Boot up stuck at „Checking for available updates“

[h_19]

First, please read:

1. This is NOT a new issue (, I know).

2. Still, though, there is NO simple workaround available on the web (afaik). Everything I found online requires one of: re-imaging of Steam OS/Deck (data wipe/loss!) or using a Linux-Live-System plus knowledge/walkthrough to do the "magic" console commands. Both requiring a USB-Stick (USB-C).

3. BUT, luckily, there IS a simple workaround (provided you have ready: "LAN-to-USB_C" adaptor + LAN cable + access to router with active internet connection). Still easier to purchase the supplements / to do than in #2.

4. If you want to know why this incident is occuring on your Steam Deck - scroll down to "Third, why all the trouble?"

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Second, the workaround (takes ~10 minutes):

(w1) Power down Steam Deck. Grab a "LAN-to-USB_C" adaptor and a LAN cable. Go to the router/device for connecting your Steam Deck to the internet by LAN (wired). Before proceeding, check that the router has working internet connection.

(w2) Plug the "LAN-to-USB_C" adaptor into Steam Deck (find USB-C socket directly left to the Steam Deck's power button and power LED).

(w3) Plug one end of the LAN cable into the unoccupied socket (RJ45) of the "LAN-to-USB_C" adaptor.

(w4) Plug the other end of the LAN cable into an unoccupied socket (RJ45) of the router/device for wired internet connection.

(w5) Power up Steam Deck and wait for the boot procedure to get to the „Checking for available updates“ step. A split second later the Steam Deck screen should display messages like "downloading update", "unpacking update", "installing update" - or similar.

(w6) Stay patient and wait for the Steam Deck to finish what it is doing ... - ... and eventually You should be presented with the login screen to the Steam Deck's gaming mode, just as usual.

(w7) You may want switch Steam to go online and check for system updates or pending downloads for games. Next: Shut down your Steam Deck. Then unplug the adaptor from the Steam Deck's USB-C socket.

(w8) Done! Power on your Steam Deck and check if all is working fine again, now. It should. Time to relax and play some game! :-)

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Third, why all the trouble?
+ There are some situations that require the Steam Deck to connect to Steam online ressources (software updates / files), to get the device working again! If you read this, you probably just ran into one of those situations.

+ So, if the Steam Deck then cannot establish a working internet connection (or the servers are down), it will fail to access the sources and cannot download the required files.

+ Thus, ending up in an infinite loop of try and fail to access/download servers/files. Leaving the user with the message „Checking for available updates“ on screen, "forever".

+ If the reason for this is that the device just cannot (for what reason ever) connect to the internet, using wi-fi/WLAN - it will be stuck at this point forever, irrecoverably.

+ Luckily, if there is a working internet access point (router), allowing for a working wired connection of your device - there is hope. Provided you have ready a "LAN-to-USB_C" adaptor and a LAN cable to connect your Steam Deck to the internet, wired (LAN) - the device will skip trying to connect through wi-fi (WLAN) and make use of the wired connection. Everything fine.

+ I assume that one reason, why the Steam Deck will fail to establish a wireless connection is: when the "Activate wi-fi/WLAN"-switch is off in the Steam Deck settings. As well as when the "Go online Steam"- switch is off, maybe.

+ Anyway, keeping the Steam Deck settings to "wi-fi on" and "Steam online" will be worth nothing, if the Steam Deck is not within range to connect to one of the WLANs it has been connected to before.

+ In the end it comes down to this: Please, Steam, cure this ill behaviour so the Deck will no longer require an active internet connection to repair "things" to successfully boot up to gaming or desktop mode. To, then, maybe go online (with the help of the user) from there, to check/fix things further, if neccessary.

[Dash Rendar]

I just encountered this issue when restarting the deck. It was connected to my desk in desktop mode and would not wake up, so I used the power button to reboot it and now I have this problem. Trying this with the official steam deck dock and an Ethernet cable connected, since I don't have a usb-c-to-ethernet adapter handy, and I am leaving for a road trip tomorrow. Unfortunately this method is not working for me, but I will try again with a proper usb-c-to-ethernet adapter later.

UPDATE: Okay shortly after posting this it just booted up like normal. It did struggle to log in and there was an exclamation mark next to the wifi symbol after connecting it back to wifi. Then just entering offline mode and turning it back on returned everything to normal, as far as I can tell...

[MC Mjolnir]

I ran into this. A simpler, and more likely readily available solution: plug your phone in with a USB-C cable and enable USB tethering. The Deck can then use your phone's connection (WiFi or mobile data) to get past the check.

[猴武士]

this shouldn't be an issue. valve really need to make an option to bypass this update process when connection is not available

[⚔️🛡️ Mikee]

First time to see valve fail spectacularly

[Nurzhan]

Originally posted by MC Mjolnir:

I ran into this. A simpler, and more likely readily available solution: plug your phone in with a USB-C cable and enable USB tethering. The Deck can then use your phone's connection (WiFi or mobile data) to get past the check.

Thank you dude, you're the best.