ValveSoftware
Steam client UI scale incorrectly set after exiting new Big Picture Mode
Your system information
- Steam client version (build number or date): 1685664179
- Distribution (e.g. Ubuntu): Arch Linux
- Opted into Steam client beta?: Yes
- Have you checked for system updates?: Yes
Please describe your issue in as much detail as possible:
When exiting Big Picture mode, Steam client base UI gets scaled up compared to its previous state before entering BP. The scale factor seems about x1.25 times base scale, and happens with or without -forcedesktopscaling being set. When it is set, the scale factor adds up. For example, having it set to 1.25 seems to increase it to about 1.5 after exiting BP.
Not so sure since which Beta update happens, most likely since new Steam UI arrived (haven't used BP lately).
Steps for reproducing this issue:
- Open Steam client, shown at normal scale.
- Enter Big Picture
- Exit Big Picture, Steam client UI now shown at a bigger scale.
Steam at regular scale
Steam at bigger scale after exiting BP mode
From my testing it seems like this is caused by Steam adding the values from -forcedesktopscaling and org.gnome.desktop.interface/text-scaling-factor together after Big Picture exit. I have both set to 1.25 so the UI becomes scaled to 150%.
If I use -forcedesktopscaling 1 with text-scaling-factor at 1.25 then the UI starts at 100% but changes to 125% after exiting Big Picture.
If I use -forcedesktopscaling 1.25 with text-scaling-factor at 1 then the UI correctly starts at 125% and doesn't change after using big picture.
I think the issue is the other way around: the scaling is correct after exiting Big Picture, but incorrect before entering it.
I noted different UI scaling at the following points in time:
- Desktop mode just after launching Steam
- In-game overlay
- Big Picture
- Desktop mode after exiting Big Picture
If I launch Steam without -forcedesktopscaling, then I get incorrect scaling (100%) at point 1, and correct scaling (200% in my case) at points 2, 3, and 4.
With -forcedesktopscaling 2 I get correct scaling (200%) at points 1 and 3, and incorrect scaling (400%) at points 2 and 4.
(I leave text-scaling-factor at default 1.0, because changing it completely messes up scaling in Firefox.)
I assume the scaling should work automatically without the need to use -forcedesktopscaling or text-scaling-factor. And in this case it seems that the only issue is with the initial scaling after launching Steam – all other scenarios scale correctly on my setup.
Hey I just wanna ask if there's a temporary solution to this, because I have to start steam in big picture mode every time and then exit for it to properly follow my desktop scaling (which is at 125%) please if anyone has a way to temporarily solve this I would be grateful. If there are any commands I can manually run or some config file somewhere I can change and set the scaling level to 125%...
I'm on Manjaro using KDE Plasma 5.27.5 as a Desktop environment
Ok I found a temporary solution in case anyone else wants to know...
navigate to: /usr/bin and find the file "steam-runtime" (i'm on manjaro and steam is installed from the repos so this is where the executable file is located for me)
Open the file with whatever text editor you have (I used Kate in KDE)
there is a line that says: exec /usr/lib/steam/steam "$@"
change it to: exec /usr/lib/steam/steam -forcedesktopscaling 1.3 "$@"
The 1.3 here is the scaling factor so its 130% in the case above, if you wanted 125% scaling you would write 1.25 instead
Save the file and it will ask you for your admin password.
Now whenever you launch steam from your desktop it will have the scaling factor you entered above. After doing this I no longer need to open steam in Big picture mode and then exit again to get the correct scaling.
I hope this helps someone out there. Cheers.
This is still an issue in the latest beta. To further help finding a solution, a couple things I noticed:
- When having the scale text option disabled in UI settings, it doesn't apply any scaling to the UI when out of BP, but it gets applied when in BP mode (friends list for example).
- With scale text enabled, if no
-forcedesktopscalingis set, at first the UI is downscaled. When opening BP for the first time and exiting it, it gets upscaled to a normal size. Upon further opening and closing BP mode within the same Steam session, the UI scaling stays the same and doesn't get down or upscaled when not in BP mode.
I have kind of a new lead. Tried messing with the DE's font and scale settings. I'm running KDE, but tried setting org.gnome.desktop.interface text-scaling-factor 2.0, but doesn't seem to have any effect.
Then I tried changing the force font DPI setting on KDE. I usually have it at 120, since I have 1440p screen. When setting it back to 96, if I run Steam with -forcedesktopscaling set to 1.2, things seem to behave as intended, when entering and then exiting BPM the scale stays the same.
So, I wonder if there's any way or env variable to set to make Steam get the default DPI value instead of the modified one.
OMG this thread just save my life, now I don't have to enter and exit Big Picture Mode to scale up my UI.
I found another workaround that I had posted before on a steam discussions thread and is easier to do than my previous instructions above if anyone is still struggling with this:
Open terminal and type:
sudo nano /etc/environment
(this will open the above file with the nano editor program if you have it installed, if you have another program or are able to edit this file through a GUI program then go ahead and use that instead)
On a new line write:
STEAM_FORCE_DESKTOPUI_SCALING=1.3
(the line above basically tells steam what scaling you want: 1.3 is 130% if you want 150% scaling just type 1.5 instead... etc...)
- after you're done press "control X" to exit
- when it asks "Save modified buffer?" press "Y" to save the file
- it then says "File Name to Write: /etc/environment" just press "Enter" to keep the same filename (do NOT change the filename!)
Now type in terminal:
source /etc/environment
(this will reload the environment file to become active with the changes you made above)
Now anytime you launch steam from anywhere it will follow the scaling you set above, this change is persistent even if you restart your computer. If you want to change the scaling just repeat the steps above and don't forget to use "source /etc/environment" each time to make the new settings active.
If you've followed my previous instructions just undo those changes and then do this instead and it will also work.
Hopefully someday Valve will sort this issue out. 🥲
Also happened on my setup (Fedora 40, Nvidia 565 driver, Gnome, Wayland)
But I was not able to reproduce it second time
Been able to reproduce this consistently. Stable Client Version 1733265492 Arch Linux with GNOME.
My PC is hooked to the TV and GNOME is set to scale 250%.
I have settings on Steam set to match the scale.
Whenever I exit Bog Picture Mode, Steam Client is huge, bigger than when it first opens.
Can reproduce this every time I enter and then exit big picture mode.
Arch Linux, latest. KDE, latest. Wayland session, intel integrated graphics only.
Thinkpad T480s, most importantly I'm using fractional scaling at 150%.
I had my scaling working and I somehow managed to enable the UI scaling feature in BPM that's present in the Steam Deck developer settings. Now after a clean Windows install my UI is the standard large format and I don't know how to enable the UI scaling option again.
Since this issue is in a bit of a stale state, I'll add some more context as it would be nice to have it sorted out some time.
