protonscr

20260909 SteamRT3 update breaks client, not able start steam

steamclosed Steam clientDistro Family: Gentoo
ValveSoftware/steam-for-linux#13597 · opened 2026-09-10 by mattmcadoo · updated 2026-09-11 · 16 comments · github
Mmattmcadoo 2026-09-10 github

Your system information

  • Steam client version (build number or date): 3c.0.20260824.257593
  • Distribution (e.g. Ubuntu): Gentoo
  • Opted into Steam client beta?: [Yes/No] Yes
  • Have you checked for system updates?: [Yes/No] Yes
  • Steam Logs: [generate by running this command in a terminal tar -zcvf ~/Desktop/steam-logs.tar.gz ~/.steam/steam/logs]
  • GPU: Nvidia/Intel/AMD AMD Navi14

Please describe your issue in as much detail as possible:

Describe what you expected should happen and what did happen. Please link any large code pastes as a Github Gist

Steps for reproducing this issue:

  1. Steam updated to a new version and was not able to open the client ever since.

steam-logs.tar.gz

I get the following when trying to start Steam in a terminal:

$ steam
ERROR: ld.so: object '/usr/lib/libextest.so' from LD_PRELOAD cannot be preloaded (wrong ELF class: ELFCLASS32): ignored.
ERROR: ld.so: object '/usr/lib/libextest.so' from LD_PRELOAD cannot be preloaded (wrong ELF class: ELFCLASS32): ignored.
ERROR: ld.so: object '/usr/lib/libextest.so' from LD_PRELOAD cannot be preloaded (wrong ELF class: ELFCLASS32): ignored.
ERROR: ld.so: object '/usr/lib/libextest.so' from LD_PRELOAD cannot be preloaded (wrong ELF class: ELFCLASS32): ignored.
ERROR: ld.so: object '/usr/lib/libextest.so' from LD_PRELOAD cannot be preloaded (wrong ELF class: ELFCLASS32): ignored.
ERROR: ld.so: object '/usr/lib/libextest.so' from LD_PRELOAD cannot be preloaded (wrong ELF class: ELFCLASS32): ignored.
ERROR: ld.so: object '/usr/lib/libextest.so' from LD_PRELOAD cannot be preloaded (wrong ELF class: ELFCLASS32): ignored.
ERROR: ld.so: object '/usr/lib/libextest.so' from LD_PRELOAD cannot be preloaded (wrong ELF class: ELFCLASS32): ignored.
ERROR: ld.so: object '/usr/lib/libextest.so' from LD_PRELOAD cannot be preloaded (wrong ELF class: ELFCLASS32): ignored.
ERROR: ld.so: object '/usr/lib/libextest.so' from LD_PRELOAD cannot be preloaded (wrong ELF class: ELFCLASS32): ignored.
ERROR: ld.so: object '/usr/lib/libextest.so' from LD_PRELOAD cannot be preloaded (wrong ELF class: ELFCLASS32): ignored.
ERROR: ld.so: object '/usr/lib/libextest.so' from LD_PRELOAD cannot be preloaded (wrong ELF class: ELFCLASS32): ignored.
ERROR: ld.so: object '/usr/lib/libextest.so' from LD_PRELOAD cannot be preloaded (wrong ELF class: ELFCLASS32): ignored.
ERROR: ld.so: object '/usr/lib/libextest.so' from LD_PRELOAD cannot be preloaded (wrong ELF class: ELFCLASS32): ignored.
ERROR: ld.so: object '/usr/lib/libextest.so' from LD_PRELOAD cannot be preloaded (wrong ELF class: ELFCLASS32): ignored.
steam.sh[524680]: Starting SteamRT3 Steam
ERROR: ld.so: object '/usr/lib/libextest.so' from LD_PRELOAD cannot be preloaded (wrong ELF class: ELFCLASS32): ignored.
ERROR: ld.so: object '/usr/lib/libextest.so' from LD_PRELOAD cannot be preloaded (wrong ELF class: ELFCLASS32): ignored.
ERROR: ld.so: object '/usr/lib/libextest.so' from LD_PRELOAD cannot be preloaded (wrong ELF class: ELFCLASS32): ignored.
