'Waiting for network' delays Steam launch when using systemd-networkd

steamopen Steam clientDistro Family: Arch

ValveSoftware/steam-for-linux#9966 · opened 2023-08-07 by epicbattle1 · updated 2026-07-23 · 32 comments · github

Eepicbattle1 2023-08-07 github

Your system information

Steam client version (build number or date): 1690583737
Distribution (e.g. Ubuntu): Arch Linux
Opted into Steam client beta?: No
Have you checked for system updates?: Yes
Steam Logs: https://anonfiles.com/53f2g171z8/steam_logs_tar_gz
GPU: AMD

Please describe your issue in as much detail as possible:

Steam hangs on 'Waiting for network' for about 4-5 seconds before launching like usual. I used NetworkManager before and the issue was not present.

Steps for reproducing this issue:

Use systemd-networkd as one's network manager
Run Steam

Eepicbattle1 2023-08-08 github

The same can be observed with connman on Arch. And strangely, I didn't have this problem when using connman on Artix so it may be a systemd issue. It would be great if someone else tested this on another distribution.

Ccolemickens 2023-08-09 github

Same thing happens frequently to me on NixOS, I use systemd-network + iwd (not that it should matter, and I'm usually on ethernet if I'm using Steam)

Ssysms 2023-08-14 github

Same 'Waiting for network'-pause is happening on Debian systems using network configuration in '/etc/network/interfaces' (standard Debian network setup configuration).

TTTimo 2023-08-14 github

Hello,

Can you provide your client_networkmanager.txt - can you correlate this delay with output in that log?

Eepicbattle1 2023-08-19 github

Hello,

Here's the log: client_networkmanager.txt

And no, the output appears as soon as the client starts, so when I look at this 'Waiting for network' window, it already says in the logs that NetworkManager client is successfully created.

NNatr1x 2023-08-27 github

I seem to be having the same issue. Going by the connection_log.txt it might be a failing IPv6 UDP connectivity test which is causing it.

[2023-08-27 15:44:21] Client version: 1690583737
[2023-08-27 15:44:21] Connectivity test: Starting test, fetching 'http://test.steampowered.com/204'
[2023-08-27 15:44:21] [Logged Off, 0, 0] [U:1:0] CCMInterface::SetSteamID( [U:1:0] )
[2023-08-27 15:44:21] IPv6 HTTP connectivity test (ipv6check-http.steamserver.net / [2a01:bc80:8:107::9b85:fc42]:80 ([2a01:bc80:8:107::9b85:fc42]:80)) - TIMEOUT
[2023-08-27 15:44:21] Connectivity test: OK!
[2023-08-27 15:44:21] Connectivity test: result=Connected (since 0.0s ago), prev=Unknown, in progress=0
[2023-08-27 15:44:21] [Logged Off, 0, 0] [U:1:32423023] CCMInterface::SetSteamID( [U:1:32423023] )
[2023-08-27 15:44:23] IPv6 UDP connectivity test (ipv6check-udp.steamserver.net / 2a01:bc80:8:107::9b85:fc43) - TIMEOUT
[2023-08-27 15:44:31] [Logged Off, 0, 0] [U:1:32423023] CCMInterface::SetSteamID( [U:1:32423023] )
[2023-08-27 15:44:31] [Logged Off, 4, 0] [U:1:32423023] LogOn() called; not connected yet, scheduling connection. Schedule init returned 1
[2023-08-27 15:44:31] CCMInterface::YieldingConnect -- calling ISteamDirectory/GetCMListForConnect web api
[2023-08-27 15:44:31] GetCMListForConnect -- got 5 Netfilter CMs and 75 WebSocket CMs
[2023-08-27 15:44:31] GetCMListForConnect -- DC 'sto1' count: 21
[2023-08-27 15:44:31] GetCMListForConnect -- DC 'sto2' count: 22
[2023-08-27 15:44:31] GetCMListForConnect -- DC 'fra2' count: 19
[2023-08-27 15:44:31] GetCMListForConnect -- DC 'fra1' count: 18
[2023-08-27 15:44:31] [Connecting, 4, 0] [U:1:32423023] PingWebSocketCM() (ext1-sto1.steamserver.net:27033) starting...
[2023-08-27 15:44:31] [Connecting, 4, 0] [U:1:32423023] PingWebSocketCM() (ext1-sto2.steamserver.net:27019) starting...
[2023-08-27 15:44:31] [Connecting, 4, 0] [U:1:32423023] PingWebSocketCM() (ext1-sto1.steamserver.net:27034) starting...
[2023-08-27 15:44:31] [Connecting, 4, 0] [U:1:32423023] PingWebSocketCM() (ext1-sto2.steamserver.net:27031) starting...
[2023-08-27 15:44:31] [Connecting, 4, 0] [U:1:32423023] PingWebSocketCM() (ext1-sto2.steamserver.net:27019) results: 27.8645ms + load 85.0000
[2023-08-27 15:44:31] [Connecting, 4, 0] [U:1:32423023] PingWebSocketCM() (ext1-sto1.steamserver.net:443) starting...
[2023-08-27 15:44:31] [Connecting, 4, 0] [U:1:32423023] PingWebSocketCM() (ext1-sto1.steamserver.net:27033) results: 42.4395ms + load 78.0000
[2023-08-27 15:44:31] [Connecting, 4, 0] [U:1:32423023] PingWebSocketCM() (ext2-sto2.steamserver.net:443) starting...
[2023-08-27 15:44:31] [Connecting, 4, 0] [U:1:32423023] PingWebSocketCM() (ext1-sto1.steamserver.net:27034) results: 20.6985ms + load 83.0000
[2023-08-27 15:44:31] [Connecting, 4, 0] [U:1:32423023] PingWebSocketCM() (ext1-fra2.steamserver.net:27036) starting...
[2023-08-27 15:44:31] [Connecting, 4, 0] [U:1:32423023] PingWebSocketCM() (ext1-sto2.steamserver.net:27031) results: 35.0943ms + load 88.0000
[2023-08-27 15:44:31] [Connecting, 4, 0] [U:1:32423023] PingWebSocketCM() (ext1-fra2.steamserver.net:27031) starting...
[2023-08-27 15:44:31] [Connecting, 4, 0] [U:1:32423023] PingWebSocketCM() (ext2-sto2.steamserver.net:443) results: 11.6501ms + load 105.0000
[2023-08-27 15:44:31] [Connecting, 4, 0] [U:1:32423023] PingWebSocketCM() (ext2-fra1.steamserver.net:27033) starting...
[2023-08-27 15:44:31] [Connecting, 4, 0] [U:1:32423023] PingWebSocketCM() (ext1-sto1.steamserver.net:443) results: 55.1586ms + load 101.0000
[2023-08-27 15:44:31] [Connecting, 4, 0] [U:1:32423023] PingWebSocketCM() (ext1-fra1.steamserver.net:27030) starting...
[2023-08-27 15:44:31] [Connecting, 4, 0] [U:1:32423023] PingWebSocketCM() (ext1-fra2.steamserver.net:27036) results: 48.7490ms + load 84.0000
[2023-08-27 15:44:31] [Connecting, 4, 0] [U:1:32423023] PingWebSocketCM() (ext1-fra2.steamserver.net:27031) results: 92.1459ms + load 85.0000
[2023-08-27 15:44:31] [Connecting, 4, 0] [U:1:32423023] PingWebSocketCM() (ext2-fra1.steamserver.net:27033) results: 92.0334ms + load 81.0000
[2023-08-27 15:44:31] [Connecting, 4, 0] [U:1:32423023] PingWebSocketCM() (ext1-fra1.steamserver.net:27030) results: 84.7511ms + load 83.0000
[2023-08-27 15:44:31] [Connecting, 4, 7] [U:1:32423023] Connect() starting connection (eNetQOSLevelHigh, ext1-sto1.steamserver.net:27034, WebSocket)
[2023-08-27 15:44:31] [Connecting, 4, 7] [U:1:32423023] ConnectionCompleted() (162.254.198.44:27034, WebSocket) local address (192.168.0.228:53519)
[2023-08-27 15:44:31] [Connecting, 4, 7] [U:1:32423023] Client thinks it can connect via: UDP - yes, TCP - yes, WebSocket:443 - yes, WebSocket:Non443 - yes
[2023-08-27 15:44:31] [Connected, 4, 7] [U:1:32423023] Logging on [U:1:32423023]
[2023-08-27 15:44:31] [Logging On, 4, 7] [U:1:32423023] Using JWT
[2023-08-27 15:44:32] [Logging On, 4, 7] [U:1:32423023] RecvMsgClientLogOnResponse() : [U:1:32423023] 'OK'
[2023-08-27 15:44:32] CClientJobGetClientUpdateHosts: cached version not expired
[2023-08-27 15:44:40] [Logged On, 4, 7] [U:1:32423023] LogOff()
[2023-08-27 15:44:40] [Logging Off, 4, 7] [U:1:32423023] AsyncDisconnect( bDontWaitOnTCPShutdown: false )
[2023-08-27 15:44:40] [Logged Off, 0, 0] [U:1:32423023] ConnectionDisconnected('Disconnected By Remote Host') : 'OK' (162.254.198.44:27034, WebSocket)
[2023-08-27 15:44:40] [Logged Off, 0, 0] [U:1:32423023] ConnectionDisconnected() not auto reconnecting due to user initiated logoff
[2023-08-27 15:44:40] [Logged Off, 0, 0] [U:1:32423023] Sending SteamServersDisconnected_t because we were logged on
[2023-08-27 15:44:42] [Logged Off, 0, 0] [U:1:32423023] ResetVoiceRecording() (was recording: 0) (last get voice time: 1693143882 seconds ago)
[2023-08-27 15:44:42] [Logged Off, 0, 0] [U:1:32423023] Log session ended

