000 PD) it may not be enough to keep up with the Q3.

          Could also very well be that’s there’s something wrong with your headset so I guess you’ll see how it goes with the replacement.

          • Unfortunately the battery stand alone only last 1 1/2 hours on full charge. I’ve tried multiple backup batteries. My anker output is 30w! Kept quest 2 fully charged for 24 hours + lol… Unfortunately there’s a manufacturer defect Meta has offered a replacement and acknowledged there’s an issue. The back up battery will extend the life around 5 hours but headset won’t allow it to keep it fully charged even plugged in directly to outlet while playing for more than 6 hours.

      • Yes it runs out and shuts off around 6 hours on 30w output battery backup or directly to the wall outlet with longer cord. 1 1/2 hour only on standalone…

        • Sven Viking

          Not good but I guess six hours would be enough for most people at least (excluding VR arcades).

          • On occasions I play longer than that. I’ve broken 12hrs a couple times. I don’t sit when I play either…

          • ViRGiN

            LMAO 12h.
            Get a life.

          • I’ll change yours in under 30 seconds! You’ll literally never be the same! You ever come across someone you wish you hadn’t of fucked with ? That’s me I’m that guy! You’d literally pass yourself in my presence!

          • ViRGiN

            Bla bla bla come and bite me.

          • I don’t bite… I have ripped an ear off someone before that didn’t listen… You still in New Zealand buns?

          • You still want to wrestle? You too old and fat these days?

        • ViRGiN

          What is your VR Chat username?

          • I don’t VR Chat I use it to work out a slay punks like you! Where do you live? Hopefully close to Stockton, CA!

  • ViRGiN

    You clearly can’t read lol

    • You’re clearly a Virgin! Go troll someone else or crawl back under you bridge.

      • ViRGiN

        Ignorant troll alert!!

        • You trolled me Schleprock!

        • LOL

          Ignorant troll alert.
          Do not feed it…..

          • ViRGiNCRUSHER

            I’m so sad Virgin blocked me.. Such a sensitive Troll Virgin is. Plus side I never have to see their stupid comments again!

          • ameba#23234 mdrea

            He is like the only person I ever blocked on the internet in 15 years of use

        • You trolled me buns!

    • You clearly have a punch able face!

      • ViRGiN

        You trolled me buns!

        • Now you’re even copy and pasting what I say!? You do need a good ass whooping!

          • ViRGiN

            Come to Stockton and get on a mat with me. You wouldn’t last 30 seconds before tapping or crying!

  • Cl

    So I have to send mine back for the firmware update?

    • ViRGiN

      If you had issues, and you contacted Meta, you wouldn’t have to send anything back, they would just send you a new one

  • ApocalypseShadow

    Oh that’s poor workmanship. You telling me all these stand alone headsets need a tether to an external power source or external battery just to last over 2 hours of play? Lol. It sucks but that’s what some get for bashing other products about external batteries and wires. There’s nothing wrong with either.

    All that crap given to Apple able an external battery and Quest 3 is in the same boat. LMAO.

  • Cl

    It says they are having battery issues.. on the battery strap. Not the whole headset. So when your external battery doesn’t keep the headset on, it may be due to your battery not charging it fast enough.

    It’s like complaining to a car manufacturer when your aftermarket stereo isn’t compatible.

    • Thank you for your Dunning–Kruger comments. Meta has issued a replacement due to failing battery in headset.

    • Yes it runs out and shuts off around 6 hours on 30w output battery backup or directly to the wall outlet with longer cord. 1 1/2 hour only on standalone… Kinda like if your aunt had balls she’d be your uncle but neither are the case!

  • Asdf

    Damn thing came built in to PICO and works fine. Who is guilty from blockading these into America???

  • Steven Yates

    Moral of the story is wait to buy new tech for a while if you can, If you cannot then do diligent research before purchasing. I purchased an aftermarket strap and bought a power bank with a decent usb c cable. Q3 maintains charge i all games for me.

  • ViRGiN

    You’re a fucking retard! Never go full retard!

    • You wouldn’t last 30 seconds buns!

      • ViRGiN

        You clearly have a punch able face!