Checking the logs, being the relevant one `webhelper.txt`, I get this output when **booting Steam, manually launching BP mode, then exiting BP mode**:
[1970-01-01 01:00:00] Startup - webhelper launched pid: 35643 commandline: ./steamwebhelper -nocrashdialog -lang=es_ES -cachedir=/home/dragos/.local/share/Steam/config/htmlcache -steampid=35463 -buildid=1741737356 -steamid=0 -logdir=/home/dragos/.local/share/Steam/logs -uimode=7 -startcount=0 -steamuniverse=Public -realm=Global -clientui=/home/dragos/.local/share/Steam/clientui -steampath=/home/dragos/.local/share/Steam/ubuntu12_32/steam -launcher=0 -use_xcomposite_workaround -no-restart-on-ui-mode-change --valve-enable-site-isolation --enable-smooth-scrolling --password-store=basic --ignore-gpu-blocklist --log-file=/home/dragos/.local/share/Steam/logs/cef_log.txt --disable-quick-menu --enable-features=PlatformHEVCDecoderSupport --disable-features=SpareRendererForSitePerProcess,DcheckIsFatal,ValveFFmpegAllowLowDelayHEVC
[1970-01-01 01:00:00] Browser - launching child process with: /home/dragos/.local/share/Steam/ubuntu12_64/steamwebhelper --type=zygote --no-zygote-sandbox --user-agent-product=Valve Steam Client --lang=en_US.UTF-8 --user-data-dir=/home/dragos/.local/share/Steam/config/htmlcache --log-file=/home/dragos/.local/share/Steam/logs/cef_log.txt --crashpad-handler-pid=35647 --buildid=1741737356 --steamid=0
[1970-01-01 01:00:00] Browser - launching child process with: /home/dragos/.local/share/Steam/ubuntu12_64/steamwebhelper --type=zygote --user-agent-product=Valve Steam Client --lang=en_US.UTF-8 --user-data-dir=/home/dragos/.local/share/Steam/config/htmlcache --log-file=/home/dragos/.local/share/Steam/logs/cef_log.txt --crashpad-handler-pid=35647 --buildid=1741737356 --steamid=0
[1970-01-01 01:00:00] Browser - launching child process with: /proc/self/exe --type=gpu-process --user-agent-product=Valve Steam Client --lang=en_US.UTF-8 --user-data-dir=/home/dragos/.local/share/Steam/config/htmlcache --crashpad-handler-pid=35647 --buildid=1741737356 --steamid=0
[2025-03-16 15:09:40] Browser - launching child process with: /proc/self/exe --type=utility --utility-sub-type=network.mojom.NetworkService --lang=es --service-sandbox-type=none --user-agent-product=Valve Steam Client --lang=en_US.UTF-8 --user-data-dir=/home/dragos/.local/share/Steam/config/htmlcache --crashpad-handler-pid=35647 --buildid=1741737356 --steamid=0
[2025-03-16 15:09:40] CreateBrowser 2854276609 type:12 flags:0 (-2147483648, -2147483648) 0x0
[2025-03-16 15:09:40] Browser - launching child process with: /proc/self/exe --type=utility --utility-sub-type=storage.mojom.StorageService --lang=es --service-sandbox-type=utility --user-agent-product=Valve Steam Client --lang=en_US.UTF-8 --user-data-dir=/home/dragos/.local/share/Steam/config/htmlcache --crashpad-handler-pid=35647 --buildid=1741737356 --steamid=0
[2025-03-16 15:09:40] UB-65536: AfterCreated handle:65536 type:12: (0, 0) 0x0
[2025-03-16 15:09:40] ThreadSetForceDeviceScaleFactors 1.000000 * 1.300000 = 1.300000
[2025-03-16 15:09:40] UB-65536: SetName: SP Shared JS Context
[2025-03-16 15:09:40] Browser - launching child process with: /proc/self/exe --type=renderer --user-agent-product=Valve Steam Client --user-data-dir=/home/dragos/.local/share/Steam/config/htmlcache --crashpad-handler-pid=35647 --force-device-scale-factor=1.30 --buildid=1741737356 --steamid=0
[2025-03-16 15:09:41] SP Shared JS Context-'SharedJSCo': CreatingPopup name:SP Desktop_uid0 browser:65536 parent:0 pid:35463 type:4 flags:274: (2696.00, 43.00) 2006.00x1260.00: url:about:blank?createflags=274&minwidth=1010&minheight=600&pid=0&browser=-1&browserType=4&restoredetails=1&x=2696&y=43&w=2006&h=1260&useragent=Valve%20Steam%20Client
[2025-03-16 15:09:41] CCompositorGLThread::CreateOutputWindow: Creating browser window at: 2696,43 size: 2006x1260
[2025-03-16 15:09:41] Error: CreateOutputWindow: failed to acquire a gl context
[2025-03-16 15:09:41] Error: ThreadInit: failed to create output window
[2025-03-16 15:09:41] Error: Run: failed to initialize GL thread
[2025-03-16 15:09:41] SP Desktop_uid0: Failed to create output window. Falling back to system composer, previous mode: OpenGL
[2025-03-16 15:09:41] Error: Create: invalid browser composer mode requested, falling back to system composer
[2025-03-16 15:09:41] CBrowserComposerSystem::CreateOutputWindow: Creating browser window at: 2696,43 size: 2006x1260
[2025-03-16 15:09:41] SP Desktop_uid0: Created window: size: 2006,1260 pos: 2696,43 mode: System window: 0x2e00043
[2025-03-16 15:09:41] SP Desktop_uid0: AfterCreated handle:131073 type:4: (0, 0) 2006x1260
[2025-03-16 15:09:42] SP Shared JS Context-'SharedJSCo': WARNING: https://steamloopback.host/library.js:2: wayland: skipping init because GAMESCOPE_WAYLAND_DISPLAY is not set
[2025-03-16 15:09:42] SP Shared JS Context-'SharedJSCo': WARNING: https://steamloopback.host/library.js:2: Warning: wayland init failed, some functionality may be unavailable
[2025-03-16 15:09:42] SP Shared JS Context-'SharedJSCo': WARNING: https://steamloopback.host/library.js:2: wayland: skipping init because GAMESCOPE_WAYLAND_DISPLAY is not set
[2025-03-16 15:09:42] SP Desktop_uid0-'Steam': WasHidden 0: (0, 0) 2006x1260