ERROR: ld.so: object '/usr/lib/libextest.so' from LD_PRELOAD cannot be preloaded (wrong ELF class: ELFCLASS32): ignored.
ERROR: ld.so: object '/usr/lib/libextest.so' from LD_PRELOAD cannot be preloaded (wrong ELF class: ELFCLASS32): ignored.
ERROR: ld.so: object '/usr/lib/libextest.so' from LD_PRELOAD cannot be preloaded (wrong ELF class: ELFCLASS32): ignored.
ERROR: ld.so: object '/usr/lib/libextest.so' from LD_PRELOAD cannot be preloaded (wrong ELF class: ELFCLASS32): ignored.
ERROR: ld.so: object '/usr/lib/libextest.so' from LD_PRELOAD cannot be preloaded (wrong ELF class: ELFCLASS32): ignored.
ERROR: ld.so: object '/usr/lib/libextest.so' from LD_PRELOAD cannot be preloaded (wrong ELF class: ELFCLASS32): ignored.
ERROR: ld.so: object '/usr/lib/libextest.so' from LD_PRELOAD cannot be preloaded (wrong ELF class: ELFCLASS32): ignored.
CProcessEnvironmentManager is ready, 5 preallocated environment variables.
RunCommand:  /home/mcadoo/.local/share/Steam/steamrt64/pv-runtime/steam-runtime-steamrt/bin/steam-runtime-check-requirements 2>&1
ERROR: ld.so: object '/usr/lib/libextest.so' from LD_PRELOAD cannot be preloaded (wrong ELF class: ELFCLASS32): ignored.
[2026-09-09 20:34:36] Startup - updater built Sep  9 2026 21:03:04
[2026-09-09 20:34:36] Startup - Steam Client launched with: '/home/mcadoo/.local/share/Steam/steamrt64/steam' '-srt-logger-opened'
[2026-09-09 20:34:36] Opted in to client beta 'publicbeta' via beta file
You are in the 'publicbeta' client beta.
09/09 20:34:36 minidumps folder is set to /tmp/dumps
09/09 20:34:36 Init: Installing breakpad exception handler for appid(steam)/version(1788989629)/tid(524693)
ERROR: ld.so: object '/usr/lib/libextest.so' from LD_PRELOAD cannot be preloaded (wrong ELF class: ELFCLASS32): ignored.
ERROR: ld.so: object '/usr/lib/libextest.so' from LD_PRELOAD cannot be preloaded (wrong ELF class: ELFCLASS32): ignored.
CProcessEnvironmentManager is ready, 5 preallocated environment variables.
[2026-09-09 20:34:36] Loading cached metrics from disk (/home/mcadoo/.local/share/Steam/package/steam_client_metrics.bin)
[2026-09-09 20:34:36] Using the following download hosts for Public, Realm steamglobal
[2026-09-09 20:34:36] 1. https://client-update.fastly.steamstatic.com, /, Realm 'steamglobal', weight was 900, source = 'update_hosts_cached.vdf'
[2026-09-09 20:34:36] 2. https://client-update.akamai.steamstatic.com, /, Realm 'steamglobal', weight was 400, source = 'update_hosts_cached.vdf'
[2026-09-09 20:34:36] 3. https://client-update.steamstatic.com, /, Realm 'steamglobal', weight was 1, source = 'baked in'
[2026-09-09 20:34:36] Verifying installation...
[2026-09-09 20:34:36] Verifying file sizes only
[2026-09-09 20:34:36] Process started with command-line: '/home/mcadoo/.local/share/Steam/steamrt64/steam' '-child-update-ui' '-child-update-ui-socket' '9' '-srt-logger-opened'
09/09 20:34:36 minidumps folder is set to /tmp/dumps
[2026-09-09 20:34:36] Using update UI: xwin
09/09 20:34:36 Init: Installing breakpad exception handler for appid(steam)/version(0)/tid(524700)
[2026-09-09 20:34:36] Create window
[2026-09-09 20:34:36] Set percent complete: 0
[2026-09-09 20:34:36] Set percent complete: -1
