Valve has quickly addressed issues caused by the latest Steam client update for its Steam Deck handheld gaming devices. The update, initially released on April 1st, caused some devices to get stuck in boot loops and broke performance settings. Valve issued a corrective update to fix these problems.
The Problems Caused by the Update
The April 1st Steam client update, following a SteamOS update to version 3.6.24, was meant to fix several minor issues, improve download performance, and resolve problems with DualSense controllers. However, users quickly reported issues on Reddit and GitHub, including boot loops and the disappearance of settings to control GPU clock speed and TDP (Thermal Design Power). These problems were unexpected, especially as beta testers had already warned about potential issues.
Valve’s Corrective Measures
Valve responded by re-releasing the client update on the same day, addressing the boot loop issue and restoring the missing performance settings. Additionally, a separate update was made available to the beta channel users, with the same fixes. Beta testers had reported problems with the TDP and GPU sliders since a previous beta update on March 19th, leaving many wondering how these errors made it into the stable release.
Valve acted quickly to fix the issues caused by the Steam Deck update. Users who experienced problems can now enjoy a smoother experience with the corrected update. Despite the temporary hiccup, Valve’s quick response has restored functionality to the Steam Deck.