Sound keeps cutting out when docked.

[vic_viper_001]

When I dock my Steamdeck to a TV and play, the audio will cut out at random for anywhere between 5-30 seconds, which may or may not also include a static sound. Audio comes back on its own. Video remains unaffected.

It happens in every single game I've tested. It happens with an Anker hdmi hub AND the OFFICIAL docking station. It happens on all the TV's I've tested, and with multiple hdmi cables. It happens when playing in game mode and desktop mode. It happens in every update channel (stable, beta, preview).

Sometimes the audio cuts out within 10 minutes, sometimes it might take an hour... But no matter what, the audio WILL cut out at some point. Once it does, it will continue to happen on and off intermittently.

This doesn't happen in handheld mode

It's really distracting to have the audio keep cutting out when playing a game...

[orderlyentropy]

This is happening to me as well, just as described. It feels like it just started, I am on the beta channel. Currently playing Tunic, previously Evoland. Two weeks ago we played Gris and Oxenfree through the same dock and did not have this issue.

[zorakbrak]

Same Issue. Same Situation. I've going back to the stable channel but haven't had enough play time to say if it solved the issue or not.

[itsjustmagik]

Same here whether docked or handheld. I've been playing a range of games that all have this same issue, makes me want to refrain from making new purchases for it. No fix from steam support either.

[Nicky T]

Same problem here! Did you ever figure out a reason for this???

[ClickZoom]

I've noticed this only happens when docked to a hub that also charges... if I disconnect the charger and the issue stops. I've tried 3 different docks before I realized this... seems the issue is a problem with the decks usb-c interface when charging and outputting to a display via that dock. It's a real bummer as it means you can't really use the deck as a true console 😞


Update: I managed to sort of resolve my issue... I have the JSAUX dock for the deck and on a hunch that it was poor isolation in the built in hub I connected my QGeem usb-c hub that also supports power injection to the usb-c power input port on the JSAUX dock. I connected the power supply fir the steam deck (factory one) to the QGeem hub and the deck does get power and the interference issue does resolve. I'm not 100% sure if this is because the power injection is being cleaned up a bit better before it gets to the deck but it seems to have resolved the issue!

[sunspark]

I saw a post earlier that said that they have positive results from not using the updated fan control as well.. might be worth a try changing the setting without those daisy-chained hubs to see if you also get a good result.

[Mercy2Thousands]

I have this on my brand new steam deck and official docking station. It happens on every game Gun, Fallout New Vegas, Hammer watch, Tomb Raider ESPECIALLY when my character is not moving or speaking. Like if a character is speaking, between pauses there is zero ambient noise or anything at all until they are saying a word.

This is game ruining.

[keys]

Same issues for me too. Had the JSAUX and now have the official dock and issue remains. Used different HDMIs as well. Frustrating to say the least

[Francois_DK]

Hi same problem here. Steam support did not offer any fix. I have asked for a refund of my official dock.

[dgw]

Have also reproduced this with three different HDMI adapters (including Valve dock) and four different TVs/receivers from various brands. Definitely seems to be related to the Deck itself, as in the cases where I have been able to test a different device with the same TV/receiver the other device's audio output is stable.

Now on SteamOS 3.4.6, no apparent change. Still cuts out fairly often, whether playing a game or watching videos (streaming or local).

[Foosty]

Same issue

[vic_viper_001]

I pulled out my steam deck and tested it for the first time in months... after doing all the available updates of course. Within less than 3 minutes, the audio cut out and there was static. My TV has apparently singled out the steam deck from all my other devices, and just doesn't like it for some reason. It's either that, or Valve doesnt know/doesn't care about this issue. I wager it's the latter...

[HopperTron]

It still happens, SteamOS 3.5.7. There was a bug report about it which they marked closed saying it was fixed in 3.5.0 (it wasn’t).

[Pedrof]

Same problem here. A year and a half later and still not fixed ? Damn. I know the Deck is way more feature-rich than a Playstation, but boy is the QA lacking in their product.

[mikote2000]

Same here. It's very annoying