Steam - Revision history

Ardenet: Marked this version for translation

2026-06-14T15:27:32Z

Marked this version for translation

← Older revision		Revision as of 15:27, 14 June 2026
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	{{note\|<translate><!--T:11--> If you are using a Steam Controller or a Valve Index, Steam hardware support is implicitly enabled by <code>programs.steam.enable {{=}} true;</code> which sets <tvar name=steam_hardware_option>{{nixos:option\|hardware.steam-hardware.enable}}</tvar> to true.</translate>}}		{{note\|<translate><!--T:11--> If you are using a Steam Controller or a Valve Index, Steam hardware support is implicitly enabled by <code>programs.steam.enable {{=}} true;</code> which sets <tvar name=steam_hardware_option>{{nixos:option\|hardware.steam-hardware.enable}}</tvar> to true.</translate>}}

	{{note\|<translate>If you are using the Steam Controller released in 2026, the Steam client has an additional dependency on hidapi, needed to correctly communicate with the controller. If you are seeing repeated errors about failed firmware updates, this is likely why. You can add the dependency directly to the Steam environment like so: <code>programs.steam.extraPackages {{=}} [pkgs.hidapi];</code></translate>}}		{{note\|<translate><!--T:67--> If you are using the Steam Controller released in 2026, the Steam client has an additional dependency on hidapi, needed to correctly communicate with the controller. If you are seeing repeated errors about failed firmware updates, this is likely why. You can add the dependency directly to the Steam environment like so: <code>programs.steam.extraPackages {{=}} [pkgs.hidapi];</code></translate>}}

	<translate>		<translate>
	== Tips and tricks ==		== Tips and tricks == <!--T:68-->

	=== Improving Performance ===		=== Improving Performance === <!--T:69-->

			<!--T:70-->
	You can utilize <tvar name=gamemode>[https://github.com/FeralInteractive/gamemode GameMode]</tvar>, a combination of a library and daemon for Linux that allows games to request a set of optimizations to be temporarily applied to the host operating system and/or a game process.		You can utilize <tvar name=gamemode>[https://github.com/FeralInteractive/gamemode GameMode]</tvar>, a combination of a library and daemon for Linux that allows games to request a set of optimizations to be temporarily applied to the host operating system and/or a game process.
	</translate>		</translate>
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	To find the vendor and product ID of a device <tvar name=usbutils>[https://search.nixos.org/packages?channel=unstable&show=usbutils&from=0&size=50&sort=relevance&type=packages&query=usbutils usbutils]</tvar> might be useful		To find the vendor and product ID of a device <tvar name=usbutils>[https://search.nixos.org/packages?channel=unstable&show=usbutils&from=0&size=50&sort=relevance&type=packages&query=usbutils usbutils]</tvar> might be useful

	=== Steam controller mouse input issues ===		=== Steam controller mouse input issues === <!--T:71-->

			<!--T:72-->
	Mouse input on the controller may fail to take control of the visual cursor. In this instance, the input is still registered, but the cursor does not move. A fix for this is to preload Steam with extest. The Steam package already has an option for it:		Mouse input on the controller may fail to take control of the visual cursor. In this instance, the input is still registered, but the cursor does not move. A fix for this is to preload Steam with extest. The Steam package already has an option for it:
	</translate>		</translate>

Ardenet: Fixed the error in the translation tag; converted the link to tvar

2026-06-14T15:25:17Z

Fixed the error in the translation tag; converted the link to tvar

← Older revision		Revision as of 15:25, 14 June 2026
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	<translate>		<translate>
	<!--T:1-->		<!--T:1-->
	[https://store.steampowered.com/ Steam] is a digital distribution platform for video games, offering a vast library for purchase, download, and management. On NixOS, Steam is generally easy to install and use, often working "out-of-the-box". It supports running many Windows games on Linux through its compatibility layer, [[<tvar name=1>#Proton</tvar>~~\|Proton]]~~.<ref>https://store.steampowered.com/</ref>		<tvar name=steam>[https://store.steampowered.com/ Steam]</tvar> is a digital distribution platform for video games, offering a vast library for purchase, download, and management. On NixOS, Steam is generally easy to install and use, often working "out-of-the-box". It supports running many Windows games on Linux through its compatibility layer, <tvar name=proton>[[#Proton\|Proton]]</tvar>.<ref>https://store.steampowered.com/</ref>
	~~</translate~~>