TTTimo 2023-08-28 github

Please make sure to test with the current steam beta. We removed an unnecessary check for online connectivity since last time I posted here.

Ccolemickens 2023-08-29 github

I haven't really noticed this recently, whereas I was weeks ago. I'm opted into client beta.

Eepicbattle1 2023-09-02 github

I still experience the issue unfortunately, opted into Beta and nothing changed. IPv6 shouldn't be an issue because I tested with it being disabled.

(systemd-networkd, IPv6 disabled)
[2023-09-02 23:05:47] Client version: 1693527575
[2023-09-02 23:05:47] Connectivity test: Starting test, fetching 'http://test.steampowered.com/204'
[2023-09-02 23:05:47] [Logged Off, 0, 0] [U:1:0] CCMInterface::SetSteamID( [U:1:0] )
[2023-09-02 23:05:48] Connectivity test: OK!
[2023-09-02 23:05:48] Connectivity test: result=Connected (since 0.0s ago), prev=Unknown, in progress=0
[2023-09-02 23:05:51] [Logged Off, 0, 0] [U:1:241666834] CCMInterface::SetSteamID( [U:1:241666834] )
[2023-09-02 23:06:01] [Logged Off, 0, 0] [U:1:241666834] CCMInterface::SetSteamID( [U:1:241666834] )
[2023-09-02 23:06:01] [Logged Off, 4, 0] [U:1:241666834] LogOn() called; not connected yet, scheduling connection. Schedule init returned 1
[2023-09-02 23:06:01] CCMInterface::YieldingConnect -- calling ISteamDirectory/GetCMListForConnect web api
[2023-09-02 23:06:01] GetCMListForConnect -- got 5 Netfilter CMs and 75 WebSocket CMs
[2023-09-02 23:06:01] GetCMListForConnect -- DC 'sto2' count: 20
[2023-09-02 23:06:01] GetCMListForConnect -- DC 'sto1' count: 22
[2023-09-02 23:06:01] GetCMListForConnect -- DC 'fra1' count: 21
[2023-09-02 23:06:01] GetCMListForConnect -- DC 'fra2' count: 17
[2023-09-02 23:06:01] [Connecting, 4, 0] [U:1:241666834] PingWebSocketCM() (ext1-sto1.steamserver.net:27031) starting...
[2023-09-02 23:06:01] [Connecting, 4, 0] [U:1:241666834] PingWebSocketCM() (ext2-sto2.steamserver.net:27021) starting...
[2023-09-02 23:06:01] [Connecting, 4, 0] [U:1:241666834] PingWebSocketCM() (ext1-sto1.steamserver.net:27022) starting...
[2023-09-02 23:06:01] [Connecting, 4, 0] [U:1:241666834] PingWebSocketCM() (ext2-sto2.steamserver.net:443) starting...
[2023-09-02 23:06:02] [Connecting, 4, 0] [U:1:241666834] PingWebSocketCM() (ext2-sto2.steamserver.net:27021) results: 70.7378ms + load 88.0000
[2023-09-02 23:06:02] [Connecting, 4, 0] [U:1:241666834] PingWebSocketCM() (ext2-sto2.steamserver.net:27037) starting...
[2023-09-02 23:06:02] [Connecting, 4, 0] [U:1:241666834] PingWebSocketCM() (ext1-sto1.steamserver.net:27022) results: 78.9213ms + load 94.0000
[2023-09-02 23:06:02] [Connecting, 4, 0] [U:1:241666834] PingWebSocketCM() (ext2-sto1.steamserver.net:443) starting...
[2023-09-02 23:06:02] [Connecting, 4, 0] [U:1:241666834] PingWebSocketCM() (ext2-sto2.steamserver.net:443) results: 95.4094ms + load 108.0000
[2023-09-02 23:06:02] [Connecting, 4, 0] [U:1:241666834] PingWebSocketCM() (ext1-fra1.steamserver.net:27036) starting...
[2023-09-02 23:06:02] [Connecting, 4, 0] [U:1:241666834] PingWebSocketCM() (ext1-sto1.steamserver.net:27031) results: 77.3640ms + load 93.0000
[2023-09-02 23:06:02] [Connecting, 4, 0] [U:1:241666834] PingWebSocketCM() (ext1-fra1.steamserver.net:27038) starting...
[2023-09-02 23:06:02] [Connecting, 4, 0] [U:1:241666834] PingWebSocketCM() (ext2-sto2.steamserver.net:27037) results: 55.6192ms + load 87.0000
[2023-09-02 23:06:02] [Connecting, 4, 0] [U:1:241666834] PingWebSocketCM() (ext2-fra2.steamserver.net:27033) starting...
[2023-09-02 23:06:02] [Connecting, 4, 0] [U:1:241666834] PingWebSocketCM() (ext2-sto1.steamserver.net:443) results: 48.9016ms + load 109.0000
[2023-09-02 23:06:02] [Connecting, 4, 0] [U:1:241666834] PingWebSocketCM() (ext2-fra2.steamserver.net:27022) starting...
[2023-09-02 23:06:02] [Connecting, 4, 0] [U:1:241666834] PingWebSocketCM() (ext1-fra1.steamserver.net:27036) results: 84.5461ms + load 94.0000
[2023-09-02 23:06:02] [Connecting, 4, 0] [U:1:241666834] PingWebSocketCM() (ext1-fra1.steamserver.net:27038) results: 141.1476ms + load 93.0000
[2023-09-02 23:06:02] [Connecting, 4, 0] [U:1:241666834] PingWebSocketCM() (ext2-fra2.steamserver.net:27033) results: 91.8350ms + load 89.0000
[2023-09-02 23:06:02] [Connecting, 4, 0] [U:1:241666834] PingWebSocketCM() (ext2-fra2.steamserver.net:27022) results: 84.9094ms + load 90.0000
[2023-09-02 23:06:02] [Connecting, 4, 7] [U:1:241666834] Connect() starting connection (eNetQOSLevelHigh, ext2-sto2.steamserver.net:27037, WebSocket)
[2023-09-02 23:06:02] [Connecting, 4, 7] [U:1:241666834] ConnectionCompleted() (155.133.252.54:27037, WebSocket) local address (100.125.148.56:43887)
[2023-09-02 23:06:02] [Connecting, 4, 7] [U:1:241666834] Client thinks it can connect via: UDP - yes, TCP - yes, WebSocket:443 - yes, WebSocket:Non443 - yes
[2023-09-02 23:06:02] [Connected, 4, 7] [U:1:241666834] Logging on [U:1:241666834]
[2023-09-02 23:06:02] [Logging On, 4, 7] [U:1:241666834] Using JWT
[2023-09-02 23:06:02] [Logging On, 4, 7] [U:1:241666834] RecvMsgClientLogOnResponse() : [U:1:241666834] 'OK'
[2023-09-02 23:06:03] CClientJobGetClientUpdateHosts: cached version not expired
[2023-09-02 23:07:52] [Logged On, 4, 7] [U:1:241666834] LogOff()
[2023-09-02 23:07:52] [Logging Off, 4, 7] [U:1:241666834] AsyncDisconnect( bDontWaitOnTCPShutdown: false )
[2023-09-02 23:07:52] [Logged Off, 0, 0] [U:1:241666834] ConnectionDisconnected('Disconnected By Remote Host') : 'OK' (155.133.252.54:27037, WebSocket)
[2023-09-02 23:07:52] [Logged Off, 0, 0] [U:1:241666834] ConnectionDisconnected() not auto reconnecting due to user initiated logoff
[2023-09-02 23:07:52] [Logged Off, 0, 0] [U:1:241666834] Sending SteamServersDisconnected_t because we were logged on
[2023-09-02 23:07:58] [Logged Off, 0, 0] [U:1:241666834] ResetVoiceRecording() (was recording: 0) (last get voice time: 1693685278 seconds ago)
[2023-09-02 23:07:58] [Logged Off, 0, 0] [U:1:241666834] Log session ended

