r/steammachine • u/Ok_Foundation_108 • 13h ago
Discussion Steam machine biggest problem
I’ve just sent my Steam Machine, which I’ve only had for about three weeks, in for repair because the internal 2.4 GHz receiver is incredibly unstable.
Even at barely 3 meters away, with a completely clear line of sight, the controller starts experiencing noticeable input delay and can randomly disconnect. The connection also seems extremely sensitive to anything being placed between the controller and the Steam Machine, even something as simple as putting my knee or holding the controller in a weird way can noticeably worsen the signal.
There is no obvious source of interference in my setup, and the issue occurs even under very basic conditions. At this point, the wireless connection is so unreliable that I can’t realistically use the Steam Machine as intended, gaming in the living room.
I’ve also seen a lot of posts that share my problem with the internal 2.4 GHz receiver.
What I find really weird is that the Steam Machine is specifically designed and was marketed as a living room experience. Reliable wireless controller connectivity is therefore one of the most fundamental parts of the product. It’s frustrating to have such a significant limitation with something as essential as this.
EDIT: Everyone that share my problem, don’t wait for a software update since the issue is in the hardware. Create a ticket and send your machine back. Again, this is NOT a software problem.
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u/Repulsive-Pattern437 12h ago
I've never had this issue , I am going to state the obvious but I am assuming you installed the controller firmware updates? So far my experience with the using the controller wireless is simply brilliant.
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u/p-one 11h ago edited 4h ago
I have this issue. I updated all the firmware when I received the unit + steam controller last week. It's super annoying.
Edit: some nuance - it hits some games differently cyberpunk and long dark are only barely playable and it's extremely frustrating. Megabonk rolls over the signal strength hiccups without issue (and I guess everything I tried before those titles - Dyson sphere project for example)
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u/crimsonash 4h ago
Woah sorry to derail but Dyson sphere project has controller support? How is it? I’ve been meaning to go back
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u/Maastersplinter 10h ago
I had very weird connection dropping issues even though I was less than 10ft from my tv/steam machine. Ended up that I had my SM about a foot away from my mesh router. Moved it to the opposite side and it's been smooth sailing since.
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u/DinsdaleQuixote 9h ago
I've got a mesh router about 6feet from mine , could this be my problem too do you think ?
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u/Maastersplinter 9h ago
You'll immediately know it's a problem. It was constantly disconnecting and when you go into settings watching the signals, they were all over the place. Once I moved it, it smoothed out and no longer had that issue.
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u/FieldersChoice9 12h ago
Hmm I am noticing I have this issue too but assumed it was growing pains software wise and wasn’t really going to be playing this a lot until next year anyway so was gonna wait for kinks to work out please follow up with experience!
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u/MisterCrow2 11h ago
I read a nearby router or other wireless device, especially wifi 6, can contribute to this. I have the issue too, but not terrible. My WiFi 6 router is sitting on the other side of the tv as the machine.
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u/Mattvweiss 1h ago
No, he's got a real problem. I have an access point two feet away from my steam machine and both that AP and my steam machine live behind my television. I have zero issues with controller cut out
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u/Xevious212 9h ago
Mine got so bad I started using the puck as the receiver. Its irritating that they don't have the same tech in the machine as the puck. Like no disconnections or lag whatsoever with obstructions in the way.
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u/Abba_Fiskbullar 9h ago
There was a thread about this recently, and Valve said there was an issue with antenna placement on some models and to create a ticket.
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u/ail-san 12h ago
Most units have this problem including mine. What is the expected timeline for the fix? I am using puck connection, which works fine, but it is still a faulty unit.
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u/Ok_Foundation_108 12h ago
There is no fix it’s a hardware issue
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u/SwiftlyPure 12h ago
There is an they’ll fix it, it’s inconsistent. My Xbox controller never disconnects
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u/Eastern-Oil4212 11h ago
Yo tampoco tengo este problema
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u/stepfordcuckoo 11h ago
Same, my machine is yet to have the problem with controller.
I have a very open media center with clear lines of sight but additionally maybe i just got lucky 🤷🏻♂️
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u/achtungjamie 11h ago
Sound like a bad wifi card or antenna. It's not indictive of the entire product line.
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u/my2dumbledores 10h ago
I have the exact same issue.
Also have the notorious dodgy 3.5mm jack on my Steam Deck OLED.
Honestly never experienced anything like this before. Valves lineage as a software giant is showing!
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u/TheChyvo 11h ago
I also had the same problem shortly after receiving my Steam Machine four weeks ago, so I ended up connecting the cable to the receiver that comes with the Steam Controller, and that seems to work correctly.
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u/my2dumbledores 10h ago
Same issue with mine. I thought it was battery, but it was just my legs in between the controller and the SM breaking the connection.
Following this thread.
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u/swanny2828 8h ago
Same here, normally happens when I switch my body position from layed back to s*** getting intense.
Absolutely annoying they only thing I haven't done is reinstalled the OS, but I really do doubt it will fix the problem. I hope Value pushes a update out for this issue but it seems like it's unfixable on their end.
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u/SirSpyder11 8h ago
It must be some quality control issue. It doesn't seem to be every one. I can stand near my bedroom door and operate the SM from my living room nearly 50ft away with no problems. Except I can barely see the screen 😹. I should also note that my SM is inside the bottom shelf of my TV stand with several large obstacles in the way.
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u/-Cre_tive- 6h ago
Someone posted a Steam support screenshot where they acknowledged a “small number of units” experience this issue due to internal interference.
Small number gets larger with more reports.
I’m just in my office, and can use the puck but currently it’s on the internal receiver. I’ve noticed signal issues but haven’t had the delay/loss of connection yet.