[2025-03-16 15:09:43] SP Shared JS Context-'SharedJSCo': CreatingPopup name:friendslist_uid0 browser:65536 parent:0 pid:35463 type:4 flags:18: (2066.00, 43.00) 361.00x839.00: url:about:blank?createflags=18&minwidth=226&minheight=400&pid=0&browser=-1&restoredetails=1&x=2066&y=43&w=361&h=839
[2025-03-16 15:09:43] CBrowserComposerSystem::CreateOutputWindow: Creating browser window at: 2066,43 size: 361x839
[2025-03-16 15:09:43] friendslist_uid0: Created window: size: 361,839 pos: 2066,43 mode: System window: 0x2e0004e
[2025-03-16 15:09:43] friendslist_uid0: AfterCreated handle:196610 type:4: (0, 0) 361x839
[2025-03-16 15:09:43] SP Shared JS Context-'SharedJSCo': CreatingView 1 browser:1 popup:2 url:data:text/html,%3Cbody%3E%3C%2Fbody%3E
[2025-03-16 15:09:43] Browser requested transparent background, but it is not supported
[2025-03-16 15:09:43] UB-262147: AfterCreated handle:262147 type:6: (0, 0) 1x1
[2025-03-16 15:09:43] UB-262147: WasHidden 1: (0, 0) 1x1
[2025-03-16 15:09:43] Browser - launching child process with: /proc/self/exe --type=renderer --user-agent-product=Valve Steam Client --user-data-dir=/home/dragos/.local/share/Steam/config/htmlcache --crashpad-handler-pid=35647 --force-device-scale-factor=1.30 --buildid=1741737356 --steamid=0
[2025-03-16 15:09:43] SP Shared JS Context-'SharedJSCo': CreatingPopup name:contextmenu_1_uid0 browser:65536 parent:0 pid:35463 type:4 flags:4538474: (2773.21, 43.92) 2.58x1.29: url:about:blank?createflags=4538378&pid=0&browser=-1&screenavailwidth=1969&screenavailheight=794&openerid=2
[2025-03-16 15:09:43] CBrowserComposerSystem::CreateOutputWindow: Creating browser window at: 2773,43 size: 2x1
[2025-03-16 15:09:43] contextmenu_1_uid0: Created window: size: 2,1 pos: 2773,43 mode: System window: 0x2e00058
[2025-03-16 15:09:43] contextmenu_1_uid0: AfterCreated handle:327684 type:4: (0, 0) 2x1
[2025-03-16 15:09:43] data:text/html,<body><%2Fbody>-'data:text/': SetName: SteamBrowser
[2025-03-16 15:09:43] SP Shared JS Context-'SharedJSCo': CreatingPopup name:contextmenu_2_uid0 browser:65536 parent:0 pid:35463 type:4 flags:4538474: (2815.83, 43.92) 2.58x1.29: url:about:blank?createflags=4538378&pid=0&browser=-1&screenavailwidth=1969&screenavailheight=794&openerid=2
[2025-03-16 15:09:43] CBrowserComposerSystem::CreateOutputWindow: Creating browser window at: 2815,43 size: 2x1
[2025-03-16 15:09:43] contextmenu_2_uid0: Created window: size: 2,1 pos: 2815,43 mode: System window: 0x2e00062
[2025-03-16 15:09:43] contextmenu_2_uid0: AfterCreated handle:393221 type:4: (0, 0) 2x1
[2025-03-16 15:09:43] SP Shared JS Context-'SharedJSCo': CreatingPopup name:contextmenu_3_uid0 browser:65536 parent:0 pid:35463 type:4 flags:4538474: (2888.17, 43.92) 2.58x1.29: url:about:blank?createflags=4538378&pid=0&browser=-1&screenavailwidth=1969&screenavailheight=794&openerid=2
[2025-03-16 15:09:43] CBrowserComposerSystem::CreateOutputWindow: Creating browser window at: 2888,43 size: 2x1
[2025-03-16 15:09:43] contextmenu_3_uid0: Created window: size: 2,1 pos: 2888,43 mode: System window: 0x2e0006c
[2025-03-16 15:09:43] contextmenu_3_uid0: AfterCreated handle:458758 type:4: (0, 0) 2x1
[2025-03-16 15:09:43] SP Shared JS Context-'SharedJSCo': CreatingPopup name:contextmenu_4_uid0 browser:65536 parent:0 pid:35463 type:4 flags:4538474: (2978.58, 43.92) 2.58x1.29: url:about:blank?createflags=4538378&pid=0&browser=-1&screenavailwidth=1969&screenavailheight=794&openerid=2
[2025-03-16 15:09:43] CBrowserComposerSystem::CreateOutputWindow: Creating browser window at: 2978,43 size: 2x1
[2025-03-16 15:09:43] contextmenu_4_uid0: Created window: size: 2,1 pos: 2978,43 mode: System window: 0x2e00076
[2025-03-16 15:09:43] contextmenu_4_uid0: AfterCreated handle:524295 type:4: (0, 0) 2x1
[2025-03-16 15:09:43] SP Shared JS Context-'SharedJSCo': CreatingPopup name:contextmenu_5_uid0 browser:65536 parent:0 pid:35463 type:4 flags:4538474: (3041.88, 43.92) 2.58x1.29: url:about:blank?createflags=4538378&pid=0&browser=-1&screenavailwidth=1969&screenavailheight=794&openerid=2
[2025-03-16 15:09:43] CBrowserComposerSystem::CreateOutputWindow: Creating browser window at: 3041,43 size: 2x1
[2025-03-16 15:09:43] contextmenu_5_uid0: Created window: size: 2,1 pos: 3041,43 mode: System window: 0x2e00080
[2025-03-16 15:09:43] contextmenu_5_uid0: AfterCreated handle:589832 type:4: (0, 0) 2x1
[2025-03-16 15:09:43] SP Shared JS Context-'SharedJSCo': CreatingPopup name:contextmenu_6_uid0 browser:65536 parent:0 pid:35463 type:4 flags:4538474: (4333.54, 50.38) 2.58x1.29: url:about:blank?createflags=4538378&pid=0&browser=-1&screenavailwidth=1969&screenavailheight=794&openerid=2
[2025-03-16 15:09:43] CBrowserComposerSystem::CreateOutputWindow: Creating browser window at: 4333,50 size: 2x1
[2025-03-16 15:09:43] contextmenu_6_uid0: Created window: size: 2,1 pos: 4333,50 mode: System window: 0x2e0008a
[2025-03-16 15:09:43] contextmenu_6_uid0: AfterCreated handle:655369 type:4: (0, 0) 2x1
[2025-03-16 15:09:43] SP Shared JS Context-'SharedJSCo': CreatingPopup name:contextmenu_7_uid0 browser:65536 parent:0 pid:35463 type:4 flags:4538474: (4496.29, 50.38) 2.58x1.29: url:about:blank?createflags=4538378&pid=0&browser=-1&screenavailwidth=1969&screenavailheight=794&openerid=2
