Steam freezes Ubuntu 16.04 [SOLVED]

[dagothar]

Hi!

I've been using Steam on Linux without issue for years, but now I can't get it to work on my new laptop with Ubuntu 16.04 OS.
I managed to install Steam from repositories, but I cannot successfully launch it. The startup hangs on the connecting to user account window. What is worse, it completely freezes my OS (networking fails - I can't access any websites after this point; also I can not unmount disks anymore!). I cannot execute the shutdown normally, and the only thing that helps is REISUB.
There seems to be noting useful in the output in the terminal (no errors, except for a complaint abount being unable to remove certain vdf file).

I am completely clueless on what to do next and would appreciate your help :)

Thanks.

[ack0329]

perhaps add the 32 bit librararies - so common of a problem since 16.04,
steam works flawlesslessly with Ubuntu-Gnome just for the record, and perhaps take this negative time to install it and add GNome-tweak-tool and get awesome extensions.

LOL - Just my idea of turning a negative into a huge positve.

[dagothar]

For the record, I tried removing bundled libstdc++.so.6 libraries (as suggested elsewhere) and it did not help.
I also tried the LD_PRELOAD solution to no avail.
What is worst is that weird hanging of OS that Steam I get (networking and disks crashing). I have to reboot every time I try something and it's really annoying.

Would a different desktop environment really make it work?

[ack0329]

Trust me Ubuntu-Gnome is rock solid. I was using Mint a year ago had issues after it was great for 2 years, someone suggested Ubuntu-Gnome combining Ubuntu and the Gnome 3 DE, and it is a great combo, both are supported by steam. Steam uses GNome too and based on Debian - Ubuntus less user friendly "Father".

trust me - 8 years with Linux after Vista's UGLINESS showed me the LiGHT LOL

Trying to pass on some good faith

and here is my standard cut and paste for installing Seam after the <12 minute OS install
----------------------------------------------------------------
here is my standard tip .....ALWAYS use Package Manager (or Software Center) or Terminal, silly but Steam's download says it is good for Ubuntu ... but fails to mention that it's only 12.04 YES 2012! Stupid but an easy fix is .... Package Manager OR Terminal
• 1. in Update Manager ... Settings / Ubuntu Software Tab
add (check off)...
Multiverse (this adds copyright software like Steam)
OR same thing using terminal (Always copy and paste AFTER the $)
‣ $ sudo add-apt-repository multiverse

• 2. Then you can install Steam either using terminal
∘ $ sudo apt-get install steam, OR and BETTER
∘ use ANY package manager (Software Center), and search for Steam as it will (Should) now show up (legally), but sadly not always

DONE - EASY-PEASY , .... EVERYTHING and ALL the DEPENDENCIES will also be installed.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Tell me if you need any advice and i will help you immediatley for the next 3-4 hrs - my friend

Cheers, Mark

[i didn't mean to get vac ban]

Originally posted by dagothar:

Hi!

I've been using Steam on Linux without issue for years, but now I can't get it to work on my new laptop with Ubuntu 16.04 OS.
I managed to install Steam from repositories, but I cannot successfully launch it. The startup hangs on the connecting to user account window. What is worse, it completely freezes my OS (networking fails - I can't access any websites after this point; also I can not unmount disks anymore!). I cannot execute the shutdown normally, and the only thing that helps is REISUB.
There seems to be noting useful in the output in the terminal (no errors, except for a complaint abount being unable to remove certain vdf file).

I am completely clueless on what to do next and would appreciate your help :)

Thanks.

well i'm using ubuntu 16.04 too and evrything run perfect so on my opinion is maybe something wrong on the computer

[ack0329]

wow try a re-install takes 10 minutes, and back up everything and start with a clean Home/ or mostly clean.

remember reinstalling Linux is SOOO EASY and after 10/20 minutes of getting nowhere - it makes sense in the troubleshooting stage.
and of course
1/install
2/ update/
3/install proprietary drivers
4/ install steam through reops and reboot often

[ack0329]

NEVER install from the website!

