Steam Controller doesn't work through Steam Link

[somekindofnick]

I have two steam controllers with the same symptoms:

Scenarios:

1. USB cable to PC: works
   
2. Wireless to dongle on PC: works
   
3. USB cable to Steam Link: works until I connect to the PC Steam big picture
   
4. Wireless to Steam Link: works until I connect to the PC Steam big picture
   
5. The Xbox Controller plugged into the Steam Link works when Steam big picture starts.
   
   Any ideas?
   
   I tried switching to the beta firmware on the Steam Link and Big Picture, and it still doesn't work.
   This was all working fine until recently.

[daaw_gees]

There may be insufficient details here, but I believe what's happened is your controller is still inked to the wireless dongle at your PC. It is possible to switch between the Steam Link and your PC. So you'll need to switch the pairing of the controller to the Link when you want to use it there. I forget what the button combination is to switch it. Do a search on Stream Controller forum and you'll find it.

[somekindofnick]

Yes, if I turn on the controller with the steam button while pressing the A button (Steam + A), it switches pairing. This is what allows me to test between the dongle on the PC and the Steam Link.

Let me know what other details I can provide.

Thanks for reading.

[retro_Ed]

I had a similar connection problems (Linux / Ubuntu). Everything worked (also Links end menus) until I started a game from host pc. No inputs from controller....
I swapped Steam Controllers pc ! dongle to different usb slot. !
Controls via Link started to work.
Any help ?

[somekindofnick]

I have tried swapping dongles, controllers per other instructions. Nothing. The fact that the xbox controller works through the Steam Link but the Steam Controller doesn't boggles me.

[retro_Ed]

...so without dongle you can use Links menus but when starting game it stops working...

[somekindofnick]

Originally posted by retro_Ed:

...so without dongle you can use Links menus but when starting game it stops working...

Yes, the Steam Controller pairs with the Steam Link, and I can use it to navigate the Steam Link menus. Once I connect to the PC and launch big picture, the Steam Controller no longer works. It will work again once I stop streaming and return to the Steam Link menus.

[retro_Ed]

Originally posted by somekindofnick:

Originally posted by retro_Ed:

...so without dongle you can use Links menus but when starting game it stops working...

Yes, the Steam Controller pairs with the Steam Link, and I can use it to navigate the Steam Link menus. Once I connect to the PC and launch big picture, the Steam Controller no longer works. It will work again once I stop streaming and return to the Steam Link menus.

This was just same situation I wrote a few post ago... I swapped usb dongle slot from pc (even connection was from via Link).
Unplug dongle from pc. Connection stops after Liks start streaming?

[somekindofnick]

Originally posted by retro_Ed:

Originally posted by somekindofnick:

Yes, the Steam Controller pairs with the Steam Link, and I can use it to navigate the Steam Link menus. Once I connect to the PC and launch big picture, the Steam Controller no longer works. It will work again once I stop streaming and return to the Steam Link menus.

This was just same situation I wrote a few post ago... I swapped usb dongle slot from pc (even connection was from via Link).
Unplug dongle from pc. Connection stops after Liks start streaming?

I may be misunderstanding what you mean, but I unplugged the dongle from the PC when I try to go back to using the Steam Link.

If I use the Dongle on the PC, everything works. But if I want to use Steam Link, I have to plugin the Xbox controller to turn it on and start the streaming. It's awkward to say the least.

[retro_Ed]

Steam Link has an built in reciever.
Pc needs a dongle.
Both needs a separate pairing connections.
A + Steam button is combo for switching SC connentions between dongle or Link.
You have tried these opions already ?

[somekindofnick]

Originally posted by retro_Ed:

Steam Link has an built in reciever.
Pc needs a dongle.
Both needs a separate pairing connections.
A + Steam button is combo for switching SC connentions between dongle or Link.
You have tried these opions already ?