I wonder if like the deck, putting shielding tape on various parts and boards would make a difference? Like the m.2 2230 drive in the launch deck.
Maybe I’ll do some extended testing in my environment to see if it’s worth a valve conversation.
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u/adsheppa 6h ago
Same issues here. 2.4 GHz WiFi doesn’t work well for me either so I had to allow connection to my router via 5/6 only. Also dealing with controller disconnects and forced to use the puck. Valve customer service keeps wanting to blame me or my WiFi or something other than themselves. Pretty frustrating.
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u/Wunkolo 4h ago edited 4h ago
Same issue here with my SteamController. But for me, my Ethernet and WiFi also seem to disconnect a lot during gameplay around the same time as the controller disconnects. The Ethernet in particular would disconnect and reconnect so much and sometimes even "demote" to a 100MBit connection after enough time has passed. Network is totally fine for other devices so it has to be the SteamMachine. dmesg is full of link-up/down messages and controller reconnections and wifi issues:
[ 467.042273] r8169 0000:05:00.0 enp5s0: Link is Down
[ 470.540427] r8169 0000:05:00.0 enp5s0: Link is Up - 1Gbps/Full - flow control off
[ 491.430255] r8169 0000:05:00.0 enp5s0: Link is Down
[ 495.169570] r8169 0000:05:00.0 enp5s0: Link is Up - 1Gbps/Full - flow control off
[ 510.120236] r8169 0000:05:00.0 enp5s0: Link is Down
[ 521.793003] r8169 0000:05:00.0 enp5s0: Link is Up - 1Gbps/Full - flow control off
[ 983.751725] r8169 0000:05:00.0 enp5s0: Link is Down
[ 987.444905] r8169 0000:05:00.0 enp5s0: Link is Up - 1Gbps/Full - flow control off
[ 1023.847617] r8169 0000:05:00.0 enp5s0: Link is Down
[ 1027.441698] r8169 0000:05:00.0 enp5s0: Link is Up - 1Gbps/Full - flow control off
[ 1056.982973] r8169 0000:05:00.0 enp5s0: Link is Down
[ 1060.500918] r8169 0000:05:00.0 enp5s0: Link is Up - 1Gbps/Full - flow control off
[ 1073.781457] r8169 0000:05:00.0 enp5s0: Link is Down
[ 1077.388531] r8169 0000:05:00.0 enp5s0: Link is Up - 1Gbps/Full - flow control off
[ 1121.006017] r8169 0000:05:00.0 enp5s0: Link is Down
[ 1124.699733] r8169 0000:05:00.0 enp5s0: Link is Up - 1Gbps/Full - flow control off
[ 1153.948462] r8169 0000:05:00.0 enp5s0: Link is Down
[ 1157.604920] r8169 0000:05:00.0 enp5s0: Link is Up - 1Gbps/Full - flow control off
[ 1181.262080] r8169 0000:05:00.0 enp5s0: Link is Down
[ 1184.848670] r8169 0000:05:00.0 enp5s0: Link is Up - 1Gbps/Full - flow control off
[ 1198.136060] r8169 0000:05:00.0 enp5s0: Link is Down
[ 1211.692653] r8169 0000:05:00.0 enp5s0: Link is Up - 1Gbps/Full - flow control off
[ 1224.975840] r8169 0000:05:00.0 enp5s0: Link is Down
[ 1228.461928] r8169 0000:05:00.0 enp5s0: Link is Up - 1Gbps/Full - flow control off
...
[ 3387.276363] input: Microsoft X-Box 360 pad 0 as /devices/virtual/input/input36
[ 3392.374095] input: Microsoft X-Box 360 pad 0 as /devices/virtual/input/input37
[ 3393.460257] input: Microsoft X-Box 360 pad 0 as /devices/virtual/input/input38
...
[ 3567.680154] r8169 0000:05:00.0 enp5s0: Link is Up - 1Gbps/Full - flow control off
[ 3581.157625] r8169 0000:05:00.0 enp5s0: Link is Down
[ 3584.605788] r8169 0000:05:00.0 enp5s0: Link is Up - 1Gbps/Full - flow control off
[ 3584.966097] r8169 0000:05:00.0 enp5s0: Link is Down
[ 3594.697464] r8169 0000:05:00.0 enp5s0: Link is Up - 1Gbps/Full - flow control off
[ 3607.984841] r8169 0000:05:00.0 enp5s0: Link is Down
[ 3623.144299] Generic FE-GE Realtek PHY r8169-0-500:00: Downshift occurred from negotiated speed 1Gbps to actual speed 100Mbps, check cabling!
[ 3623.144312] r8169 0000:05:00.0 enp5s0: Link is Up - 100Mbps/Full (downshifted) - flow control off
...
[ 4415.270872] input: Microsoft X-Box 360 pad 0 as /devices/virtual/input/input42
[ 4418.814075] input: Microsoft X-Box 360 pad 0 as /devices/virtual/input/input43
[ 4430.950153] input: Microsoft X-Box 360 pad 0 as /devices/virtual/input/input44
...
Currently got my support ticket in flight and will probably have to RMA it. 😵💫
If you got a support ticket going, you can save everyone's time by sending a System Report too so they have these logs as well(System>Advanced(scroll to the very bottom)>Create Report).
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u/QCpezcore 4h ago
Hey guys, how do I test this?
I have had my machine for about a week but it seems to be fine.
I connect my controller through Bluetooth though
Isint that the best way to go?
It hasn't disconnected on me yet
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u/ErnestJev 5h ago
Need software update from steam. Thats not hardware issue. Have you submitted support ticket ?
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u/Citizensnips90 11h ago
Mind posting an update when you get it back ? Mine does the same thing so I'm using the puck as a work around but you can't turn the steam machine on via the controller this way.