(systemd-networkd, IPv6 enabled)
[2023-09-02 23:10:30] Client version: 1693527575
[2023-09-02 23:10:30] Connectivity test: Starting test, fetching 'http://test.steampowered.com/204'
[2023-09-02 23:10:30] [Logged Off, 0, 0] [U:1:0] CCMInterface::SetSteamID( [U:1:0] )
[2023-09-02 23:10:30] Connectivity test: OK!
[2023-09-02 23:10:30] Connectivity test: result=Connected (since 0.0s ago), prev=Unknown, in progress=0
[2023-09-02 23:10:31] IPv6 HTTP connectivity test (ipv6check-http.steamserver.net / [2a01:bc80:4:100::4]:80 ([2a01:bc80:4:100::4]:80)) - TIMEOUT
[2023-09-02 23:10:31] [Logged Off, 0, 0] [U:1:241666834] CCMInterface::SetSteamID( [U:1:241666834] )
[2023-09-02 23:10:33] IPv6 UDP connectivity test (ipv6check-udp.steamserver.net / 2a01:bc80:5:111::3) - TIMEOUT
[2023-09-02 23:10:41] [Logged Off, 0, 0] [U:1:241666834] CCMInterface::SetSteamID( [U:1:241666834] )
[2023-09-02 23:10:41] [Logged Off, 4, 0] [U:1:241666834] LogOn() called; not connected yet, scheduling connection. Schedule init returned 1
[2023-09-02 23:10:41] CCMInterface::YieldingConnect -- calling ISteamDirectory/GetCMListForConnect web api
[2023-09-02 23:10:41] GetCMListForConnect -- got 7 Netfilter CMs and 73 WebSocket CMs
[2023-09-02 23:10:41] GetCMListForConnect -- DC 'sto2' count: 22
[2023-09-02 23:10:41] GetCMListForConnect -- DC 'sto1' count: 21
[2023-09-02 23:10:41] GetCMListForConnect -- DC 'fra1' count: 20
[2023-09-02 23:10:41] GetCMListForConnect -- DC 'fra2' count: 17
[2023-09-02 23:10:41] [Connecting, 4, 0] [U:1:241666834] PingWebSocketCM() (ext1-sto2.steamserver.net:27034) starting...
[2023-09-02 23:10:41] [Connecting, 4, 0] [U:1:241666834] PingWebSocketCM() (ext1-sto2.steamserver.net:27022) starting...
[2023-09-02 23:10:41] [Connecting, 4, 0] [U:1:241666834] PingWebSocketCM() (ext2-sto2.steamserver.net:443) starting...
[2023-09-02 23:10:41] [Connecting, 4, 0] [U:1:241666834] PingWebSocketCM() (ext1-sto1.steamserver.net:443) starting...
[2023-09-02 23:10:41] [Connecting, 4, 0] [U:1:241666834] PingWebSocketCM() (ext1-sto2.steamserver.net:27034) results: 72.0005ms + load 85.0000
[2023-09-02 23:10:41] [Connecting, 4, 0] [U:1:241666834] PingWebSocketCM() (ext1-sto1.steamserver.net:27034) starting...
[2023-09-02 23:10:41] [Connecting, 4, 0] [U:1:241666834] PingWebSocketCM() (ext1-sto2.steamserver.net:27022) results: 64.8870ms + load 85.0000
[2023-09-02 23:10:41] [Connecting, 4, 0] [U:1:241666834] PingWebSocketCM() (ext1-sto1.steamserver.net:27030) starting...
[2023-09-02 23:10:41] [Connecting, 4, 0] [U:1:241666834] PingWebSocketCM() (ext2-sto2.steamserver.net:443) results: 43.0841ms + load 106.0000
[2023-09-02 23:10:41] [Connecting, 4, 0] [U:1:241666834] PingWebSocketCM() (ext2-fra1.steamserver.net:27032) starting...
[2023-09-02 23:10:41] [Connecting, 4, 0] [U:1:241666834] PingWebSocketCM() (ext1-sto1.steamserver.net:443) results: 84.3945ms + load 103.0000
[2023-09-02 23:10:41] [Connecting, 4, 0] [U:1:241666834] PingWebSocketCM() (ext1-fra2.steamserver.net:27029) starting...
[2023-09-02 23:10:42] [Connecting, 4, 0] [U:1:241666834] PingWebSocketCM() (ext1-sto1.steamserver.net:27030) results: 71.8584ms + load 88.0000
[2023-09-02 23:10:42] [Connecting, 4, 0] [U:1:241666834] PingWebSocketCM() (ext2-fra1.steamserver.net:27038) starting...
[2023-09-02 23:10:42] [Connecting, 4, 0] [U:1:241666834] PingWebSocketCM() (ext1-sto1.steamserver.net:27034) results: 67.5259ms + load 92.0000
[2023-09-02 23:10:42] [Connecting, 4, 0] [U:1:241666834] PingWebSocketCM() (ext1-fra2.steamserver.net:27020) starting...
[2023-09-02 23:10:42] [Connecting, 4, 0] [U:1:241666834] PingWebSocketCM() (ext2-fra1.steamserver.net:27032) results: 115.6931ms + load 84.0000
[2023-09-02 23:10:42] [Connecting, 4, 0] [U:1:241666834] PingWebSocketCM() (ext1-fra2.steamserver.net:27029) results: 130.0945ms + load 90.0000
[2023-09-02 23:10:42] [Connecting, 4, 0] [U:1:241666834] PingWebSocketCM() (ext2-fra1.steamserver.net:27038) results: 81.9359ms + load 85.0000
[2023-09-02 23:10:42] [Connecting, 4, 0] [U:1:241666834] PingWebSocketCM() (ext1-fra2.steamserver.net:27020) results: 82.0580ms + load 91.0000
[2023-09-02 23:10:42] [Connecting, 4, 7] [U:1:241666834] Connect() starting connection (eNetQOSLevelHigh, ext2-sto2.steamserver.net:443, WebSocket)
[2023-09-02 23:10:42] [Connecting, 4, 7] [U:1:241666834] ConnectionCompleted() (155.133.252.54:443, WebSocket) local address (100.125.66.253:39479)
[2023-09-02 23:10:42] [Connecting, 4, 7] [U:1:241666834] Client thinks it can connect via: UDP - yes, TCP - yes, WebSocket:443 - yes, WebSocket:Non443 - yes
[2023-09-02 23:10:42] [Connected, 4, 7] [U:1:241666834] Logging on [U:1:241666834]
[2023-09-02 23:10:42] [Logging On, 4, 7] [U:1:241666834] Using JWT
[2023-09-02 23:10:42] [Logging On, 4, 7] [U:1:241666834] RecvMsgClientLogOnResponse() : [U:1:241666834] 'OK'
[2023-09-02 23:10:43] CClientJobGetClientUpdateHosts: cached version not expired