[2025-03-16 15:09:43] CBrowserComposerSystem::CreateOutputWindow: Creating browser window at: 4496,50 size: 2x1
[2025-03-16 15:09:43] contextmenu_7_uid0: Created window: size: 2,1 pos: 4496,50 mode: System window: 0x2e00094
[2025-03-16 15:09:43] contextmenu_7_uid0: AfterCreated handle:720906 type:4: (0, 0) 2x1
[2025-03-16 15:09:43] SP Shared JS Context-'SharedJSCo': CreatingPopup name:contextmenu_8_uid0 browser:65536 parent:0 pid:35463 type:4 flags:4538474: (2873.96, 85.25) 2.58x1.29: url:about:blank?createflags=4538378&pid=0&browser=-1&screenavailwidth=1969&screenavailheight=794&openerid=2
[2025-03-16 15:09:43] CBrowserComposerSystem::CreateOutputWindow: Creating browser window at: 2873,85 size: 2x1
[2025-03-16 15:09:43] contextmenu_8_uid0: Created window: size: 2,1 pos: 2873,85 mode: System window: 0x2e0009e
[2025-03-16 15:09:43] contextmenu_8_uid0: AfterCreated handle:786443 type:4: (0, 0) 2x1
[2025-03-16 15:09:43] SP Shared JS Context-'SharedJSCo': CreatingPopup name:contextmenu_9_uid0 browser:65536 parent:0 pid:35463 type:4 flags:4538474: (3034.12, 85.25) 2.58x1.29: url:about:blank?createflags=4538378&pid=0&browser=-1&screenavailwidth=1969&screenavailheight=794&openerid=2
[2025-03-16 15:09:43] CBrowserComposerSystem::CreateOutputWindow: Creating browser window at: 3034,85 size: 2x1
[2025-03-16 15:09:43] contextmenu_9_uid0: Created window: size: 2,1 pos: 3034,85 mode: System window: 0x2e000a8
[2025-03-16 15:09:43] contextmenu_9_uid0: AfterCreated handle:851980 type:4: (0, 0) 2x1
[2025-03-16 15:09:43] SP Shared JS Context-'SharedJSCo': CreatingPopup name:contextmenu_10_uid0 browser:65536 parent:0 pid:35463 type:4 flags:4538474: (3202.04, 85.25) 2.58x1.29: url:about:blank?createflags=4538378&pid=0&browser=-1&screenavailwidth=1969&screenavailheight=794&openerid=2
[2025-03-16 15:09:43] CBrowserComposerSystem::CreateOutputWindow: Creating browser window at: 3202,85 size: 2x1
[2025-03-16 15:09:43] contextmenu_10_uid0: Created window: size: 2,1 pos: 3202,85 mode: System window: 0x2e000b2
[2025-03-16 15:09:43] contextmenu_10_uid0: AfterCreated handle:917517 type:4: (0, 0) 2x1
[2025-03-16 15:09:43] SP Shared JS Context-'SharedJSCo': CreatingPopup name:contextmenu_11_uid0 browser:65536 parent:0 pid:35463 type:4 flags:4538474: (3357.04, 85.25) 2.58x1.29: url:about:blank?createflags=4538378&pid=0&browser=-1&screenavailwidth=1969&screenavailheight=794&openerid=2
[2025-03-16 15:09:43] CBrowserComposerSystem::CreateOutputWindow: Creating browser window at: 3357,85 size: 2x1
[2025-03-16 15:09:43] contextmenu_11_uid0: Created window: size: 2,1 pos: 3357,85 mode: System window: 0x2e000bc
[2025-03-16 15:09:43] contextmenu_11_uid0: AfterCreated handle:983054 type:4: (0, 0) 2x1
[2025-03-16 15:09:44] friendslist_uid0-'Lista de a': WasHidden 0: (0, 0) 361x839
[2025-03-16 15:09:44] Browser - launching child process with: /proc/self/exe --type=renderer --user-agent-product=Valve Steam Client --user-data-dir=/home/dragos/.local/share/Steam/config/htmlcache --crashpad-handler-pid=35647 --force-device-scale-factor=1.30 --buildid=1741737356 --steamid=0
[2025-03-16 15:09:44] Browser - launching child process with: /proc/self/exe --type=renderer --user-agent-product=Valve Steam Client --user-data-dir=/home/dragos/.local/share/Steam/config/htmlcache --crashpad-handler-pid=35647 --force-device-scale-factor=1.30 --buildid=1741737356 --steamid=0
[2025-03-16 15:09:46] SP Shared JS Context-'SharedJSCo': CreatingPopup name:notificationtoasts_98099850790_desktop browser:65536 parent:0 pid:35463 type:4 flags:5534570: (-2147483648.00, -2147483648.00) 367.90x91.00: url:about:blank?createflags=5534474&browserType=4
[2025-03-16 15:09:46] CCompositorGLThread::CreateOutputWindow: Creating browser window at: 805240832,805240832 size: 367x91
[2025-03-16 15:09:46] Error: CreateOutputWindow: failed to acquire a gl context
[2025-03-16 15:09:46] Error: ThreadInit: failed to create output window
[2025-03-16 15:09:46] Error: Run: failed to initialize GL thread
[2025-03-16 15:09:46] notificationtoasts_98099850790_desktop: Failed to create output window. Falling back to system composer, previous mode: OpenGL
[2025-03-16 15:09:46] Error: Create: invalid browser composer mode requested, falling back to system composer
[2025-03-16 15:09:46] CBrowserComposerSystem::CreateOutputWindow: Creating browser window at: 805240832,805240832 size: 367x91
[2025-03-16 15:09:46] notificationtoasts_98099850790_desktop: Created window: size: 367,91 pos: 805240832,805240832 mode: System window: 0x2e000ce
[2025-03-16 15:09:46] notificationtoasts_98099850790_desktop: AfterCreated handle:1048591 type:4: (0, 0) 367x91
[2025-03-16 15:09:47] notificationtoasts_98099850790_desktop-'notificati': WasHidden 0: (0, 0) 367x91
[2025-03-16 15:09:47] Browser - launching child process with: /proc/self/exe --type=utility --utility-sub-type=audio.mojom.AudioService --lang=es --service-sandbox-type=none --user-agent-product=Valve Steam Client --lang=en_US.UTF-8 --user-data-dir=/home/dragos/.local/share/Steam/config/htmlcache --crashpad-handler-pid=35647 --force-device-scale-factor=1.30 --buildid=1741737356 --steamid=0
[2025-03-16 15:09:53] notificationtoasts_98099850790_desktop-'notificati': WasHidden 1: (0, 0) 367x91
