One of the best feature film of the Steam Deck is its varied controls , from face buttons , to joysticks , to extend to controls . But there ’s never a alternative fora full size of it keyboardand computer mouse , and fortuitously , you’re able to plug in them straight to the Steam Deck . It supports pumped and wireless connecter , although you ’ll need a USB hub if you need to use a USB connection .
Here ’s what you ’ll need to enable a keyboard and computer mouse on the Deck , plus which configurations to keep an eye on to help get the performance you have in psyche .
How to connect a wireless keyboard or mouse to the Steam Deck
dance step 1 : Use a compatible wireless keyboard and mouse . Fortunately , the Steam Deck comes with unrestricted Bluetooth 5.0 livelihood , which intend it can work with all kind of Bluetooth gadget . If you want to pick up a Modern Bluetooth keyboard or mouse , we have your back with our guide tothe good wireless keyboardsand thebest wireless mouse .
Step 2 : verify your keyboard and mouse are fully charged , wrick on , and ready to pair with your Steam Deck for the first metre . If either of them have pairing buttons or similar features , make certain they ’re quick to go .
stone’s throw 3 : You do n’t need to switch to background modeto practice a keyboard or black eye . Simply pick out theQAMbutton – the “ … ” clit on the bottom right of the Deck . This pop up the right - side menu . Here , navigate down to the sprocket icon , where you ’ll get theQuick settingsmenu .
Step 4 : At the bottom ofQuick scene , select theOtheroption . This should spread out a small Bluetooth menu . Make certain Bluetooth is enable here – it may not be turned on by default .
stone’s throw 5 : Exit out of the QAM bill of fare , and select the primarySteambutton to open up up the options menu . Go down toSettingsand choose it .
Step 6 : SelectBluetoothfrom the left - side carte du jour . In the right - side screen , you ’ll see all your current Bluetooth choice . front at the section calledAvailable to pair . Keep your keyboard and mouse close by . If they have pairing buttons , now ’s the time to hit them .
When you see your keyboard and mouse appear inAvailable to geminate , select them , and wait for your Steam Deck to pair , then connect . It may take several second for each twist .
Step 7 : If you require to play a game with a keyboard and computer mouse , you should also check your controller layout . The Steam Deck tries to switch to an international gadget layout when it senses affiliated devices , but this does n’t always work justly for a keyboard and mouse .
see the game you want to play on the Steam Deck , and select theControllericon on the right side of the title . This will open controller stage setting , where you may check your current layout . pick out theRight - pointing arrowon the current layout to check available layout alternative . If you see a keyboard and mouse layout uncommitted , interchange to that .
Step 8 : If there ’s no guide for a keyboard and mouse , you could always make your own by opt a young layout , perish toEdit , and go to theMouseandKeyboardsections at the top of the menu , where you could position your own bid and more . Keyboard and mouse controls wo n’t go the same across every secret plan , but this kind of customization can assist . Just check that your Deck does n’t switch back to a different layout the next clock time you depart the plot – reorder the priority of your layouts if you need to .
footstep 9 : Note : If you are already in Desktop modality , then all these pick will act direct from the screen background carte du jour in the bottom right of the filmdom , where you ’ll incur aBluetoothbutton . It ’s just often sluttish to congeal up your keyboard and computer mouse before guide to the background fashion .
How to connect a wired keyboard and mouse to the Steam Deck
Although you ’ll need the Steam Deck Dock or a USB hub to colligate a keyboard and a mouse to the Steam Deck , it ’s very straight .
Step 1 : Plug your Steam Deck into the Steam Deck Dock , or connect a compatible USB - century hub .
Step 2 : Connect your keyboard and/or sneak to the Steam Deck Dock or the USB Hub using their USB cable television service . If you do n’t have the right USB connection , you should be able-bodied to use a USB adapter .
Step 3 : Your keyboard and mouse should be detect by the Steam Deck and should now work as intended .
If there are specific games you require to play on the Steam Deck with a keyboard and black eye , verify tocheck their compatibility first .
