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Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →Install or open Steam Link on the receiving device, connect it to the same local network as the PC running Steam, select the PC, enter the pairing PIN, connect a controller, and choose Start Playing. The game runs on the PC; Steam Link streams its video and audio to the client and sends controller input back.
“Steam Link” can mean either Valve’s discontinued physical box or the current Steam Link app. The app is now the normal option on supported phones, tablets, TVs, computers, Raspberry Pi systems, and VR headsets.
When setting up Steam Link on a Windows PC, Outbyte PC Repair can scan network-related settings and system elements if connection trouble persists.
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- A Windows, macOS, or Linux PC with Steam installed and signed in.
- Steam running on the PC, with the computer awake rather than asleep or hibernating.
- The game installed on the host PC and available in its Steam library.
- The Steam Link app on a supported receiving device, or an existing Steam Link box.
- A compatible controller connected to the receiving device. Keyboard and mouse may also work, depending on the client.
- A local network connecting both devices. Ethernet is preferred; strong 5 GHz Wi-Fi can also work.
Steam Link does not copy a game to another PC or connect two computers by cable. It uses Steam Remote Play: the host PC renders and runs the game, while the client displays the stream.
Valve lists Steam Link clients for iPhone, iPad, Apple TV, Apple Vision Pro, Android phones and tablets, Android TV, Amazon Fire TV, Raspberry Pi 3/3+/4/5, Windows, Linux, macOS, and Meta Quest 2, 3, and Pro. Availability can vary by device, manufacturer, region, and app store.
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Step 1: Enable Remote Play on the PC
- Open the Steam desktop client on the PC.
- Sign in to the Steam account containing the game.
- Install or update the game you want to play.
- Open Steam’s settings and find Remote Play.
- Make sure Remote Play or streaming is enabled.
- Leave Steam open and keep the PC awake.
Older Steam Support pages may call this setting In-Home Streaming, with a path such as Steam > Settings > In-Home Streaming > Enable streaming. Current Steam clients may use Remote Play instead. The exact label can differ by operating system, Steam client version, or beta status.
Also check that Steam is not blocked by the operating system’s firewall. If Windows asks whether Steam should communicate on a network, allow it on your private or home network. Do not leave the firewall disabled as a permanent fix.
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- Download Steam Link from the receiving device’s official app store. Valve’s Remote Play page links to the supported platforms.
- Launch Steam Link.
- Allow it to scan for computers on the local network.
- Select the PC running Steam when it appears.
- If Steam Link displays a four-digit code, enter that code in Steam on the host PC.
- Run the network test if the app offers one.
- Pair or connect your controller to the client device.
- Select Start Playing, or the equivalent launch button.
After pairing, Steam Link normally opens Steam’s Big Picture-style interface. Choose the game from the library and launch it there. The game remains installed and running on the PC, not on the phone, TV, or streaming box.
Step 3: Connect an original Steam Link box
The original Steam Link was a small Valve device designed to connect a PC to a television. Valve discontinued the hardware and announced that its physical supply had sold out, although existing units may still work.
- Connect the Steam Link box to the television with HDMI.
- Connect its power adapter.
- Connect it to the router, preferably with Ethernet.
- Switch the television to the correct HDMI input.
- Complete the on-screen network setup.
- Select the detected Steam PC.
- Enter the pairing PIN on the PC if prompted.
- Connect a controller by USB or Bluetooth.
For most new setups, use the Steam Link app on a compatible device rather than buying a used box. Used hardware can have uncertain condition, missing accessories, and unpredictable pricing.
Pairing the controller
For couch gaming, pair the controller directly with the Steam Link client. Depending on the platform, you may be able to use compatible Xbox, PlayStation, or MFi controllers. The Apple listing for Steam Link documents support for compatible controllers, but compatibility still depends on the specific client device and operating system.
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Some setups also allow a controller connected to the host PC to be forwarded through Remote Play. Client-side pairing is usually simpler when the PC is in another room.
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Connect the controller before launching the game if possible. Some games only detect an input device during startup. Wireless keyboards and mice may work when paired with the client, but TV-based devices can have limited USB or Bluetooth support. Mouse-heavy games, games with strict anti-cheat behavior, and titles requiring precise input may not feel as good through streaming.
