protonscr

[BUG] vrserver high CPU use

steamvrclosed bug
ValveSoftware/SteamVR-for-Linux#859 · opened 2026-01-16 by baracoder · updated 2026-07-17 · 10 comments · github
Bbaracoder 2026-01-16 github

Describe the bug
vrserver uses 100% of a CPU core, even without any headset connected. CPU usage is much lower with WiVRn.
If other users don't observe this, it could be related to my dual GPU setup: Radeon 880M onboard and Radeon RX 9070 XT eGPU. Or it could be related to the virtual screen as it stays black. Using GNOME.

To Reproduce
Steps to reproduce the behavior:

  1. Start SteamVR
  2. Check CPU usage in htop - vrserver uses 100% CPU, 1 core

Expected behavior
A clear and concise description of what you expected to happen.

System Information (please complete the following information):
Please use the latest Steam beta client and SteamVR beta for your bug reports!

  • Steam client version (build number or date): 1768528184
  • SteamVR version: 2.14.5
  • Distribution (e.g. Ubuntu): NixOS, Bazzite
  • Steam runtime diagnostics: runtime-diag.txt
  • Steam and SteamVR logs: steam-logs.tar.gz
  • Minidumps: (No files found)

Additional context
Add any other context about the problem here.

Yyoyobuae 2026-02-03 github

I've found the exact cause of this problem.

The CVRPipewireAppManager::PipewireThread() function in vrserver is constantly spinning and eating CPU cycles. Binary patching the function to instead return gets rid of the increased CPU use.

Mmisyltoad 2026-02-03 github

Thanks for the report. Can you send the output of pw-dump when in the bad state?

Ie. pw-dump &> dump.json and send the dump.json. Thanks!

Bbaracoder 2026-02-03 github

Great find! The screen mirror in SteamVR stays black for me, sometimes I can still move the cursor. I also experienced problems with wayvr screen mirroring when using Steam VR. That is also using pipewire with GNOME. Maybe this is related https://github.com/wlx-team/wayvr/issues/270

KKibblesTheKitten 2026-02-03 github

@baracoder steamvr can not capture the desktop on Wayland. For it you have to use x11. Or use wayvr. You could try using the x11 Wayland video bridge, but there is a chance of it being VERY unreliable. Steamvr desktop capture is already hit or miss on x11

Kkitlith 2026-02-04 github

@misyltoad

here's dump.json from my system, while observing ~100% CPU usage from vrserver

PPacketdancer 2026-05-21 github

Are folks still seeing this on the 2.16.5 beta?

PPhialsBasement 2026-05-26 github

@Packetdancer im not seeing this exact issue ever since the beta but vrserver now no longer dies after you disconnect the headset or press Exit VR

PPacketdancer 2026-05-27 github

@PhialsBasement - That's a separate issue, #876 -- I've already tracked down and fixed that one in main (so hopefully it'll make it into the next beta build)

PPhialsBasement 2026-05-27 github

@Packetdancer Very cool! Thank you for the bugfixes!

Kkisak-valve maintainer 2026-07-17 github

Closing per the last handful of comments.

Nothing extracted yet.