Guides:Preventing Tundra Trackers from Auto-Starting Steam

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Tundra Trackers automatically power on when connected to USB-C for charging. This behavior is intended and implemented at the request of enterprise customers. There is no firmware-level option to disable it.

The Tundra Tracker connects to SteamVR through a paired dongle (such as the Super Wireless Dongle SW3/SW5/SW7 or a Vive Tracker dongle). When a tracker powers on and finds its paired dongle, it sends a signal that SteamVR interprets as a request to start, the same way pressing a controller button does. This means plugging trackers in to charge can unexpectedly launch SteamVR.

Option 1: Disable SteamVR auto-launch on button press

SteamVR can be configured to stop launching automatically when a tracker or controller sends a signal.

1. Close SteamVR if it is running.
2. Open the file C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\config\steamvr.vrsettings in a text editor.
3. Add the following key inside the top-level JSON object:

   "power": {
       "autoLaunchSteamVROnButtonPress": false
   }
   

4. Save the file.

The file should look similar to this:

{
    "steamvr": {
        ...
    },
    "power": {
        "autoLaunchSteamVROnButtonPress": false
    }
}

This also prevents launching SteamVR by pressing a button on VR controllers. SteamVR must be started manually from Steam or the desktop shortcut instead.

Option 2: Unplug the dongle while charging

If the paired dongle is not connected to the PC, the trackers have no way to communicate with SteamVR, even if they power on during charging.

1. After finishing a VR session, unplug the paired dongle from the PC.
2. Plug the trackers into USB-C to charge as usual.
3. Before the next VR session, plug the paired dongle back in.

This preserves the ability to launch SteamVR via a controller button press and requires no configuration changes.

Resources

• Reddit discussion on preventing Tundra Trackers from auto-starting
• Tundra Tracker User Manual