[2026-09-09 20:34:36] Verification complete
UpdateUI: skip show logo
Updating symlink: /home/mcadoo/.steam/bin32 -> /home/mcadoo/.local/share/Steam/steamrt32
Updating symlink: /home/mcadoo/.steam/bin64 -> /home/mcadoo/.local/share/Steam/steamrt64
Updating symlink: /home/mcadoo/.steam/sdk32 -> /home/mcadoo/.local/share/Steam/linux32
Updating symlink: /home/mcadoo/.steam/sdk64 -> /home/mcadoo/.local/share/Steam/linux64
Updating symlink: /home/mcadoo/.steam/root -> /home/mcadoo/.local/share/Steam/
Updating symlink: /home/mcadoo/.steam/steam -> /home/mcadoo/.local/share/Steam/
srt-logger: disabled, already open
ReexecToLauncher: opted into beta
ReexecToLauncher: opted into steamrt3 client
ReexecToLauncher: proceeding in current environment
[2026-09-09 20:34:36] Shutdown
[2026-09-09 20:34:36] Set status message: Verifying installation...
[2026-09-09 20:34:36] ProcessNextMessage: socket disconnected
[2026-09-09 20:34:36] No more messages are expected - exiting
ReexecSteamLinux: received re-exec request with code: 67 steamrt: 0
ReexecSteamLinux: re-launching steam in SteamRT runtime
ERROR: ld.so: object '/usr/lib/libextest.so' from LD_PRELOAD cannot be preloaded (wrong ELF class: ELFCLASS32): ignored.
ERROR: ld.so: object '/usr/lib/libextest.so' from LD_PRELOAD cannot be preloaded (wrong ELF class: ELFCLASS32): ignored.
ERROR: ld.so: object '/usr/lib/libextest.so' from LD_PRELOAD cannot be preloaded (wrong ELF class: ELFCLASS32): ignored.
Setting up base pressure vessel environment
ERROR: ld.so: object '/usr/lib/libextest.so' from LD_PRELOAD cannot be preloaded (wrong ELF class: ELFCLASS32): ignored.
ERROR: ld.so: object '/usr/lib/libextest.so' from LD_PRELOAD cannot be preloaded (wrong ELF class: ELFCLASS32): ignored.
ERROR: ld.so: object '/usr/lib/libextest.so' from LD_PRELOAD cannot be preloaded (wrong ELF class: ELFCLASS32): ignored.
ERROR: ld.so: object '/usr/lib/libextest.so' from LD_PRELOAD cannot be preloaded (wrong ELF class: ELFCLASS32): ignored.
ERROR: ld.so: object '/usr/lib/libextest.so' from LD_PRELOAD cannot be preloaded (wrong ELF class: ELFCLASS32): ignored.
ERROR: ld.so: object '/usr/lib/libextest.so' from LD_PRELOAD cannot be preloaded (wrong ELF class: ELFCLASS32): ignored.
Running command in standard runtime: /home/mcadoo/.local/share/Steam/steamrt64/steam -srt-logger-opened
ERROR: ld.so: object '/usr/lib/libextest.so' from LD_PRELOAD cannot be preloaded (wrong ELF class: ELFCLASS32): ignored.
ERROR: ld.so: object '/usr/lib/libextest.so' from LD_PRELOAD cannot be preloaded (wrong ELF class: ELFCLASS32): ignored.
ERROR: ld.so: object '/usr/lib/libextest.so' from LD_PRELOAD cannot be preloaded (wrong ELF class: ELFCLASS32): ignored.
ERROR: ld.so: object '/usr/lib/libextest.so' from LD_PRELOAD cannot be preloaded (wrong ELF class: ELFCLASS32): ignored.
ERROR: ld.so: object '/usr/lib/libextest.so' from LD_PRELOAD cannot be preloaded (wrong ELF class: ELFCLASS32): ignored.
ERROR: ld.so: object '/usr/lib/libextest.so' from LD_PRELOAD cannot be preloaded (wrong ELF class: ELFCLASS32): ignored.
pressure-vessel-wrap[524732]: E: This program should not be run in the Steam Runtime. Use pressure-vessel-unruntime instead.
ReexecSteamLinux: exiting
Ddrevilbones 2026-09-10 github

