Alt-Tab chord doesn't work with XBox One S controller

[Robthemansays1]

Hi all,

I've got a host computer running Linux and am connecting it to my living room TV using Steam Link on a Raspberry Pi 5. I've got an XBox One S controller connected to my Raspberry Pi via Bluetooth.

Steam launches in Big Picture mode just fine, but whenever I go into a game I get a black screen. The only thing I see is a pair of icons, an XBox guide button icon in the bottom left and a red B button to "Abort game" in the bottom right. I can hear the game audio but can't see or interact with it.

I think there's a focus issue - Ubuntu recently switched to Wayland as the default display server and that seems to cause capture issues for Steam Link. The only way to get acceptable framerates is to use Windowed mode, both for Steam Big Picture and the game itself. It seems like Big Picture mode retains focus even after launching the game (similar posts: link 1, link 2).

Supposedly I can alt+tab to switch windows, but pressing the guide (XBox button) + start button for the Alt + Tab chord on the XBox controller doesn't do anything. In fact it doesn't seem like any of the chords are working - maybe Steam Link is intercepting the buttons in some way? The only thing I figured out was to press the guide button to bring up the Steam menu, go to Power -> Minimize Steam to bring the game into focus.

I haven't changed any of the controller settings, is there something I'm missing here?

Thanks!

Host specs (Linux):
OS: Ubuntu 24.10 "oracular"
CPU: AMD Ryzen 7800X3D
GPU: NVIDIA RTX 4070
Steam Client: Steam Beta Update (version 1734391190)

Client running Steam Link:
Raspberry Pi 5
OS: Debian 12 "bookworm"
Steam Link: Beta build (version 1.3.13.281)

[Robthemansays1]

I've been poking around with this a bit more, doesn't seem like it's necessarily a Steam Link issue.

First, other chords DO seem to be working on the Raspberry Pi-connected controller, that's not an issue (not sure why I thought they didn't work before).

Second, I tried connecting the controller directly to my host PC and trying to do the Alt-Tab chord but still nothing. My hunch is this is a Wayland issue and that Steam just needs better support (the switch to Wayland has been pretty rough, things are fairly buggy at the moment).

Edit: switched back to X11 and tried again, the Alt+Tab chord worked as expected (you can switch between them on the login screen). It does seem to be a Wayland issue.

My current workaround is that I've added a chord to Minimize Steam Big Picture - I can launch a game and use that chord to get the game in focus without going to any menus. There's also a chord to Open Steam Big Picture, but all that does is trigger a Gnome notification that "Steam is ready" (without actually bringing the minimized window up and into focus). From the Raspberry Pi, I essentially have to restart the Steam connection any time I minimize the window.

[_I_]

there is a linux link subforum, you can try asking there
but thats normally for steam link client not host

maybe in steams desktop client host forums
https://steamcommunity.com/app/221410/discussions/