protonscr

[SteamOS 3.8.28][Custom AMD Desktop] Gaming Mode Library drops to 10–26 FPS during mouse-wheel scrolling; keyboard navigation smooth

steamopen Steam clientDistro Family: SteamOS
ValveSoftware/steam-for-linux#13729 · opened 2026-10-13 by Gaminsnpr · updated 2026-10-13 · 2 comments · github
GGaminsnpr 2026-10-13 github

SteamOS Gaming Mode experiences severe and consistently reproducible frame-rate drops when scrolling through the Steam Library using a mouse wheel on a custom-built AMD desktop PC.

During continuous mouse-wheel scrolling, the interface frequently drops to approximately 10–26 FPS, accompanied by significant frametime spikes and visible stuttering. The mouse pointer remains responsive while the library interface temporarily freezes or skips frames.

The most important finding is that navigating the same library using keyboard arrow keys is smooth and does not produce the same stuttering.

The issue is also absent when navigating the Steam Library in Desktop Mode and does not occur when navigating other Gaming Mode menus, such as Settings.

The problem has been reproduced using three different mice and persists on both the Stable and Beta Steam client channels.

System Information

  • Device: Custom-built desktop PC (not a Steam Deck or Valve Steam Machine)
  • OS: SteamOS 3.8.28
  • SteamOS update channel: Stable
  • Build ID: 20260922.1
  • Kernel: 6.18.50-valve2-1-neptune-618-gc7289a96b14d
  • CPU: AMD Ryzen 7 8700F
  • GPU: AMD Radeon RX 7700 XT 12 GB
  • Motherboard: MSI PRO B840M-P WIFI6E
  • RAM: 32 GB DDR5-5600 (Kingston Fury Beast)
  • Storage: MSI Spatium M450 1 TB PCIe 4.0 NVMe SSD
  • PSU: Corsair RM850x 850 W
  • Display: MSI 1920x1080, 100 Hz monitor
  • Installation: Official SteamOS recovery image, installed directly on hardware
  • Secure Boot: Disabled

Steps to Reproduce

  1. Boot into SteamOS Gaming Mode.
  2. Open the Steam Library.
  3. Select any library view containing multiple games.
  4. Scroll repeatedly up and down using the mouse wheel.
  5. Observe the visible stuttering and frame-rate drops.
  6. Repeat the navigation using keyboard arrow keys.
  7. Compare the responsiveness between the two input methods.

The problem occurs consistently with mouse-wheel scrolling across multiple library views.

Expected Behavior

Mouse-wheel scrolling through the Steam Library should be smooth and responsive, comparable to keyboard navigation and the Steam Library in Desktop Mode.

Actual Behavior

  • Severe stuttering during mouse-wheel scrolling.
  • Frame rate drops to approximately 10–26 FPS during observed stutters.
  • Significant frametime spikes
Kkisak-valve maintainer 2026-10-13 github

Possible duplicate of #11999 / #13564 / #6500.

GGaminsnpr 2026-10-13 github

2. Possible duplicate of [#11999](https://github.com/ValveSoftware/steam-for-linux/issues/11999) / [#13564](https://github.com/ValveSoftware/steam-for-linux/issues/13564) / [#6500](https://github.com/ValveSoftware/steam-for-linux/issues/6500).

It is not a duplicate of these as mine is specific to the desktop version of SteamOS VIA Linux and is specific to just the library having lag issues using a mouse scroll wheel. No issues when navigating anywhere else or using a keyboard (arrow keys).