Steam Deck official dock external display issues + possible workaround

[Ashura]

Mods: Feel free to move this if it's in the wrong subforum. I've been told by Steam Support that the devs check here regularly, and I'm hoping this gets to them.

So I just got my Deck on Tuesday, and while I've got nothing but positive things to say about the system itself so far, the dock is a different story. I've been back and forth with Steam Support for the past few days, and was directed here once I'd begun to figure out the source of the problem. Bear with me as this may get a bit wordy.

I've been using a set of Viture Pro XR glasses as an external display, both with my PC and my Deck, to help prevent neck strain, which I often get when viewing conventional screens. They work perfectly with the Deck, but the dock does not like them very much. Typically, they work fine, but they'll break at random with no warning. When I connect the glasses, either both the internal display and the glasses go black, or nothing happens at all. I have the XR Decky plugin installed, and the plugin does recognize the glasses even if the display doesn't seem to.

There appears to be two separate problems occurring here, which need to be seen to by the devs. I'll share both here, along with my current workarounds, in case anyone stumbles across this thread before a fix is released. I've heard a firmware patch is in the pipe, but there's no ETA.

Issue one: Dock doesn't properly recognize the display.
Result: Deck doesn't switch displays or otherwise respond.
Cause: Unknown, but may be related to needing to use an HDMI--to-USB-C adapter to connect the external display. Plugging in/unplugging peripherals may also trigger the issue.
Workaround: Reset dock.
1) Shutdown Steam Deck. Undock Deck. Disconnect all plugs from dock, including power cable.
2) Wait a couple of minutes.
3) Plug peripherals (except glasses) into dock. Plug power cable into dock.
4) Dock Steam Deck. Boot fully into Game Mode.
5) Connect glasses/external display.
5a) If glasses and internal screen go dark, see below.
5b) If nothing happens, return to Step 1.

Issue two: Both external and internal display go dark when connected.
Result: Can't use displays.
Cause: Incorrect default resolution selected.
Workaround: Change external display resolution to automatic.
0) Pair phone with Steam Deck via Steam Link if you haven't already.
1) Boot to Game Mode with external display disconnected.
2) Connect external display. Both screens will go black.
3) Stream Steam Deck from phone via Steam Link.
4) Settings>Display>Gamescope 7" Display Scaling>Automatically Set Resolution>ON

Here's the problem, devs: the Gamescope 7" Display Scaling section of the display settings isn't available unless the external display is connected. If the system defaults to the wrong resolution (it does), there's no way to access this setting without Steam Link because the video output isn't visible.

Why isn't the resolution set to auto by default? Further, is there some reason this section needs to be hidden unless the Deck is plugged in to an external monitor? Has it not occurred to anyone on the dev team why this may be a problem in some cases (many, if you look at Google)?

I'm not going to fault the engineers for not accounting for an edge case like my XR glasses, which aren't exactly common. Frankly, I have no idea why this only happens sometimes. I do, however, think there's a need for more user-accessible options in these edge cases. Having to stream from a second device just to get at basic display settings is nonsensical.

Anyway, sorry this turned into an essay. Hopefully it helps, uh, someone. If not...have a nice day?

[cSg|mc-Hotsauce]

Deck Dock forum... https://steamcommunity.com/app/1675200/discussions/3/

[Ashura]

Like I said in the OP, I posted here because support specifically pointed me here if I have something I think needs dev attention. If the mods have an issue with that, they're welcome to do whatever.

I'm not asking for help with the dock (of which there is very little in the Deck Dock subforum). I contacted Valve for that. I'm reporting a technical issue and offered a few suggestions that I'm hoping will lead to a fix.

[cSg|mc-Hotsauce]

Support tells everyone to post in this sub-forum regardless of the situation and if it is not something they can assist with.