Use the right network configuration
| Configuration | What to expect |
|---|---|
| PC Ethernet + client Ethernet | Best stability and usually the lowest variability, but requires cabling. |
| PC Ethernet + client strong 5 GHz Wi-Fi | A good compromise for many homes. |
| PC 5 GHz Wi-Fi + client Ethernet | Also preferable to putting both devices on Wi-Fi. |
| PC Wi-Fi + client Wi-Fi | Convenient, but the stream crosses the wireless network twice and is more vulnerable to congestion and latency. |
Valve recommends wiring either the computer or the Steam Link directly to the router. When both devices are wireless, video travels from the PC to the router over Wi-Fi and then from the router to the client over Wi-Fi.
Both devices should normally be connected to the same router and local network for discovery. A matching Wi-Fi name is not always enough. Guest networks, client or AP isolation, mesh-system isolation, separate VLANs, VPNs, multiple routers, and different subnets can prevent the devices from finding one another.
For Wi-Fi, use 5 GHz when the client is close enough to the access point. It usually has less range than 2.4 GHz but is often better suited to high-quality local streaming. Move the client closer to the router, stop large downloads and other video streams, and update the router firmware if the connection is unreliable.
If Steam Link cannot find the PC
Work through these checks in order:
- Confirm that Steam is open, signed in, and not waiting for an error dialog, update, or confirmation.
- Wake the PC and prevent it from sleeping during the test.
- Confirm that both devices are using the same home router, not a guest network or separate access point.
- Disable client isolation or AP isolation in the router if enabled.
- Temporarily disconnect any VPN on the PC or client.
- Return to Steam’s settings and verify that Remote Play is enabled.
- Restart Steam on the host PC.
- Restart the Steam Link app or physical box and then restart the PC.
- Reboot the router if the devices still cannot discover one another.
- Check the firewall and allow Steam through the private or home network.
Windows can also classify the network as Public, which may restrict local discovery. Use the appropriate private-network setting for a trusted home network, and review firewall permissions rather than leaving protection off.
If the app sees the PC but pairing behaves strangely, remove the computer from the Steam Link client’s settings and pair it again. If no PIN appears, the client may already be paired, or discovery may not have completed.
If the network connection fails
For Ethernet
- Push the cable fully into the PC, router, and Steam Link device.
- Check the link light on the Steam Link Ethernet port, where available.
- Try another router port.
- Try a known-good Ethernet cable.
These checks help distinguish a physical cable or port problem from a Steam configuration problem.
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For Wi-Fi
- Move the client nearer to the wireless access point.
- Prefer a strong 5 GHz connection at short range.
- Stop downloads, cloud synchronization, video streaming, and other heavy traffic during play.
- Test with Ethernet to confirm whether Wi-Fi is the cause.
- Update the router firmware.
Do not force unusual wireless channels unless you understand your router’s documentation and the regulatory rules for your region.
Fix lag, stutter, blurry video, or audio problems
Change one thing at a time so you can identify the cause:
- Connect the PC or client to the router with Ethernet.
- Stop competing downloads, video streams, music streams, and cloud transfers.
- In Steam Link’s streaming settings, lower the quality to Fast.
- Reduce the bandwidth limit gradually.
- Lower the streaming resolution or frame rate if the host or client cannot sustain the selected mode.
- Update Steam and the host PC’s graphics drivers.
- Disable overlays, screen-capture software, and performance-monitoring utilities.
- Restart Steam and the client.
Valve recommends starting with a lower bandwidth limit, increasing it gradually, and returning to the last stable setting when problems reappear. Menu names can vary between Steam Link clients and Steam versions.
| Symptom | Likely area to investigate |
|---|---|
| High input latency | Wi-Fi interference, network congestion, bufferbloat, or a long wireless path. |
| Dropped frames or stutter | Network congestion, host video-encoding load, or client decoding limits. |
| Blurry picture | Insufficient or unstable bandwidth, or an automatic quality setting that is too demanding. |
| Crackling audio | Network instability, Bluetooth interference, or a problematic headset. |
| The game itself runs slowly | The host PC may lack sufficient CPU or GPU performance; streaming cannot solve weak game performance. |
High resolution, high frame rates, and HDR are not universal Steam Link capabilities. Results depend on the host PC, client hardware, display, Steam Link build, codec support, and network quality.
