How to Solve HTC Vive Error 208: HMD Display Not Found

Jun. 24, 2022 / Updated by Helia to Windows Driver Solutions

You have a "dead" HTC Vive when you start the HTC VR headset for the first time but get the error message, HMD display not found (error code 208). Vive error 208 indicates that there must be something wrong with the hardware or software related to display.

If you did see "HMD display not found" or "HMD found over USB, but monitor not found" message with error code 208 on the screen, you could try the following methods of how to fix HTC Vive error 208.

Method 1: Check the HTC Vive VR Headset Device

When you encounter Vive display not working problem, you need to check the VR device, including the cables and the link box.

how-to-fix-HTC-Vive-error-208-HMD-diaplay-not-found.jpg

1. Check All the Cables

The Vive display not working or Vive error 208 may be caused by a failure of connection.

Make sure all the cables are connected to the devices properly, including the headset, the PC and the link box. Plug the HMD power cord into the port if it is loose. Take off the cable panel on the HMD and then push it forward.

2. Check the Link Box

You could find the marks on each cable that remind you how to connect to the Link Box.

Check-the-HTC-Vive-VR-Headset-Device-and-fix-error-208-cable-marks.jpg

Make sure the orange ports on the Link Box are plugged in with the orange-marked cords from the headset.

Check-the-HTC-Vive-VR-Headset-Device-and-fix-error-208-orange-ports.jpg

Also make sure the ports on opposite side of the Link Box are plugged in with the proper cables from the PC.

Check-the-HTC-Vive-VR-Headset-Device-and-fix-error-208-PC.jpg

Incorrect connection of the cables may result a continual notification of error 208. It is recommended to connect the devices to the HDMI ports with the HDMI cords as possible as you can instead of using the DP ports.

You could also refer to HTC Vive official site for help if you have any problems with your HTC Vive device.

Method 2: Check the Graphics Card and the Driver

The error "HMD display not found" or "HMD found over USB, but monitor not found" also occurs when your PC does not satisfy the specs demands. Check the following on your computer.

1. The Graphics Card

Incorrect graphics card can cause HTC Vive display errors, like driver failed (error 200) and HMD display not found (error 208).

Your PC should be equipped with graphics card NVIDIA GeForce GTX 970 or AMD Radeon R9 290 or greater for HTC Vive. Make sure the graphics card on your PC is in a same or a higher version as the ones above.

Read More:

2. The Graphics Drivers

Outdated drivers may result a myriad of system issues, such as BSoD, display driver stop responding, no bluetooth connection, etc. In case errors 208 or error 200 plague you, make sure the graphics drivers on your computer is updated to its latest version.

Run Driver Talent on the PC to check the graphics drivers, display drivers or video drivers and update them. (If the Driver Talent, the professional driver troubleshooter, is not installed on your PC, you could click the button below to download it directly.)

Download Now


You could update the graphics drivers in 3 steps:

Step 1: Scan the PC for Outdated Drivers

Click Scan and Driver Talent will detect all the drivers on your PC.

scan-graphics-drivers-and-fix-htc-vive-error-208

Step 2: Update the Drivers

Click Update if there are outdated or old version graphics drivers. Driver Talent will download and install the drivers automatically.

update-graphics-drivers-to-fix-htc-vive-error-208

Step 3: Restart the Computer

The newly installed drivers will take effect after you restart the PC.

Note: Driver Talent provides the VR Support Check function to find out whether your computer is compatible with HTC Vive VR device. Click Hardware Detection in the Toolbox menu to do a scan.

vr-support-check-and-fix htc-vive-error-208

Besides, you could download and install the latest graphics derivers manually from the manufactures’ official sites.

Read More:How to Fix AMD Radeon Graphics Not Showing in Windows 10

If you also encounter HTC device driver issues, see How to Update HTC Device Driver Efficiently in Windows.

Now start your HTC Vive headset, and the Vive error 208 won’t disturb you anymore. Just enjoy your VR games.

Method 3: Stop or Uninstall the Security for the Time Being

Some system care programs will prevent the HTC Vive setup from running, affecting the installation of the Vive, Steam and SteamVR.

You could try to stop the system security service or uninstall system care software in case of the Vive error 208, and then setup the Vive, Steam and SteamVR again to see if the Vive issue has been solved.

Method 4: Reboot or Reinstall the Windows OS

If none of the methods above do help to revive the Vive, you may think reboot or reinstall the Windows OS as the last method.

Some of the users fix the Vive issues magically and manage to start their Vive headset with this, though it is a little time-consuming.

Read More:Reinstall Windows 10/8.1/8/7/XP/Vista Driver

Hope this article is helpful to resolve the HTC Vive error 208. You must be the lucky one to enjoy the VR games.

If you have more ideas of "how to fix HTC Vive error 208", or say error HMD display not found, please comment in the section below or click the LEFT MENU for more help. Any other driver-related issues, see Resource Center section.

Driver-Talent ExplorerMax DownLoad_DT_Net Driver Talent for Network Card
Smart and advanced file explorer tool for Windows platforms Download & Install Network Drivers without Internet Connection
30-day Free Trial Free Download

We Are Trusted By