Ever since the release of the Steam Deck, I’ve wanted a device running SteamOS that would fit comfortably in my entertainment centre. Valve recently added a landing page for SteamOS and included an invitation to try it on your own device and provide feedback, so I decided to take the Pepsi Challenge.

I bought the Steam Deck hoping I’d be able to use it on my big TV with a wireless controller. It doesn’t work reliably, sadly.

Why doesn't this work? Seemed fine the few times I've done it.

Steam Deck routinely forgets or cannot see the Xbox controller then I have to pick it up, fiddle with settings, maybe install an update.

By that point I no longer want to play with it.

Ah, I don't have an xbox controller, so maybe I'm lucky in that regard?

I don't get to try on the TV that often, what with the kids having taken over that avenue. :D

I think it’s any Bluetooth device as it routinely has issues with headphones too.

It’s a shame, I had hoped for a console experience and instead got more of a Linux desktop experience.

There was a software update like 6 months or something ago that mentioned Bluetooth in the notes, after that my bluetooth headphones have been 100% reliable with the Deck.

That’s good to know. I’ve had the device for a few years so an update in the last 6 months may have fixed it again as I’ve not tried to use it as I intended since then, only playing in handheld mode.

I have an 8bitDo controller that works quite well. I don't have trouble with it.

Which one? I have several of them. I can try one of those.

It’s not just the Xbox controller I’ve had issues with. PS4 controller and even wireless headphones have failed too.

What I suspect is happening is that the devices are changing their names between versions of SteamOS/Linux Bluetooth stack.

Once I remove and reconnect the devices they work again for a short while. I also have had a number of issues with the wifi connection on the device just being slow so I liked the idea of running it on a dock so I can use Ethernet.

I have the "ultimate", I think? I can't remember the exact model. (Quick search on Amazon shows https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0B9BGJVLL is the one I ordered.)

And I hasten to say that I use it far far more as a portable than on the TV. So, I really don't think you could take too much from my lack of issues with it. I think it is a shame you are having troubles with it, but I don't want to somehow question that you are having troubles with it. I believe you. Bluetooth, in particular, is a technology that baffles me in the weird esoteric ways in which it will completely fall on its face for people.

Yeah especially on Linux. WiFi and Bluetooth have always been a little less than reliable.

I don't know if it is just Linux. A colleague was just fighting his Apple watch not connecting to his new iPhone this week. There is some sort of state bit that gets flipped and essentially ruins things. It is quite impressive in how bad it can go.

Yeah it’s not just Linux (I’ve seen that with my own watch. Factory reset needed) but I have a bunch of Apple gear in the same room and I don’t have issues with Bluetooth there. Nor the Xbox, Switch, etc.

What controller were you using? Was it docked?

Docked with a wireless Xbox controller.