Steam Deck

Usage Tips

set a password for the default deck user

This is very important as you will need to know this password for troubleshooting problems that might arise in the future.

By default, there is no password for the "deck" user which means that sudo (root) is not available.

command shell from game menu

Control+Alt+5 while in big picture mode will give you a command shell.

username: deck
password: (?)

firmware boot menu

Hold [...] button (the one with three dots on the front of the deck) and while holding it, press and hold POWER button, wait for the sound, release ONLY the POWER button until the menu appears and release [...] to boot into

bios boot menu

Hold - (the volume down button) and press and hold POWER. The procedure follows the same as the firmware menu procedure.

boot option menu

Hold + (the volume up button) and press and hold POWER. The procedure follows the same as the firmware menu procedure.

install ssh server

It should be installed by default.

sudo systemctl enable sshd

This will tell the steamdeck to enable the ssh serveer when it boots.

You can manually start the ssh server with the following:

sudo systemctl start sshd

This is Debian Linux basics; applies to the Steam Deck. Linux.

Troubleshooting

Steam Deck Black Screen After switching to desktop

aka: Steam deck blackscreen switching to desktop

USB Keyboard required. or try "Steam" button + X to bring up the virtual keyboard

1. Go to the command shell (instructions on this page) and login.
2. rm -rf ~/.local/share/kscreen/*
3. CTL-ALT-F1 to go back to Big Picture Mode and then try to switch to desktop.