Steam Deck - Change Default Display Option and Manually Reset External Display Resolution

[@hawketakao9648]

You are a legend, sir. Finally someone with a bit more technical advice than "install the latest update". Thank you ! Just to add, if this still doesn't work out for someone; - Disconnect your TV/monitor - Switch to desktop mode - Delete these textfiles (leave the folderstructure intact) - Reboot into gamemode - Connect your TV After this, the problem fixed itself for me.

[@Izmolio1]

Nice, does that allow you to display game mode on the TV or still meant for desktop mode?

[@ThePurple1234567891]

My exact same thought

[@AboveAverage-Joe]

This worked for me, thank you for this comment!

[@BeansGreens_]

Jesus Christ thanks so much I literally been struggling with this for hours on end. I don’t get why valve makes these so complicated sometimes. Thanks so much tho I appreciate it a lot!

[@ParisianDreamz]

Thank you! I’ve been going crazy trying to figure this out!

[@KuruKannibale]

You sir are a legend. Fixed a Problem that was bugging me quite some time

[@SuburbaniteUrbanite]

Kinda wish valve told us this rather than some random on KZbin but then again yt is everyone’s free handyman

[@Izmolio1]

Same, it's good to know I wasn't the only one with this issue though. I run into problems with programs, development, and hardware all the time. I go looking for the solution and begin to think I'm the only person with the issue because there are never any videos or forums talking about it, not even from the manufacture. I'll tell you what though, they'll be happy to take more of your money to replace whatever it is or have a tech fix it for you.

[@johngotti1294]

These new updates messing things up

[@kogdanetdeneg]

Thanks for this video. It's very odd that you wouldn't be able to do this in the display settings, but good to know it's at least possible

[@Flako412]

Bro!!! Thank you!!! I’ve been stuck with this bug for hours. ;-;

[@aquel9367]

This fixed my problem in gaming mode with steam deck oled, I was measing with the external display settings and activated VRR, after that I couldn't do anything to the external display as it only displayed black screen. Before this I tried another monitor/tv and it didn't help.

[@Izmolio1]

Awesome thanks, I was wondering if OLED would have the same issue or not. I ended up getting the Lenovo Legion Go instead.

[@sipi725]

Man you the Chad. Now i only have to fix the Problem that my Controller is Not working, After that i can start working on the Problem that my Game isnt working and After that i can Play one Hour get bored, wait for a new Update and start again!

[@Izmolio1]

Don't forget to replace your screen and internal HD.

[@OverloadedTech]

Fixed it! Thanks a lot

[@mattg8746]

Bro I actually love you. This is the one fix that worked for me

[@Izmolio1]

Nice! Happy gaming.

[@MetalMatt2510]

First part worked where you can select what display you want by deleting files. I edited files by changing refresh from 30 to 60 The resolution is correct. I saved the files plugged in and nothing, unplugged checked files again and they are back to 30 in refresh rate.

[@maciejkuziuta2773]

Glory for You! you saved me!

[@squall229]

Thanks dude..already fixed my problem..your a legend

[@cantcode1001]

Great info. Liked and subbed!

[@MJDross]

Great video. I will play with this to get my monitor to work all the time. At the moment it’s hit or miss every time I try to use desktop mode with my Steamdeck with the value dock. 4k monitor that can do 165 hertz.

[@kudrinroman]

Dude! It's awesome. Thank you so much

[@ShireenPlays]

Thank you so much, I accidentally pressed one of the options and when it disappeared I didn't know how to get it back!

[@juanchamorroparra5621]

You are a legend sir, thank you very much.

[@michaeljohnzoleta6121]

Thanks bro!!! Finally i fix it.

[@jeffreyacosta2627]

Thanks for the info great video help me out a lot

[@eusoueu7021]

This solved my problem thank you

[@alexandreserra4201]

Manu thanks but now still doesnt work on gaming mode :( How do I fix that?

[@Izmolio1]

I never figured out gaming mod sorry.

[@kanedathe28th93]

Thanks this was very helpful!

[@AntonisHDTV]

You are amazing! Respect!

[@curbappealne8486]

Thank you. This was a great help.

[@willdickerson1847]

you just saved my life dog

[@zxb12700]

U just save my day

[@blackx1147]

This is a great video. Thank you. I'm having trouble getting my Steam Deck to be recognized by my external display in Game Mode. Desktop Mode works fine but when I switch to Game Mode, the monitor says "No Signal." Do you have any recommendations?

[@Izmolio1]

Unfortunately no. I'm running into the same issue but never had a reason to correct it since I only use it in desktop mode when connected to a display. Big picture works but game mode does not. Could be intentional but I'm not sure.

