Can't switch from Desktop Mode to Gaming Mode

Title. It was working fine up until an hour or so ago. When I try to switch to gaming mode (either via the shortcut or by signing out), I get a black screen on all my displays and like the first little sound of the gaming mode boot sequence over and over til it throws me back into desktop mode. If I reboot the PC I get into gaming mode, but it signs me out of Steam and I have to log back in every time. If theres any other info I can give please let me know, thank you
Solution:
if it happens again, its likely worth trying: ujust fix-reset-steam - i've seen others with the issue report that fixes it
Jump to solution
8 Replies
prinnybun
prinnybunOP3w ago
I rolled back from version 42.20250817.1 to 42.20250809 and the issue is gone. seems to have been caused by the update?
Solution
Robbeh
Robbeh3w ago
if it happens again, its likely worth trying: ujust fix-reset-steam - i've seen others with the issue report that fixes it
prinnybun
prinnybunOP3w ago
will do, thank you! it did happen again after rolling back, and that command fixed it, so thank you!
prinnybun
prinnybunOP3w ago
the issue happened again and
ujust fix-reset-steam
ujust fix-reset-steam
isn't fixing it
jazzbangle
jazzbangle3w ago
I don’t have a solution unfortunately as I have been experiencing something similar, is it the same issue as this? https://github.com/ublue-os/bazzite/issues/2497
GitHub
Return to Gaming Mode fails when docked with external monitor · Is...
Describe the bug When my Steam Deck is docked and outputting only to an external monitor over HDMI, choosing "Return to Game Mode" causes the system to hang for several seconds, load back...
prinnybun
prinnybunOP3w ago
Yeah, the system hangs for a bit then it throws me back to desktop and steam gets partially reset like in that post. But I'm on a desktop with 3 displays attached to it. I havent tried disconnecting displays to see if that changes anything My workaround has been to restart the PC when I want to get into gaming mode because it works fine that way
jazzbangle
jazzbangle3w ago
Mine is happening when I'm connecting to my PC via Sunshine with an HDMI dummy plug attached, seems to think there's 'no display' when it's trying to switch modes and goes to a black screen until I disconnect Sunshine... then it just goes back to whatever mode it was in (and occasionally resets Steam like you say) Works fine switching modes when connected to my TV via DisplayPort though
prinnybun
prinnybunOP3w ago
:coolfingergunscry: weird

Did you find this page helpful?