(NetworkManager)
[2023-09-03 00:21:23] Client version: 1693527575
[2023-09-03 00:21:23] Connectivity test: Starting test, fetching 'http://test.steampowered.com/204'
[2023-09-03 00:21:23] [Logged Off, 0, 0] [U:1:0] CCMInterface::SetSteamID( [U:1:0] )
[2023-09-03 00:21:23] IPv6 HTTP connectivity test (ipv6check-http.steamserver.net / [2a01:bc80:7:100::9b85:f80d]:80 ([2a01:bc80:7:100::9b85:f80d]:80)) - TIMEOUT
[2023-09-03 00:21:23] Connectivity test: OK!
[2023-09-03 00:21:23] Connectivity test: result=Connected (since 0.0s ago), prev=Unknown, in progress=0
[2023-09-03 00:21:24] [Logged Off, 0, 0] [U:1:241666834] CCMInterface::SetSteamID( [U:1:241666834] )
[2023-09-03 00:21:24] [Logged Off, 0, 0] [U:1:241666834] CCMInterface::SetSteamID( [U:1:241666834] )
[2023-09-03 00:21:24] [Logged Off, 4, 0] [U:1:241666834] LogOn() called; not connected yet, scheduling connection. Schedule init returned 1
[2023-09-03 00:21:24] CCMInterface::YieldingConnect -- calling ISteamDirectory/GetCMListForConnect web api
[2023-09-03 00:21:25] GetCMListForConnect -- got 3 Netfilter CMs and 77 WebSocket CMs
[2023-09-03 00:21:25] GetCMListForConnect -- DC 'sto2' count: 22
[2023-09-03 00:21:25] GetCMListForConnect -- DC 'sto1' count: 20
[2023-09-03 00:21:25] GetCMListForConnect -- DC 'fra1' count: 21
[2023-09-03 00:21:25] GetCMListForConnect -- DC 'fra2' count: 17
[2023-09-03 00:21:25] [Connecting, 4, 0] [U:1:241666834] PingWebSocketCM() (ext2-sto2.steamserver.net:27021) starting...
[2023-09-03 00:21:25] [Connecting, 4, 0] [U:1:241666834] PingWebSocketCM() (ext1-sto2.steamserver.net:27023) starting...
[2023-09-03 00:21:25] [Connecting, 4, 0] [U:1:241666834] PingWebSocketCM() (ext1-sto1.steamserver.net:27029) starting...
[2023-09-03 00:21:25] [Connecting, 4, 0] [U:1:241666834] PingWebSocketCM() (ext1-sto1.steamserver.net:27028) starting...
[2023-09-03 00:21:25] [Connecting, 4, 0] [U:1:241666834] PingWebSocketCM() (ext2-sto2.steamserver.net:27021) results: 129.8134ms + load 75.0000
[2023-09-03 00:21:25] [Connecting, 4, 0] [U:1:241666834] PingWebSocketCM() (ext1-fra1.steamserver.net:27020) starting...
[2023-09-03 00:21:25] [Connecting, 4, 0] [U:1:241666834] PingWebSocketCM() (ext1-sto2.steamserver.net:27023) results: 111.8565ms + load 76.0000
[2023-09-03 00:21:25] [Connecting, 4, 0] [U:1:241666834] PingWebSocketCM() (ext1-sto1.steamserver.net:443) starting...
[2023-09-03 00:21:25] [Connecting, 4, 0] [U:1:241666834] PingWebSocketCM() (ext1-sto1.steamserver.net:27028) results: 92.1428ms + load 76.0000
[2023-09-03 00:21:25] [Connecting, 4, 0] [U:1:241666834] PingWebSocketCM() (ext2-sto2.steamserver.net:443) starting...
[2023-09-03 00:21:25] [Connecting, 4, 0] [U:1:241666834] PingWebSocketCM() (ext1-sto1.steamserver.net:27029) results: 79.5135ms + load 76.0000
[2023-09-03 00:21:25] [Connecting, 4, 0] [U:1:241666834] PingWebSocketCM() (ext1-fra1.steamserver.net:27021) starting...
[2023-09-03 00:21:25] [Connecting, 4, 0] [U:1:241666834] PingWebSocketCM() (ext2-sto2.steamserver.net:443) results: 69.7112ms + load 87.0000
[2023-09-03 00:21:25] [Connecting, 4, 0] [U:1:241666834] PingWebSocketCM() (ext1-fra2.steamserver.net:27023) starting...
[2023-09-03 00:21:25] [Connecting, 4, 0] [U:1:241666834] PingWebSocketCM() (ext1-sto1.steamserver.net:443) results: 69.3395ms + load 88.0000
[2023-09-03 00:21:25] [Connecting, 4, 0] [U:1:241666834] PingWebSocketCM() (ext2-fra2.steamserver.net:27028) starting...
[2023-09-03 00:21:25] [Connecting, 4, 0] [U:1:241666834] PingWebSocketCM() (ext1-fra1.steamserver.net:27021) results: 93.1845ms + load 76.0000
[2023-09-03 00:21:25] [Connecting, 4, 0] [U:1:241666834] PingWebSocketCM() (ext1-fra1.steamserver.net:27020) results: 188.2005ms + load 78.0000
[2023-09-03 00:21:25] IPv6 UDP connectivity test (ipv6check-udp.steamserver.net / 2a01:bc80:5:112::2) - TIMEOUT
[2023-09-03 00:21:25] [Connecting, 4, 0] [U:1:241666834] PingWebSocketCM() (ext2-fra2.steamserver.net:27028) results: 128.6743ms + load 77.0000
[2023-09-03 00:21:25] [Connecting, 4, 0] [U:1:241666834] PingWebSocketCM() (ext1-fra2.steamserver.net:27023) results: 103.3664ms + load 79.0000
[2023-09-03 00:21:25] [Connecting, 4, 7] [U:1:241666834] Connect() starting connection (eNetQOSLevelHigh, ext1-sto1.steamserver.net:27029, WebSocket)
[2023-09-03 00:21:26] [Connecting, 4, 7] [U:1:241666834] ConnectionCompleted() (162.254.198.44:27029, WebSocket) local address (100.125.88.24:53567)
[2023-09-03 00:21:26] [Connecting, 4, 7] [U:1:241666834] Client thinks it can connect via: UDP - yes, TCP - yes, WebSocket:443 - yes, WebSocket:Non443 - yes
[2023-09-03 00:21:26] [Connected, 4, 7] [U:1:241666834] Logging on [U:1:241666834]
[2023-09-03 00:21:26] [Logging On, 4, 7] [U:1:241666834] Using JWT
[2023-09-03 00:21:26] [Logging On, 4, 7] [U:1:241666834] RecvMsgClientLogOnResponse() : [U:1:241666834] 'OK'
[2023-09-03 00:21:26] CClientJobGetClientUpdateHosts: cached version not expired