[@ericramirez4329]

Have you found a work around for in deck not descktop mode ​@Izmolio1

[@Rob-hu3yj]

This got it to show up in desktop mode but I still get a black screen in game mode on my TV and I tried safe mode

[@sashalishinevski1654]

You are a lifesaver!

[@jerryhicks4502]

Thank u

[@blackfistxu7953]

Thank you for this👍🏾👍🏾🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥

[@christophersmallrichard2580]

good shit bro!!! Thanks!!

[@TechMaestro01]

Hey, so my display sill isn't getting a signal. My deck says it's connected, but I can't see anything on my tv.

[@Izmolio1]

What did you change the resolution to when adjusting the file?

[@TechMaestro01]

@@Izmolio1 I changed it to 1920x1080. I also have a 4k tv, but I don't think the deck would perform well at 4k.

[@Izmolio1]

What is the refresh rate set at? Make sure that was also changed to 30hz or 60hz, dependant on the hub/deck mount your usung. I realized I goofed the video and debating on taking it down. I said the issue was the TV. However, the issue is actually the hub or mount you are plugging the deck into. The hub I was using could not display at 4k, so therfore no image. I ran into the same issue you had this morning, TV was black. I had to unplug the deck from the mount, and unplugged the power and hdmi from the mount for a few seconds. When plugging them back in I plugged the power in first, then hdmi, finally the deck all while the TV was on. Then it displayed on the TV just fine.

[@TechMaestro01]

@@Izmolio1 oh I see... I set my TV's refresh rate to 120, but I guess my hub can't handle it. Infact, I think my hub might be broken cause it's not working for my switch, computer, ipad, or any of my other devices.

[@Izmolio1]

@@TechMaestro01 sounds broken to me.

[@Adzindani]

Thanks for this video !!!! 🔥🔥🔥🔥

[@Izmolio1]

Anytime, thanks for watching.

[@Zuckersaft]

Wow thanks you saved me❤❤

[@blastu2fool]

Hello there, i just came across your video because now that I got the moniter i want to do desk top the image of the steam logo display with a bunch of little dots...no apps ...nothing ..so im assuming the screen needs to adjust ...can you help me

[@Izmolio1]

Could be one of two things. First try a different resolution, change it within the display settings when you right click the desktop. Second, your monitor/TV aspect ratio or zoom level may be off. You have to adjust that within the monitor/TV itself.

[@blastu2fool]

Thanks for the info, I eventually got it to work, as i went to settings, display then clicked on display video in safe mode an that helped put the image on the monitor

[@twofoots5955]

I've never been able to use an external monitor. I guess I got the custom one.

[@Izmolio1]

Explain, why not?

[@lealklienaberrenh.3166]

Thanks bro

[@muhammadaamirrashidhussain]

Thanks for the desktop fix. Can't get it to work on gaming mode though. Any help please

[@Izmolio1]

Unfortunately I don't have a fix for that. I'm running into the same issue but never had a reason to correct it since I only use it in desktop mode when connected to a display. Big picture works but game mode does not. Could be intentional but I'm not sure.

[@Amanoshabu]

Thank you so much for this lifesaving video😭🙏

[@Bhlisse]

Thank you for sharing 👍👍👍

[@MetalMatt2510]

Got it working but had to turn it to 1080p even though my tv is 4k 60hz

[@Izmolio1]

Good to hear. I mentioned in comments below that I did screw up in the video and I guess I'll modify the video to show that. In the video I should have said your tv is only one of two factors, you're limited by both the hub used and you're tv. My TV is the same now, 4k OLED but the output of my hub limits me down as well.

[@just_a_carl]

Thank you!

[@Maceyee1]

My deck doesn't do this screen select thing. It just works but wanna get it to pop up?

[@Izmolio1]

If you delete the files then plug in your monitor it just pushes the feed instead of asking? Doesn't seem right to me.

[@GODDOG619]

Thanks bro!

[@drowningnixis]

You wouldn't happen to have a video for when you fubar the display settings in game mode would you? 😅

[@Izmolio1]

No, unfortunately I never got game mode to work on my TV.

[@drowningnixis]

@Izmolio1 I wound up factory resetting and then it worked. 😒

[@Izmolio1]

@drowningnixis ah, yeah these things are temperamental.

[@Games.Gadgets.Sports]

How heck do you right click to delete said files? I can't hook up my mouse to do it because screen goes black

[@Izmolio1]

If you're using the deck, you should be able to use the right trigger (RT) to select and then left trigger (LT) to bring up the options that right click would otherwise bring up.

