Multiple Monitor Steam Link Issues

steamopen Big PictureStreaming

ValveSoftware/steam-for-linux#5950 · opened 2018-12-11 by gudenau · updated 2026-01-28 · 4 comments · github

Ggudenau 2018-12-11 github

Your system information

Steam client version (build number or date): Dec 8 2018, at 10:44:22
Distribution (e.g. Ubuntu): Debian 9
Opted into Steam client beta?: [Yes/No] Yes
Have you checked for system updates?: [Yes/No] Yes

Please describe your issue in as much detail as possible:

When using a Steam Link to steam from a computer with multiple monitors it should spawn Big Picture Mode on the primary monitor and stream from the active window. Neither of which happen. The config file does not have any BigPicture lines that pertain to window placement.

I have two 1920x1080 monitors, a 1280x1024 monitor and a Vive connected.

Steps for reproducing this issue:

Launch Steam on target computer
Start streaming from target computer with Steam Link
Big Picture mode launches on a non-primary monitor, streams from primary

MMushoz 2019-01-17 github

Can confirm, have the same issue.

A workaround is to Shift + Windows/Super + Left/Right arrow to move steam big picture to the correct monitor. But that requires you to physically go to the host computer, which obviously isn't ideal.

AAno10 2021-11-20 github

I have the same issue.
I Have 3 monitors, Left is n°3, center is n°2, right is n°1.
Center monitor is set as primary display into Ubuntu parameter, same into NVIDIA X Server Settings.

Here is xrandr command output (I remove resolution and frequency for easier reading)
Screen 0: minimum 8 x 8, current 5760 x 1080, maximum 32767 x 32767
DVI-D-0 connected primary 1920x1080+1920+0 (normal left inverted right x axis y axis) 477mm x 268mm
HDMI-0 connected 1920x1080+3840+0 (normal left inverted right x axis y axis) 477mm x 268mm
DP-0 disconnected (normal left inverted right x axis y axis)
DP-1 connected 1920x1080+0+0 (normal left inverted right x axis y axis) 477mm x 268mm

In local use everything appear in center (primary) screen, BigPicture, games... Nice !

In remote play BigPicture start on left screen while center screen is streamed (main desktop). At this point nothing can be done remotely.
For testing I launch remoteplay on my phone looking at main PC to see BigPicture interface (on left screen, ubuntu desktop from main monitor streamed on my phone). I start a game, it launch on center (primary) screen and is well streamed on phone and is well playable.

Steam client version (build number or date): Nov 19 2021, 20:59:59 package : 1637358733
Distribution (e.g. Ubuntu): Ubuntu 20.04.3 LTS
Opted into Steam client beta?: [Yes/No] No
Have you checked for system updates?: [Yes/No] Yes

AAno10 2021-11-27 github

Issue still present with version Nov 22 2021 package 1637624439

NNyanProgrammer 2026-01-28 github

Well I have the same issue, and I don't know how to force steam link window to my main monitor. In my case I'm using raspberry pi OS with 2 monitors.

Nothing extracted yet.