Eepicbattle1 2023-09-02 github

Also, here's my .network file, maybe it's somehow relevant

[Match]
Name=en*
Name=eth*

[Network]
DHCP=yes
DNS=1.1.1.1 1.0.0.1
MulticastDNS=yes
#LinkLocalAddressing=ipv4
#IPv6AcceptRA=no

[DHCPv4]
UseDNS=0

Ssysms 2023-09-13 github

Problem got even worse after the latest (11.09.23) stable Steam Client update.
Before it was a pause around 5 seconds., now it's a 10 second pause. :(

TTTimo 2023-09-13 github

We removed an unnecessary check for online connectivity since last time I posted here.

I was wrong we haven't done that yet.

Eepicbattle1 2023-09-30 github

Any update on the issue?

Kkisak-valve maintainer 2023-11-10 github

Hello, is anyone still experiencing this issue on an up to date system?

Ssysms 2023-11-12 github

@kisak-valve on the latest stable steam client on an up to date Debian 12 system, the problem still persists.
I'm still getting the 10 second pause on "waiting for network".

Steam Version: 1698777785
Steam Client Build Date: Tue, Oct 31 03:09 UTC -08:00

Jjupjohn 2023-11-13 github

Can also replicate a ~10s "waiting for network" delay on the following beta install:

Steam Version:  1699498641
Steam Client Build Date:  Thu, Nov 9 2:56 PM UTC -08:00
Steam Web Build Date:  Thu, Nov 9 3:44 PM UTC -08:00
Steam API Version:  SteamClient021

Ssysms 2023-11-17 github

The latest stable client (Steam Version: 1700160213, Steam Client Build Date: Thu, Nov 16 19:23 UTC -08:00) still has this.

Ssysms 2023-11-30 github

Still present in the latest update (Steam Version: 1701289036, Steam Client Build Date: Wed, Nov 29 20:59 UTC -08:00).

XXenHat 2024-02-01 github

Still present in the latest version on my distribution:

Steam Beta Branch:  Steam Deck Stable
Steam Version:  1705108172
Steam Client Build Date:  Fri, Jan 12 19:52 UTC -08:00
Steam Web Build Date:  Fri, Jan 12 12:02 UTC -08:00```

Bbblacher 2024-03-05 github

I do experience this as well, latest beta, using systemd-networkd.

When using NetworkManager, the delay is gone.

Vvoidpointertonull 2024-09-22 github

Steam takes often takes 20+ seconds to load for me, so figured I'd look into why it's so slow.
Initially I suspected the IPv6 test timeouts to be the problem, but IPv6 not working on Windows isn't a problem, and looking around here apparently that doesn't make a difference on Linux either.

Just having NetworkManager is surely not a solution on its own as I have that to begin with while experiencing the at least 10 seconds "Waiting for network" delay described here.

Without any success, a non-exhaustive list of attempted changes:

Removed IPv6 address and route
Deleted IPv4 default routes and created one unrelated to DHCP
Disabled HTTP2 with @nClientDownloadEnableHTTP2PlatformLinux 0
Started Steam with -tcp
Started Steam with -udpforce
Started Steam with -websocket

Didn't have ideal conditions for a network capture due to other programs generating noise, but haven't seen anything horribly bad on the network. Could see the initial test connection, then a bit more than 10 seconds later the connection to the API server showed up, but couldn't really see anything interesting in-between as if Steam was just not doing anything on the network.
There are no signs of network issues elsewhere either, other programs can make connections with satisfying performance.

Ttwoda5h 2024-12-12 github

hi, it appears that the current steam Big Picture Mode only is able to detect NetworkManager's connections. i switched to using it just now and the issue resolved. systemd-networkd is not detected by it, but it still has a network connection under the hood.

i think the problem is just that for whatever reason, valve hasn't set it up to detect systemd-networkd... probably because they don't use it on the deck

i believe the 10 seconds waiting for network thing 2 posts above me may be related to something else, as my issues resolved immediately upon using NetworkManager. Are you using Wi-Fi? I'm using Ethernet. It sounds a lot like it's taking a minute to resolve something and then finally managing to do it.

Eeffects3d 2025-04-12 github

This delay also occurs when using a network bridge with NetworkManager.

Using Arch Linux as well.

Steam Beta Branch:  Stable Client
Steam Version:  1743554648
Steam Client Build Date:  Wed, Apr 2 2:27 AM UTC -08:00
Steam Web Build Date:  Wed, Apr 2 2:34 AM UTC -08:00
Steam API Version:  SteamClient022

steam_log.txt

Ttoupeira 2025-10-17 github

I also get a 10s delay on startup with NetworkManager. The connection log shows the successful connectivity test immediately on startup, and then the next message appears 10s later.

A probably related issue is that when resuming after standby, Steam says "No connection" in the window footer and takes about 20s to recognize that there is, in fact, a connection (vs. e.g. the network icon in my Gnome panel which appears after ~1s).

IPv6 enabled or disabled doesn't make a difference.
Local firewall (firewalld) enabled or disabled doesn't make a difference.
My connection and network is fine, no other programs have any issues, it's just Steam that has always acted like this.

