Steam Deck OLED 512 can't connect to wifi

[Officer McSexy]

Which is weird, since LCD Deck connected with no issues from the beginning. I was only able to pass initial setup because I hand type-C ethernet dongle lying around. Trying to connect in desktop mode returns error 'no secrets were provided'

[Whitetiger]

Very interesting, I'm also having this issue on a Asus RT-AX86U. I got it working by enabling a 2.4ghz guest network connection and will disable the 160hz band later.

Don't think I saw it mentioned, but I couldn't complete the out-of-box experience without Wi-Fi. So this is sort of a deal breaker for people who don't search and find this thread.

[Kevin]

same issues here - just got oled deck today and have not been able to connect. weirdly, it worked for about 5 min before it stopped working and nothing has helped

[C1TIZ3N]

Same issue with LE model, wi-fi not working, however I was able to complete setup and install games using steam deck official dock with wired connection. It sounds like valve is aware of this issue so hopefully they can deploy a fix in the near future.

[Corn Flakes]

Reporting in. Same issue..

RTAX86U router

[PopinFRESH]

Looking through most of the reports in the various threads where people listed their WiFi router, this appears to be a problem on broadcom AX based routers. The majority of which have noted Asus but it does not appear to be limited to Asus; and primary appears to be an issue with joining the two 80MHz channels for WiFi 6 on the 5GHz frequency. The Netgear Nighthawk models that have also been mentioned are also based on the same Broadcom BCM49408 processor and dual BCM43684 radios.

If anyone who has such an Asus router and is comfortable testing with a 3rd party firmware, such as AsusWRT-Merlin, to see if they resolve the issue with 160MHz channels that would be worth while, however, still somewhat limited because Broadcom doesn't make things accessible.

[Chocolate&Cheese]

Update. Just got mine and could even get into developer mode because couldn't finish setup because couldn't access wifi. Bit of a shipshow.

I have a 2.4/ 5 ghz meshnet wich is pretty common these days (Asus).

I was able to connect by manually disabling the 2.4 ghz radio. It's updating now. We'll see if the issue persists after the firmware updates.

Quite a rocky start though. This my second steam deck and not impressed out the gate.


update. firmware updated and no wifi again.

[Officer McSexy]

Originally posted by Mahjik:

Originally posted by Officer McSexy:

Oh god, I knew someone like you will eventually see it :D I have AP which takes cord from the wall and has it's own 2.4 and 5 Ghz networks (sorry for newbie terminology). One "repeater" connected to this AP by ethernet and provides it's own network (does it make it AP then?). Another 'repeater' is wirelessly connected to previous one. This whole setup made by my internet provider so I didn't bother to dive into details

Thank you for the clarification!

Thanks for your questions, it helps me understand networks little more)

Originally posted by Mahjik:

Does your network support Wifi 6? I'd be shocked if it really was your APs that are the problem.

BTW, if you can get the coverage you need without the repeaters, you'll clean up your traffic/bandwidth.

Can't find any mention of Wi-Fi6 and it's relatively old, so I suppose, no.
And also, lack of repeaters improved ping and download speed, so, again, thanks for the hint)

[Mordenknen]

I bought the standard edition OLED 1TB model. I have an ASUS GS-AX5400 router. I had the same issues when I started setup with not being able to connect.

This fixed the issue for me:
1) go into router setup and turn off the 160MHZ frequency band.

2) restart your router.

3) restart your steam deck and try to connect, it should work, fixed it for me.

I was unable to connect until I did that. Now connection is stable.

[76561198012242218]

Originally posted by Mordenknen:

I bought the standard edition OLED 1TB model. I have an ASUS GS-AX5400 router. I had the same issues when I started setup with not being able to connect.

This fixed the issue for me:
1) go into router setup and turn off the 160MHZ frequency band.

2) restart your router.

3) restart your steam deck and try to connect, it should work, fixed it for me.

I was unable to connect until I did that. Now connection is stable.

Yeah but now you're router is gimped

Unacceptable

[C1TIZ3N]

Originally posted by Cornholieo:

Originally posted by TweetFPV:

I am also having the same 5Ghz WIFI issues on my LE OLED. I am running a Asus RT-AX86U. Disabling 160 MHZ on 5Ghz and i can connect now.

THANKS! This ended up fixing the issue for me!

This also worked for me, thank you!

[Kevin]

the 160hz disabling worked for me, thank you!

[Whitetiger]

Originally posted by PopinFRESH:

If anyone who has such an Asus router and is comfortable testing with a 3rd party firmware, such as AsusWRT-Merlin, to see if they resolve the issue with 160MHz channels that would be worth while, however, still somewhat limited because Broadcom doesn't make things accessible.

I'm using this firmware and it does not work. I've now disabled 160 mhz and may try with it enabled in 6 months when this is resolved.

[kalendros]

Connected 2,4 meanwhile any drivers o firmware update. Seems to work this way.

[PopinFRESH]

Originally posted by Whitetiger:

Originally posted by PopinFRESH:

If anyone who has such an Asus router and is comfortable testing with a 3rd party firmware, such as AsusWRT-Merlin, to see if they resolve the issue with 160MHz channels that would be worth while, however, still somewhat limited because Broadcom doesn't make things accessible.

I'm using this firmware and it does not work. I've now disabled 160 mhz and may try with it enabled in 6 months when this is resolved.

Cool thanks for following up on that to confirm one way or the other.

[RiVLez]

Originally posted by titan:

Looks like I've found the support group for us people who just bought a $550 paperweight! Beautiful screen, shame I can't use it. Valve has had wifi connection issues throughout the Deck's entire life so it's not too surprising but come on.
Router: Asus RT-AX86U. Echoing some of the above I can connect sometimes to 2.4, seemingly only if it auto-connects after a restart, but have never connected to 5.

Same router I have but I use Merlin FW but still doesn't work.