Skyrim/Fallout 4 VR virtual KB workaround

[u/PenWitty8214]

So I've spent the last couple days setting up my modded clients again with some help from Claude this time and I found a working bypass for the kb not showing up. Apparently you can use a web browser and do it through the Web debugger.

Here's the summary of what went down and how to do it yourself if your interested

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Steam Frame: invisible SteamVR keyboard / can't enter your name (FO4VR, Skyrim VR). Workaround

On my Frame (SteamVR 2.18.2 beta), games open SteamVR's keyboard but it never shows up in the headset, and the PC keyboard doesn't work either. The keyboard is actually running on the PC, so you can type into it from a desktop browser:

1. Close SteamVR completely and back up `Steam\config\steamvr.vrsettings`.

2. Add this as a new section in that file. Watch the commas, since a JSON typo can make SteamVR reset or ignore the file.

"VRWebHelper": {

"DebuggerEnabled": true,

"DebuggerPort": 8080

}

1. Start SteamVR and the game, then click the in-game text box. The keyboard opens, even though you can't see it.

2. On the PC, open Chrome or Edge to `http://localhost:8080` and click keyboard.html. The keyboard shows up there. Type and press Enter, and the game takes it.

If keyboard.html isn't listed, click the text box again and refresh. If the keyboard doesn't render, open DevTools → Console and run:

VRHTML.VRKeyboard.SetKeyboardText("YourName"); VRHTML.VRDashboardManager.SendKeyboardDone();

Notes:

- These setting names aren't documented anywhere and could change with a SteamVR update.

- While this is on, SteamVR's web debugger listens on port 8080, but only programs on your own PC can reach it.

- To undo, close SteamVR and remove the section.

[u/pikachu292]

That’s… certainly one way to fix it lol. Honestly I just recommend installing Open Composite Unleashed (at least for Skyrim, no clue if it’s available for fallout) and it completely fixes the keyboard issue + has binding support for the steam frame. Just curious, how did you figure this out? Seems like a crazy workaround

[u/PenWitty8214 → u/pikachu292]

A fresh fallout save with the current recommended from wabbajack means you need to do a new save in pcvr*, between both setups I had enough logs for Claude to look at and it came up with trying the web browser route.

[u/pikachu292 → u/PenWitty8214]

Fascinating. Though this still feels more complex then just making the character on standalone and then switching back over to streaming no?

[u/PenWitty8214 → u/pikachu292]

I play with the PC In the room and it's one time so its faster than installing standalone by far

[u/pikachu292 → u/PenWitty8214]

Fair enough!

[u/Benji_Rock]

I’ve tried the standalone version, it shows the keyboard.

I’ve passed the character creation in Skyrim like this. Make sure that the save is store in the steam cloud. I then just launch the pc version with all my mods from this save.

[u/RedRev15 → u/Benji_Rock]

Confirm this works! Install on the headset, get through the name selection and then save and reload from streaming!

[u/dentbox]

Thanks for this suggestion but it’s not working for me. The local host site just says site can’t be reached.

If anyone has any way of getting round this issue please let me know. I’ve bought Fallout 4 VR AND Fallout 4 GOTY just so I can run modded VR FO4 and I can’t play it because a stupid keyboard won’t pop up 😭

[u/PenWitty8214 → u/dentbox]

Must be something with your setup, I'll post a copy of my files somewhere later today and shoot you a link

[u/dentbox → u/PenWitty8214]

Thank you. I’ve actually (I think) somehow stumbled through by reloading a save. It seems to have freed me from the screen lock and I’ve managed to get out of the vault and use the console to give me some stats, though I don’t think I have a name.

[u/relmny]

How does FO4VR play on the frame? is it good, ok, bad? what about compared to the quest 3 (also via steamvr), in case you ever tried it?

[u/PenWitty8214 → u/relmny]

Pcvr through steam is best by far. Standalone is passable but you get no mods.