Same issue, also on Gentoo (but with CachyOS kernel if that matters), also on the SteamRT3 beta. Saw the steam update popup, but it will not launch.

Edit: removing myself from the steam beta (by moving .steam/steam/package/beta out of that dir to my home dir) allowed steam to launch as normal.

steam.sh[5795]: Starting SteamRT3 Steam
CProcessEnvironmentManager is ready, 5 preallocated environment variables.
RunCommand:  /home/nick/.local/share/Steam/steamrt64/pv-runtime/steam-runtime-steamrt/bin/steam-runtime-check-requirements 2>&1 
[2026-09-09 22:28:46] Startup - updater built Sep  9 2026 21:03:04
[2026-09-09 22:28:46] Startup - Steam Client launched with: '/home/nick/.local/share/Steam/steamrt64/steam' '-srt-logger-opened'
[2026-09-09 22:28:46] Opted in to client beta 'publicbeta' via beta file
You are in the 'publicbeta' client beta.
09/09 22:28:46 minidumps folder is set to /tmp/dumps
09/09 22:28:46 Init: Installing breakpad exception handler for appid(steam)/version(1788989629)/tid(5808)
CProcessEnvironmentManager is ready, 5 preallocated environment variables.
[2026-09-09 22:28:46] Process started with command-line: '/home/nick/.local/share/Steam/steamrt64/steam' '-child-update-ui' '-child-update-ui-socket' '9' '-srt-logger-opened'
[2026-09-09 22:28:46] Loading cached metrics from disk (/home/nick/.local/share/Steam/package/steam_client_metrics.bin)
09/09 22:28:46 minidumps folder is set to /tmp/dumps
[2026-09-09 22:28:46] Using the following download hosts for Public, Realm steamglobal
[2026-09-09 22:28:46] 1. https://client-update.fastly.steamstatic.com, /, Realm 'steamglobal', weight was 900, source = 'update_hosts_cached.vdf'
[2026-09-09 22:28:46] 2. https://client-update.akamai.steamstatic.com, /, Realm 'steamglobal', weight was 400, source = 'update_hosts_cached.vdf'
[2026-09-09 22:28:46] 3. https://client-update.steamstatic.com, /, Realm 'steamglobal', weight was 1, source = 'baked in'
[2026-09-09 22:28:46] Verifying installation...
[2026-09-09 22:28:46] Verifying file sizes only
[2026-09-09 22:28:46] Using update UI: xwin
09/09 22:28:46 Init: Installing breakpad exception handler for appid(steam)/version(0)/tid(5815)
[2026-09-09 22:28:46] Create window
[2026-09-09 22:28:46] Verification complete
UpdateUI: skip show logo
Updating symlink: /home/nick/.steam/bin32 -> /home/nick/.local/share/Steam/steamrt32
Updating symlink: /home/nick/.steam/bin64 -> /home/nick/.local/share/Steam/steamrt64
Updating symlink: /home/nick/.steam/sdk32 -> /home/nick/.local/share/Steam/linux32
Updating symlink: /home/nick/.steam/sdk64 -> /home/nick/.local/share/Steam/linux64
Updating symlink: /home/nick/.steam/root -> /home/nick/.local/share/Steam/
Updating symlink: /home/nick/.steam/steam -> /home/nick/.local/share/Steam/
srt-logger: disabled, already open
ReexecToLauncher: opted into beta
ReexecToLauncher: opted into steamrt3 client
ReexecToLauncher: proceeding in current environment
[2026-09-09 22:28:46] Shutdown
[2026-09-09 22:28:46] Set percent complete: 0
[2026-09-09 22:28:46] Set percent complete: -1
[2026-09-09 22:28:46] Set status message: Verifying installation...
[2026-09-09 22:28:46] ProcessNextMessage: socket disconnected
[2026-09-09 22:28:46] No more messages are expected - exiting
ReexecSteamLinux: received re-exec request with code: 67 steamrt: 0
WARNING: SDL_VIDEODRIVER='wayland,x11,windows' does not allow fallback. Appending 'x11,windows'
ReexecSteamLinux: re-launching steam in SteamRT runtime
