[Linux] Steam Overlay: Numpad bug

steamopen reviewedoverlay

ValveSoftware/steam-for-linux#4170 · opened 2015-12-09 by FeatheredSerpent · updated 2026-06-06 · 19 comments · github

FFeatheredSerpent 2015-12-09 github

In the steam overlay the numpad keys behave as if num lock is off (eventho it's on), and then print the character on the screen.

Some examples:
Pressing 0,1,2,3,4 on the numpad results in the following: "01243" - Caused by the 4-key (left-arrow)
Pressing 5,6,7,8,9 on the numpad results in the following: "78956" - Caused by the 7-key (home, or pos 1 on a German keyboard)
Typing ABC then putting the cursor between B and C and pressing the decimal point key (comma-key on a German keyboard) results in: "AB," - As if "Del" was pressed

My system is Ubuntu 12.04.5 with MATE Desktop, English locale/language (en_US.UTF-8), a German keyboard and German keyboard layout :

"xkb_model" "pc105"
"xkb_layout" "de"
"xkb_variant" "deadgraveacute"

Processor Information:
    Vendor:  AuthenticAMD
    CPU Family:  0x10
    CPU Model:  0x4
    CPU Stepping:  0x3
    CPU Type:  0x0
    Speed:  3411 Mhz
    4 logical processors
    4 physical processors
    HyperThreading:  Unsupported
    FCMOV:  Supported
    SSE2:  Supported
    SSE3:  Supported
    SSSE3:  Unsupported
    SSE4a:  Supported
    SSE41:  Unsupported
    SSE42:  Unsupported

Network Information:
    Network Speed:  

Operating System Version:
    Ubuntu 12.04.5 LTS (64 bit)
    Kernel Name:  Linux
    Kernel Version:  3.2.0-95-generic
    X Server Vendor:  The X.Org Foundation
    X Server Release:  11103000
    X Window Manager:  Metacity (Marco)
    Steam Runtime Version:  steam-runtime-release_2015-06-12

Video Card:
    Driver:  NVIDIA Corporation GeForce GTX 960/PCIe/SSE2

    Driver Version:  4.5.0 NVIDIA 352.63
    OpenGL Version: 4.5
    Desktop Color Depth: 24 bits per pixel
    Monitor Refresh Rate: 60 Hz
    VendorID:  0x10de
    DeviceID:  0x1401
    Number of Monitors:  1
    Number of Logical Video Cards:  1
    Primary Display Resolution:  1280 x 1024
    Desktop Resolution: 1280 x 1024
    Primary Display Size: 13.31" x 10.63"  (17.01" diag)
                                            33.8cm x 27.0cm  (43.2cm diag)
    Primary Bus: PCI Express 16x
    Primary VRAM: 4096 MB
    Supported MSAA Modes:  2x 4x 8x 16x 

Sound card:
    Audio device: Realtek ALC892

Memory:
    RAM:  3953 Mb

Miscellaneous:
    UI Language:  English
    LANG:  en_US.UTF-8
    Microphone:  Not set
    Total Hard Disk Space Available:  929320 Mb
    Largest Free Hard Disk Block:  12547 Mb

Installed software:

Recent Failure Reports:

Ookaestne 2017-02-03 github

I'm having the same issue!
Also German keyboard & keyboard layout with English locales.
System is Linux Mint 18 x64.

If you need some more information from me, please let me know!

TThinkaboutmin 2018-05-14 github

Same here.
I'm using a portuguese keyboard layout.
Kubuntu 18.04

I will post more info about the issue whenever I have some time.

