USB C Dock Issues

[MaximusX800]

I understand that the Steam Deck and software was developed from a handheld first prospective, and to that end it works great.

Personally, Game Mode is very well designed and I would only prefer to use that, Docked with a controller.

However, with a USB C dock, there seems to be some major issues here.

Dock being used is a: HP USB-C G5
I have installed the latest Deck updates (non-beta)

Here is a list to name a few:

Cannot use a Xbox Series X|S controller wirelessly, wired works flawless. Controller never connects to Deck.

Trying with multiple different external displays, 4K TV, 1080P TV, 1080P monitor, Game Mode has some kind of off set scaling problem, I thought it was due to 4K res, but it happens with the other displays I mentioned. Meaning, information is off screen. This is apparent even when attempting to Steam stream from the Deck.

Connecting the Steam Deck to this dock and a 4K Samsung TV enforces native resolution only, and 30Hz refresh rate for some reason, in Game Mode. While booting a game enforces the 800p res, the 30Hz refesh rate is still enforced.

In desktop mode, with this same TV, enabling screen mirroring, as I do not want two independent displays, I can change res and refresh rate. But scaling from games and apps are wrong, and it thinks it's only a portion of the screen when fullscreen.

Not sure if it's a software issue or what, but with my dock, most of the time, the display is not switched between the Deck screen and the external, once plugged in, other dock connected devices do work tho.

I am willing to provide more details, but there are some kinks that need to be sorted out with using a USB C Dock, before I would consider it even usable.


If any early adopters or Valve support have suggestions, I would greatly appreciate it.

[nulmora]

How did you get the HP G5 to connect with your Steam Deck. I have an HP G5 connected to a TCL 43" TV 4k...

[MaximusX800]

My HP dock never had an issue connecting. There were status when it would not switch to the external display sometimes, but all else connected always worked from it. Like K+M, headset etc.

[nulmora]

My hp g5 connects but the external display (tcl 43” 4K tv) thru hdmi would not show up. It’s pretty Weird.

[MaximusX800]

Just adding that with this dock I was able to use video through DisplayPort, same scaling issue is present. Perhaps you need to update the docks firmware to fix your issue.

[MaximusX800]

Figured out display scaling issue in Desktop mode, if you mirror the Deck screen on an external display, it will only use that res for fullscreen apps, and will not scale them to fullscreen.

[MaximusX800]

@LECHADO

I updated my HP G5 dock firmware and now it seems to run much more stable with a 1080P panel, will test with a 4K panel later.

[MaximusX800]

New update helps with enforced virtual 800p res in Gaming Mode, but with my TV, it's still enforcing 30Hz, and again carries over to playing a game.

[MaximusX800]

Well, I fixed my issue, completely over looked a setting on my TV. After making that change, I can use 60hz refresh rate.

I will say that the new update does not resolve the scaling issue with Gaming Mode overlay. But it can be reset by replugging in the dock to the Deck.

Still need to sort out Xbox controller wireless connectivity.

[MaximusX800]

Rolled back Xbox Series controller firmware to fix that issue.

[Mono]

Does your deck crash when you put your deck to sleep while docked and then wake it up while still being docked? Because mine does. I have so many issues with docking experience that I gave up on it for now.

[MaximusX800]

Yes this has happened to me as well, mainly in Desktop mode. And yes, I'm doing the same thing, giving up on docking it until more updates release.

[RageOfa_nOOb]

Originally posted by MaximusX800:

I understand that the Steam Deck and software was developed from a handheld first prospective, and to that end it works great.

Personally, Game Mode is very well designed and I would only prefer to use that, Docked with a controller.

However, with a USB C dock, there seems to be some major issues here.

Dock being used is a: HP USB-C G5
I have installed the latest Deck updates (non-beta)

Here is a list to name a few:

Cannot use a Xbox Series X|S controller wirelessly, wired works flawless. Controller never connects to Deck.

Trying with multiple different external displays, 4K TV, 1080P TV, 1080P monitor, Game Mode has some kind of off set scaling problem, I thought it was due to 4K res, but it happens with the other displays I mentioned. Meaning, information is off screen. This is apparent even when attempting to Steam stream from the Deck.

Connecting the Steam Deck to this dock and a 4K Samsung TV enforces native resolution only, and 30Hz refresh rate for some reason, in Game Mode. While booting a game enforces the 800p res, the 30Hz refesh rate is still enforced.

In desktop mode, with this same TV, enabling screen mirroring, as I do not want two independent displays, I can change res and refresh rate. But scaling from games and apps are wrong, and it thinks it's only a portion of the screen when fullscreen.

Not sure if it's a software issue or what, but with my dock, most of the time, the display is not switched between the Deck screen and the external, once plugged in, other dock connected devices do work tho.

I am willing to provide more details, but there are some kinks that need to be sorted out with using a USB C Dock, before I would consider it even usable.


If any early adopters or Valve support have suggestions, I would greatly appreciate it.

I have a dell c dock never problem with display out or bluetooth those are always a solid however to get it to recognize 'usb a' devices I almost always have to restart the deck when it comes back up in the gaming mode and the mouse cursor is working on my logitech mouse I can then go into desktop mode and enjoy the deck on my marry way. Hope this helps, enjoy! Love my deck

[FreedomFighter™]

My experience with docking in desktop mode is not good either. I have a 1440p 165hz monitor connected with USB-C to the Deck. In the KDE settings i select a 165hz refresh rate, screen goes black for 20 seconds and reverts back to 60. Most of the time the refresh rate selected in KDE differs from what the monitor OSD reports. I have 144 selected, 72 hz is the real refresh rate shown by the screen (and feels like 72).
I also tested some games:

• Left 4 Dead 2
  Changes the refresh rate always to 48hz and sometimes has tearing with Vsync On. When i return to the desktop it says in KDE 144hz but the OSD says 48hz...really weird
  
• Apex Legends
  In desktop mode has horrible frame pacing/lag, but in Gaming Mode it's fine

[Toka.Dadzai]

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[TheKerevas]

To have 4K 60Hz on your TV and then play at 60FPS on Deck mode you need a cable / adapter or Dock Station that supports 4K 60Hz...