Steam Input conceals the actual controller from games on the Steam Deck and provides access to a virtual controller. This could potentially lead to dual inputs from the controller. It is important to note that, at present, there is no legitimate way to disable the Steam Input system-wide; it can only be disabled on a per-game basis.
How to Disable Steam Input
Disabling Steam Input depends upon the controller, Steam Deck generation, game, and game type (Steam or non-Steam). We will list down general guidelines and you may need to amend these steps to make it work in your particular scenario.
1. Disable Steam Input Through the Game Settings
First of all, let’s disable the Input through the Game Controller Settings.
Disable Steam Input
2. Disable the Steam Input in the Desktop Mode
If you are failing to disable the Steam Input in the Game Mode, doing the same in the Desktop Mode will get the issue resolved.
3. Disable the Input Through Big Picture Mode
The Big picture mode offers more options than the game mode and disabling the Input through this mode may do the trick.
Hide Device
4. Leave the Steam Deck Beta
If you are using the Steam Deck beta, many options (such as the old picture mode) may not be available. Leaving the Steam Deck beta will let you use those options.
5. Change the Launch Options of the Game
Certain games have launch options that can be used to disable the Steam controller support which disables the Steam Input. To do so on CSGO:
6. Enable Force Compatibility Tool
Proton enables the playing of Windows games on Linux, which is the base OS Steam Deck runs. If the proton version is not compatible with the game, disabling the Steam Input will fail. Enabling the Force Compatibility Tool for the game will do the trick.
7. Use the Terminal or Konsole
You can use Terminal or Konsole to disable the Steam Input.
Use the VGUI Command
Use the oldbigpicture Command
Use the ECHO Command
Use Script
We will list down steps for Warframe, you may customize these steps to work for the problematic game. If this does not work, you may use the Steam Deck Auto Disable Steam Controller script from GitHub. Use at your own risk, we are sharing it in good faith and not linked with the developers in any way.
8. Use the Customized Shortcut to Launch Steam in the Old Big Picture Mode
The old big picture mode offers the ability to disable the Steam Input and a shortcut can be created to launch the Steam in the said mode.
9. Use an External Controller
If the option for disabling Steam Input is not visible for the built-in controller, connecting an external controller to the Steam Deck will solve the problem.
Disable Steam Input on the Second Controller
Reorder the Controllers
10. Disable the Steam Input in Through Layouts
The controller layout helps in managing the key mapping of the controller. If the Steam Input still cannot be disabled, the same can be disabled by editing the controller layout.
Edit Layout
Use Templates
Change Desktop Configuration
11. Use Steamworks AppID
Steamworks is used to develop games and editing its settings on a compatible game will let us disable Steam Input. If none of the above works, you may contact the controller support or game support to disable Steam Input.