[2025-03-16 15:09:53] notificationtoasts_98099850790_desktop-'notificati': Applying safe browser shutdown workaround
[2025-03-16 15:10:54] ThreadSetForceDeviceScaleFactors 1.000000 * 0.000000 = 0.000000
[2025-03-16 15:10:54] SteamBrowser-'data:text/': Applying safe browser shutdown workaround
[2025-03-16 15:10:54] SP Shared JS Context-'SharedJSCo': CreatingPopup name:SP BPM_uid0 browser:65536 parent:0 pid:35463 type:3 flags:4195698: (-2147483648.00, -2147483648.00) 1660.00x1037.50: url:about:blank?createflags=4195602&pid=0&browser=-1&browserType=3&useragent=Valve%20Steam%20Gamepad
[2025-03-16 15:10:54] CCompositorGLThread::CreateOutputWindow: Creating browser window at: 805240832,805240832 size: 1660x1037
[2025-03-16 15:10:54] Error: CreateOutputWindow: failed to acquire a gl context
[2025-03-16 15:10:54] Error: ThreadInit: failed to create output window
[2025-03-16 15:10:54] Error: Run: failed to initialize GL thread
[2025-03-16 15:10:54] SP BPM_uid0: Failed to create output window. Falling back to system composer, previous mode: OpenGL
[2025-03-16 15:10:54] Error: Create: invalid browser composer mode requested, falling back to system composer
[2025-03-16 15:10:54] CBrowserComposerSystem::CreateOutputWindow: Creating browser window at: 805240832,805240832 size: 1660x1037
[2025-03-16 15:10:54] SP BPM_uid0: Created window: size: 1660,1037 pos: 805240832,805240832 mode: System window: 0x2e000e0
[2025-03-16 15:10:54] SP BPM_uid0: AfterCreated handle:1114127 type:3: (0, 0) 1660x1037
[2025-03-16 15:10:56] ThreadSetForceDeviceScaleFactors 1.291667 * 1.003203 = 1.300000
[2025-03-16 15:10:56] ThreadSetForceDeviceScaleFactors 1.291667 * 1.003203 = 1.300000
[2025-03-16 15:10:56] SP Desktop_uid0-'Steam': Applying safe browser shutdown workaround
[2025-03-16 15:10:56] contextmenu_1_uid0-'Steam Root': Applying safe browser shutdown workaround
[2025-03-16 15:10:56] contextmenu_2_uid0-'View Root ': Applying safe browser shutdown workaround
[2025-03-16 15:10:56] contextmenu_3_uid0-'Friends Ro': Applying safe browser shutdown workaround
[2025-03-16 15:10:56] contextmenu_4_uid0-'Games Root': Applying safe browser shutdown workaround
[2025-03-16 15:10:56] contextmenu_5_uid0-'Help Root ': Applying safe browser shutdown workaround
[2025-03-16 15:10:56] contextmenu_6_uid0-'Notificati': Applying safe browser shutdown workaround
[2025-03-16 15:10:56] contextmenu_7_uid0-'Account Me': Applying safe browser shutdown workaround
[2025-03-16 15:10:56] contextmenu_8_uid0-'Store Supe': Applying safe browser shutdown workaround
[2025-03-16 15:10:56] contextmenu_9_uid0-'Library Su': Applying safe browser shutdown workaround
[2025-03-16 15:10:56] contextmenu_10_uid0-'Community ': Applying safe browser shutdown workaround
[2025-03-16 15:10:56] contextmenu_11_uid0-'Profile Su': Applying safe browser shutdown workaround
[2025-03-16 15:10:56] ThreadSetForceDeviceScaleFactors 1.291667 * 1.003203 = 1.300000
[2025-03-16 15:10:56] ThreadSetForceDeviceScaleFactors 1.291667 * 1.003203 = 1.300000
[2025-03-16 15:10:56] SP BPM_uid0-'Modo Big P': WasHidden 0: (0, 0) 1660x1037
[2025-03-16 15:10:56] ThreadSetForceDeviceScaleFactors 1.291667 * 1.468030 = 1.900000
[2025-03-16 15:10:56] ThreadSetForceDeviceScaleFactors 1.291667 * 1.468030 = 1.900000
[2025-03-16 15:10:56] ThreadSetForceDeviceScaleFactors 1.291667 * 1.468030 = 1.900000
[2025-03-16 15:10:56] SP Shared JS Context-'SharedJSCo': WARNING: https://steamloopback.host/chunk~2dcc5aaf7.js?contenthash=dd3c4dd697621660c9e4:1: FocusApplicationRoot called before root mounted
[2025-03-16 15:10:56] SP Shared JS Context-'SharedJSCo': CreatingViewPopup 2 name:MainMenu_uid17 browser:65536 popup:17 type:6: url:about:blank?browserviewpopup=1&requestid=2&parentpopup=17
[2025-03-16 15:10:56] Browser requested transparent background, but it is not supported
[2025-03-16 15:10:56] MainMenu_uid17: AfterCreated handle:1179651 type:6: (0, 0) 1x1
[2025-03-16 15:10:56] MainMenu_uid17: WasHidden 1: (0, 0) 1x1
[2025-03-16 15:10:56] SP Shared JS Context-'SharedJSCo': CreatingViewPopup 3 name:QuickAccess_uid17 browser:65536 popup:17 type:6: url:about:blank?browserviewpopup=1&requestid=3&parentpopup=17
[2025-03-16 15:10:56] Browser requested transparent background, but it is not supported
[2025-03-16 15:10:56] QuickAccess_uid17: AfterCreated handle:1245200 type:6: (0, 0) 1x1
[2025-03-16 15:10:56] QuickAccess_uid17: WasHidden 1: (0, 0) 1x1
[2025-03-16 15:10:56] MainMenu_uid17-'MainMenu_u': SetName: MainMenu_uid17
[2025-03-16 15:10:56] QuickAccess_uid17-'QuickAcces': SetName: QuickAccess_uid17
[2025-03-16 15:10:58] SP Shared JS Context-'SharedJSCo': CreatingViewPopup 4 name:notificationtoasts_uid17 browser:65536 popup:17 type:6: url:about:blank?browserviewpopup=1&requestid=4&parentpopup=17&createflags=512
[2025-03-16 15:10:58] Browser requested transparent background, but it is not supported
[2025-03-16 15:10:58] notificationtoasts_uid17: AfterCreated handle:1310734 type:6: (0, 0) 1x1
[2025-03-16 15:10:58] notificationtoasts_uid17: WasHidden 1: (0, 0) 1x1
[2025-03-16 15:10:58] notificationtoasts_uid17-'notificati': SetName: notificationtoasts_uid17
[2025-03-16 15:11:59] MainMenu_uid17-'MainMenu_u': WasHidden 0: (0, 0) 457x1441
[2025-03-16 15:12:00] MainMenu_uid17-'MainMenu_u': WasHidden 1: (0, 0) 457x1441
