Connecting your Steam Deck to a television or monitor has never been easier, thanks to the many docking stations that appeared shortly after the handheld PC's release. They let you play on a big screen using a wired or wireless controller or transform your Steam Deck into a workstation. Even better, some of these diminutive docks accept firmware updates so that you can enjoy an optimized big-screen experience. They're must-have devices if you don't want to work or play using the Steam Deck's 7-inch display.
You can connect your Steam Deck to a television with a simple USB-C to HDMI connector, which you can snag for 10 bucks or less. However, this inexpensive solution doesn't supply power to your Steam Deck, so you'll only be able to play for as long as the Deck has juice. For extended gaming sessions, you want to invest in a dock.
Most Steam Deck docks share similar features, though some of the more expensive versions come with a few extras. They all have a USB-C port to accept a charger, an HDMI port to connect to a display, and a USB-C dongle to connect to the Steam Deck. Most come with additional USB 3.0 or 3.1 ports. Your HDMI port can vary, with some featuring HDMI 1.4 (4K at 30Hz) or HDMI 2.0 (4K at 60Hz).
Ethernet ports also vary by manufacturer, though they are a common feature among the many docks. Keep in mind, however, that the Steam Deck is a complex console. Display-related bugs occasionally crop up, so you may need to troubleshoot as the need arises.
(Credit: PCMag)How to Connect Your Steam Deck to a Dock
Thankfully, connecting a Steam Deck to a dock is a fairly plug-and-play affair. Minimal fiddling is needed once you insert your desired cables where they need to go. Here's how to do it:
- Connect an HDMI cable from your dock to the monitor or TV.
- Connect the USB-C charger to a power source and the dock's rear USB-C port. Unless the manufacturer states otherwise, you want to use the USB-C charger that came with your Steam Deck. Note that Valve's official Docking Station comes with its own USB-C charger.
- Place the Steam Deck on the dock, and connect the USB-C dongle to the port on the top of the Steam Deck.
You should be good to go at this point. Switch your monitor or TV inputs, give the display about 10 seconds to detect the signal, and enjoy the Steam Deck feed on the large display.
How to Set Up Dual-Monitor Support for Your Steam Deck Dock
If you want to run a dual-display setup with your dock, you must switch the Steam Deck to Desktop mode. We highly recommend connecting a keyboard and mouse for traditional PC navigation. It makes setting up two screens much easier.
- Connect your monitors to your Steam Deck dock.
- Hit the Steam Deck's physical Steam button, or the Steam button icon in the screen's lower-left corner.
- Click Power.
- Select Switch to Desktop. From here on out, you must navigate via touch screen or with a connected mouse.
- Click the white KDE icon in the screen's bottom-left corner.
- Select System Settings.
- Select Display Settings.
- Scroll down and select the screen display setting that works for your setup.
Troubleshooting and Updating a Steam Deck Dock
Despite the relative smoothness of the overall setup process, it's entirely possible that your TV doesn't detect or display a signal. If your setup isn't displaying correctly, your dock may need a firmware update.
Several docks feature hardware that can be improved with firmware updates. Valve's Docking Station accepts firmware updates directly through the Steam Deck. Others require you to connect the Steam Deck to a computer to receive updates.
If your device is up to date but you still have signal trouble, try cycling between sleep modes once or twice to clear things up. The Steam Deck has a curious quirk that flubs the screen display when docked. If, after about 10 seconds, the TV or monitor isn't displaying correctly, try this simple trick to get the picture working:
- With the Steam Deck connected to the dock, put the system in Sleep mode by tapping the power button.
- Once the system is in Sleep mode (give it a few seconds), tap the button again to wake it up. Wait 10 seconds to see if the display receives a signal.
- If your TV does not display a signal, repeat the previous two steps.
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Valve's Steam Deck is a thing of beauty, capable of intriguing even the most jaded of gamers. And keep your Deck in perfect working order by staying on top of firmware updates.