The shortcut to bring up the keyboard on Steam Deck in Desktop Mode is one of the Steam Deck shortcuts every owner must know
Steam Deck offers the convenience of playing PC games on the go, freeing you from the burden of carrying all your peripherals. The touchpad acts as a mouse, and there is an on-screen keyboard for your typing needs. However, not everyone knows how to summon it.
Today, we'll guide you through the process of bringing up the keyboard in Steam Deck Desktop Mode, ensuring that you can effortlessly type whenever the situation calls for it.
How to bring up the keyboard on Steam Deck in Desktop Mode
To bring up the on-screen keyboard on Steam Deck in Desktop Mode, simply press the STEAM + X keys. When you've finished typing, you can close the keyboard by pressing the same combination.
Keep in mind that the shortcut works only if the Steam application is running. If you are offline or the Steam servers are down, the on-screen keyboard will not be accessible. In such cases, you will need to connect a physical keyboard to your Steam Deck.
It is inconvenient that accessing the keyboard on the Steam Deck requires an active Internet connection and the Steam app running. However, on the FAQ page, Valve has stated that they are "still working on improving this," so we can hope to see even better functionality in the near future.
Steam Deck keyboard in Desktop Mode not working?
If the Steam Deck keyboard in Desktop Mode not working or showing up for you, it is probably because your device is not connected to the Steam server via the Steam app.
Here are some troubleshooting steps you can try to fix the Steam Deck keyboard in Desktop Mode not working or showing up issue:
- Ensure that the Steam app is running.
- Make sure you are connected to the Internet.
- Go to Down Detector and see if the servers are up and running.
In case the Steam servers are down, you may need to plug in a physical keyboard to do your thing.
Before you leave, have a look at how to fix the Steam Deck controller not working issue and how to change the Steam Deck controller order.