NEVER it is why I have helped over 200 people ... it does not NOT NOT add the 32 bit libraries needed or properly.,

PERIOD.

[ack0329]

enable multiverse and install from CLI or Package Manager as I detail extensively before. WOW

the 220th time I have had to rescue someone from installing from Steams own .deb DEBIAN screwed up FILE.

Use a mature package manager which installs ALL the depedencies for you!

[ack0329]

SYNAPTIC for example.

[dagothar]

Hi!
Thanks for all suggestions.

To make things clear, I did install Steam using repositories...
I am trying the suggestions PredrKs made in his post now - reserving the last for the moment of true desperation :)

I checked syslog and the systems seems to be stuck in lockup: http://pastebin.com/EKCYDXaV

Going to try live install soon. Oh, it worked for me no problems on Windows hosted VirtualBox on the same computer (I have a dual-boot configuration).

[ack0329]

Originally posted by PredrKs:

Think this is your issue: https://bugs.launchpad.net/ubuntu/+source/linux/+bug/1530405
Try fixes mentioned in there.

Try booting with nomodeset flag on boot and see if that fixes the problem (fixed 90s wait before shutdown for me, might lose suspend).
http://askubuntu.com/questions/38780/how-do-i-set-nomodeset-after-ive-already-installed-ubuntu

You could also try changing Nvidia driver version.
sudo add-apt-repository ppa:graphics-drivers/ppa
sudo apt-get update
And then change driver in Additional Drivers.

Still Tring to Help
I read the link PredrK mentioned - 100 posts in the last couple months, and a lot of suggestions.

2 suggestions are resonating true
1/ Try a different NVidia Driver; the above ppa allows the latest 370.28
and you have never mentioned your GPU, I am betting it is an NVidia GTX 970M like mine, and Ihad some issues with the driver too. But this new one is working flawlessly now.
2/ And I had a reidicuolous Network Manager Issue on my new HP Omen Laptop that turned out to be an ASUS Wifi Driver was installed on my HP Laptop!

But on another note, you should give us a full detailed list of your system to allow us to help. There are commands to do it easily:
$ sudo lshw (lists hardware)
$ sudo lshw -short
$ lscpu (Over kill)
$ lspci (PCI devices may included usb ports, graphics cards, network adapters etc. The lspci tool is used to generate information concerning all PCI controllers on your system plus the devices that are connected to them.)

But to not lose the point, It i try GPU Driver changes or Network/Wifi Troubleshooting
Fewwwwwwwww

[dagothar]

It was indeed the issue with NVidia drivers!
I have a Dell Inspiron 7559 laptop with Intel/GeForce960M graphics and it has given me some trouble with Linux already. Interestingly enough, the newest nvidia proprietary drivers did not work, but installing nvidia-364 helped.
It runs alright now (and I hope it continues...).

Thank you!

[ack0329]

fewwww thank goodness PROBLEM SOLVED!

[bluebl1]

Originally posted by dagothar:

It was indeed the issue with NVidia drivers!
I have a Dell Inspiron 7559 laptop with Intel/GeForce960M graphics and it has given me some trouble with Linux already. Interestingly enough, the newest nvidia proprietary drivers did not work, but installing nvidia-364 helped.
It runs alright now (and I hope it continues...).

Thank you!

+1 I have the Dell I7559 as well with the same graphics, and as of right now, I set it to the NVIDIA-378 driver and that fixed my issue as well.

It seemed very bizarre that running Steam would cause so much to fail, to the extent that I'd have to hard-shutdown my computer because the normal shutdown and terminal shutdown -h both failed me. Thank you for this post!

[Dorian]

Nothing here solves anything using Ubuntu Gnome 16.04. This happens same as OP randomly every few weeks and needs all of steam purged and reinstalled. I only play steam in Windows now. Problem solved, and I've never had an issue with the Windows version in 7 years.

[Cat on Linux]

why reload every time? have you tried ctrl-alt-f2 for example to see if you can switch to shell and there run $ killall steam

you can use this trick to terminate any frozen app if you're not completely frozen (which is very rare occasion)