US EditionYour Steam Deck Can Now Download Games with Screen Off to Save Battery
Valve's new low-power mode lets Steam Deck users download games with the screen off, addressing a three-year demand for energy-efficient downloads.
- On the Steam Deck's Beta and Preview channels, Valve is testing a display-off low-power mode that lets the Steam Deck handheld complete downloads without the screen on, Valve says.
- Two years ago, The Verge asked Valve about this feature, and hardware engineer Yazan Aldehayyat warned downloads burn substantial power, risking a hot Steam Deck in a bag.
- If you press the power button during a download, a dialog asks whether to keep downloading with the display off, and choosing Continue makes the Steam Deck enter low-power mode with a status screen showing progress.
- Steam Deck players receive a new power-saving convenience as Valve's solution lets downloads finish with the display off and prevents bandwidth issues during online competitive games.
- It will be enabled by default when the Steam Deck is plugged in, users can enable it on battery in settings, but full sleep activates below the 20 percent battery threshold, and idle timeout triggers the mode automatically.
17 Articles
17 Articles
Your Steam Deck can now download games with screen off to save battery
Valve just rolled out display-off downloads for the Steam Deck, meaning your games and updates can now install while the screen stays dark. It’s a small change with big impact: less battery drain, fewer heat spikes, and no more staring at a progress bar when you just want to play. Leave it overnight and wake up ready to game.
Steam Deck adds a standby mode for screen-off downloads
Valve is bringing a helpful update to the Steam Deck, adding an option for downloading content while the screen is off. The company is calling it a display-off low-power mode. It will be enabled by default when the Steam Deck is plugged in. The handheld's power settings can also allow it to be active while on battery power, although it will automatically revert to full sleep mode if the battery drops below 20 percent. If a user hits the power bu…
Finally Here: Steam Deck Can Download With The Screen Off, Then Auto-Sleep!
It has been on the wishlist forever, and Valve has just ticked it off: Steam Deck now keeps downloading even with the display off. The beta client enables a low-power mode that finishes your queue, then puts the handheld to sleep. The feature is live in the Steam Deck beta client and is on by default when the device is plugged in. In that state the Deck completes all queued downloads with the screen off, then enters sleep. You can also enable …
Steam Deck gets the feature we all assumed it already had
TL;DR Steam Deck can now finish downloading games with the screen turned off, thanks to an update available in the Beta/Preview channels. The mode saves power, keeps the device cooler, and can help reduce OLED burn-in during long downloads. It works automatically when plugged in and can be enabled on battery, although it pauses when the charge level is below 20%. While the handheld gaming space has become crowded, the Steam Deck remains a commu…
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