[2025-03-16 15:12:02] MainMenu_uid17-'MainMenu_u': WasHidden 0: (0, 0) 457x1441
[2025-03-16 15:12:03] MainMenu_uid17-'MainMenu_u': WasHidden 1: (0, 0) 457x1441
[2025-03-16 15:12:03] SP BPM_uid0-'Modo Big P': WasHidden 1: (0, 0) 1660x1037
[2025-03-16 15:12:03] SP BPM_uid0-'Modo Big P': WasHidden 1: (0, 0) 1660x1037
[2025-03-16 15:12:03] MainMenu_uid17-'MainMenu_u': WasHidden 0: (0, 0) 457x1441
[2025-03-16 15:12:03] ThreadSetForceDeviceScaleFactors 1.291667 * 1.468030 = 1.900000
[2025-03-16 15:12:03] ThreadSetForceDeviceScaleFactors 1.291667 * 0.000000 = 0.000000
[2025-03-16 15:12:03] ThreadSetForceDeviceScaleFactors 1.291667 * 1.300000 = 1.680000
[2025-03-16 15:12:03] MainMenu_uid17-'MainMenu_u': WasHidden 1: (0, 0) 457x1441
[2025-03-16 15:12:04] SP Shared JS Context-'SharedJSCo': CreatingPopup name:SP Desktop_uid0 browser:65536 parent:0 pid:35463 type:4 flags:274: (2696.00, 43.00) 2006.00x1260.00: url:about:blank?createflags=274&minwidth=1010&minheight=600&pid=0&browser=-1&browserType=4&restoredetails=1&x=2696&y=43&w=2006&h=1260&useragent=Valve%20Steam%20Client
[2025-03-16 15:12:04] CCompositorGLThread::CreateOutputWindow: Creating browser window at: 2696,43 size: 2006x1260
[2025-03-16 15:12:04] Error: CreateOutputWindow: failed to acquire a gl context
[2025-03-16 15:12:04] Error: ThreadInit: failed to create output window
[2025-03-16 15:12:04] Error: Run: failed to initialize GL thread
[2025-03-16 15:12:04] SP Desktop_uid0: Failed to create output window. Falling back to system composer, previous mode: OpenGL
[2025-03-16 15:12:04] Error: Create: invalid browser composer mode requested, falling back to system composer
[2025-03-16 15:12:04] CBrowserComposerSystem::CreateOutputWindow: Creating browser window at: 2696,43 size: 2006x1260
[2025-03-16 15:12:04] SP Desktop_uid0: Created window: size: 2006,1260 pos: 2696,43 mode: System window: 0x2e00124
[2025-03-16 15:12:04] SP Desktop_uid0: AfterCreated handle:1376269 type:4: (0, 0) 2006x1260
[2025-03-16 15:12:04] MainMenu_uid17-'MainMenu_u': Applying safe browser shutdown workaround
[2025-03-16 15:12:04] QuickAccess_uid17-'QuickAcces': Applying safe browser shutdown workaround
[2025-03-16 15:12:04] notificationtoasts_uid17-'notificati': Applying safe browser shutdown workaround
[2025-03-16 15:12:05] SP BPM_uid0-'Modo Big P': Applying safe browser shutdown workaround
[2025-03-16 15:12:05] SP Desktop_uid0-'Steam': WasHidden 0: (0, 0) 2006x1260
[2025-03-16 15:12:05] SP Shared JS Context-'SharedJSCo': CreatingView 5 browser:1 popup:21 url:data:text/html,%3Cbody%3E%3C%2Fbody%3E
[2025-03-16 15:12:05] Browser requested transparent background, but it is not supported
[2025-03-16 15:12:05] UB-1441804: AfterCreated handle:1441804 type:6: (0, 0) 1x1
[2025-03-16 15:12:05] UB-1441804: WasHidden 1: (0, 0) 1x1
[2025-03-16 15:12:05] Browser - launching child process with: /proc/self/exe --type=renderer --user-agent-product=Valve Steam Client --user-data-dir=/home/dragos/.local/share/Steam/config/htmlcache --crashpad-handler-pid=35647 --force-device-scale-factor=1.68 --buildid=1741737356 --steamid=0
[2025-03-16 15:12:05] UB-1441804: SetName: SteamBrowser
[2025-03-16 15:12:05] SP Shared JS Context-'SharedJSCo': CreatingPopup name:contextmenu_13_uid0 browser:65536 parent:0 pid:35463 type:4 flags:4538474: (2210.04, 33.58) 2.58x1.29: url:about:blank?createflags=4538378&pid=0&browser=-1&screenavailwidth=1523&screenavailheight=615&openerid=21
[2025-03-16 15:12:05] CBrowserComposerSystem::CreateOutputWindow: Creating browser window at: 2210,33 size: 2x1
[2025-03-16 15:12:05] contextmenu_13_uid0: Created window: size: 2,1 pos: 2210,33 mode: System window: 0x2e0012e
[2025-03-16 15:12:05] contextmenu_13_uid0: AfterCreated handle:1507339 type:4: (0, 0) 2x1
[2025-03-16 15:12:05] SP Shared JS Context-'SharedJSCo': CreatingPopup name:contextmenu_14_uid0 browser:65536 parent:0 pid:35463 type:4 flags:4538474: (2167.42, 33.58) 2.58x1.29: url:about:blank?createflags=4538378&pid=0&browser=-1&screenavailwidth=1523&screenavailheight=615&openerid=21
[2025-03-16 15:12:05] CBrowserComposerSystem::CreateOutputWindow: Creating browser window at: 2167,33 size: 2x1
[2025-03-16 15:12:05] contextmenu_14_uid0: Created window: size: 2,1 pos: 2167,33 mode: System window: 0x2e00138
[2025-03-16 15:12:05] contextmenu_14_uid0: AfterCreated handle:1572874 type:4: (0, 0) 2x1
[2025-03-16 15:12:05] SP Shared JS Context-'SharedJSCo': CreatingPopup name:contextmenu_15_uid0 browser:65536 parent:0 pid:35463 type:4 flags:4538474: (2282.38, 33.58) 2.58x1.29: url:about:blank?createflags=4538378&pid=0&browser=-1&screenavailwidth=1523&screenavailheight=615&openerid=21
[2025-03-16 15:12:05] CBrowserComposerSystem::CreateOutputWindow: Creating browser window at: 2282,33 size: 2x1
[2025-03-16 15:12:05] contextmenu_15_uid0: Created window: size: 2,1 pos: 2282,33 mode: System window: 0x2e00142
[2025-03-16 15:12:05] contextmenu_15_uid0: AfterCreated handle:1638409 type:4: (0, 0) 2x1
[2025-03-16 15:12:05] SP Shared JS Context-'SharedJSCo': CreatingPopup name:contextmenu_16_uid0 browser:65536 parent:0 pid:35463 type:4 flags:4538474: (2372.79, 33.58) 2.58x1.29: url:about:blank?createflags=4538378&pid=0&browser=-1&screenavailwidth=1523&screenavailheight=615&openerid=21