pressure-vessel-wrap[5842]: E: This program should not be run in the Steam Runtime. Use pressure-vessel-unruntime instead.
ReexecSteamLinux: exitingsteam.sh[5795]: Starting SteamRT3 Steam
CProcessEnvironmentManager is ready, 5 preallocated environment variables.
RunCommand:  /home/nick/.local/share/Steam/steamrt64/pv-runtime/steam-runtime-steamrt/bin/steam-runtime-check-requirements 2>&1 
[2026-09-09 22:28:46] Startup - updater built Sep  9 2026 21:03:04
[2026-09-09 22:28:46] Startup - Steam Client launched with: '/home/nick/.local/share/Steam/steamrt64/steam' '-srt-logger-opened'
[2026-09-09 22:28:46] Opted in to client beta 'publicbeta' via beta file
You are in the 'publicbeta' client beta.
09/09 22:28:46 minidumps folder is set to /tmp/dumps
09/09 22:28:46 Init: Installing breakpad exception handler for appid(steam)/version(1788989629)/tid(5808)
CProcessEnvironmentManager is ready, 5 preallocated environment variables.
[2026-09-09 22:28:46] Process started with command-line: '/home/nick/.local/share/Steam/steamrt64/steam' '-child-update-ui' '-child-update-ui-socket' '9' '-srt-logger-opened'
[2026-09-09 22:28:46] Loading cached metrics from disk (/home/nick/.local/share/Steam/package/steam_client_metrics.bin)
09/09 22:28:46 minidumps folder is set to /tmp/dumps
[2026-09-09 22:28:46] Using the following download hosts for Public, Realm steamglobal
[2026-09-09 22:28:46] 1. https://client-update.fastly.steamstatic.com, /, Realm 'steamglobal', weight was 900, source = 'update_hosts_cached.vdf'
[2026-09-09 22:28:46] 2. https://client-update.akamai.steamstatic.com, /, Realm 'steamglobal', weight was 400, source = 'update_hosts_cached.vdf'
[2026-09-09 22:28:46] 3. https://client-update.steamstatic.com, /, Realm 'steamglobal', weight was 1, source = 'baked in'
[2026-09-09 22:28:46] Verifying installation...
[2026-09-09 22:28:46] Verifying file sizes only
[2026-09-09 22:28:46] Using update UI: xwin
09/09 22:28:46 Init: Installing breakpad exception handler for appid(steam)/version(0)/tid(5815)
[2026-09-09 22:28:46] Create window
[2026-09-09 22:28:46] Verification complete
UpdateUI: skip show logo
Updating symlink: /home/nick/.steam/bin32 -> /home/nick/.local/share/Steam/steamrt32
Updating symlink: /home/nick/.steam/bin64 -> /home/nick/.local/share/Steam/steamrt64
Updating symlink: /home/nick/.steam/sdk32 -> /home/nick/.local/share/Steam/linux32
Updating symlink: /home/nick/.steam/sdk64 -> /home/nick/.local/share/Steam/linux64
Updating symlink: /home/nick/.steam/root -> /home/nick/.local/share/Steam/
Updating symlink: /home/nick/.steam/steam -> /home/nick/.local/share/Steam/
srt-logger: disabled, already open
ReexecToLauncher: opted into beta
ReexecToLauncher: opted into steamrt3 client
ReexecToLauncher: proceeding in current environment
[2026-09-09 22:28:46] Shutdown
[2026-09-09 22:28:46] Set percent complete: 0
[2026-09-09 22:28:46] Set percent complete: -1
[2026-09-09 22:28:46] Set status message: Verifying installation...
[2026-09-09 22:28:46] ProcessNextMessage: socket disconnected
[2026-09-09 22:28:46] No more messages are expected - exiting
ReexecSteamLinux: received re-exec request with code: 67 steamrt: 0
WARNING: SDL_VIDEODRIVER='wayland,x11,windows' does not allow fallback. Appending 'x11,windows'
ReexecSteamLinux: re-launching steam in SteamRT runtime
pressure-vessel-wrap[5842]: E: This program should not be run in the Steam Runtime. Use pressure-vessel-unruntime instead.
ReexecSteamLinux: exiting
RRLB2310 2026-09-10 github