@kisak-valve @TTimo any tips at all? Can you not reproduce this on a Linux desktop system?

connection_log.txt on startup

[2025-10-16 19:37:02] Client version: 1759461205
[2025-10-16 19:37:02] Connectivity test: Starting test, fetching 'http://test.steampowered.com/204'
[2025-10-16 19:37:02] [Logged Off, 0, 0] [U:1:0] CCMInterface::SetSteamID( [U:1:0] )
[2025-10-16 19:37:03] Connectivity test (193.247.41.10:80 (193.247.41.10:80)): OK!
[2025-10-16 19:37:03] Connectivity test: result=Connected (since 0.0s ago), prev=Unknown, in progress=0
[2025-10-16 19:37:03] IPv6 HTTP connectivity test (ipv6check-http.steamserver.net / [2a01:bc80:7:100::9b85:f812]:80 ([2a01:bc80:7:100::9b85:f812]:80)) - SUCCESS
[2025-10-16 19:37:03] IPv6 HTTP connectivity test (ipv6check-http.steamserver.net / [2a01:bc80:7:100::9b85:f812]:80 ([2a01:bc80:7:100::9b85:f812]:80)) - server indicated we are using ipv6, external address = '2a02:21b4:c44c:7e00:458c:46c9:846:4382'
[2025-10-16 19:37:03] [Logged Off, 0, 0] [U:1:131317002] CCMInterface::SetSteamID( [U:1:131317002] )
[2025-10-16 19:37:03] IPv6 UDP connectivity test (ipv6check-udp.steamserver.net / [2a01:bc80:1:100::a2fe:c610]:27019) - SUCCESS
[2025-10-16 19:37:13] [Logged Off, 0, 0] [U:1:131317002] CCMInterface::SetSteamID( [U:1:131317002] )
[2025-10-16 19:37:13] [Logged Off, 4, 0] [U:1:131317002] LogOn() called; not connected yet, scheduling connection. Schedule init returned 1
[2025-10-16 19:37:13] CCMInterface::YieldingConnect -- calling ISteamDirectory/GetCMListForConnect/?cellid=88&qoslevel=3
[2025-10-16 19:37:13] GetCMListForConnect -- got 18 Netfilter CMs and 342 WebSocket CMs
[2025-10-16 19:37:13] GetCMListForConnect -- DC 'fra1' count: 32
[2025-10-16 19:37:13] GetCMListForConnect -- DC 'fra2' count: 31
[2025-10-16 19:37:13] GetCMListForConnect -- DC 'sto2' count: 32
[2025-10-16 19:37:13] GetCMListForConnect -- DC 'sto1' count: 31
[2025-10-16 19:37:13] GetCMListForConnect -- DC 'ams1' count: 30
[2025-10-16 19:37:13] GetCMListForConnect -- DC 'vie1' count: 30
[2025-10-16 19:37:13] GetCMListForConnect -- DC 'par1' count: 30
[2025-10-16 19:37:13] GetCMListForConnect -- DC 'mad1' count: 30
[2025-10-16 19:37:13] GetCMListForConnect -- DC 'waw1' count: 31
[2025-10-16 19:37:13] GetCMListForConnect -- DC 'lhr1' count: 30
[2025-10-16 19:37:13] GetCMListForConnect -- DC 'iad1' count: 33
[2025-10-16 19:37:13] GetCMListForConnect -- DC 'ord1' count: 20
[2025-10-16 19:37:13] [Connecting, 4, 0] [U:1:131317002] PingWebSocketCM() (cmp2-fra1.steamserver.net:27018) starting...
[2025-10-16 19:37:13] [Connecting, 4, 0] [U:1:131317002] PingWebSocketCM() (cmp2-fra2.steamserver.net:27018) starting...
[2025-10-16 19:37:13] [Connecting, 4, 0] [U:1:131317002] PingWebSocketCM() (cmp1-fra2.steamserver.net:27023) starting...
[2025-10-16 19:37:13] [Connecting, 4, 0] [U:1:131317002] PingWebSocketCM() (cmp1-fra2.steamserver.net:27024) starting...
[2025-10-16 19:37:13] [Connecting, 4, 0] [U:1:131317002] PingWebSocketCM() (cmp2-fra2.steamserver.net:27018) results: 38.5256ms + load 56.0000
[2025-10-16 19:37:13] [Connecting, 4, 0] [U:1:131317002] PingWebSocketCM() (cmp1-fra1.steamserver.net:443) starting...
[2025-10-16 19:37:13] [Connecting, 4, 0] [U:1:131317002] PingWebSocketCM() (cmp1-fra2.steamserver.net:27024) results: 33.0753ms + load 67.0000
[2025-10-16 19:37:13] [Connecting, 4, 0] [U:1:131317002] PingWebSocketCM() (cmp2-sto1.steamserver.net:27021) starting...
[2025-10-16 19:37:13] [Connecting, 4, 0] [U:1:131317002] PingWebSocketCM() (cmp2-fra1.steamserver.net:27018) results: 44.1952ms + load 58.0000
[2025-10-16 19:37:13] [Connecting, 4, 0] [U:1:131317002] PingWebSocketCM() (cmp2-sto2.steamserver.net:27021) starting...
[2025-10-16 19:37:13] [Connecting, 4, 0] [U:1:131317002] PingWebSocketCM() (cmp1-fra2.steamserver.net:27023) results: 27.6089ms + load 43.0000
[2025-10-16 19:37:13] [Connecting, 4, 0] [U:1:131317002] PingWebSocketCM() stopping early for good host (cmp1-fra2.steamserver.net:27023)
[2025-10-16 19:37:14] [Connecting, 4, 0] [U:1:131317002] PingWebSocketCM() (cmp2-sto1.steamserver.net:27021) results: 44.2820ms + load 47.0000
[2025-10-16 19:37:14] [Connecting, 4, 0] [U:1:131317002] PingWebSocketCM() (cmp2-sto2.steamserver.net:27021) results: 38.3930ms + load 46.0000
[2025-10-16 19:37:14] [Connecting, 4, 0] [U:1:131317002] PingWebSocketCM() (cmp1-fra1.steamserver.net:443) results: 43.2711ms + load 55.0000
[2025-10-16 19:37:14] [Connecting, 4, 7] [U:1:131317002] Connect() starting connection (eNetQOSLevelHigh, cmp1-fra2.steamserver.net:27023, WebSocket)
[2025-10-16 19:37:14] [Connecting, 4, 7] [U:1:131317002] ConnectionCompleted() (155.133.229.4:27023, WebSocket) local address (192.168.0.230:57293)
[2025-10-16 19:37:14] [Connecting, 4, 7] [U:1:131317002] Client thinks it can connect via: UDP - yes, TCP - yes, WebSocket:443 - yes, WebSocket:Non443 - yes
[2025-10-16 19:37:14] [Connected, 4, 7] [U:1:131317002] Logging on [U:1:131317002]
[2025-10-16 19:37:14] [Logging On, 4, 7] [U:1:131317002] Using JWT 6345095158986206709, persistence: 1, steamid: [U:1:131317002], issued: Mon Aug 19 21:34:33 2024, expiry: Sun Feb  8 08:38:53 2026
[2025-10-16 19:37:14] [Logging On, 4, 7] [U:1:131317002] RecvMsgClientLogOnResponse() : [U:1:131317002] 'OK'
[2025-10-16 19:37:14] [Logged On, 4, 7] [U:1:131317002] RecvMsgClientLogOnResponse() : processing complete
[2025-10-16 19:37:14] CClientJobGetClientUpdateHosts: cached version not expired

