Big Picture Mode not launching/exiting as expected

[Xjph]

I've noticed recently with both the hardware Steam Link and the Steam Link app on an Nvidia Shield that Big Picture mode no longer launches reliably on client connect, and does not exit on client disconnect.

The very first time I connect from a Steam Link in a given Steam session Big Picture mode launches as expected, but does not exit when I stop streaming. Then if I manually exit after going back to my computer subsequent connections from a Steam Link no longer launch big picture. This makes it very awkward to use as a living room controller-only device.

Rebooting or restarting steam reverts it to Big Picture launching normally again but only for the very first connection.

[Pit_107]

I've been having this issue too. It usually launches big picture when connecting, but it's been consistently not exiting big picture when disconnecting.

[Nemo]

I'm experiencing same behaviour here as well on a 2017 Shield up-to-date (8.0.1). First connection to Steam Link App always succeed in launching big picture as expected. Yet exiting the app and launching again will just display the desktop. As described you have to exit + relaunch steam on the host PC to be able to get big picture again on the shield/Steam Link app.

* I'm not part of Steam Link beta (nor any other beta).
* I'm exiting Steam Link App via the "power off" icon from top-right then selecting "Close Remote Play". Same thing happens if I pick the "Close Big Picture" option.

[Pit_107]

Switching Steam on my computer and the Steam Link to beta didn't fix the behavior for me.

[_I_]

does pbm work on the host when not streaming?

[Nemo]

pbm = big picture ? If so then yes big picture does work on host flawlessly either streaming or not. In fact, whenever I exit the Steam Link App (via the "Close Remote play") I'd expect also big picture on the host to be switched off too. It's not the case though and I have to manually close it down which is a bit annoying.

[_I_]

its put back to the way it was if the client is set to use pbm or desktop modes

its more likely to be an issue with capture/compression methods on the host

steam -> settings -> remote play -> [advanced host options]
try ticking/unticking nvidia nvfbc capture modes
and ony tick the amd/nvidia/intel boxes supported by the system
(if intel igp or amd apu are enabled with a dedicated gpu, tick both types)