Okay...this has been ongoing for a long time but since it's (apparently?) somewhat niche I can't google fu my way out of it. It's a shot in the dark, but better than nothing. Here goes...
I can't get external monitors on the steam deck to work when using a docking station...except when I use the steam deck dock. In the right circumstances.
So...here's my setup: 2 external monitors (HDMI and VGA, though I've got a display port -> VGA one). Seemed perfect for the steam deck dock. Though I was aware of third party docks being cheaper, the fact it has a secondary docking port made a difference.
Either way...I got it, updated it (the dock has some sort of own firmware thingy)...and tried it. While it TECHNICALLY works, it's flakey at best. That is: it only works if I first exit to desktop mode, have all devices plugged in and then the dock into the device...and then wait 2-5 minutes because things seem to freeze for so long. The display port monitor also has a faulty resolution, though right now that's the least of the issues. In any case: it's in that state of neither disfunctional nor really functional. Oh, and while not advertized: the steam deck dock doesn't have an audio jack. I could get it to play through the HDMI speakers, but these are anything but fit for the purpose.
Now here's the thing: due to my job, I've got the capability to try out some other USB-C docking stations. Three different kinds, to be precise (one expensive Lenovo one, an old HP one and one lenovo one that's more a port replicator thing but in practice works the same). The three of them give the same results, which leads me to suspect it's not the devices but the steam deck.
That is: aside the monitor output, everything works perfectly from the start. Within two seconds, my mouse, keyboard and external USB-drive are found (well...the USB hub containing these things). Power input (aka: charging the deck) and wired connection hardly a second later. I haven't tested the oudio on all three, but these as well function very well.
The external monitor output's the only problem. HDMI or display port doesn't matter: it just doesn't register on the deck(1). Display setting just keeps insisting the small device's monitor's the only one present. Restarting doesn't work (in fact, it blackscreens when you do that, as if it's stuck in an endless loop somehow).
I've tried at least four different brands of monitors at this time, and about as much cables. But as the connection works on the official one, and all four docks work fine with a windows laptop, I think anything but the deck can be ruled out as source of the error).
As said, googling hasn't brought much relief at this point.
* unplugging and replugging the monitor and/or the dock's power hasn't done much(2)
* both in game mode and outside I've updated pretty much anything I can think of
* I've tried both the beta and preview versions instead of the 'stable' one. I'm still on 3.4.6...I heard 3.5 is "a massive overhaul", but I don't know how to update to that one to test
So...I'm at a loss here. Again: it's a long shot. But does anyone know more? Like...how to update the video drivers? (now on 4.6 compatibility profile mesa 22.2.0) Or to force it to update to 3.5?
Thanks for reading...
(1): IIRC the port replicator had a VGA output. But there as well: no dice. I
(2): IIRC it helped an earlier issue with the official steam deck dock, but not the third party ones. And due to the better ergonomics and the audio output, I'd prefer to use that if possible
I can't get external monitors on the steam deck to work when using a docking station...except when I use the steam deck dock. In the right circumstances.
So...here's my setup: 2 external monitors (HDMI and VGA, though I've got a display port -> VGA one). Seemed perfect for the steam deck dock. Though I was aware of third party docks being cheaper, the fact it has a secondary docking port made a difference.
Either way...I got it, updated it (the dock has some sort of own firmware thingy)...and tried it. While it TECHNICALLY works, it's flakey at best. That is: it only works if I first exit to desktop mode, have all devices plugged in and then the dock into the device...and then wait 2-5 minutes because things seem to freeze for so long. The display port monitor also has a faulty resolution, though right now that's the least of the issues. In any case: it's in that state of neither disfunctional nor really functional. Oh, and while not advertized: the steam deck dock doesn't have an audio jack. I could get it to play through the HDMI speakers, but these are anything but fit for the purpose.
Now here's the thing: due to my job, I've got the capability to try out some other USB-C docking stations. Three different kinds, to be precise (one expensive Lenovo one, an old HP one and one lenovo one that's more a port replicator thing but in practice works the same). The three of them give the same results, which leads me to suspect it's not the devices but the steam deck.
That is: aside the monitor output, everything works perfectly from the start. Within two seconds, my mouse, keyboard and external USB-drive are found (well...the USB hub containing these things). Power input (aka: charging the deck) and wired connection hardly a second later. I haven't tested the oudio on all three, but these as well function very well.
The external monitor output's the only problem. HDMI or display port doesn't matter: it just doesn't register on the deck(1). Display setting just keeps insisting the small device's monitor's the only one present. Restarting doesn't work (in fact, it blackscreens when you do that, as if it's stuck in an endless loop somehow).
I've tried at least four different brands of monitors at this time, and about as much cables. But as the connection works on the official one, and all four docks work fine with a windows laptop, I think anything but the deck can be ruled out as source of the error).
As said, googling hasn't brought much relief at this point.
* unplugging and replugging the monitor and/or the dock's power hasn't done much(2)
* both in game mode and outside I've updated pretty much anything I can think of
* I've tried both the beta and preview versions instead of the 'stable' one. I'm still on 3.4.6...I heard 3.5 is "a massive overhaul", but I don't know how to update to that one to test
So...I'm at a loss here. Again: it's a long shot. But does anyone know more? Like...how to update the video drivers? (now on 4.6 compatibility profile mesa 22.2.0) Or to force it to update to 3.5?
Thanks for reading...
(1): IIRC the port replicator had a VGA output. But there as well: no dice. I
(2): IIRC it helped an earlier issue with the official steam deck dock, but not the third party ones. And due to the better ergonomics and the audio output, I'd prefer to use that if possible