	~~<translate>~~
	== Installation == <!--T:2-->		== Installation == <!--T:2-->

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	<!--T:5-->		<!--T:5-->
	This provides the tools in your current shell without adding them to your system configuration. For <code>steamcmd</code> to work correctly for some tasks (like initializing for steam-tui), you might need to run it once to generate necessary files, as shown in the [[<tvar name=1>#steam-tui</tvar>\| steam-tui section]].		This provides the tools in your current shell without adding them to your system configuration. For <code>steamcmd</code> to work correctly for some tasks (like initializing for steam-tui), you might need to run it once to generate necessary files, as shown in the [[<tvar name=1>#steam-tui</tvar>\| steam-tui section]].
	~~</translate>~~

	~~<translate>~~
	==== System setup ==== <!--T:6-->		==== System setup ==== <!--T:6-->

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	</nowiki>\|name=/etc/nixos/configuration.nix\|lang=nix}}		</nowiki>\|name=/etc/nixos/configuration.nix\|lang=nix}}

	{{note\|<translate><!--T:11--> If you are using a Steam Controller or a Valve Index, Steam hardware support is implicitly enabled by <code>programs.steam.enable {{=}} true;</code> which sets {{nixos:option\|hardware.steam-hardware.enable}} to true.</translate>}}		{{note\|<translate><!--T:11--> If you are using a Steam Controller or a Valve Index, Steam hardware support is implicitly enabled by <code>programs.steam.enable {{=}} true;</code> which sets <tvar name=steam_hardware_option>{{nixos:option\|hardware.steam-hardware.enable}}</tvar> to true.</translate>}}

	{{note\|<translate> If you are using the Steam Controller released in 2026, the Steam client has an additional dependency on hidapi, needed to correctly communicate with the controller. If you are seeing repeated errors about failed firmware updates, this is likely why. You can add the dependency directly to the Steam environment like so: <code>programs.steam.extraPackages {{=}} [pkgs.hidapi];</code></translate>}}		{{note\|<translate>If you are using the Steam Controller released in 2026, the Steam client has an additional dependency on hidapi, needed to correctly communicate with the controller. If you are seeing repeated errors about failed firmware updates, this is likely why. You can add the dependency directly to the Steam environment like so: <code>programs.steam.extraPackages {{=}} [pkgs.hidapi];</code></translate>}}

	<translate>		<translate>

	== Tips and tricks ==		== Tips and tricks ==

	=== Improving Performance ===		=== Improving Performance ===
	You can utilize [https://github.com/FeralInteractive/gamemode GameMode], a combination of a library and daemon for Linux that allows games to request a set of optimizations to be temporarily applied to the host operating system and/or a game process.<syntaxhighlight lang="nixos">
			You can utilize <tvar name=gamemode>[https://github.com/FeralInteractive/gamemode GameMode]</tvar>, a combination of a library and daemon for Linux that allows games to request a set of optimizations to be temporarily applied to the host operating system and/or a game process.
			</translate>

			<syntaxhighlight lang="nixos">
	programs.gamemode.enable = true;		programs.gamemode.enable = true;
	</syntaxhighlight>		</syntaxhighlight>

			<translate>
	=== Gamescope Compositor / "Boot to Steam Deck" === <!--T:13-->		=== Gamescope Compositor / "Boot to Steam Deck" === <!--T:13-->

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	<!--T:58-->		<!--T:58-->
	For games running through Proton, the value should be <code>steam_app_<game_id></code> (where <code><game_id></code> matches the value after steam://rungameid/ on the <code>Exec</code> line). To automate this with [[Home Manager]] (executed on every rebuild):		For games running through Proton, the value should be <code>steam_app_<game_id></code> (where <code><game_id></code> matches the value after steam://rungameid/ on the <code>Exec</code> line). To automate this with <tvar name=hm>[[Special:MyLanguage/Home Manager\|Home Manager]]</tvar> (executed on every rebuild):
	</translate>		</translate>

