Valve has released a new Steam Client update, the third one in May, bringing a broad set of fixes across the desktop client, Big Picture Mode, Steam Input, Remote Play, the in-game overlay, Steam Controller firmware, and Linux.
On Linux, the Legacy Steam Runtime compatibility tool is now an optional standalone download rather than bundled with the Steam client. Valve fixed firmware updates failing on systems without libhidapi, addressed dropdown and profile hover windows getting stuck on screen, and fixed a Steam Controller-related crash on Linux.
Steam Input receives several fixes focused on the Steam Controller and gyro behavior. Valve fixed trackpad “dead zone” issues reported by some Steam Controller users, IMU failures when using extended rumble, occasional stutter in the gyro polling rate, and a case where continuous rumble could break gyro input.
The Steam Controller also gets a minor gyro micro-stutter improvement by ignoring cloned packets. Valve added an option to disable Trackpad Lockout, which normally disables each trackpad while the matching joystick is deflected or its capacitive sensor is active to prevent accidental touches.
Gyro to Joystick Camera handling has also been adjusted. Valve defaulted Gyro Deadzone Speed and Gyro Precision Speed to zero to help users tune the correct Minimum Joystick Output. They added a Minimum Joystick Output slider to the Configurator Quick Settings list, an Angle Catchup option that can remain active while gyro ratcheting, and fixed a timing issue to make gyro behavior smoother across controllers.
Several incompatible Steam Input configuration options have been removed as well from inputs where they do not apply. Digital buttons can no longer be assigned press types that require analog input, while gyro can no longer be assigned incompatible Radial Menu or Hotbar options. Those options remain available for compatible inputs.
Other Steam Input fixes include improved detection of the Steam Controller when charging on the puck at Steam startup and a fix for doubled input while charging on the puck. Support fixes for the FlyDigi Vader 5 Pro in enhanced mode on Linux and macOS were added, along with more consistent behavior for the “Reset Camera To Horizon” action across different engines.
Valve also fixed the quick settings Left Trackpad entry pointing to the wrong settings, Grip Sense activation for Touch Menus, the Grip Sense sensor page Grip Range slider, Steam Controller grip thresholds in the calibration screen, Steam button chord editing for the Steam Controller, and Steam Controller input in Kingdom Come: Deliverance II.
The in-game overlay also received several fixes. Valve fixed a case where the Performance Monitor could overreport frame rate if a game incorrectly called NVIDIA APIs for new frame tokens at a much higher rate than its actual Present frame rate. The overlay now covers the entire screen more reliably when first opened.
Moreover, Big Picture Mode overlay notifications should no longer be positioned incorrectly before the overlay is invoked. A rare case where GameOverlayUI64.exe could stop responding and consume too much CPU has also been fixed.
Remote Play gets several usability improvements and fixes. Alt-Enter now toggles windowed mode, and window mode, position, and size are saved between sessions. Valve added a windowed mode toggle and 1:1 resize button to the mouse and keyboard overlay menu, along with an advanced client option for microphone streaming.
The update also fixes the client disconnecting after a short time during non-local streaming and resolves a case where the Steam Link app did not show the computer as online after pairing.
The general Steam Client fixes cover Workshop downloads, Big Picture Mode, Remote Play visibility, and library customization. Valve fixed an issue where Steam Workshop could download an older version of an item when multiple versions were marked valid for the game beta branch selected by the user.
For Linux users, it also fixed streamable non-Steam games appearing in the Library when Remote Play was off, some startup movies failing to play in Big Picture Mode, and the missing option to clear custom backgrounds and logos in the Library.
Settings have been refreshed across the desktop client, Big Picture Mode, and controller configuration, with updated layout and styling aimed at better readability and organization. Notification settings now allow e-mail, client, and mobile notification preferences to be managed from one place.
For more details, see the release notes. As usual, the Steam Client update will be downloaded automatically.
