ValveSoftware
Bluetooth Issues on Game Mode
Your system information
Steam Deck LCD
- Steam client version: 1724453533
- SteamOS version: 3.6.9
- Opted into Steam client beta?: Yes
- Opted into SteamOS beta?: Yes (Preview Channel)
- Have you checked for updates in Settings > System?: Yes
Please describe your issue in as much detail as possible:
After disabling Bluetooth on Desktop mode and going to Game Mode the Bluetooth settings don't work. The Switch is ON but doesn't show any devices to pair, and we can't forget any previously registered controller. Switching it On and Off does nothing even after a reboot. You'll need to go to Desktop mode and re-enable it there then it works as expected again. I didn't check if it works the same with Wi-fi.
Steps for reproducing this issue:
- Switch to Desktop mode and disable Bluetooth
- Go back to Game Mode or reboot to it
- Check Bluetooth settings
Your system information
- Steam client version:1724453533
- SteamOS version: 3.6.9 20240814.100 Beta
- Opted into Steam client beta?: [Yes/No] Yes
- Opted into SteamOS beta?: [Yes/No] Yes
- Have you checked for updates in Settings > System?: [Yes/No] Yes
Please describe your issue in as much detail as possible:
If I disable Bluetooth in gaming mode, the Bluetooth controls continue to pair, but if I disable Bluetooth in desktop mode, it cannot be reactivated in gaming mode.
Steps for reproducing this issue:
- Disable Bluetooth in Gaming Mode.
- The control can be paired.
- In Desktop Mode, Bluetooth still activated.
- Disable Bluetooth in Desktop Mode and return to Gaming Mode, Bluetooth don't work.
Your system information
- Steam client version:1748301070
- SteamOS version: 3.7.8 20250522.2 Stable
- Opted into Steam client beta?: [Yes/No] No
- Opted into SteamOS beta?: [Yes/No] No
- Have you checked for updates in Settings > System?: [Yes/No] Yes
Please describe your issue in as much detail as possible:
After disabling Bluetooth on Desktop mode and going to Game Mode the Bluetooth settings don't work. The Switch is ON but doesn't show any devices to pair, and we can't forget any previously registered controller. Switching it On and Off does nothing even after a reboot. You'll need to go to Desktop mode and re-enable it there then it works as expected again. I didn't check if it works the same with Wi-fi.
Steps for reproducing this issue:
- Switch to Desktop mode and disable Bluetooth
- Go back to Game Mode or reboot to it
- Check Bluetooth settings
was able to reproduce this, the issue in my Steam logs looks like:
==> /home/deck/.steam/steam/logs/steamui_system.txt <==
[2025-07-30 12:42:53] SetEnabled: adapter: 0x6894c4b5 enable: 1
==> /home/deck/.steam/steam/logs/console_log.txt <==
[2025-07-30 12:42:53] GLibLog: domain:GLib-Default msg:Error setting property `Powered' on interface org.bluez.Adapter1: GDBus.Error:org.bluez.Error.Failed: Failed (g-io-error-quark, 36)
==> /home/deck/.steam/steam/logs/steamui_system.txt <==
[2025-07-30 12:42:53] YldSetDiscovering: adapter: 0x6894c4b5 bEnabled: 1
[2025-07-30 12:42:53] YldStartDiscovering: adapter: 0x6894c4b5
[2025-07-30 12:42:54] Error: YldStartDiscovering: failed to set adapter to discovery mode GDBus.Error:org.bluez.Error.NotReady: Resource Not Ready
and even manually running bluetoothctl power on fails with Failed to set power on: org.bluez.Error.Failed
digging into it a bit more, the reason this fails is because disabling bluetooth on plasma desktop adds the bluetooth adapter to rfkill:
deck@steamdeck ~ [1]> rfkill list
0: hci0: Bluetooth
Soft blocked: yes
Hard blocked: no
1: phy0: Wireless LAN
Soft blocked: no
Hard blocked: no
but the Steam client does not account for removing hci0 from rfkill when it tries to enable bluetooth in game mode
good news, looks like a fix shipped for this in the latest Steam Deck client beta: https://store.steampowered.com/news/app/1675200/view/529855657693675702?l=english
and can confirm it seems fixed on my device
