You may never have thought about your Oculus Quest warranty, but it's going to matter if anything goes wrong with your headset.
While a warranty is something we might be vaguely aware of, dimly lit somewhere in the backs of our minds, it's a bit like a defensive weapon. We know it exists, but hope to goodness it never needs to be used. And for most of us, the warranty will expire long before anything bad happens.
However, the grim reality is that no matter how much quality control a company does, there will always be the odd device that slips through the net, and ends up going wrong. And that's where the warranty can be an invaluable safety net.
So if the worst should happen, and your Oculus Quest is not turning on or encounter some hardware error, exactly what kind of protection does the warranty give you? We'll explain the key points below.
Oculus Quest Warranty
There are a few key points to cover in relation to warranties such as how long it lasts, what it covers, and what it excludes. But importantly with the Oculus Quest warranty, when you bought it is also important, as the warranty terms and conditions changed on April 25th 2022. Here are the key points both before and after that date.
Prior to April 25th 2022
If you bought your Quest headset before this date, then the following points are applicable:
Your warranty lasts for one year from the date of purchase or the date of delivery (whichever is later). The exception is if you live in the EU or EFTA, in which case your warranty lasts for two years.
The warranty itself will cover anything regarded as a "defect or malfunction". If your headset develops a fault, then it will be either repaired or replaced, at the discretion of the manufacturer.
It's important to note that not everything is covered by a warranty. Typically, issues such as software issues or hardware faults will be covered. But there are also key exclusions to be aware of.
The warranty does not cover the following:
- Normal wear and tear.
- Physical damage - either accidental damage or damage caused by misuse. This would normally need to be claimed through an insurance policy. Accidental damage includes things like liquid damage or dropping the headset, for example.
- You aren't covered if you use the headset for business purposes, or if you use unauthorised third-party software. Nor are you covered if you use the headset "in violation of any laws".
- Nor are you covered if you buy the headset second-hand, or via non-authorised retailers or auction sites.
- You won't be covered for any data loss.
After April 25th 2022
The terms and conditions for your warranty differ slightly if you purchased your headset after April 25th 2022. Primarily, your warranty is provided by Meta Platforms Technologies Limited, as opposed to Facebook technologies Limited.
The key points are:
As with the previous warranty agreement, users are covered for a period of one year. But one key difference is that they don't specify a two-year warranty for users in the EU or EFTA. Instead, they simply state, "If you are a consumer, this does not affect your statutory rights which may provide for longer warranty coverage". In other words, it's down to you to check what you're entitled to.
The warranty covers defects in "materials and workmanship". If your headset needs to be replaced, Meta will replace it with either a new, refurbished, or remanufactured product. Or even a product that has similar functionality.
But as before, there still remain some key exclusions:
- Normal wear and tear. This includes things like stretching and discolouration.
- Physical damage - either deliberate or accidental.
- Cosmetic damage.
- Second-hand products, or those not purchased from an authorised retailer.
- You still aren't covered if you use the headset for business purposes, or if you use unauthorised third-party software. Nor are you covered if you use the headset "in violation of any laws".
These are the key points you need to be aware of. But the warranty terms and conditions are quite detailed, so if you aren't sure of your situation, you can read them in full here: store.meta.com/legal/limited-warranty
How To Make A Warranty Claim
If you find that your headset has developed a fault, the best thing to do is contact Meta Store Support. They'll be able to arrange for you to send the headset for repair. They'll potentially even be able to advise you on whether or not you are covered by warranty.
If you aren't, they may suggest some alternative options for you to consider.
What If I'm Not Covered By Warranty?
Let's imagine that you've accidentally spilt your energy drink all over it, or thrown it against a wall in a fit of pique after losing on Beat Saber, which then means you aren't covered by warranty. Or maybe your device is a couple of years old, and the warranty has expired. What then?
Well, your options are slightly more limited. You may be able to pay for a repair. Alternatively, you might be able to make a claim via your home insurance policy (but you'd need to check your terms and conditions with them). Either way, it is going to cost you.
Finally, your last option would be to acquire a replacement headset. Again, you'll need to pay for this.
So if something does go wrong, make sure you check your warranty status. And pray that you are covered.