connection_log.txt after resume

[2025-10-17 17:50:50] CClientJobGetClientUpdateHosts: cached version not expired
[2025-10-17 17:51:06] [Logged Off, 4, 0] [U:1:131317002] ConnectionDisconnected('I/O Operation Failed') : 'OK' (155.133.250.4:27023, WebSocket)
[2025-10-17 17:51:06] [Logged Off, 4, 0] [U:1:131317002] StartAutoReconnect() will start in 21.0 seconds (attempt 1)
[2025-10-17 17:51:06] [Logged Off, 4, 0] [U:1:131317002] Sending SteamServersDisconnected_t because we were logged on
[2025-10-17 17:51:06] IPv6 HTTP connectivity test (ipv6check-http.steamserver.net / [2a01:bc80:5:112::8]:80 ([2a01:bc80:5:112::8]:80)) - SUCCESS
[2025-10-17 17:51:06] IPv6 HTTP connectivity test (ipv6check-http.steamserver.net / [2a01:bc80:5:112::8]:80 ([2a01:bc80:5:112::8]:80)) - server indicated we are using ipv6, external address = '2a02:21b4:c44c:7e00:458c:46c9:846:4382'
[2025-10-17 17:51:06] IPv6 UDP connectivity test (ipv6check-udp.steamserver.net / [2a01:bc80:5:112::6]:27019) - SUCCESS
[2025-10-17 17:51:06] Connectivity test: Starting test, fetching 'http://test.steampowered.com/204'
[2025-10-17 17:51:06] Connectivity test (193.247.41.8:80 (193.247.41.8:80)): OK!
[2025-10-17 17:51:06] Connectivity test: result=Connected (since 80043.5s ago), prev=Unknown, in progress=0
[2025-10-17 17:51:22] IPv6 HTTP connectivity test (ipv6check-http.steamserver.net / [2a01:bc80:5:112::8]:80 ([2a01:bc80:5:112::8]:80)) - SUCCESS
[2025-10-17 17:51:22] IPv6 HTTP connectivity test (ipv6check-http.steamserver.net / [2a01:bc80:5:112::8]:80 ([2a01:bc80:5:112::8]:80)) - server indicated we are using ipv6, external address = '2a02:21b4:c44c:7e00:458c:46c9:846:4382'
[2025-10-17 17:51:22] IPv6 UDP connectivity test (ipv6check-udp.steamserver.net / [2a01:bc80:c:101::9b85:e218]:27019) - SUCCESS
[2025-10-17 17:51:27] CCMInterface::YieldingConnect -- calling ISteamDirectory/GetCMListForConnect/?cellid=88&qoslevel=1
[2025-10-17 17:51:27] GetCMListForConnect -- got 5 Netfilter CMs and 85 WebSocket CMs
[2025-10-17 17:51:27] GetCMListForConnect -- DC 'fra2' count: 23
[2025-10-17 17:51:27] GetCMListForConnect -- DC 'fra1' count: 23
[2025-10-17 17:51:27] GetCMListForConnect -- DC 'sto2' count: 22
[2025-10-17 17:51:27] GetCMListForConnect -- DC 'sto1' count: 22
[2025-10-17 17:51:27] [Connecting, 4, 0] [U:1:131317002] PingWebSocketCM() (cmp2-fra1.steamserver.net:27024) starting...
[2025-10-17 17:51:27] [Connecting, 4, 0] [U:1:131317002] PingWebSocketCM() (cmp1-fra1.steamserver.net:27024) starting...
[2025-10-17 17:51:27] [Connecting, 4, 0] [U:1:131317002] PingWebSocketCM() (cmp1-fra2.steamserver.net:27019) starting...
[2025-10-17 17:51:27] [Connecting, 4, 0] [U:1:131317002] PingWebSocketCM() (cmp2-fra2.steamserver.net:27018) starting...
[2025-10-17 17:51:27] [Connecting, 4, 0] [U:1:131317002] PingWebSocketCM() (cmp2-fra1.steamserver.net:27024) results: 54.6875ms + load 44.0000
[2025-10-17 17:51:27] [Connecting, 4, 0] [U:1:131317002] PingWebSocketCM() (cmp2-fra1.steamserver.net:443) starting...
[2025-10-17 17:51:27] [Connecting, 4, 0] [U:1:131317002] PingWebSocketCM() (cmp1-fra1.steamserver.net:27024) results: 46.8750ms + load 44.0000
[2025-10-17 17:51:27] [Connecting, 4, 0] [U:1:131317002] PingWebSocketCM() (cmp1-sto2.steamserver.net:27020) starting...
[2025-10-17 17:51:27] [Connecting, 4, 0] [U:1:131317002] PingWebSocketCM() (cmp1-fra2.steamserver.net:27019) results: 39.0625ms + load 48.0000
[2025-10-17 17:51:27] [Connecting, 4, 0] [U:1:131317002] PingWebSocketCM() (cmp1-sto2.steamserver.net:27022) starting...
[2025-10-17 17:51:27] [Connecting, 4, 0] [U:1:131317002] PingWebSocketCM() (cmp2-fra2.steamserver.net:27018) results: 31.2500ms + load 42.0000
[2025-10-17 17:51:27] [Connecting, 4, 0] [U:1:131317002] PingWebSocketCM() stopping early for good host (cmp2-fra2.steamserver.net:27018)
[2025-10-17 17:51:27] [Connecting, 4, 0] [U:1:131317002] PingWebSocketCM() (cmp1-sto2.steamserver.net:27022) results: 54.6875ms + load 46.0000
[2025-10-17 17:51:27] [Connecting, 4, 0] [U:1:131317002] PingWebSocketCM() (cmp1-sto2.steamserver.net:27020) results: 46.8750ms + load 44.0000
[2025-10-17 17:51:27] [Connecting, 4, 0] [U:1:131317002] PingWebSocketCM() (cmp2-fra1.steamserver.net:443) results: 39.0625ms + load 49.0000
[2025-10-17 17:51:27] [Connecting, 4, 23] [U:1:131317002] Connect() starting connection (eNetQOSLevelLow, cmp2-fra2.steamserver.net:27018, WebSocket)
[2025-10-17 17:51:28] [Connecting, 4, 23] [U:1:131317002] ConnectionCompleted() (155.133.229.20:27018, WebSocket) local address (192.168.0.230:47963)
[2025-10-17 17:51:28] [Connecting, 4, 23] [U:1:131317002] Client thinks it can connect via: UDP - yes, TCP - yes, WebSocket:443 - yes, WebSocket:Non443 - yes
[2025-10-17 17:51:28] [Connected, 4, 23] [U:1:131317002] Logging on [U:1:131317002]
[2025-10-17 17:51:28] [Logging On, 4, 23] [U:1:131317002] Using JWT 6345095158986206709, persistence: 1, steamid: [U:1:131317002], issued: Mon Aug 19 21:34:33 2024, expiry: Sun Feb  8 08:38:53 2026
[2025-10-17 17:51:28] [Logging On, 4, 23] [U:1:131317002] RecvMsgClientLogOnResponse() : [U:1:131317002] 'OK'
[2025-10-17 17:51:28] [Logged On, 4, 23] [U:1:131317002] RecvMsgClientLogOnResponse() : processing complete
[2025-10-17 18:50:50] CClientJobGetClientUpdateHosts: cached version not expired

ip addr

1: lo: <LOOPBACK,UP,LOWER_UP> mtu 65536 qdisc noqueue state UNKNOWN group default qlen 1000
    link/loopback 00:00:00:00:00:00 brd 00:00:00:00:00:00
    inet 127.0.0.1/8 scope host lo
       valid_lft forever preferred_lft forever
    inet6 ::1/128 scope host noprefixroute
       valid_lft forever preferred_lft forever
2: eno1: <BROADCAST,MULTICAST,UP,LOWER_UP> mtu 1500 qdisc fq_codel state UP group default qlen 1000
    link/ether c8:7f:54:09:60:fb brd ff:ff:ff:ff:ff:ff
    altname enp12s0
    altname enxc87f540960fb
    inet 192.168.0.230/24 brd 192.168.0.255 scope global noprefixroute eno1
       valid_lft forever preferred_lft forever
    inet6 2a02:21b4:c44c:7e00:458c:46c9:846:4382/64 scope global dynamic noprefixroute
       valid_lft 21568sec preferred_lft 7168sec
    inet6 fe80::c89d:9e76:6867:34fb/64 scope link noprefixroute
       valid_lft forever preferred_lft forever

Rrpigott 2025-11-24 github

I also get a 10s delay "waiting for network" when starting steam.

