protonscr

Steam Link shows black screen on Linux (BazziteOS) with Nvidia (Wayland/X11), while Sunshine works

steamopen Streaming
ValveSoftware/steam-for-linux#12679 · opened 2026-01-28 by moi952 · updated 2026-03-26 · 4 comments · github
Mmoi952 2026-01-28 github

Problem

Steam Link Desktop streaming connects successfully, but the client only receives a black screen with no input control.

This happens with:

  • Steam Link app (iOS, macOS)
  • Steam Link on Meta Quest 3 (Desktop mode)

The host PC reports that streaming has started correctly.

SteamVR streaming works fine (HomeVR), only the desktop capture is affected.

Environment

  • OS: Bazzite Linux
  • Desktop: KDE Plasma
  • Session: Wayland (also tested X11)
  • GPU: NVIDIA RTX 5070 Ti
  • Driver: NVIDIA proprietary 590.48
  • Steam client: latest stable
  • Clients tested: iOS Steam Link, macOS Steam Link, Meta Quest 3 Steam Link

Expected behavior

Steam Link should stream the desktop and games normally with video and input control.

Actual behavior

  • Black screen on client
  • No keyboard/mouse input
  • Host shows “Streaming started”

Comparison

Sunshine streaming works perfectly on the same machine:

  • Works in GameMode
  • Works on the desktop
  • Works with the same Nvidia driver and clients

This suggests the issue is specific to Steam Link’s desktop capture pipeline on Linux with Nvidia.

Notes

  • Disabling HDR / HEVC does not fix the issue
  • NVENC is functional (confirmed via Sunshine)
  • SteamVR streaming works, only Desktop streaming is broken

Conclusion

Steam Link Desktop appears to have compatibility issues with Nvidia on Linux (especially Wayland, but also X11 in this setup), while alternative solutions using PipeWire/DMA-BUF work correctly.

SSugarteeth 2026-01-30 github

I'm having this same exact issue, same software, but with the Intel UHD Graphics 620 gpu

Jjonaseck2 2026-02-02 github

Having the same issue with both Wayland and x11, standard and beta channels on Nvidia 4070 ti super. Neither big screen mode nor desktop works

Clients are steam deck lcd and android app.

Tried combinations of streaming codecs and hardware. Forced composite mode, no difference. Sunshine works

Uurbenlegend 2026-02-18 github

I've noticed that this happens when the game loses focus, which frequently happens when my KDE host randomly decides to pop up a dialog asking you to allow an application to access input devices. Clicking on the game to make it regain focus suddenly makes the stream appear on the client.

Ddasbd72 2026-03-26 github

@urbenlegend allow permissions in "Legacy X11 App Support" solved the problem for me.

Nothing extracted yet.