How to Stream Steam Deck from PC 2023

Since its launch, Steam Deck has become one of the most loved gaming devices. It features hundreds of games and a portable design. And, with the option to stream Steam Deck from PC and vice versa, gamers can play many PC games on the go and combat the limitations of the Steam Deck.

This ultimate guide summarizes needed information for Steam Deck and tells you how to stream Steam Deck. Check it out!

Part 1: What is a Steam Deck?

You may be wondering what Steam Deck is, and you are not alone. So don’t worry. You will learn something about Steam Deck in this part.

Steam Deck has been introduced in 2022, and developed by Valve that is the famous video game developer company. And that may help you make a first impression on Steam Deck. You know Steam, and you should also heard about Steam Deck. It is a handheld gaming device running Linux distribution SteamOS, so you will be able to install and run Windows applications in Steam Deck.

With that said, Steam Deck not only allows you to play games, but also download, install, and use Windows applications as well.

Part 2: Can I Stream on Steam Deck?

Can I stream on Steam Deck? Yes, of course! You can stream Steam games on Steam Deck easily. Steam has featured the streaming function to help gamers to stream Steam games on supported devices. Therefore, it would not be a problem to stream on Steam Deck.

Why you should stream Steam Deck?

Even though Steam Deck is powerful and brings us lots of fun experience, you may want to enjoy the game play on another screen. For example, you may want to enjoy the game play on a larger screen, then you will need to stream Steam Deck to PC. Sometimes, you may want to transfer files from Steam Deck to PC, then you can also do that with the guide below.

Why is Steam streaming so bad?

When people perform streaming on Steam Deck, one of the commonly asked questions is: why is Steam streaming so bad? Well, streaming Steam requires a strong WiFi connection, so you should check the network condition when you encounter the poor streaming experience on Steam or Steam Deck.

Additionally, the hardware specifications would be another factor to consider. A powerful hardware device would be able to handle the rigors of streaming.

Why does it say 'Stream' instead of 'Play' on Steam?

As a matter of face, you will be able to “Play” Steam games. But if you see “Stream” instead of “Play”, that means that the Remote Play feature of Steam is taking place. With Steam Remote Play enabled, you can stream the Steam games on the support devices, without having to install the game itself.

Part 3: How to Stream to Steam Deck from PC

Are you asking yourself: “Can Steam Deck stream from PC”? The answer is “Yes.” So how does Steam Deck stream from PC?

First, you must ensure Steam is installed on both devices before you can stream and that they are both connected to the same WiFi network.

This section will discuss two ways to stream Steam Deck from PC.

Way 1: Stream Steam Deck from PC via Remote Play

Remote Play is a feature on Steam that allows you to launch a game on a computer and play it on another. You can also invite friends to join you by streaming Steam without having to own or launch the game themselves.

How to stream from Steam Deck to PC via Remote Play:

So you can stream Steam games from PC to Steam Deck very easily!

Way 2: Stream Steam Deck from PC via AirDroid Cast Web

If you want to screen mirror from PC to Steam Deck, you can try the third-party screen mirroring software such as AirDroid Cast.

AirDroid Cast is a screen mirroring app that seamlessly mirrors one device screen to another using a wired or wireless connection. To do so, you will need to add a web browser in your Steam Deck, and then you can start mirroring.

How to add a web browser on Steam Deck

Once done, you can now start mirroring your PC screen to Steam Deck by following these steps:

Voila! Your PC screen will be streamed to Steam Deck now.

AirDroid Cast not only allows you to mirror your favorite Steam games, but you can also stream Xbox to Steam Deck using the app.

Part 4: How to Connect Steam Deck to PC

The primary reason to connect Steam Deck to PC is for file transfer. You can transfer photos, movies, game mods, etc., and access them through Steam's desktop mode. This section will discuss how to connect Steam Deck to PC.

Way 1: Warpinator

Warpinator is famous for file transferring. It's free open-source that supports sending and receiving files on the same local network for Linux and Windows users.

How to transfer files via Warprinator:

Way 2: Portable Media

Another possible method to transfer files between PC and Steam Deck is using a portable media, such as USB flash drive or a SD card. However, you will need to format your SD card to exFAT file system on your PC first, otherwise your data will be formatted and lost.

