[BUG] SteamVR v2.16.1 error 203 (not 303), crashing?

[digitalcircuit]

Describe the bug
Launching SteamVR v2.16.1 initially loads, then fails after about 15 seconds with error 203. Restarting SteamVR gives the same results.

Downgrading to v2.15.6 (stable) works with no other changes.

This is not the same error code as in issue #879. However, the underlying issue might be the same. I filed this issue just in case it isn't.

To Reproduce
Steps to reproduce the behavior:

1. Switch to SteamVR beta
2. Launch SteamVR
3. Wait about 10-30 seconds
4. See error code on SteamVR status window
5. Try restarting SteamVR, observe error comes back anyways

Expected behavior
SteamVR runs without error.

System Information (please complete the following information):
Please use the latest Steam beta client and SteamVR beta for your bug reports!

• Steam client version: build # 1775605734, built at Tue, Apr 7, 2026 4:56 PM UTC -05:00
• SteamVR version: 2.16.1
• Distribution (e.g. Ubuntu): Kubuntu 24.04 LTS with latest HWE stack
• Steam runtime diagnostics: 2026-4-7-steam-runtime-diagnostics.tar.gz
• Steam and SteamVR logs: 2026-4-7-steam-logs.tar.gz
• Minidumps: 2026-4-7-steam-minidumps.tar.gz

Screenshots

Additional context
Using a Valve Index with Base Station 2.0s.

[kisak-valve]

Hello @digitalcircuit, [Error] - ASSERT: "Unhandled sampler filter type!" at /data/src/common/vrcommon/vrrenderer/vulkanrenderer.cpp:2288. in your vrcompositor.txt reads like #855 and is a possible hint. Also, [Error] - ASSERT: "IsDepthFormat(eVkFormat)" at /data/src/common/vrcommon/vrrenderer/vulkanrenderer.cpp:762 in that log is curious as I haven't seen that before.

[digitalcircuit]

Hi @kisak-valve - if I'm reading #855 (which points to #836) correctly, one recommended workaround is using Mesa 25.2.x… but I already am? Kubuntu 24.04 LTS has 25.2.8-0ubuntu0.24.04.1.

Otherwise, let me know if there's anything I can test to help with troubleshooting, and feel free to merge this issue with another one if it feels like a duplicate.

[digitalcircuit]

Quick note - as probably expected, this still happens with SteamVR beta 2.16.2.

[crosscoder1]

I am also seeing the same, nearly identical issue with both 2.16.1 and 2.16.2 but using the latest stable NVIDIA driver (595.58.03) with Gentoo Linux. It seems vrcompositor crashes a few seconds after starting SteamVR. Rolling back to version 2.15.6 works fine.

steamvr_crash_dump.tar.gz

SteamVR-2026-04-10-PM_03_52_13.txt

[authorisation]

Still relevant on 2.16.3.
Both the previous and public branch work fine.
Edit: Launching SteamVR kind of works, but actually waking the Steam Index headset causes a -203 error.

steam-logs.tar.gz
steam-minidumps.tar.gz
steam-runtime-diagnostic.txt

[JohanAR]

Also getting this crash. Starting SteamVR appears to work (no home + Steam menu open) but as soon as I try to run something, then SteamVR crashes with -203

Fedora 44
RTX 3090, Nvidia open driver 595.58.03
HTC Vive, SteamVR 2.16.3

Tried disabling the iGPU (desktop PC, wasn't using it but it still showed up in nvtop).
Tried "enableLinuxVulkanAsync" : false

SteamVR 2.15.6 (stable) works
SteamVR 2.12.? (previous) works

@kisak-valve ASSERT: "Unhandled sampler filter type!" is present in my 2.15.6 logs too so it might not be directly related to the crash, but I only have ASSERT: "IsDepthFormat(eVkFormat)" in 2.16.3 logs

vrcompositor_2.15.6.txt
vrcompositor_2.16.3.txt

[Packetdancer]

I've at least gone and fixed the unhandled sampler type assert. I don't think it's the culprit here, but I'm tired of seeing it turn up in logs, and it was a legitimate bug. Hopefully that'll get into the next beta.

[Packetdancer]

Hallelujah, I now have a consistent repro case for this. (The sampler is definitely not the cause.) Now just to find a fix for it. :)