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	<!--T:36-->		<!--T:36-->
	When you restart Steam after an update, it starts the old version. ([https://github.com/NixOS/nixpkgs/issues/181904 #181904])		When you restart Steam after an update, it starts the old version. (<tvar name=issue>[https://github.com/NixOS/nixpkgs/issues/181904 #181904]</tvar>)
	A workaround is to remove the user files in <code>/home/<USER>/.local/share/Steam/userdata</code>. This can be done with <code>rm -rf /home/<USER>/.local/share/Steam/userdata</code> in the terminal or with your file manager. After that, Steam can be set up again by restarting.		A workaround is to remove the user files in <code>/home/<USER>/.local/share/Steam/userdata</code>. This can be done with <code>rm -rf /home/<USER>/.local/share/Steam/userdata</code> in the terminal or with your file manager. After that, Steam can be set up again by restarting.

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	Note: If a game gets stuck on Installing scripts, check for a DXSETUP.EXE process and run it manually, then restart the game launch.		Note: If a game gets stuck on Installing scripts, check for a DXSETUP.EXE process and run it manually, then restart the game launch.

	==== Changing the driver on AMD GPUs <!-- this is not recommended due radv drivers performing better and generally more stable than amdvlk. My suggestion remove this section. source: https://forums.guru3d.com/threads/the-mesa-radv-amdvlk-thread.449774/ -->==== <!--T:40-->		==== Changing the driver on AMD GPUs <tvar name=comment><!-- this is not recommended due radv drivers performing better and generally more stable than amdvlk. My suggestion remove this section. source: https://forums.guru3d.com/threads/the-mesa-radv-amdvlk-thread.449774/ --></tvar>==== <!--T:40-->
	</translate>		</translate>

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	<!--T:47-->		<!--T:47-->
	Gamescope may fail to start due to missing Xorg libraries. ([https://github.com/NixOS/nixpkgs/issues/214275 #214275]) To resolve this override the steam package to add them:		Gamescope may fail to start due to missing Xorg libraries. (<tvar name=issue>[https://github.com/NixOS/nixpkgs/issues/214275 #214275]</tvar>) To resolve this override the steam package to add them:
	</translate>		</translate>

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	To find the vendor and product ID of a device <tvar name=usbutils>[https://search.nixos.org/packages?channel=unstable&show=usbutils&from=0&size=50&sort=relevance&type=packages&query=usbutils usbutils]</tvar> might be useful		To find the vendor and product ID of a device <tvar name=usbutils>[https://search.nixos.org/packages?channel=unstable&show=usbutils&from=0&size=50&sort=relevance&type=packages&query=usbutils usbutils]</tvar> might be useful

	=== Steam controller mouse input issues === ~~<!--T:52-->~~		=== Steam controller mouse input issues ===

	Mouse input on the controller may fail to take control of the visual cursor. In this instance, the input is still registered, but the cursor does not move. A fix for this is to preload Steam with extest. The Steam package already has an option for it:		Mouse input on the controller may fail to take control of the visual cursor. In this instance, the input is still registered, but the cursor does not move. A fix for this is to preload Steam with extest. The Steam package already has an option for it:

Malix: /* Gamescope HDR */ update: enableWsi option

2026-06-02T15:36:04Z

Gamescope HDR: update: enableWsi option

← Older revision		Revision as of 15:36, 2 June 2026
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	<!--T:63-->		<!--T:63-->
	In order for HDR to work within gamescope, you need to separately ~~install~~ the <code>~~gamescope-wsi~~</code> ~~package alongside enabling the <code>gamescope</code> program.~~		In order for HDR to work within gamescope, you might need to separately enable the <code>enableWsi</code> option
	</translate>		</translate>

	<syntaxhighlight lang="nix">		<syntaxhighlight lang="nix">programs.gamescope = {
	programs.gamescope = {
	enable = true;		enable = true;
			enableWsi = true;
	capSysNice = false;		capSysNice = false;
	};		};</syntaxhighlight>
	~~environment.systemPackages = with pkgs; [~~
	~~gamescope-wsi # HDR might not work without this~~
	];
	</syntaxhighlight>

	<translate>		<translate>

GregoryPower: Moved GameMode suggestion to Tips and Tricks section instead of it being a footnote in the initial installation instructions.