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When video works but input, audio, or Steam fails
If the picture appears but input or audio is unreliable, temporarily disconnect USB and Bluetooth headsets and restart the Steam Link client. Then test with the controller connected directly to the client.
Also test without capture tools, overlays, or background utilities. Valve’s troubleshooting material identifies possible conflicts involving tools such as MSI Afterburner, RivaTuner Statistics Server, Razer Synapse, ASUS AI Suite, ZoneAlarm, Skype or Skypehost, cloud-sync utilities, and similar programs. Re-enable software one item at a time after finding a stable configuration.
Platform-specific notes
Apple TV
The Apple App Store listing specifies Apple TV running tvOS 11.0 or later, Steam on Windows, macOS, or Linux, and the same local network. It recommends Ethernet for both devices where possible. See the official Steam Link Apple TV listing for current compatibility information.
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Android and Android TV
Valve lists Android 5.0 or later phones, tablets, and TVs. Actual support can depend on the device’s app store, region, manufacturer, and Android build. Controller support, decoding performance, and Ethernet options also vary widely between Android TV devices.
Fire TV
Amazon Fire TV is among the platforms listed by Valve. Install the app through the device’s supported store and check controller compatibility for the particular Fire TV model.
Samsung Smart TVs
Do not search for the old Steam Link TV app as though it were still generally available. Valve says Steam Link is no longer available on Samsung TV and distinguishes the current Valve app from the older Samsung-maintained application. A supported external Android/Google TV device, Apple TV, Fire TV, or Raspberry Pi may be an alternative.
Raspberry Pi
Valve lists Raspberry Pi 3, 3+, 4, and 5. This is a flexible DIY option, but it involves more setup and maintenance than installing a television app. Valve’s historical installation guidance used sudo apt update, sudo apt install steamlink, and steamlink; because that guidance is dated, it should not be assumed to work unchanged on every current Raspberry Pi OS image.
Another computer or VR headset
Steam Link can stream to another Windows, macOS, or Linux computer, and Valve lists Meta Quest 2, 3, and Pro as supported VR clients. In these cases, the receiving computer or headset is the client and the gaming PC remains the host.
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When Steam Link is not the best choice
If the PC is close to the TV, a direct HDMI connection generally avoids streaming compression and network latency, although it may require long HDMI and USB cables.
Advanced users can also consider other local-streaming clients such as Moonlight with Sunshine. They may offer different codec or latency options, but require additional configuration and are not needed for a standard Steam Link setup.
Steam Remote Play Together is a different feature for inviting another person into supported local multiplayer games. Cloud gaming is also different: Steam Link streams from your own PC and does not replace a cloud-gaming service.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Steam need to be installed on the Steam Link device?
No. Steam must be installed and running on the host PC. The client uses the Steam Link app or compatible hardware to receive the stream.
Does the PC need to stay on while I play?
Yes. The host PC must remain awake, signed in, and running Steam while the stream is active.
Can Steam Link work without Wi-Fi?
Yes. Ethernet can connect the PC, client, or both to the router. Ethernet-to-Ethernet is the most stable arrangement.
Can I use Steam Link outside my home?
This guide covers the normal same-network setup. Internet-based Remote Play introduces additional latency, upload, NAT, and router requirements, so results depend on both locations.
Is the original Steam Link box still sold by Valve?
No. Valve discontinued the physical hardware and announced that its supply had sold out. Existing boxes may still function, but the app is usually the better route for a new setup.
Do these 3 things before closing this tab:
1Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problems2Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minute3Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsDoes Steam Link work on Samsung TVs?
Valve says the Steam Link app is no longer available on Samsung TV. Use another supported client device if your television lacks a current Steam Link option.
Can an Xbox or PlayStation controller work with Steam Link?
Compatible Xbox and PlayStation controllers can work on supported clients, but exact compatibility depends on the client platform and operating system.
Does the game need to be installed on both devices?
No. Install the game on the host PC. The client receives video and audio and sends input; it does not run the game locally.
Quick Recap
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