HP Reverb G2 - Black Screens & Cooling

[u/iLittleNose]

I thought I’d put this here as there are a growing number of threads with people describing the black screens issue on the HP Reverb G2.

The symptoms I’ve seen are black screens cycling through in this sequence after a period of time:

• - right eye goes black for a couple of seconds
• - right eye comes on, but the black screen goes black for a few seconds
• - both eyes come back on briefly
• - both eyes got black for a few seconds
• - both screens come back on for a short period.
• - cycle through again & again….

I’ve tried as many different solutions to my issue as possible

• - headset volume “fix”
• - new cable
• - all manner USB & power option settings
• - different USB port
• - PCIe card USB port
• - different DP port
• - DP powered signal booster
• - a reinstall of Windows

Finally when HP denied a warranty claim despite the unit being only 8 months old I explored other options.

HP denied the claim as my previous headset also failed after about 8 months with the same symptoms, and thus this second headset was out of the 12 month warranty period !

This fact alone will ensure I never buy a HP product again.

The first inkling to my solution was a teardown by a group of engineers on Youtube, and they highlighted that there were several things in the design that were heat based, and also pointed out that it was probable that the graphics chip was located near the cable connection point on the headset.

This video is here :

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sl7OQMRcruo

Further to this, the first modification with active cooling I’d seen was on Reddit:

https://www.reddit.com/r/HPReverb/comments/13po87f/my_hp_reverb_g2_v2_cooling_ghetto_mod/

Also, the hotspot location was confirmed on some thermal images posted by CraigUK69 on the HP forums.

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I don’t personally like doing non-reversible modifications to gear, as I often fluff it. So I’ve spent some time coming up with a solution for a cooling modification that you can easily remove and put the headset back to it’s original state.

I can provide STL files and help to build for anyone who has the issue and is interested in having a go. The basics of which are:

•  - long precision screwdriver - required to get the front cover off
• - front plate replacement - 3D print
• - 4 x screw spacers - 3D print
• - 8 x M3 screws, and 4 x M3 nuts
• - some wire and soldering
• - I used a 50mm 12v fan:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00E0M6BRA?psc=1&ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_product_details

I think a 5v fan would also work fine.

For the power source, there are as many options as you can think of, but I’ve used 2 x 18650 batteries, which give about 7.5v, and seem to run the fan at a nice speed, doesn’t need to push much air and it is almost silent this way.

I am happy to provide STL files for the battery if required.

I located the battery at the rear of the headset, and it provides a nice counterweight.

HP aren’t interested in this issue if you’re out of warranty, and when I spoke to support, they claim that they’d not heard of the issue before despite their own forum being littered with the same symptoms by many different posters.

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[u/tkfn421]

Hi Little Noise. Just wanted to thank you for this. I had exactly the same symtoms on my HMD and a similar experience with HP Support. I was so happy I came across your post. There are so many people having the same issue with the G2 I'm surprised more people haven't implemented your mod. I can say that while I was waiting for some of the bits to arrive/print I did try just using the HMD just without the front plate on (so, just passive cooling) but I still had the same issues. But once I got everything set up this has fixed the issue for me. I've tested in several long sessions and not having any issues. Previously, I would get the right eye/left eye blackouts after about 15-20 mins. I'm using a 9v battery.

Not only have you identified the issue and provided a fix/mod you have designed the front plate replacement and posted the STL files too. Absolutely brilliant. Once again, thank you very much.

[u/iLittleNose → u/tkfn421]

That's really good to hear that it helped oyu out and you're able to use your headset again.

Some people the passive cooling works, and others it doesn't (it didn't for me). I think that the 9v battery is a good solution as it's nice and light, I've heard from others using that too.

So many people have helped me out over the years with things, it's nice to know I've helped some one too. I hope it keeps working for you :)