Common VR Issues

This page lists a few of the most common VR problems RaceLab users run into, along with calm, step-by-step checks you can try before diving into more advanced debugging. All tips are based on the official RacelabVR v3 documentation and support notes.^[1]

Overlays behind the game

Symptoms:

• You press the RaceLab VR toggle key but see no overlays in the headset.
• Overlays appear on the desktop mirror but not in VR.
• It feels like overlays are “behind” or “under” the game image.

Start with these checks:

1. Confirm RacelabVR is installed and running.
   RaceLab VR overlays require the separate RacelabVR component to be installed and detected by the main RaceLab app.^[2]
2. Make sure you have pressed the correct Toggle VR key.
   In RaceLab, check the VR settings page for your Toggle VR key binding. Once your sim is running in VR, press that key to enable or disable the VR overlays inside the headset.^[3]
3. Use a supported VR runtime.
   RacelabVR v3 supports OpenXR and OpenVR for most sims. The old legacy Oculus API is not supported, and OpenComposite has known issues in some titles (for example AMS2).^[4]
4. Re-centre before editing overlays.
   Before adjusting overlays in VR, always re-centre your view. This helps RaceLab place overlays where you expect them, instead of off to the side or behind you.^[3]

If overlays still seem to be missing after these steps, try a very simple overlay set (for example one small overlay only) to rule out layout complexity as the cause.

Stuttering / ghosting

Symptoms:

• VR feels smooth without overlays, but stutters when RacelabVR is active.
• Turning your head causes “smearing” or ghosting of the image.

Things to check:

1. Number of overlays.
   Start with a light overlay set – for example relatives + fuel only. Too many overlays or very complex layouts can add extra work for the GPU and compositor.
2. Resolution scale for overlays.
   RacelabVR has a resolutionScale setting that changes the internal render resolution of overlays. Values above 1.0 increase clarity but also increase VRAM and GPU load significantly, which can cause stutters on weaker systems.^[5]
3. Game graphics settings.
   Try lowering one or two heavy options (shadows, reflections, volumetric effects) before changing everything. Aim for a stable frame rate first, then add details back gradually.
4. Other overlay / monitoring tools.
   If you run several overlay or monitoring tools at once, temporarily disable them and test with only RaceLab + RacelabVR to see if the stutter goes away.

Once performance is stable, save that configuration as your “safe” VR layout so you always have something reliable to go back to.

Text too small / scaling

Symptoms:

• Overlay text looks soft or fuzzy.
• You can’t read the overlays without leaning in or squinting.

Steps to improve readability:

1. Move overlays slightly closer and lower.
   Many users find overlays easiest to read when they sit low and slightly forward, just below the main driving focus, instead of high up or far away.
2. Increase overlay size in small steps.
   In the RaceLab VR settings, gently increase overlay size until you can read comfortably – but stop before they start covering too much of the cockpit view.
3. Use resolution scale carefully.
   On some headsets (especially Varjo) it can help to raise resolutionScale a little to sharpen text, but this also increases VRAM usage a lot, so it should be done cautiously.^[5]

If you have to strain to read overlays, it is better to use fewer overlays with clear, big text than many overlays with tiny blurred text.

VR Setup Overlays

VR overlays in RaceLab are powered by RacelabVR v3. At a high level, the setup looks like this:^[2][3]

1. Install RacelabVR.
   If RaceLab does not detect a VR installation, it will guide you to download and install RacelabVR. VR support is a Pro feature.
2. Create one or more VR overlay sets.
   On the VR settings page you can add overlays to a “VR overlay set” (for example a race set and a quali set). You can assign key bindings to cycle between sets or jump straight to a specific one.
3. Start game + RaceLab + RacelabVR.
   Launch RaceLab and your sim, go on track, then use the Toggle VR key to enable overlays inside the headset. RacelabVR will auto-detect your VR runtime (OpenXR / OpenVR / SteamVR) where supported.
4. Re-centre, then position overlays.
   Always re-centre before entering overlay edit mode. Adjust the position and size of each overlay until they are comfortable, then save the configuration.

Once everything is working, avoid making big changes before races. Do your experiments in test sessions, then lock in a “known good” VR overlay set.