Absurd WiFi connection issues on Steam Deck OLED 1TB LE

[DoomTheRobot]

EDIT 7/9/2024: A new developer option in the 3.6 Beta (and now in the latest stable) seems to have fixed my connectivity issues. I can now connect to my Nighthawk RAX35. Here's the process if you want to give it a try:

1. Update your Steam Deck to the latest version
   
2. Enable Developer Mode in System tab
   
3. Go to new Developer settings tab at the bottom
   
4. Enable "Force WPA Supplicant WiFi backend" option
   
5. Reboot

This is what worked for me.

EDIT 5/4/2024: I should've done this way earlier but here is a list of routers that seem to be having issues:

• NETGEAR Nighthawk RAX35 (v1.0.5.104_1.0.1)
  
• NETGEAR Nighthawk RAX30 (v1.0.10.94)
  
• ASUS RT-AX86U Pro
  
• ASUS RT-AX88U
  
• ASUS Rapture GT-AX6000
  
• TP-Link Deco M4
  
• TP-Link AX50
  
• TP-Link AX6000
  
• Telekom's "Speedport Pro Plus"
  
• Sagemcom CS50001

If you're still having issues even after updating to the latest stable, post your router info and firmware version here so I can include it in this list.

EDIT 3/30/2024: If you are still having connection issues, try finding a way to update to 3.5.17 stable, as it contains various WiFi fixes which may fix the problems you could be facing. If not, head over to this GitHub issue[github.com] and leave a comment about the issue you're having.

Just got mine yesterday and have been having off-and-on issues with WiFi connectivity that never happened at all with my previous Steam Deck LCD 512GB model. This is not an issue with my connection as none of this has ever happened over the two or so years of using my original Steam Deck.

During the initial setup process, it refused to connect to my WPA2 secured WiFi network with nothing other than "Failed to connect" when attempting to connect to it. I'd enter my password and it'd sit for a while until it eventually fails. Despite this, I connected to my mobile hotspot perfectly fine to finish the setup process.

Here's what I've done so far:

• Rebooted the Router (obviously)
  
• Re-imaged SteamOS
  
• Disabled WiFi Power Saving
  
• Tried switching between 2.4GHz and 5GHz connections

I even went into Desktop mode and tried messing with the settings there. No luck.

For whatever reason though, and this is the confusing part: After multiple restarts it automatically connects to the WiFi network with no issues. It's almost completely random whether or not it wants to connect on boot. After connecting it works perfectly fine. No "Failed to connect", no loss of speed, works just as it did like the previous Steam Deck.

But once I eventually shutdown, it just happens again until I restart the system multiple times until it works again. Absolutely no clue why. I didn't mind it at first as I assumed it was just a software bug that would eventually go away, but now it's becoming extremely frustrating.

So what's the deal here? Is this a hardware issue or is my network just messed up somewhere? Where do I even start?

[Styromaniac]

İlk olarak RedAsKetchum tarafından gönderildi:

İlk olarak Styromaniac tarafından gönderildi:

I'm having the same problem. The LCD Deck I have has no such issue while the LE orange accented OLED does. This isn't acceptable, but I believe Valve will make good on an RMA.

Its not a hardware issue though. Too many people are experiencing the problem with the exact same symptoms.

I did somewhat prematurely conclude that it has to be RMA'd. Looks like mine is fine now. I'll report if the problem returns.

[Kage Goomba]

İlk olarak RedAsKetchum tarafından gönderildi:

İlk olarak Styromaniac tarafından gönderildi:

I'm having the same problem. The LCD Deck I have has no such issue while the LE orange accented OLED does. This isn't acceptable, but I believe Valve will make good on an RMA.

Its not a hardware issue though. Too many people are experiencing the problem with the exact same symptoms.

If I had to guess - its firmware based.

If the Card wasn't compatible - it wouldn't see the network.
Which means its an authentication issue/deciphering issue.

So one can be hopeful they can patch this.

Worst case - they patch it out where WiFi6 is tuned out forcibly (sucks but its better than lying)

Even worse - RMA required - that's not going to go over well.

[RedAsKetchum]

İlk olarak Kage Goomba tarafından gönderildi:

İlk olarak RedAsKetchum tarafından gönderildi:

Its not a hardware issue though. Too many people are experiencing the problem with the exact same symptoms.

If I had to guess - its firmware based.

If the Card wasn't compatible - it wouldn't see the network.
Which means its an authentication issue/deciphering issue.

So one can be hopeful they can patch this.

Worst case - they patch it out where WiFi6 is tuned out forcibly (sucks but its better than lying)

Even worse - RMA required - that's not going to go over well.

I mean if they patch it out where Wifi6 cant work anymore then they committed false advertising. Doubt theyll risk it that much. Its crazy how these OLEDs were rushed into the wild in such a state.. Nobody thought of testing the wifi? Like tf.

[Kage Goomba]

İlk olarak RedAsKetchum tarafından gönderildi:

İlk olarak Kage Goomba tarafından gönderildi:

If I had to guess - its firmware based.

If the Card wasn't compatible - it wouldn't see the network.
Which means its an authentication issue/deciphering issue.

So one can be hopeful they can patch this.

Worst case - they patch it out where WiFi6 is tuned out forcibly (sucks but its better than lying)

Even worse - RMA required - that's not going to go over well.

I mean if they patch it out where Wifi6 cant work anymore then they committed false advertising. Doubt theyll risk it that much. Its crazy how these OLEDs were rushed into the wild in such a state.. Nobody thought of testing the wifi? Like tf.