I'm using Arch Linux, sd-networkd+iwd, and do not have NetworkManager installed.

This pattern of dbus calls when starting the steam client strike me as a little odd:

-> 0.740411000               :1.823 org.freedesktop.DBus /org/freedesktop/DBus org.freedesktop.DBus AddMatch     type='signal',sender='org.freedesktop.DBus',interface='org.freedesktop.DBus',member='NameOwnerChanged',path='/org/freedesktop/DBus',arg0='org.freedesktop.NetworkManager'
<- 0.740430000 org.freedesktop.DBus               :1.823 /org/freedesktop/DBus org.freedesktop.DBus AddMatch     (success)
-> 0.740433000               :1.823 org.freedesktop.DBus /org/freedesktop/DBus org.freedesktop.DBus GetNameOwner org.freedesktop.NetworkManager
<- 0.740438000 org.freedesktop.DBus               :1.823 /org/freedesktop/DBus org.freedesktop.DBus GetNameOwner "The name does not have an owner"
-> 0.740457000               :1.823 org.freedesktop.DBus /org/freedesktop/DBus org.freedesktop.DBus RemoveMatch  type='signal',sender='org.freedesktop.DBus',interface='org.freedesktop.DBus',member='NameOwnerChanged',path='/org/freedesktop/DBus',arg0='org.freedesktop.NetworkManager'
<- 0.740460000 org.freedesktop.DBus               :1.823 /org/freedesktop/DBus org.freedesktop.DBus RemoveMatch  (success)
-> 0.740465000               :1.823 org.freedesktop.DBus /org/freedesktop/DBus org.freedesktop.DBus AddMatch     type='signal',sender='org.freedesktop.DBus',interface='org.freedesktop.DBus',member='NameOwnerChanged',path='/org/freedesktop/DBus',arg0='org.freedesktop.NetworkManager'
<- 0.740468000 org.freedesktop.DBus               :1.823 /org/freedesktop/DBus org.freedesktop.DBus AddMatch     (success)
-> 0.740481000               :1.823 org.freedesktop.DBus /org/freedesktop/DBus org.freedesktop.DBus GetNameOwner org.freedesktop.NetworkManager
<- 0.740484000 org.freedesktop.DBus               :1.823 /org/freedesktop/DBus org.freedesktop.DBus GetNameOwner "The name does not have an owner"

The RemoveMatch/AddMatch after the error response to GetNameOwner is possibly an incorrect error path?

Is the steam client expected to be able to function without NetworkManager or does it depend on NetworkManager daemon for something? Is it possible for me to start the client in offline mode or some other way that would elide this check? Is a 10s delay expected in the case that I do start the client in online mode and do not have a functional internet connection, or LAN connection? Is there any chance steam could just... use the network like any other application and go offline in case of a network error?

Ttoupeira 2025-11-24 github

@rpigott oh thanks, this made me go digging and find this FAQ entry in the Flatpak repo: https://github.com/flathub/com.valvesoftware.Steam/wiki#app-starts-slower-than-native

You can run flatpak override --user --system-talk-name=org.freedesktop.NetworkManager com.valvesoftware.Steam to allow app access to NetworkManager. Note that it means Steam has access to your WiFi and potential VPN secrets. Latter means any privacy VPN can be permanently broken.

Adding this actually removes the startup delay for me, as well as the 20s delay after resuming (https://github.com/ValveSoftware/steam-for-linux/issues/12450)! 🎉

Note that this only works if you're using Flatpak and NetworkManager. I guess Steam should also support other network managers, and lower/remove the delays when it can't connect to their DBus interfaces.

Rrpigott 2025-11-24 github

So it would seem the delay is just the steam client waiting for NM, and not the performance of any network check :/.

Vvoidpointertonull 2025-11-25 github

Huh, this is apparently a well-known issue, there just wasn't a connection made here to other issues earlier.

https://github.com/flathub/com.valvesoftware.Steam/issues/850 -> https://github.com/ValveSoftware/steam-for-linux/issues/4979 .

The script in https://github.com/ValveSoftware/steam-for-linux/issues/4979#issuecomment-1521769277 might even help out some people.

Flatpak is quite inflexible though, so likely there's no easy workaround there, especially as most of its half-baked solutions haven't seen improvements for years at this point.

Steam shouldn't have this punitive 10 seconds delay for not being able to talk with a network manager which may not be even used by the system, but on the other hand a well-written (and configured) dbus proxy would allow the linked script to work in containers too, it's just Flatpak insisting on not properly containerizing programs.

Rrpigott 2025-11-26 github

Sadly the stub service isn't sufficient to trick the steam client for me. It tries to call GetPermissions and still waits the full 10s.

Rrpigott 2026-03-14 github

I found that setting an empty DBUS_SYSTEM_BUS_ADDRESS= env var is enough to skip the "waiting for network" screen.

I gather from https://github.com/ValveSoftware/steam-for-linux/issues/7856#issuecomment-864527155 that eventually the steam client will request your saved WiFi passwords via GetSecrets, but I can't even reproduce this much. When I install NetworkManager the network check never progresses passed the GetSettings call.

If anyone has a functional setup that does not exhibit the delay, I'd be curious to see the whole conversation between steam client and NM. Then maybe I could expand the script linked by @voidpointertonull in https://github.com/ValveSoftware/steam-for-linux/issues/4979#issuecomment-1521769277 to implement enough of the NM interfaces to get by.

Mmarienz 2026-04-06 github

If anyone has a functional setup that does not exhibit the delay, I'd be curious to see the whole conversation between steam client and NM

original.pcapng.gz (compressed because for some reason GitHub won't let me attach arbitrary files otherwise).

It's "just" GetManagedObjects, GetPermissions and GetSettings on /org/freedesktop/NetworkManager/Settings/*, but it takes more than just making those calls succeed to avoid "Waiting for network" (and it's not just the "State" or "Connectivity" properties on org.freedesktop.NetworkManager nm-online checks for either): a hacked-together NetworkManager stub that's sufficient to trigger the same GetSettings calls still triggers the delay. GetManagedObjects returns 18k of... stuff, presumably some of that matters. I'll see if I can figure out what's needed to get past the check, but it's annoying enough it'll likely be a while before I find the time and motivation.

(I'd prefer not to hide the system bus from Steam entirely: it also talks to logind and udisks, breaking all that seems like the kind of thing that'll break something else in the future)

Rrpigott 2026-07-23 github

After some steam client update, setting an empty DBUS_SYSTEM_BUS_ADDRESS= is no longer completely effective. The client seems to fall back to the standard system bus address.

However, the client does still seem to use a different logic here, as the "Waiting for Network" timeout is then reduced from ~10s to ~4s, the splash screen which displays "Waiting for Network" has a black background instead of dark grey, and the client no longer sends any method calls to org.freedesktop.NetworkManager (but it does still call methods for UPower).

Upstream links

ValveSoftware/steam-for-linux/issues/4979x2 2026-03
ValveSoftware/steam-for-linux/issues/7856x1 2026-03
ValveSoftware/steam-for-linux/issues/12450x1 2025-11