[2025-03-16 15:12:05] CBrowserComposerSystem::CreateOutputWindow: Creating browser window at: 2372,33 size: 2x1
[2025-03-16 15:12:05] contextmenu_16_uid0: Created window: size: 2,1 pos: 2372,33 mode: System window: 0x2e0014c
[2025-03-16 15:12:05] contextmenu_16_uid0: AfterCreated handle:1703944 type:4: (0, 0) 2x1
[2025-03-16 15:12:05] SP Shared JS Context-'SharedJSCo': CreatingPopup name:contextmenu_17_uid0 browser:65536 parent:0 pid:35463 type:4 flags:4538474: (2436.08, 33.58) 2.58x1.29: url:about:blank?createflags=4538378&pid=0&browser=-1&screenavailwidth=1523&screenavailheight=615&openerid=21
[2025-03-16 15:12:05] CBrowserComposerSystem::CreateOutputWindow: Creating browser window at: 2436,33 size: 2x1
[2025-03-16 15:12:05] contextmenu_17_uid0: Created window: size: 2,1 pos: 2436,33 mode: System window: 0x2e00156
[2025-03-16 15:12:05] contextmenu_17_uid0: AfterCreated handle:1769479 type:4: (0, 0) 2x1
[2025-03-16 15:12:05] SP Shared JS Context-'SharedJSCo': CreatingPopup name:contextmenu_18_uid0 browser:65536 parent:0 pid:35463 type:4 flags:4538474: (3276.96, 40.04) 2.58x1.29: url:about:blank?createflags=4538378&pid=0&browser=-1&screenavailwidth=1523&screenavailheight=615&openerid=21
[2025-03-16 15:12:05] CBrowserComposerSystem::CreateOutputWindow: Creating browser window at: 3276,40 size: 2x1
[2025-03-16 15:12:05] contextmenu_18_uid0: Created window: size: 2,1 pos: 3276,40 mode: System window: 0x2e00160
[2025-03-16 15:12:05] contextmenu_18_uid0: AfterCreated handle:1835014 type:4: (0, 0) 2x1
[2025-03-16 15:12:05] SP Shared JS Context-'SharedJSCo': CreatingPopup name:contextmenu_19_uid0 browser:65536 parent:0 pid:35463 type:4 flags:4538474: (3439.71, 40.04) 2.58x1.29: url:about:blank?createflags=4538378&pid=0&browser=-1&screenavailwidth=1523&screenavailheight=615&openerid=21
[2025-03-16 15:12:05] CBrowserComposerSystem::CreateOutputWindow: Creating browser window at: 3439,40 size: 2x1
[2025-03-16 15:12:05] contextmenu_19_uid0: Created window: size: 2,1 pos: 3439,40 mode: System window: 0x2e0016a
[2025-03-16 15:12:05] contextmenu_19_uid0: AfterCreated handle:1900549 type:4: (0, 0) 2x1
[2025-03-16 15:12:05] SP Shared JS Context-'SharedJSCo': CreatingPopup name:contextmenu_20_uid0 browser:65536 parent:0 pid:35463 type:4 flags:4538474: (2268.17, 74.92) 2.58x1.29: url:about:blank?createflags=4538378&pid=0&browser=-1&screenavailwidth=1523&screenavailheight=615&openerid=21
[2025-03-16 15:12:05] CBrowserComposerSystem::CreateOutputWindow: Creating browser window at: 2268,74 size: 2x1
[2025-03-16 15:12:05] contextmenu_20_uid0: Created window: size: 2,1 pos: 2268,74 mode: System window: 0x2e00174
[2025-03-16 15:12:05] contextmenu_20_uid0: AfterCreated handle:1966084 type:4: (0, 0) 2x1
[2025-03-16 15:12:05] SP Shared JS Context-'SharedJSCo': CreatingPopup name:contextmenu_21_uid0 browser:65536 parent:0 pid:35463 type:4 flags:4538474: (2428.33, 74.92) 2.58x1.29: url:about:blank?createflags=4538378&pid=0&browser=-1&screenavailwidth=1523&screenavailheight=615&openerid=21
[2025-03-16 15:12:05] CBrowserComposerSystem::CreateOutputWindow: Creating browser window at: 2428,74 size: 2x1
[2025-03-16 15:12:05] contextmenu_21_uid0: Created window: size: 2,1 pos: 2428,74 mode: System window: 0x2e0017e
[2025-03-16 15:12:05] contextmenu_21_uid0: AfterCreated handle:2031617 type:4: (0, 0) 2x1
[2025-03-16 15:12:05] SP Shared JS Context-'SharedJSCo': CreatingPopup name:contextmenu_22_uid0 browser:65536 parent:0 pid:35463 type:4 flags:4538474: (2596.25, 74.92) 2.58x1.29: url:about:blank?createflags=4538378&pid=0&browser=-1&screenavailwidth=1523&screenavailheight=615&openerid=21
[2025-03-16 15:12:05] CBrowserComposerSystem::CreateOutputWindow: Creating browser window at: 2596,74 size: 2x1
[2025-03-16 15:12:05] contextmenu_22_uid0: Created window: size: 2,1 pos: 2596,74 mode: System window: 0x2e00188
[2025-03-16 15:12:05] contextmenu_22_uid0: AfterCreated handle:2097169 type:4: (0, 0) 2x1
[2025-03-16 15:12:05] SP Shared JS Context-'SharedJSCo': CreatingPopup name:contextmenu_23_uid0 browser:65536 parent:0 pid:35463 type:4 flags:4538474: (2751.25, 74.92) 2.58x1.29: url:about:blank?createflags=4538378&pid=0&browser=-1&screenavailwidth=1523&screenavailheight=615&openerid=21
[2025-03-16 15:12:05] CBrowserComposerSystem::CreateOutputWindow: Creating browser window at: 2751,74 size: 2x1
[2025-03-16 15:12:05] contextmenu_23_uid0: Created window: size: 2,1 pos: 2751,74 mode: System window: 0x2e00192
[2025-03-16 15:12:05] contextmenu_23_uid0: AfterCreated handle:2162706 type:4: (0, 0) 2x1
[2025-03-16 15:12:06] Browser - launching child process with: /proc/self/exe --type=renderer --user-agent-product=Valve Steam Client --user-data-dir=/home/dragos/.local/share/Steam/config/htmlcache --crashpad-handler-pid=35647 --force-device-scale-factor=1.68 --buildid=1741737356 --steamid=0
[2025-03-16 15:12:06] Browser - launching child process with: /proc/self/exe --type=renderer --user-agent-product=Valve Steam Client --user-data-dir=/home/dragos/.local/share/Steam/config/htmlcache --crashpad-handler-pid=35647 --force-device-scale-factor=1.68 --buildid=1741737356 --steamid=0
The relevant bits here being the lines where ThreadSetForceDeviceScaleFactors is being called.