2026-05-26T18:54:02Z

Moved GameMode suggestion to Tips and Tricks section instead of it being a footnote in the initial installation instructions.

← Older revision		Revision as of 18:54, 26 May 2026
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	</translate>		</translate>

	{{file\|~~/etc/nixos/configuration.nix\|nix\|~~		{{file\|3=<nowiki>
	<nowiki>
	programs.steam = {		programs.steam = {
	enable = true; # Master switch, already covered in installation		enable = true; # Master switch, already covered in installation
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	# Other general flags if available can be set here.		# Other general flags if available can be set here.
	};		};
	~~# Tip: For improved gaming performance, you can also enable GameMode:~~		</nowiki>\|name=/etc/nixos/configuration.nix\|lang=nix}}
	~~# programs.gamemode.enable = true;~~
	</nowiki>
	}}

	{{note\|<translate><!--T:11--> If you are using a Steam Controller or a Valve Index, Steam hardware support is implicitly enabled by <code>programs.steam.enable {{=}} true;</code> which sets {{nixos:option\|hardware.steam-hardware.enable}} to true.</translate>}}		{{note\|<translate><!--T:11--> If you are using a Steam Controller or a Valve Index, Steam hardware support is implicitly enabled by <code>programs.steam.enable {{=}} true;</code> which sets {{nixos:option\|hardware.steam-hardware.enable}} to true.</translate>}}
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	<translate>		<translate>

	== Tips and tricks == <~~!--T:12--~~>		== Tips and tricks ==

			=== Improving Performance ===
			You can utilize [https://github.com/FeralInteractive/gamemode GameMode], a combination of a library and daemon for Linux that allows games to request a set of optimizations to be temporarily applied to the host operating system and/or a game process.<syntaxhighlight lang="nixos">
			programs.gamemode.enable = true;
			</syntaxhighlight>

	=== Gamescope Compositor / "Boot to Steam Deck" === <!--T:13-->		=== Gamescope Compositor / "Boot to Steam Deck" === <!--T:13-->

GregoryPower: change pkgs.LinuxPackages_lts to pkgs.LinuxPackages since pkgs.LinuxPackages_lts does not exist in NixOS 26.05

2026-05-25T15:27:45Z

change pkgs.LinuxPackages_lts to pkgs.LinuxPackages since pkgs.LinuxPackages_lts does not exist in NixOS 26.05

← Older revision		Revision as of 15:27, 25 May 2026
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	</translate>		</translate>

	{{file\|~~/etc/nixos/configuration.nix\|nix\|~~		{{file\|3=<nowiki>
	<nowiki>
	programs.steam = {		programs.steam = {
	enable = true;		enable = true;
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	# Optional: If you encounter amdgpu issues with newer kernels (e.g., 6.10+ reported issues),		# Optional: If you encounter amdgpu issues with newer kernels (e.g., 6.10+ reported issues),
	# you might consider using the LTS kernel or a known stable version.		# you might consider using the LTS kernel or a known stable version.
	# boot.kernelPackages = pkgs.~~linuxPackages_lts~~; # Example for LTS		# boot.kernelPackages = pkgs.linuxPackages; # Example for LTS
	</nowiki>		</nowiki>\|name=/etc/nixos/configuration.nix\|lang=nix}}
	}}

	<translate>		<translate>

Malix: /* Gamescope HDR */ enhance: docs

2026-05-23T15:34:41Z

Gamescope HDR: enhance: docs

← Older revision		Revision as of 15:34, 23 May 2026
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	};		};
	environment.systemPackages = with pkgs; [		environment.systemPackages = with pkgs; [
	gamescope-wsi # HDR ~~won't~~ work without this		gamescope-wsi # HDR might not work without this
	];		];
	</syntaxhighlight>		</syntaxhighlight>

Ghil: Added a small section for a know bug with the Steam Controller's mouse input.

2026-05-20T00:20:20Z

Added a small section for a know bug with the Steam Controller's mouse input.

