protonscr

Can't use keyboard on Steam overlay when running a game with newer versions of Proton.

protonopen overlay
ValveSoftware/Proton#5274 · opened 2021-10-31 by crsorsmth · updated 2026-02-20 · 8 comments · github
Ccrsorsmth 2021-10-31 github

I simply can't use my keyboard to type stuff on the Steam overlay and it's only when using newer versions of Proton. I can make it come up, make it go away and I can play games with no issues, but I can't do any typing on the overlay.

Steam:
problem persists in every Proton version before 5.13-6
I also tried GE versions, same problem appears
Issue does not appear on native games

Hardware side:
Tried a different more basic keyboard, issue still persist.

Will try running a different desktop environment to see if the issue persists, because I don't remember encountering such a thing before installing KDE Plasma.

Ccrsorsmth 2021-10-31 github

I just tried running a game with Proton on GNOME and I can use my keyboard just fine in there. It must be a KDE Plasma related issue. Gonna leave some additional information that could be useful.

OS: Pop!_OS 21.04
KDE Plasma Version: 5.21.4
KDE Frameworks Version: 5.80.0
Qt Version: 5.15.2
Graphics Platform: X11

BBlisto91 2021-11-01 github

Can try to test here later.

Are you using KDE Wayland or X11?

Edit: oh i missed you said X11. My bad

BBlisto91 2021-11-01 github

I have not been able to repro so far.

OS: RebornOS (Arch)
KDE Plasma Version: 5.23.2
Kernel: 5.14.15-arch1-1

Tried both with Wayland and X11

Iipr 2021-11-02 github

There is randomly similar issue with the Steam client without using overlay. Trying to comment on a thread that is opened from "community" view has this, while browsing the discussions and opening relevant discussion to comment in that thread does not.
Also, randomly the client seems to assume that shift key is pressed down. Pressing it once releases the assumption. You see this when clicking in library and suddenly you select multiple games.
These happen with Gnome but it is rather random and hard to pinpoint.

Kkisak-valve maintainer 2021-11-02 github

Hello @ipr, the second half of your comment is https://github.com/ValveSoftware/steam-for-linux/issues/3451.

Ssup2069 2021-11-22 github

Having the same issue.

OS: Debian Sid/Experimental
Proton: 6.3
LXQT: 1.00
Kernal: 5.15.0-1-amd64
GP: X11

Might be my DE as crsorsmth pointed out in switching. Will try another DE and report back.

TTourfaint 2023-05-10 github

Sorry for necro, but i have the same issue, on kubuntu 20.04, newest steam beta (1683666132), and i just noticed (because the overlay updated) that i can't type anything in the overlay if i use Proton version newer than 5.13

The keyboard works fine in game, but in the overlay the only keys that work are arrow keys, backspace and shortcuts (i can paste stuff, ctrl+z to undo, etc). cant type at all. I saw another bug report that concluded with the user having no set input method, but that seems to be set up fine on my end.

Again, the issue is not present on old versions of proton, 5.13 and below work fine.

Bbedxnta 2026-02-20 github

necroing, mega necro im so sorry but this needs to be addressed.

i have the same issue as the previous person, full ditto. im using pop os, cosmic de.