Same issue. Can't launch Steam at all for me, but given I have no 32-bit libraries I kind of asked for it 😆

Anyone in the same position can just launch it with this:

env -u PRESSURE_VESSEL_ENTRY_POINT -u PRESSURE_VESSEL_CONTAINER_NAME ~/.local/share/Steam/steamrt64/steam

Llostgoat 2026-09-10 github

Thanks for the issue report.

@RLB2310 does it also work if you launch the binary directly, .e.g.

~/.local/share/Steam/steamrt64/steam

Or does it only work when you explicitly unset the env vars:

env -u PRESSURE_VESSEL_ENTRY_POINT -u PRESSURE_VESSEL_CONTAINER_NAME ~/.local/share/Steam/steamrt64/steam
RRLB2310 2026-09-10 github

~/.local/share/Steam/steamrt64/steam

Hi @lostgoat. Running the binary directly does work for me yes. However I believe it initially did not, as I did attempt to try it (which lead to unsetting the pressure-vessel env vars).

Here is logs from when I attempted with PV:

 ~/.local/share/Steam/steamrt64/pv-runtime/steam-runtime-steamrt/pressure-vessel/bin/pressure-vessel-unruntime ~/.local/share/Steam/steamrt64/steam                                                                  2 err  23s  14:55:34 

pv-adverb[7052]: W: Unable to identify uniquely identifying libdl tokens (Unable to determine ${LIB} for i386-linux-gnu: Failed to execute child process “/home/rylan/.local/share/Steam/steamrt64/pv-runtime/steam-runtime-steamrt/pressure-vessel/libexec/steam-runtime-tools-0/i386-linux-gnu-detect-lib” (No such file or directory); Unable to determine ${PLATFORM} for i386-linux-gnu: Failed to execute child process “/home/rylan/.local/share/Steam/steamrt64/pv-runtime/steam-runtime-steamrt/pressure-vessel/libexec/steam-runtime-tools-0/i386-linux-gnu-detect-platform” (No such file or directory))

CProcessEnvironmentManager is ready, 5 preallocated environment variables.

Updating symlink: /home/rylan/.steam/bin32 -> /home/rylan/.local/share/Steam/steamrt32

Updating symlink: /home/rylan/.steam/bin64 -> /home/rylan/.local/share/Steam/steamrt64

Updating symlink: /home/rylan/.steam/sdk32 -> /home/rylan/.local/share/Steam/linux32

Updating symlink: /home/rylan/.steam/sdk64 -> /home/rylan/.local/share/Steam/linux64

Updating symlink: /home/rylan/.steam/root -> /home/rylan/.local/share/Steam/

Updating symlink: /home/rylan/.steam/steam -> /home/rylan/.local/share/Steam/

RunCommand:  /home/rylan/.local/share/Steam/steamrt64/pv-runtime/steam-runtime-steamrt/bin/steam-runtime-check-requirements 2>&1 

[2026-09-10 14:55:39] Startup - updater built Sep  9 2026 21:03:04

[2026-09-10 14:55:39] Startup - Steam Client launched with: '/home/rylan/.local/share/Steam/steamrt64/steam'

[2026-09-10 14:55:39] Opted in to client beta 'publicbeta' via beta file

You are in the 'publicbeta' client beta.

09/10 14:55:39 minidumps folder is set to /tmp/dumps

09/10 14:55:39 Init: Installing breakpad exception handler for appid(steam)/version(1788989629)/tid(7057)

CProcessEnvironmentManager is ready, 5 preallocated environment variables.

[2026-09-10 14:55:39] Loading cached metrics from disk (/home/rylan/.local/share/Steam/package/steam_client_metrics.bin)

[2026-09-10 14:55:39] Using the following download hosts for Public, Realm steamglobal

[2026-09-10 14:55:39] 1. https://client-update.akamai.steamstatic.com, /, Realm 'steamglobal', weight was 400, source = 'update_hosts_cached.vdf'

[2026-09-10 14:55:39] 2. https://client-update.fastly.steamstatic.com, /, Realm 'steamglobal', weight was 900, source = 'update_hosts_cached.vdf'

[2026-09-10 14:55:39] 3. https://client-update.steamstatic.com, /, Realm 'steamglobal', weight was 1, source = 'baked in'

[2026-09-10 14:55:39] Verifying installation...

[2026-09-10 14:55:39] Verifying file sizes only

[2026-09-10 14:55:39] Process started with command-line: '/home/rylan/.local/share/Steam/steamrt64/steam' '-child-update-ui' '-child-update-ui-socket' '9'

09/10 14:55:39 minidumps folder is set to /tmp/dumps

[2026-09-10 14:55:39] Using update UI: xwin

09/10 14:55:39 Init: Installing breakpad exception handler for appid(steam)/version(0)/tid(7063)

[2026-09-10 14:55:39] Create window

[2026-09-10 14:55:39] Set percent complete: 0

[2026-09-10 14:55:39] Set percent complete: -1

[2026-09-10 14:55:39] Set status message: Verifying installation...

[2026-09-10 14:55:39] Verification complete

UpdateUI: skip show logo

ReexecToLauncher: opted into beta

ReexecToLauncher: opted into steamrt3 client

ReexecToLauncher: proceeding in current environment

[2026-09-10 14:55:39] Shutdown

[2026-09-10 14:55:39] ProcessNextMessage: socket disconnected

[2026-09-10 14:55:39] No more messages are expected - exiting

ReexecSteamLinux: received re-exec request with code: 67 steamrt: 0

ReexecSteamLinux: re-launching steam in SteamRT runtime

ERROR: pv-run.sh: Cannot be run inside a pressure-vessel container

ReexecSteamLinux: exiting `
Llostgoat 2026-09-10 github

@RLB2310 thanks for confirming.