Yes

[DirtyCamper]

What platform are you on?
And can you try if this works:
If you connect to your PC, with the dongle removed from the PC.
If you connect to your PC, and after that remove the dongle from the PC.
I've reported https://github.com/ValveSoftware/steam-for-linux/issues/4775
which has found it's way into stable.
And up until now I still can't fix the issue (others were able to mitigate by wiping, re-pairing and dancing naked around a well at a full moon).
So there is a state in which steam can't handle the radio in the link.

[somekindofnick]

Originally posted by DirtyCamper:

What platform are you on?
And can you try if this works:
If you connect to your PC, with the dongle removed from the PC.
If you connect to your PC, and after that remove the dongle from the PC.
I've reported https://github.com/ValveSoftware/steam-for-linux/issues/4775
which has found it's way into stable.
And up until now I still can't fix the issue (others were able to mitigate by wiping, re-pairing and dancing naked around a well at a full moon).
So there is a state in which steam can't handle the radio in the link.

I am on Windows 10.

I connected the Steam Controller to the PC using the USB cable with the dongle removed. The controller functions in Big Picture mode.
I connected the Steam Controller to the Steam Link with the dongle removed from the PC. The controller functions until you connect to the PC and engage Big Picture mode. I have this same outcome if I use the USB cable to connect the Steam Controller to the Steam Link. However, the Xbox controller, also connect via USB to the Steam Link, works fine.

[DirtyCamper]

Ok, you do need to pair the controller in the setup "steam link" and steam big picture...
The steam controller should work as advertised when you connect it by wire to the steam link.
Please connect it by wire, and connect to the pc, (with the rf dongle disconnected), select pair controller, and remove the wire and press steam+X, yes, I know it was already working, but the steam BP must know this too.
So pair it, and it should now work flawless...
If it doesn't work, I guess we have another setup which is not quite like mine but also does not work... :-(. A shame really because the controller rocks.

[somekindofnick]

Originally posted by DirtyCamper:

Ok, you do need to pair the controller in the setup "steam link" and steam big picture...
The steam controller should work as advertised when you connect it by wire to the steam link.
Please connect it by wire, and connect to the pc, (with the rf dongle disconnected), select pair controller, and remove the wire and press steam+X, yes, I know it was already working, but the steam BP must know this too.
So pair it, and it should now work flawless...
If it doesn't work, I guess we have another setup which is not quite like mine but also does not work... :-(. A shame really because the controller rocks.

I wil try it.

Here is what I did:

1. Connect Steam Controller with provided USB cable to Steam Link. The RF dongle is unplugged.
   
2. I turned on the Steam Link by unplugging and replugging in the power cable. I am able to use the Steam Controller to navigate on the Steam Link menus.
   
3. I connected the Steam Link to the PC, which opens Big Picture. The Steam Controller no longer functions (i.e. I cannot navigate the Big Picture menu on the PC with the Steam Controller).
   
4. Back at the PC using the mouse and keyboard, I opened Settings in Big Picture, then opened "Controller Settings".
   
5. I clicked "Add a Steam Controller."
   
6. I removed the USB cable from the Steam Controller, unplugging it from the Steam Link.
   
7. I pressed Steam + X to turn on the controller.
   
8. The Steam logo on the Steam Controller pulsates while the "Looking for Steam Controllers..." dialog box remains open with the instructions to press X + Steam logo button on the Controller.
   
9. I pressed Steam logo + A to switch connections, thinking perhaps it's trying to connect to the dongle.
   
10. I turned the Steam Controller off again by holding the Steam button. I then tried Steam + X to turn the controller on and pair.
    
    The Steam Controller still does not work in Big Picture despite working in the Steam Link menus. I'm still confused, but thanks for the suggestions. Let me know if I missed something.
    

[DirtyCamper]

Step 3 should not happen... The steam controller should always work when connected by wire to the link or to the pc. It's just the RF that it can't grok in some cases.
Are both your steam client and your steam link at the latest beta (steam link is 606 I think)? Or are they both on stable?