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Steam notifications cause huge lag spikes

steamopen NVIDIA driversWindow managerDistro Family: Ubuntu
ValveSoftware/steam-for-linux#12689 · opened 2026-01-30 by VirtualScallop · updated 2026-08-02 · 7 comments · github
VVirtualScallop 2026-01-30 github

System Information:

  • Steam client version: 1769025840
  • Distribution: Linux Mint 22.3 (Cinnamon 6.6.5)
  • Opted into Steam client beta?: No
  • Have you checked for system updates?: Yes
  • Steam Logs: (I'm a little unclear on the extent of what's being requested; will offer what's needed as clarified)
  • GPU: Nvidia GeForce RTX 3070

Please describe your issue in as much detail as possible:

I've been meaning to report this for a while, and I don't know why I haven't, but...
Every time I get a Steam notification, it causes a visual hiccup; a lag spike. It's a very visible disruption for about a second. I don't know if this is because I'm still using the system's default xwindow over wayland... (I've been waiting to test some other stuff before experimenting with wayland more) ...but, it's for sure not a hardware problem. This kicked up the moment I switched from Windows 10 to Linux Mint a few months back.

Steps for reproducing this issue:

  1. Leave notifications on (such as for a friend playing a game)
  2. Play or do something else on the PC and observe the lag spike when a notification comes in

UPDATE AS OF JULY 13TH, 2026:

I'm now on an AMD GPU, and don't foresee being able to weigh in on this anymore.

Nninaran 2026-07-02 github

Anything new in this one? Been having this issue for months now as well, ever since switching to Linux Mint.
Mint 22.3, cinnamon 6.6.7
Kernel 6.17.0-35-generic
Nvidia RTX 3090, driver version 580.159.03
Steam version 1782866176

VVirtualScallop 2026-07-05 github

@ninaran I haven't tested it extensively, but I feel like at some point, the issue has kind of dried up. I don't believe I've seen it lately... though that could also just be the fact that I've gotten used to it... and work's been eating my time; haven't been able to use Steam as much. May give it a more thorough poke in a couple days.

I haven't really done anything explicit to counteract this behavior. Just idle changes such as general updates.
I'm currently on the same versions as you... Mint 22.3, Cinnamon 6.6.7, a 6.17.0-35-generic kernel, Nvidia 580.159.03, and Steam 1782866176.

Ssn-179 2026-07-07 github

Hi, I'm on Arch Linux using KDE with an Nvidia GPU, and I've also had the issue of these tiny "lags" when getting any sort of steam notification.
I eventually found out that going into steam settings --> Interface and disabling "GPU accelerated rendering in web views" would fix the issue. Previously the entire UI had these small delays as well, like opening the friendlist would take at least one second to open, or opening steam links in a separate window. Afterwards everything would function normally again.

Hope this helps.

VVirtualScallop 2026-07-07 github

Going into settings, and noticing I already have it disabled. Curious if I did that and forgot, or if an update switched that to off, and that's why I haven't been noticing it lately. Or if it was always off and something else was going on.

Nninaran 2026-07-08 github

Hi, I'm on Arch Linux using KDE with an Nvidia GPU, and I've also had the issue of these tiny "lags" when getting any sort of steam notification. I eventually found out that going into steam settings --> Interface and disabling "GPU accelerated rendering in web views" would fix the issue. Previously the entire UI had these small delays as well, like opening the friendlist would take at least one second to open, or opening steam links in a separate window. Afterwards everything would function normally again.

Hope this helps.

Unfortunately I have had this option disabled the entire time as well, so that isn't it unfortunately. And it's only on notification popup, no other interface has the issue.

XXdekHckr 2026-07-29 github

I also have issue with freezing when notification pop-up like "friend is playing game X now" or something, but I'm on windows 11... I have legion 7 pro gen 10 with rtx 5080

MMelonMuffin 2026-08-02 github

I have the exact same problem with lag spikes.
However, it happens only on Wayland.
With X11, it works almost fine. When I get a notification, there is only a small hiccup within the Steam client, but it is not THAT BAD like a complete freeze for a few seconds on Wayland.

Steam client version: 1785187029
Kernel: 6.18.39-1-MANJARO
KDE plasma 6.7.3
GTX 1070, 580.173.02 driver

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