protonscr

[Steam RT3] Missing ~/.steam/root causing client launch failure

steamclosed
ValveSoftware/steam-for-linux#13017 · opened 2026-03-20 by Samq64 · updated 2026-04-24 · 5 comments · github
SSamq64 2026-03-20 github

Your system information

  • Steam client version (build number or date): March 19
  • Distribution (e.g. Ubuntu): Arch
  • Opted into Steam client beta?: Yes
  • Have you checked for system updates?: Yes
  • Steam Logs: steam-logs.tar.gz
  • GPU: AMD

Please describe your issue in as much detail as possible:

When the Steam RT3 client is run without a ~/steam directory it partially generates it but does not create the ~/.steam/root symbolic link causing the client to get stuck in a launch loop sometimes with multiple update windows.

Image

Steps for reproducing this issue:

  1. Enable the Steam Beta
  2. Enable the experimental Steam RT3 client
  3. Rename ~/.steam
  4. Attempt to launch Steam
  5. Compare ~/.steam with the backup
Ssmcv 2026-03-27 github

This might have been fixed in the 2026-03-25 beta update? "Fixed client startup loop that could occur in rare circumstance when Steam config directory is in an unexpected state" sounds like it could be this.

SSamq64 2026-03-27 github

I can confirm it has, however the symlink is still not created so the issue must have been the reliance on it, not the fact it was missing.

Llostgoat 2026-04-10 github

Thanks for the report, re-opening to track the missing ~/.steam/root issue.

A fix is queued for the next beta client.

Ssmcv 2026-04-23 github

Was this fixed (fully) in the 2026-04-11 beta update?

SSamq64 2026-04-24 github

Yes, the symlink is re-created,

Nothing extracted yet.