ZZorrototo 2019-05-01 github

I sporadically also have this kind of issue with SteamPlay games, rarely, where the keyboard layout is just plain wrong (game thinks I have QWERTY keyboard layout when I use AZERTY FR layout on my system) or when like here, it thinks the keyboard is not 'num locked' when it actually is (and I can't type most of number on the numerical pad). Restarting the game fixes it usually, nothing else I can do fixes it (pressing numlock key, changing keyboard layout in system during game... and so on)

Here is more info about my system:

Manjaro KDE
AZERTY FR keyboard (Keyz Carbon 2) set as 105 keys generic keyboard in system
System language set as French FR/Default
Steam language set as English (maybe why it sometimes bug)

WWPettersson 2019-05-31 github

I'm experiencing something very similar. However, instead of printing out both the number, and then performing the operation (i.e. move left), it seems like the keyboard is stuck in "numpad off" mode for everything except the 5. If I select any other window, the keyboard works fine. If I use the steam browser without starting a game (no overlay) then the keyboard works fine. But if I'm in a game, and open the overlay and go to some part of the steam client to enter some numbers (i.e. credit card entry), then no matter what the actual status of Numlock, the steam client acts as if Numlock is off for 1,2,3,4,6,7,8,9 but works fine for 5.

Edit: Okay, I've done more digging. It seems if Numlock is on, and the page cannot be scrolled up any more, then pressing 9 on the numpad will actually add a 9 to the number entry form. If the page cannot be scrolled down, then pressing 3 will add a 3 to the number entry form. However, I cannot work out how to get 1,2,4,6,7,8 to come up.

KKrafting 2020-02-15 github

Confirm this bug, Mint 19.3, only 5 and 0 works for me on the steam Overlay (French layout)

DDelofon 2022-12-25 github

I second this on Linux Mint 21 Cinnamon. Numpad with NumLock on behaves as intended everywhere else on the system (including steam client). It only breaks in the overlay, though for me all keys work as if it was just off, no both off and on behaviour at the same time nonsense. (i.e. only / * - + Ent 5 0 work, everything else just moves the pointer)

Ddeanrih 2023-04-29 github

The new Steam overlay still have this bug, the Numpad still treated as if it were off

Tested version: 1682723851

ZZorrototo 2023-04-29 github

This is an issue they don't care about, you can't write in your own language if you're not english. only english characters work.

PPygmaliAnon 2024-09-13 github

Well, is there a workaround? some key mapping hack specifically for the overlay?
It's 2024 at least tag it with wont'fix.

Ttelometto 2024-11-27 github

This is an issue they don't care about, you can't write in your own language if you're not english. only english characters work.

@Zorrototo I am having the exact same issues with a non-English keyb.

Well, is there a workaround? some key mapping hack specifically for the overlay? It's 2024 at least tag it with wontfix.

@PygmaliAnon Yeah, couldn't agree more; I think it would be an easy fix, but we don't have access to the source 😜

RRx2TF 2025-10-02 github

2025, this is still a thing.

Steam Beta Branch: Stable Client
Steam Version: 1757650573
Steam Client Build Date: Fri, Sep 12 11:55 UTC -08:00
Steam Web Build Date: Fri, Sep 12 07:47 UTC -08:00
Steam API Version: SteamClient

OS: Arch Linux x86_64
Kernel: Linux 6.16.8-arch3-1
DE: KDE Plasma 6.4.5
WM: KWin (Wayland)

Ttelometto 2025-10-02 github

2025, this is still a thing.

It would be amazing if we could have this issue open until 2030 😍

RRsslone 2025-12-02 github

I just wanna use my numbers man.
Valve... pls fix :D

Sserdeltomas 2026-02-08 github

I can still reproduce the issue... guys 10 years anniversary of a bug being open is a great feat 🫪

BBibleClinger 2026-02-09 github

This still happens for me. What do we the community need to do to assist in fixing this 10+ year old issue?

Ddeanrih 2026-02-09 github

This still happens for me. What do we the community need to do to assist in fixing this 10+ year old issue?

other than bumping or making the issue still relevant and providing a useful feedback and information such as log/trace, not really

also at this point we might get HL3 before numpad is usable in the overlay

Ttelometto 2026-02-13 github

I just found out that this is a feature, not a bug.

DDelofon 2026-02-13 github

I just found out that this is a feature, not a bug.

could you elaborate?

KKurotaku-sama 2026-06-06 github

Nobara OS (KDE) here ... same issue

Nothing extracted yet.