Its better than living with a defective product based on bad code - WiFi Routers can provide 2.4 GHz at standards below WiFi6 WITHOUT turning it off - this means the SteamDeck has a problem in its code.

How do I know this? I have devices using 2.4 GHz that are not WiFi6 using it right now. No issue.

[Styromaniac]

I'm just gonna make my third and hopefully last comment on this subject, because the firmware update and maybe switching to WPA3 Personal + turning off 160MHz fixed the WiFi. The fact that it fluctuates in its ability to work properly before any measures are taken to resolve it does point toward a firmware issue.

Future Deck OLEDs will ship with the kinks already worked out if Valve takes a close enough look at the WiFi instability.

[grzelu]

Do you get stable connection? Because even with 160Mhz turned off, I still lose connection every 30s.

[Darth_Shredda]

I keep losing 1 bar from the wifi on the 5g band. It'll fluctuate between 3 to 4 bars randomly. Mind you, im a few inches away from the router and its the only device on its network. It doesn't happen when it's on the 2.4 band tho. I've tried disabling the 160MHz, restarting my router (GT-AX11000 pro). Nothing helps. I hope they can release a firmware patch soon.

[Styromaniac]

İlk olarak grzelu tarafından gönderildi:

Do you get stable connection? Because even with 160Mhz turned off, I still lose connection every 30s.

İlk olarak Darth_Shredda tarafından gönderildi:

I keep losing 1 bar from the wifi on the 5g band. It'll fluctuate between 3 to 4 bars randomly. Mind you, im a few inches away from the router and its the only device on its network. It doesn't happen when it's on the 2.4 band tho. I've tried disabling the 160MHz, restarting my router (GT-AX11000 pro). Nothing helps. I hope they can release a firmware patch soon.

Please try switching to WPA3 Personal in desktop mode. I've done that and been able to play through a Rocket League match no problem. I have an ASUS router with ASUS Merlin firmware.

[Darth_Shredda]

I've tried it still no luck. The wifi signal strength is at 89% while viewing it on desktop mode.

[neodata686]

I switched my clock to 24 hour (seems to sync the clocks) and been on my wifi 6 router with the 160Mhz band enabled for 2 days now with it working. Very strange.

[Kage Goomba]

İlk olarak neodata686 tarafından gönderildi:

I switched my clock to 24 hour (seems to sync the clocks) and been on my wifi 6 router with the 160Mhz band enabled for 2 days now with it working. Very strange.

Wait.... you switched your clock to 24 Hour time mode and its working?
The hell....

I need to test this.

EDIT: Nope - failed.
Only able to connect to 5Ghz

Clock is a red herring.

[Darth_Shredda]

İlk olarak Kage Goomba tarafından gönderildi:

İlk olarak neodata686 tarafından gönderildi:

I switched my clock to 24 hour (seems to sync the clocks) and been on my wifi 6 router with the 160Mhz band enabled for 2 days now with it working. Very strange.

Wait.... you switched your clock to 24 Hour time mode and its working?
The hell....

I need to test this.

EDIT: Nope - failed.
Only able to connect to 5Ghz

Clock is a red herring.

Can valve please fix this soon. 😫

[Kage Goomba]

İlk olarak Darth_Shredda tarafından gönderildi:

İlk olarak Kage Goomba tarafından gönderildi:

Wait.... you switched your clock to 24 Hour time mode and its working?
The hell....

I need to test this.

EDIT: Nope - failed.
Only able to connect to 5Ghz

Clock is a red herring.

Can valve please fix this soon. 😫

Amen - granted I'm on wired but still.

[neodata686]

İlk olarak Kage Goomba tarafından gönderildi:

İlk olarak neodata686 tarafından gönderildi:

I switched my clock to 24 hour (seems to sync the clocks) and been on my wifi 6 router with the 160Mhz band enabled for 2 days now with it working. Very strange.

Wait.... you switched your clock to 24 Hour time mode and its working?
The hell....

I need to test this.

EDIT: Nope - failed.
Only able to connect to 5Ghz

Clock is a red herring.

There's been a few other people who have mentioned this fix working. It's not specifically the 24 hour clock piece, but something to do with your time being out of sync. There was a solution posted a couple pages back. I switched mine to 24 hours, restarted, and it immediately connected to my wifi 6 router.

Also...the problem is it CANNOT connect to 5Ghz with 160hz enabled. You're saying you CAN connect to 5Ghz?

[Kage Goomba]

İlk olarak neodata686 tarafından gönderildi:

İlk olarak Kage Goomba tarafından gönderildi:

Wait.... you switched your clock to 24 Hour time mode and its working?
The hell....

I need to test this.

EDIT: Nope - failed.
Only able to connect to 5Ghz

Clock is a red herring.

There's been a few other people who have mentioned this fix working. It's not specifically the 24 hour clock piece, but something to do with your time being out of sync. There was a solution posted a couple pages back. I switched mine to 24 hours, restarted, and it immediately connected to my wifi 6 router.

Also...the problem is it CANNOT connect to 5Ghz with 160hz enabled. You're saying you CAN connect to 5Ghz?

AX6000 TP Link Router - WiFi6 up the rear - I can connect to 5Ghz just fine - but not 2.4 Ghz

It's not the clock being out of synch - that I can promise lol.
But alas - ill try a restart at some point and see if it changes.