← Older revision		Revision as of 00:20, 20 May 2026
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	To find the vendor and product ID of a device <tvar name=usbutils>[https://search.nixos.org/packages?channel=unstable&show=usbutils&from=0&size=50&sort=relevance&type=packages&query=usbutils usbutils]</tvar> might be useful		To find the vendor and product ID of a device <tvar name=usbutils>[https://search.nixos.org/packages?channel=unstable&show=usbutils&from=0&size=50&sort=relevance&type=packages&query=usbutils usbutils]</tvar> might be useful

			=== Steam controller mouse input issues === <!--T:52-->

			Mouse input on the controller may fail to take control of the visual cursor. In this instance, the input is still registered, but the cursor does not move. A fix for this is to preload Steam with extest. The Steam package already has an option for it:
			</translate>

			<syntaxhighlight lang="nix">
			programs.steam = {
			extest.enable = true;
			};
			</syntaxhighlight>

			<translate>
	=== Known issues === <!--T:52-->		=== Known issues === <!--T:52-->

Cybolic: Added note on how to enable support for the 2026 Steam Controller

2026-05-19T01:49:00Z

Added note on how to enable support for the 2026 Steam Controller

← Older revision		Revision as of 01:49, 19 May 2026
Line 78:		Line 78:

	{{note\|<translate><!--T:11--> If you are using a Steam Controller or a Valve Index, Steam hardware support is implicitly enabled by <code>programs.steam.enable {{=}} true;</code> which sets {{nixos:option\|hardware.steam-hardware.enable}} to true.</translate>}}		{{note\|<translate><!--T:11--> If you are using a Steam Controller or a Valve Index, Steam hardware support is implicitly enabled by <code>programs.steam.enable {{=}} true;</code> which sets {{nixos:option\|hardware.steam-hardware.enable}} to true.</translate>}}

			{{note\|<translate> If you are using the Steam Controller released in 2026, the Steam client has an additional dependency on hidapi, needed to correctly communicate with the controller. If you are seeing repeated errors about failed firmware updates, this is likely why. You can add the dependency directly to the Steam environment like so: <code>programs.steam.extraPackages {{=}} [pkgs.hidapi];</code></translate>}}

	<translate>		<translate>

	== Tips and tricks == <!--T:12-->		== Tips and tricks == <!--T:12-->

Railwhale: remove link to self

2026-04-04T06:09:38Z

remove link to self

← Older revision		Revision as of 06:09, 4 April 2026
Line 343:		Line 343:

	<!--T:36-->		<!--T:36-->
	When you restart ~~<tvar name=steam>[[Special:MyLanguage/~~Steam~~\|Steam]]</tvar>~~ after an update, it starts the old version. ([https://github.com/NixOS/nixpkgs/issues/181904 #181904])		When you restart Steam after an update, it starts the old version. ([https://github.com/NixOS/nixpkgs/issues/181904 #181904])
	A workaround is to remove the user files in <code>/home/<USER>/.local/share/Steam/userdata</code>. This can be done with <code>rm -rf /home/<USER>/.local/share/Steam/userdata</code> in the terminal or with your file manager. After that, Steam can be set up again by restarting.		A workaround is to remove the user files in <code>/home/<USER>/.local/share/Steam/userdata</code>. This can be done with <code>rm -rf /home/<USER>/.local/share/Steam/userdata</code> in the terminal or with your file manager. After that, Steam can be set up again by restarting.

Shaded9740: Fixed typo in Link

2026-03-08T20:39:49Z

Fixed typo in Link

← Older revision		Revision as of 20:39, 8 March 2026
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	<!--T:58-->		<!--T:58-->
	For games running through Proton, the value should be <code>steam_app_<game_id></code> (where <code><game_id></code> matches the value after steam://rungameid/ on the <code>Exec</code> line). To automate this with [[~~Homemanager~~]] (executed on every rebuild):		For games running through Proton, the value should be <code>steam_app_<game_id></code> (where <code><game_id></code> matches the value after steam://rungameid/ on the <code>Exec</code> line). To automate this with [[Home Manager]] (executed on every rebuild):
	</translate>		</translate>