Ssmcv 2026-09-10 github

Can't launch Steam at all for me, but given I have no 32-bit libraries I kind of asked for it

Steam still requires both 64-bit and 32-bit libraries (at least glibc and Mesa), even with the experimental 64-bit/steamrt3c client.

RRLB2310 2026-09-10 github

Steam still requires both 64-bit and 32-bit libraries (at least glibc and Mesa), even with the experimental 64-bit/steamrt3c client.

I am aware it's not officially supported, yeah. But I believe this issue thread is not related to that, as it has only occurred between the last update.

I have another thread open regarding that specifically and how it can be traversed (unofficially of course) open at #13015

Here is my system without 32-bit (as well as no 32-bit Mesa) support
Image

Image
Ssmcv 2026-09-10 github

Where did you get Steam packaging for Gentoo from? Is it https://github.com/anyc/steam-overlay or something else?

What is the text of the steam script in your PATH? I suspect that it's setting environment variables that are meant to only be set internally by Steam, like STEAM_RUNTIME, and this is what's causing the error message This program should not be run in the Steam Runtime.

~/.local/share/Steam/steamrt64/pv-runtime/steam-runtime-steamrt/pressure-vessel/bin/pressure-vessel-unruntime ~/.local/share/Steam/steamrt64/steam

This is not a command that is meant to work: parts of the Steam Client need to run outside the container (and they will start a container internally to run the parts of the Steam Client that can/should be containerized). This is why you got the error message ERROR: pv-run.sh: Cannot be run inside a pressure-vessel container.

PRESSURE_VESSEL_ENTRY_POINT, PRESSURE_VESSEL_CONTAINER_NAME

These environment variables aren't used by pressure-vessel and shouldn't have any effect, unless the Steam Client uses them internally for some reason.

Ssmcv 2026-09-10 github

Steam still requires both 64-bit and 32-bit libraries (at least glibc and Mesa), even with the experimental 64-bit/steamrt3c client.

I am aware it's not officially supported, yeah.

This is relevant because if you're using workarounds to achieve something that isn't supported, then it's entirely possible for those workarounds to interfere with an updated Steam Client.

RRLB2310 2026-09-10 github

Where did you get Steam packaging for Gentoo from? Is it https://github.com/anyc/steam-overlay or something else?

Yep exactly, Gentoo Steam overlay.

What is the text of the steam script in your PATH? I suspect that it's setting environment variables that are meant to only be set internally by Steam, like STEAM_RUNTIME, and this is what's causing the error message This program should not be run in the Steam Runtime.

Running in my terminal without a launch wrapper, Steam is located at /usr/bin/steam and has the following contents:


# Set a default STEAM_RUNTIME value.
: ${STEAM_RUNTIME:=1}
export STEAM_RUNTIME

# Gentoo's lsb-release doesn't set this.
export DISTRIB_RELEASE="1.0.0.85-r3"

# Add paths to occasionally needed libraries not found in /usr/lib.
export LD_LIBRARY_PATH+="${LD_LIBRARY_PATH+:}/usr/\${LIB}/debiancompat:/usr/\${LIB}/fltk"

# Preload the extest library when running in a Wayland session.
[[ -f "/usr/lib/libextest.so" && ${XDG_SESSION_TYPE} == wayland ]] &&
	export LD_PRELOAD+="${LD_PRELOAD+:}/usr/lib/libextest.so"

# Preload libstdc++ on default-libcxx systems to avoid crashes. Loading the
# 64-bit library prevents Steam from working at all, so only load the 32-bit
# multlib library. Pure 32-bit systems are untested and may not work.
if grep -Fxqe --stdlib=libc++ /etc/clang/gentoo-runtimes.cfg 2>/dev/null; then
	IFS=:
	for GCC_LIB_DIR in $(gcc-config -L 2>/dev/null); do
		[[ ${GCC_LIB_DIR} == */32 ]] || continue
		export LD_PRELOAD+="${LD_PRELOAD+:}${GCC_LIB_DIR}/libstdc++.so"
	done
	unset IFS GCC_LIB_DIR
fi