When first starting Steam (regular ui), we get: [2025-03-16 15:09:40] ThreadSetForceDeviceScaleFactors 1.000000 * 1.300000 = 1.300000
which seems the way it is intended. I haven't given Steam the -forcedesktopscaling flag so it defaults to 1.000000, being multiplied by 1.3000000 which I guess is the scaling factor it gets from KDE's desktop scale.
Then Steam proceeds to launch the regular ui like this: [2025-03-16 15:09:47] Browser - launching child process with: /proc/self/exe --type=utility --utility-sub-type=audio.mojom.AudioService --lang=es --service-sandbox-type=none --user-agent-product=Valve Steam Client --lang=en_US.UTF-8 --user-data-dir=/home/dragos/.local/share/Steam/config/htmlcache --crashpad-handler-pid=35647 --force-device-scale-factor=1.30 --buildid=1741737356 --steamid=0
With --force-device-scale-factor being notably set to 1.30.
All good until here. Now, when entering then exiting BP mode, ThreadSetForceDeviceScaleFactors gets called like this instead: [2025-03-16 15:12:03] ThreadSetForceDeviceScaleFactors 1.291667 * 1.468030 = 1.900000 [2025-03-16 15:12:03] ThreadSetForceDeviceScaleFactors 1.291667 * 0.000000 = 0.000000 [2025-03-16 15:12:03] ThreadSetForceDeviceScaleFactors 1.291667 * 1.300000 = 1.680000
Here, ThreadSetForceDeviceScaleFactors multiplies 1.30 with 1.291667 instead of 1.00 for some reason, thus getting the higher 1.68 value.
So, when the regular Steam ui gets launched again, it's like this: [2025-03-16 15:12:05] Browser - launching child process with: /proc/self/exe --type=renderer --user-agent-product=Valve Steam Client --user-data-dir=/home/dragos/.local/share/Steam/config/htmlcache --crashpad-handler-pid=35647 --force-device-scale-factor=1.68 --buildid=1741737356 --steamid=0
Clearly there, --force-device-scale-factor being 1.68 instead of 1.3.
So the question here is, where does Steam get that 1.291667 value only when exiting BP mode? The answer to this question is what would fix this issue.
A few more data points:
- I can reproduce the original issue only when "Scale text and icons to match monitor settings" is enabled in Steam's interface settings, otherwise the client UI scale always stays at 100% (even when using
-forcedesktopscalingorSTEAM_FORCE_DESKTOPUI_SCALING) - My
text-scaling-factorin Gnome is set to1.25, and after exiting BP I end up with Steam getting started with--force-device-scale-factor=1.56(1.25 * 1.25) - If I force a custom scale (e.g.
-forcedesktopscaling=2), it still gets multiplied with mytext-scaling-factorafter exiting BP (2 * 1.25 = 2.5)
This is using Steam Flatpak on Debian sid / Gnome 48. I tried both the stable build 1741737356 and beta build 1742420835.
Also happening in Debian Trixie and Bazzite 42. I have 200% scale set on my 4K tv and when I exit Big Picture, steam becomes obnoxiously large.
When I click to enter Big Picture a second time, steam resets to the correct size for an instant before Big Picture starts.
Nobara 42, AMD 9070 XT on Mesa Git (25.2). Also tested on Mesa 25.1.2 stable release. Also tested on RTX 3080 running on both 570.153.02 and on 575.57.08 (to be fair this has always been an issue on nVidia as well as on AMD since June 2023).
Kind of amazing that such a glaring issue can go so long with nothing being done. shrug
I face the same problem on Fedora 42 KDE. My gpu is a 6700 XT on mesa 25.06. The only solution I found was to restart steam. Strangegly enough the bug doesn't occur on a Thinkpad L480 running Debian 12 stable and I have fractional scaling set at 150%. On the PC the fractional scaling is set at 140%. Both systems run on wayland.
Found an interesting detail I hadn't noticed before: When the UI is too big after exiting to desktop mode, if you go back into big picture mode steam will actually revert to the "correct" scaling for a fraction of a second before entering big picture mode. This is actually more obvious on my laggy aaaaah laptop lol.
No idea why. But clearly the correct size is being "remembered" but not executed.
https://github.com/user-attachments/assets/5842033b-db19-462d-ac1c-7d1df243c23b
In the vid:
- Start in "error scaling state", it's way too big (idk, something like 200%-ish size on my 150% scaling desktop).
- Click "Open in big picture mode"
- ...reverts to normal size for a fraction of a second
- Opens in big picture mode
Edit: I'm on a T480s thinkpad, intel cpu/integrated graphics. Arch, wayland KDE 6.3, 150% scaling, no additional launch flags.
@Ar1stotelis98 I have posted a temporary solution here that might help you until valve considers this a priority someday: https://github.com/ValveSoftware/steam-for-linux/issues/9565#issuecomment-2067755650
I'm honestly very surprised that they haven't fixed this yet since my solution works perfectly fine (it's been working for over 2 years now) except that you have to do it through config files instead of through Steam's UI. It would literally take them a few lines of code to fix it imho. I don't mean to criticize, I know they have so many things to do, but I feel this is something really important that they should focus on sooner rather than later since it's affecting so many players in such a negative way.
@Sevenseraphim, Your proposed workaround doesn't work for me. I'm on Fedora 42, using KDE.
This seems fixed on the latest beta update, verified under accessibility, and the slider was in its default position.
CachyOS using KDE Plasma 6.4.2, 9070 XT using mesa-git 25.2~
This seems fixed on the latest beta update, verified under accessibility, and the slider was in its default position.
CachyOS using KDE Plasma 6.4.2, 9070 XT using mesa-git 25.2~
Oh far out, you're right.
KDE Plasma 6.4.2, Intel i5 8th gen, integrated intel gpu.
All works perfectly with respect to scaling, I'm impressed.
I guess when this comes to the main (non-beta) branch this issue can get closed.
Can confirm that latest beta update seems to finally solve this issue. I'll report if anything seems still broken, but so far works as expected.
Fedora 42, this seems to have been fixed when using the latest Steam Beta! Thanks, Valve!
Steam Beta Branch: Steam Beta Update
Steam Version: 1752195011
Steam Client Build Date: Thu, Jul 10 7:57 PM UTC -08:00
Steam Web Build Date: Thu, Jul 10 4:09 PM UTC -08:00
Steam API Version: SteamClient022
Finalllly! after more than two years! this is finally fixed! (at least in the beta version as of now...)
No need for a workaround anymore!
Thank youuuu! 😊
