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?

[MajorDummkopf]

İlk olarak DoomTheRobot tarafından gönderildi:

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?

Ok I hope this helps someone. Using ASUS AX86U with Merlin. You’ll need admin access to your router. I turned off “Enable Smart Connect” which is Asus’s version of dual band (2.4 and 5ghz). Turned off 802.11ax/Wifi6. Changed channel bandwidth to 80mhz and turned off 160mhz.

Turning off Smart Connect was the last thing I changed that finally worked, so IDK if the other stuff matters. Running updates now.

One last thing: before all this, I set up a 5ghz guest WiFi network that didn’t work either.

[TomS99]

İlk olarak Jenaverse tarafından gönderildi:

İlk olarak Superi0rJake tarafından gönderildi:

Same hardware

I’m aware but not seeing complaints from other Oled models, at least not yet.

mine is a normal oled 512gb and i can only use hotspot to connect to internet and get past the setup process but still can't connect to my dual band wifi 6 router

[Sakrilegious]

ASUS RT-AX88U here, had to disable 160mhz to connect. Now I do connect but only get around 100-120Mbs download, my OG 512 LED gets 300-400 right next to it, so far this “upgraded WiFi” is about 4x slower for me. Hardwired into the steam dock the OLED is getting 550-650Mbs.

[Jenaverse]

İlk olarak Superi0rJake tarafından gönderildi:

İlk olarak Jenaverse tarafından gönderildi:

So the ones who have no issue can’t have inputs?

Sorry, please do continue 🫱

If your unit is working what are you doing here? Absolutely worthless

I and other users gave our router brands+models that has worked for us without any modifications. Apologies my lord if such information is not up to your standards. Do remember this community is not just made for you but the rest of us.

What’s worthless is you going around salty at users who are just simply sharing they have working SD+Wi-Fi etc. Ideas, theories and solutions don’t just come from negative feedbacks.

You being to some and wasting your points is not going to help with your SD issues.

[RedAsKetchum]

Im having the same issue on an Asus GS-AX3000 (Wifi 6 router not 6E). My 512GB OLED refuses to connect. Sometimes it wont even pick up any networks so I have to reboot it. The only fix I found was connect my Steam Deck to my phone's hotspot and then reconnect to my router. Only then I can connect to a Wifi 6 network. Very weird... Hoping its a software problem and not a faulty wifi card.

[TheLyricalGamer]

Just opened a support ticket to see what they say? Tried connecting to 3 different wifi networks in various configurations (all of which work on my old steam deck). I was only able to complete the setup process because I used a usb ethernet adapter. Even after installing and doing a firmware update still no luck...

[Rob Sage]

Disabling my WiFi 6 mode on RT-AX3000 with Merlin allowed me to finish setup and download all updates and game if that helps anyone

[King Vasili]

Same issue from day one of receiving OLED SD. That’s what I’ve got from support

Hi there,

We can try troubleshooting your Steam Deck and see if we can rule out any common causes.

Before beginning troubleshooting, please ensure that you've ejected the microSD card if present and disconnected all external devices aside from the provided power supply.

Please check our Network + WiFi Troubleshooting Guide for initial troubleshooting steps. Before troubleshooting further with you, we will expect that you have performed any recommendations given there.

If those recommendations haven't helped you address the issue, please provide us with the following information:
Are you experiencing this issue on a home network, or a professional or campus network?
What is the make and model of your router?
What security protocol does your network use? (WEP, WPA, PEAP, etc.).
Do you have both a 5GHz and 2.4GHz connection available on your network? If so, please confirm that you have used each of them and that the problem is consistent on both.
Please try testing the issue on different networks to confirm whether it occurs elsewhere (avoid testing with a hotspot if possible).
Please confirm that you have tried setting and testing different channels on your WiFi network/router.
Please confirm that you have tried disabling WiFi power management on your Steam Deck and confirmed that the problem persists. You can find this option in the Settings > Developer menu. You may need to enable Developer Mode in Settings > System first for the option to show.

Also, if you have not done so already, we recommend that you have installed any pending updates. To check, you can press the "Steam" button > Settings > System and then under "Software Updates" select "Check for Updates". If an update is available, please select to Install/Apply. Once that is done applying, fully shut down the unit by going to the Power menu and select "Shutdown" and then retest the issue.

Steam Support

[Flash Point]

Omg, thats how i refunded first deck after basically one hour of usage. Fingers crossed oled wont have that crap. Tried lots of stuff trouble shooting and support, nothing worked. Cant actually believe they are still selling faulty product.

[Kage Goomba]

Just got mine today - I have an TP-Link AX6000 Router here - only able to connect to the 5GHz - it just flat refuses to connect to 2.4GHz - seems odd as its the stronger of the two signals. Wireless works fine.
Going to go Cat6 here shortly anyway so kind of moot.

[Kage Goomba]

İlk olarak Rob Sage tarafından gönderildi:

Disabling my WiFi 6 mode on RT-AX3000 with Merlin allowed me to finish setup and download all updates and game if that helps anyone

Wonder if this is my issue - why would the new LE OLED not be WiFi 6 compatible? Odd.

[PopinFRESH]

İlk olarak Kage Goomba tarafından gönderildi:

İlk olarak Rob Sage tarafından gönderildi:

Disabling my WiFi 6 mode on RT-AX3000 with Merlin allowed me to finish setup and download all updates and game if that helps anyone

Wonder if this is my issue - why would the new LE OLED not be WiFi 6 compatible? Odd.

It is WiFi6E compatible. There are however compatibility issues which currently appear to be with Broadcom based chipsets using 160MHz channel width. That is a different issue than what you are describing where it is preferring the 5GHz band over the 2.4GHz band.

Your router is using the same chipset, BCM4908, as what others are reporting issues with.

[Kage Goomba]

İlk olarak PopinFRESH tarafından gönderildi:

İlk olarak Kage Goomba tarafından gönderildi:

Wonder if this is my issue - why would the new LE OLED not be WiFi 6 compatible? Odd.

It is WiFi6E compatible. There are however compatibility issues which currently appear to be with Broadcom based chipsets using 160MHz channel width. That is a different issue than what you are describing where it is preferring the 5GHz band over the 2.4GHz band.

Your router is using the same chipset, BCM4908, as what others are reporting issues with.

Cept I'm able to use 5Ghz - so yeah....

[Tag365]

Is the 160MHz channel width what's causing the occasional disconnect problems for original Steam Deck? Do I need to disable that on my modem?

[Mordenknen]

İlk olarak Tag365 tarafından gönderildi:

Is the 160MHz channel width what's causing the occasional disconnect problems for original Steam Deck? Do I need to disable that on my modem?

On my original steam deck, disabling dfs channels corrected the disconnecting WiFi issues.