Connect the SD card or USB drive to Steam Deck, and boot it into Desktop mode. Transfer the files to the SD card or USB drive, and disconnect them from Steam Deck before you boot into Game mode.

Kindly note that you can not add the USB drive or SD card as a method to expand the external storage for your Steam Deck.

Way 3: Network Drive

A third way to connect Steam Deck to PC is using a NAS (Network Attached Storage) device.

Part 5: What Games Can I Play on Steam Deck?

Steam Deck features hundreds of games, both modern and vintage. Here are some of the best games to play on Steam Deck:

Vampire Survivors: Vampire Survivors is a game where the player fights against hundreds of monsters using an auto-attacking character.

Elden Ring: Elden Ring is played by controlling a character on a journey to repair the titular Elden Ring and become the new Elden Lord.

Hades: Hades follows Zagreus, the son of Hades, as he tries to escape the underworld to Mount Olympus.

Stray: Stray is a Sci-fi adventure game that features a stray cat who falls into a cybercity and sets out to escape with the help of a drone companion, B-12.

To know more verifies games for Steam Deck, you can check this verified game list from Valve’s Steam Deck.

Part 6: How to Get an Optimal Streaming Experience for Steam Deck

Many of you may want to enjoy the best possible streaming experience on Steam Deck, so what else can you do streaming from Steam Deck?

First of all, pay attention to the network connection, which is one of the most important factor to affect your streaming experience. Always use a strong WiFi connection. The minimum speed should be 5Mbps for streaming video games.

Secondly, make sure to get the best possible hardware equipment, since this is a basement of the streaming experience. Ensure to update your PC and Steam Deck to the latest version.

Thirdly, adjust the screen resolution to match your streaming device.

Part 7: What Can You Gain from Steam Deck Streaming?

So we will discuss what benefits you can gain from Steam Deck streaming. Usually, you can enjoy from the following situations:

• Stream Steam games from Steam Deck to PC, or stream from PC to Steam Deck. Delighting your gaming life would be easier with streaming.
• Larger compatibility with PC games allows you to choose more games without hardware limitations.
• You can transfer files easily by connecting your Steam Deck with PC.
• You can use your Windows computer as portable as on your Steam Deck.

Part 8: How to Troubleshoot Steam Deck Problem

There might be some commonly-seen issues while streaming Steam Deck. Here you will learn how to fix these issues.

Case 1: Steam Deck Stream from PC No Sound

If you are facing a steam deck stream from PC no sound issue, here are some solutions:

Case 2: Steam Deck Stream from PC Laggy

If you are experiencing Steam Deck stream from PC laggy or Steam Deck streaming from PC low fps, troubleshoot with these steps:

However, there are some side effects, like controller configuration in games not being accessible. To prevent this, configure the controller for the game before adding the argument to the launch options.

Case 3: Steam Deck Streaming from PC Controller Not Working

If your Steam Deck controller is not working, here's how to fix it.

Part 9: Summary and FAQs about Steam Deck

So this article has summarized the essential information for Steam Deck streaming. To simply put, you can stream Steam Deck via Remote Play or via AirDroid Cast.

Additionally, you can connect Steam Deck with your PC for file transferring, which would be of great help to extend the usage of Steam Deck.

FAQs about Steam Deck Streaming

Can I play offline with Steam Deck?

Elsa

Yes, you can play a game offline with the Steam Deck, as long as it doesn't require an internet connection. But if a game needs an internet connection, you must be online to play on Steam Deck.

Can the Steam Deck stream to Twitch?

Elsa

Yes, you can Stream Steam Deck to Twitch Studio.

Can I stream Netflix to Steam Deck?

Elsa

Steam Deck streaming to Netflix can be done by installing Chrome or using the built-in Mozilla Firefox. However, you should note that you can only stream Netflix at 720p.

Is Steam Deck a streaming console?

Elsa

No, Steam Deck is not a streaming console. It's a handheld gaming device that lets you play games from the Steam library.

How to connect Steam Deck to a monitor?

Elsa

You can connect Steam Dock to a monitor using the USB-C port on the device. Use the USB-C port on the Steam Dock to connect to the monitor using a USB-C to HDMI or DisplayPort cable. After connecting them, turn on the monitor and select the appropriate source input.