PSVR2 Passthrough Camera Not Working — Fix

What Does This Error Mean?

PSVR2 passthrough is toggled by holding the PlayStation button on the Sense controller briefly — this switches between passthrough and VR modes. If passthrough shows a black or frozen image, restart the PS5 and reconnect the headset.

Affected Models

PlayStation VR2

Common Causes

Passthrough mode not activated — needs to be toggled via PlayStation button
Room too dark for cameras to capture a usable image
Camera lenses on the headset dirty or smudged
PS5 system software bug causing passthrough feed to freeze
PSVR2 not fully reinitialised after the cable was unplugged and re-plugged

How to Fix It

Activate passthrough via the PlayStation button.

While wearing the headset, briefly hold the PlayStation button on a Sense controller for 1–2 seconds. This switches between VR mode and passthrough mode. A single press opens the control centre instead.
Ensure the room has adequate lighting.

PSVR2 passthrough cameras cannot see in the dark. Turn on room lights. The passthrough image will be dark and grainy in insufficient lighting — this is expected, not a fault.
Clean the exterior camera lenses.

There are four small cameras on the outside of the headset. Wipe them with the included microfibre cloth. Fingerprints on the lenses make passthrough look foggy or blurry.
Restart the PS5 fully.

Hold the PS button on the controller → Power → Restart PS5. A full restart clears any firmware state causing the passthrough feed to freeze or show a black screen.
Unplug and reconnect the PSVR2 cable.

With the PS5 on, unplug the PSVR2 USB-C cable from the front of the console, wait 10 seconds, and reconnect it. The PS5 will re-initialise the headset and passthrough should resume.

When to Call a Professional

If passthrough consistently shows a black screen with the room well-lit and cameras clean after a PS5 restart, the camera modules may be faulty. Contact Sony PlayStation support.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is PSVR2 passthrough for?

Passthrough lets you see the real world through the headset's cameras without removing it — useful for checking your play area boundaries, finding a controller you put down, or reading a quick message.

PSVR2 passthrough image is black and white — is that normal?

Yes — PSVR2 passthrough is monochrome (black and white) because the cameras are infrared-capable tracking cameras, not full-colour cameras. This is by design, not a fault.