# Steam renames LD_LIBRARY_PATH to SYSTEM_LD_LIBRARY_PATH and it then becomes
# ineffective against games. We unfortunately therefore have to force the value
# through via STEAM_RUNTIME_LIBRARY_PATH instead.
export STEAM_RUNTIME_LIBRARY_PATH="${LD_LIBRARY_PATH}"

. "${0%/*}"/../lib/steam/bin_steam.sh

~/.local/share/Steam/steamrt64/pv-runtime/steam-runtime-steamrt/pressure-vessel/bin/pressure-vessel-unruntime ~/.local/share/Steam/steamrt64/steam

This is not a command that is meant to work: parts of the Steam Client need to run outside the container (and they will start a container internally to run the parts of the Steam Client that can/should be containerized). This is why you got the error message ERROR: pv-run.sh: Cannot be run inside a pressure-vessel container.

Ah I see now. Not really knowledgeable when it comes to Pressure-vessel or bubblewrap, thanks for clarifying.

PRESSURE_VESSEL_ENTRY_POINT, PRESSURE_VESSEL_CONTAINER_NAME

These environment variables aren't used by pressure-vessel and shouldn't have any effect, unless the Steam Client uses them internally for some reason.

Interesting. I might've been wrong about it being the fix. Possibly just using the binary directly @ ~/.local/share/Steam/steamrt64/steam like @lostgoat suggested should be enough for whatever the last update changed then. Something on my end must've gone wrong when I initially tried it. Then again my setup isn't really representative of a system Steam should be run on.

I still only had the launch issue today after the latest update, but replacing my Steam launch path with the direct binary has fixed my problems.

Ssmcv 2026-09-10 github 
: ${STEAM_RUNTIME:=1}
export STEAM_RUNTIME

I think this is the problem: if you remove that part of the steam wrapper script (originating from https://github.com/anyc/steam-overlay/blob/master/games-util/steam-launcher/files/steam-wrapper.sh I think), then it'll probably work.

I can reproduce a similar failure on Debian testing by running STEAM_RUNTIME=1 steam or STEAM_RUNTIME=0 steam.

Historically, STEAM_RUNTIME=1 explicitly enabled the legacy LD_LIBRARY_PATH-based Steam Runtime (unnecessary, because it's the default anyway), while STEAM_RUNTIME=0 disabled it (unsupported/unsupportable, it's functionally necessary for the 32bit/scout client and older games). Unfortunately STEAM_RUNTIME had a slightly odd design where it was both an input and an output, so the pressure-vessel container framework also uses that same environment variable to detect whether it's been run in the wrong environment. A future update is likely to detect and ignore STEAM_RUNTIME=1 and STEAM_RUNTIME=0.

RRLB2310 2026-09-10 github

I think this is the problem: if you remove that part of the steam wrapper script (originating from https://github.com/anyc/steam-overlay/blob/master/games-util/steam-launcher/files/steam-wrapper.sh I think), then it'll probably work.

Yep, just reproduced. Works as expected now thank you.

Image

A future update is likely to detect and ignore STEAM_RUNTIME=1 and STEAM_RUNTIME=0.

Good to know. Thanks for the help.

Ssmcv 2026-09-10 github

Opened https://github.com/anyc/steam-overlay/issues/386 to suggest that the wrapper script should stop setting this.

Making the container runtime machinery cope with STEAM_RUNTIME=1 (and maybe STEAM_RUNTIME=0 for completeness) is tracked as steamrt/tasks#1134 internally.

Running Steam with STEAM_RUNTIME=0 or on a purely 64-bit system continues to be unsupported; these might work if you're sufficiently lucky, but I don't recommend either of them.

Ddrevilbones 2026-09-10 github

Can confirm commenting out the following lines in /usr/bin/steam resolved the issue for me as well.

: ${STEAM_RUNTIME:=1}
export STEAM_RUNTIME

Back up and running with the steamrt3 beta.

Llostgoat 2026-09-11 github

The latest beta update includes a workaround for this issue.

Ssmcv 2026-09-11 github

The latest beta update includes a workaround for this issue.

Confirmed (not on Gentoo, but STEAM_RUNTIME=1 steam works now, and we're fairly sure that was the root cause).

I think we can close this issue now: unusually, we don't need to wait for the workaround to reach a stable release, because this regression only affected the beta.

The workaround can be replaced by a cleaner solution later, but that can be tracked internally and shouldn't make any difference to users.

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