In-game overlay always immediately closes when controller tab is open

[mxhagen]

Your system information

• Steam client version (build number or date): 1726604483 (Up-to-date build from Arch multilib)
• Distribution (e.g. Ubuntu): Arch (Kernel 6.10.10-arch1-1)
• Opted into Steam client beta?: Yes
• Have you checked for system updates?: Yes
• Steam Logs: https://0x0.st/Xgq1.tar.gz
• GPU: NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3050

Please describe your issue in as much detail as possible:

When opening the In-Game Overlay (Shift+Tab), if the controller tab in it is open, the overlay just instantly closes.

Even worse, when I reopen it, the controller tab is still open so it immediately closes again. To get the overlay back to a working state I have to spam shift+tab and click the "X" of the controller tab before the overlay disappears (which i estimate happens in around 50ms) to close the controller tab.

To clarify: everything else in the overlay works fine. As long as I don't open the controller tab the overlay stays open and works perfectly. Using Big Picture Overlay as a work around seems to work but I still dislike that overlay in its current state.

This happens in every game, Proton and native, and no matter if a controller is even plugged in/connected via Bluetooth.

(To my surprise, even though I could not find anything about it here or in the forums, I am not alone with this issue -- see my post on the steam community forum)

Steps for reproducing this issue:

1. Open any steam game
2. Open In-Game overlay
3. Click the controller icon at the bottom

[pr0statitis]

I have the same problem. To add to the information already provided:

• Linux Mint 22 Cinnamon
• Cinnamon version: 6.2.9
• Linux Kernel: 6.8.0-45-generic
• I am not opted into the Steam client beta
• GPU: NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4080
• CPU: AMD Ryzen 7800X3D

Edit: As a way to get it functional again, you can go into the game's "Properties" and under "Privacy" there is a button to delete the "In-Game Overlay Data". This has to be done per game as far as I know. But it's more reliable than quickly closing the controller window.

[junelva]

My workaround is to run the game in a small gamescope window:

gamescope -W 1280 -H 720 -F pixel -- %command%

It's just an example of the command I'm using now. The controller configuration page now pops out into its own window on my desktop, instead of in the nested overlay. This causes it to remain open irrelevant of the overlay state, sidestepping the bug.

That said, this bug feels like an accessibility concern. Maybe it's just me? I would think many rely on the Steam Input controller configuration for accessibility reasons. If you can direct me toward the expected configuration of a linux development environment for your products, I will be glad to further investigate and work to fix such bugs. Thanks.

[mxhagen]

Okay so I found out a way to be able to use the overlay with the controller tab open a single time:

1. Load into a game and open the overlay
2. Open the controller tab, which immediately closes the overlay.
3. Leave the overlay in this broken state with the controller tab open and restart the game
4. Open the overlay again -- It now seems to stay open with the controller tab open

Note:

Closing the overlay now and reopening it, the issue is back and the overlay is broken again. Closing and reopening the controller tab without exiting the overlay also breaks this workaround -- It really just seems to work a single time no matter what...

So this is not a workaround but perhaps this can help someone who knows a tiny bit about the codebase pinpoint the issue...

[Jezza]

I have the same issue.

The only thing I can see is:

It looks like there's two events when the controller window is active.
That might cause it to close again.

[Hikiru]

Still a problem and no response from valve :( just have to use the controller button on the game's page in the steam app for now

[Hikiru]

Also, if you accidentally open the controller menu and break your overlay, just spam shift+tab and B on your controller to until it closes.

[esistgut]

I can confirm this, any workaround?

[birdddev]

Still an issue.

[junelva]

The workaround is still to open the controller configurator without the game running, and leave it open in its own window.

[Toadlover404Git]

I just tested it in Gamescope, and it still happens when I run the game in 1080p, but in 720p, it opens a separate window...

[steveyh25]

I also have this issue, but you can just right click the game in your steam library and do Manage -> Controller Layout, to reach the same settings as the in-game overlay

[littlecube23]

I also am having this issue. Steam overlay works fine up until I open the controller overlay. Once that is open the overlay will continuously close itself every time I open steam

[sound-friend]

also have this issue, it sucks when i want to make small changes like gyro sensitivity, but having to close and restart the game is awful. also doesn't help that big picture mode is unbearably laggy

[Managor]

A bit annoying of a bug. At least you can open the configurator in a separate window.

[TylerCode]

Adding to this:

Your system information Steam client version (build number or date): 1736213535 (Beta Branch) Distribution (e.g. Ubuntu): Fedora 41 (Kernel 6.12.8-200.fc41.x86_64) Opted into Steam client beta?: Yes Have you checked for system updates?: Yes GPU: Intel Arc A770

Has been happening to me for at least 1.5 months.

[ElementalWarrior]

Happening here too. Swaywm on Arch linux. Steam-native

[Lychee-Bear]

Also happening to me, and just in case:

System information: Steam client version: 1738026274 Stable Client Distribution: CachyOS (Kernel: Linux 6.13.0-2-cachyos) Opted into Steam client beta?: No Have you checked for system updates?: Yes GPU: NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4060

[bioe007]

Any chance of a fix steam team?

arch linux, x11, awesomewm v4.3, linux 6.13.1, nvidia 570.86.16-3

[malarki-ssbm]

Same issue here.

Steam client version (build number or date): 1738026274
Distribution (e.g. Ubuntu): EndeavorOS (6.13.4-arch1-1 (64-bit))
Opted into Steam client beta?: No
Have you checked for system updates?: Yes
GPU: NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4060 

[Managor]

@kisak-valve This appears to no longer be an issue

[mattipulkkinen]

This appears to no longer be an issue

I've observed the same, at least with brief testing.

[kisak-valve]

Closing per the last couple comments.