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To set up SteamVR Chaperone, clear a safe play area, start SteamVR, wait for your headset and tracking devices to show ready, then follow the Room Setup prompts to designate the area. Test it by slowly approaching the boundary from inside the room and confirming that the grid appears. Chaperone only marks the boundary you set; it does not detect furniture, pets, or overhead hazards.

Prepare a safe play area

Move obstacles, including pets, out of the intended play space. Check that you can extend both arms and controllers without touching walls, the ceiling, furniture, or other objects. Also account for anything that projects into the area, not just objects on the floor.

Valve specifies at least 2 m by 1.5 m (6.5 ft by 5 ft) of clear space for room-scale play with Valve Index. That figure is specific to the Index guide, not a universal minimum for every headset. Seated-only and standing-only setups need less space; use the play-area guidance for your headset and the mode it supports. Valve Index setup guide

Set up Chaperone in SteamVR

  1. Launch SteamVR. Wait for the headset and tracking devices to appear ready in the SteamVR status window. Valve says a ready device appears solid green.
  2. Open Room Setup when prompted. Follow the instructions shown on your own Room Setup screen. The exact screens and prompts can vary by headset and software version.
  3. Designate your play area. Use the controllers as directed to mark out the space you cleared. Keep the boundary inside the safe area, with room to spare before walls and objects.

Valve’s guidance describes the general setup process rather than a single current click-by-click sequence for every headset. Use the prompts displayed for your device. Valve Index setup guide

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Test the room boundary safely

  1. Stand well inside the designated play area with the controllers in hand.
  2. Walk slowly toward one edge while watching for the Chaperone grid.
  3. Repeat from inside the area toward other edges, stopping when the grid appears; do not run, lunge, or deliberately collide with the boundary.

This slow approach is a practical check based on how the default grid behaves: it appears as you approach the boundary, rather than remaining visible throughout the room. Valve warns that the grid may not appear soon enough if you move quickly. Chaperone cannot show or detect physical objects, the floor, the ceiling, or hazards above you. It is not a substitute for choosing a safe play area or using a spotter where appropriate. SteamVR Chaperone FAQ

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Fix common Room Setup and boundary problems

The virtual floor or forward direction is wrong

Run SteamVR > Run Room Setup again and follow the prompts. Valve’s Index troubleshooting guidance also points to advanced room setup options for changing orientation. Valve Index troubleshooting guide

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The floor height is still inaccurate

Rerun Room Setup. For a more stable floor calibration, Valve advises placing the controllers on the floor with their triggers facing upward. If the floor is particularly reflective, place a flat, non-reflective object beneath them. A quick calibration is also available at SteamVR Settings > Developer > Room and Tracking. Valve floor calibration advice

Tracking drifts or the headset seems to float

For a Lighthouse-tracked setup, check that base stations are powered, visible, aimed toward the play area, and mounted securely on a stable surface. Cover reflective windows, mirrors, televisions, or monitor screens that may interfere with tracking. Rerun Room Setup after changing the room or station positions. These station checks apply to compatible Lighthouse tracking; other tracking systems may have different requirements. Valve tracking guidance

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A device is not ready in SteamVR

Check the device connections and restart SteamVR before trying Room Setup again. A solid green indicator in the status window means a device is ready, according to Valve’s troubleshooting guidance. Valve Index troubleshooting guide

Quick Recap

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