Steam Deck Gets Long-Awaited Download Feature With Screen Off

Valve has rolled out a major update for the Steam Deck that addresses one of users’ most common complaints since the device launched in February 2022. The handheld gaming PC now supports downloading games and updates with the screen turned off. Previously, players had to keep their Steam Deck powered on with the display active during downloads, which meant waiting around for large games to finish or having the download pause if they turned off the device.

The new low-power download mode allows the Steam Deck to continue downloading in a special display-off power state. When downloads finish, the device automatically enters sleep mode.

Good afternoon! We’ve just added a new feature to Steam Deck, allowing it to complete all active downloads in a new display-off low-power mode, before going to sleep. Learn more here: https://t.co/9CvqkAk1bS pic.twitter.com/xcTqGGNaZV

— Steam Deck (@OnDeck) November 4, 2025

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While downloading with the screen off, users can press a button or move the device to briefly check the download progress. From this information screen, they can choose to continue downloading with the screen off or wake the device completely. There are two ways to activate the feature. Users can press the Power button during a download to get a prompt asking if they want to continue downloading with the screen off. The device will also automatically enter low-power download mode if left idle for a certain amount of time.

The feature is currently available to Steam Deck users in the Beta and Preview channels. Valve plans to release it to all users in the future. By default, the low-power download mode works when the Steam Deck is plugged into power. This update comes nearly three years after the Steam Deck’s original launch and represents a significant quality-of-life improvement for the handheld’s user base.

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