[@austinmason2961]

.... I love you thank you 😅

[@astrospider3015]

I toggled the setting for external display today and lost the desktop screen on my steam deck. I unplugged it from the dock and have restarted my steam deck multiple times. Anytime I switch to desktop mode it's just a black screen and it's not showing up on my TV either. Does anyone have a solution? I'm worried there's no fix and I somehow lost access to desktop mode.

[@sunnyboynfs]

Same problem bro. Did you find a solution?

[@Izmolio1]

I want to say I ran into a similar issue when I fist got my deck. I had to hold down the power button for 10 seconds to reset the display. This also booted the deck from steam's bios. I want to say I selected something from that menu to reset my desktop mode. I don't have a video for that.

[@astrospider3015]

@@sunnyboynfs I tried holding down the power button to boot it up in the bios mode but there was no way to recover the screen. I'm pretty sure it was trying to project the screen onto an external display that didn't exist. I reaches out to valve support and they said there's no real fix yet. I suggested that if I was able to change the external display settings from gaming mode that probably would have solved the issue. I ended up having to load steam os onto a thumb drive, then booted it up in bios mode and reimaged the console. I lost everything except for the stuff on my SD card. Spent a good four days redownloading roms and steam games. You could wait until they have a fix for it but I have no clue how long that would take and I doubt a fix will come with the official 3.5 patch. Sorry to be the bearer of bad news dude.

[@sunnyboynfs]

@@astrospider3015 I found a separate KZbin video where the person booted into gaming mode then connected a usb keyboard through usb hub or dock. After that he pressed ctrl+alt+f5 to open a terminal and use command to delete some files in kscreen folder which will reset your external and internal display settings. For me, this method didn’t work as usb keyboard and mouse weren’t working on my new usb c hub. What worked for me was to switch from Main beta update to Stable update for Steam OS which also fixed the grey screen issue in desktop mode. Sorry you had to reinstall OS and everything…

[@matthewspitalieri9785]

​@@sunnyboynfs can you link that video you found? Or list out the command lines the person used by any chance?

[@jamesdribbling]

Hi my steamdeck can display in external monitor under desktop mode, but when I switch to game mode, the monitor is no longer displaying, could you help me without factory reset? Thank you bro!

[@Izmolio1]

I too run into the same issue. I don't know of a fix but I'll see what I can figure out. It seems like a lot of people have that problem.

[@jetnight88]

Desktop mode won’t even show the screen on mine please help

[@Izmolio1]

What do you mean? It doesn't show on your deck or it doesn't display to your tv?

[@sunnyboynfs]

@@Izmolio1I think he means both. My Steam Deck is just gray on both external monitor and Deck screen in Desktop mode. Gaming mode is working perfectly fine though.

[@Izmolio1]

@sunnyboynfs strange, well if that's the case, then deleting the files will reset the prompt. Also, be sure not only the resolution is compatible with your display AND hub/adapter but the refresh rate is also compatible with both. In theory, this should fix your problem. The only way I can recreate this issue you're having is by setting either too high in its respective resolution. Try manually setting the file as shown in the video to a low resolution and refresh rate. Hope that helps.

[@muhammadaamirrashidhussain]

Hi would you know how to do this for windows 11 steam deck?

[@Izmolio1]

Unfortunately, no. I don't run windows on mine, just steam.

[@Goldenapegaming]

What about for gaming mode?

[@Izmolio1]

I never did that. I think someone had a solution in the comments though.

[@Goldenapegaming]

@@Izmolio1 if you find it can you link it or copy paste it for me

[@Izmolio1]

@@Goldenapegaming from hawketakao9648, the top comment. Let me know if that worked for you. You are a legend, sir. Finally someone with a bit more technical advice than "install the latest update". Thank you ! Just to add, if this still doesn't work out for someone; - Disconnect your TV/monitor - Switch to desktop mode - Delete these textfiles (leave the folderstructure intact) - Reboot into gamemode - Connect your TV After this, the problem fixed itself for me.

[@Goldenapegaming]

@@Izmolio1 thank you it worked

[@waniselbouyalaoui5886]

thankss

[@OhNoSoup.]

I don’t get the options what do I do?(btw great video)

[@Izmolio1]

If you delete the files I show, you should. If you don't, check the comments I believe someone posted an alternative solution. I pinned the comment so it should appear at the top of the comments.

[@OhNoSoup.]

@@Izmolio1 thank you! I was able to troubleshoot and get it up and running thanks again for the help!!!!

[@lrdalucardart]

Anyway to make that pop up ALWAYS SHOW whenever you plug it in to a screen?

[@Izmolio1]

Not sure, only method I know of is by deleting the files. I don't believe there is a default "always ask" option.

[@lrdalucardart]

@@Izmolio1 all good, the method you did already helps a f ton, that question would just be the "icing on the cake" but thx for your time.