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How to connect Steam Deck to monitor or TV

Get your Steam Deck up on the big screen with these steps
Ussamah Mehmood
Last Updated on

Reviewed By: Kevin Pocock

How to connect Steam Deck to monitor or TV
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Table of Contents

The Valve Steam Deck is an incredible handheld machine. Not only does it allow you to play most of your Steam library on the go, it also does it extremely well thanks to the internal AMD chips slotted into it. However, we can't deny the experience of gaming on a larger screen. Fortunately, you can connect your Steam Deck to a TV or a monitor and play or stream games on a large display. 

We'll take you through two methods through which you can connect the Steam Deck to your TV, and the easy-to-follow steps should get your system up and running in no time.

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Quick Answer

The easiest and quickest way to get your Steam Deck connected to the TV is by using a USB-C to HDMI converter. Here is how you can do it.

USB-C side of the converter in the Steam Deck > HDMI port, connecting the TV, in the HDMI part of the connector, > enjoy playing games.

Via the dock 

The first method of connecting a Steam Deck to the TV involves using a docking station or a dongle with various ports.

Step

1

Connect the Steam Deck to the dock

Place the Steam Deck on the docking station and connect the two via the USB-C port on the Steam Deck.

Step

2

Connect the TV to the dock

TVs have HDMI ports on the back, so using an HDMI to HDMI cable, connect the TV to the dock, but ensure that the docking station has an HDMI port. Connect the TV to the dock

Step

3

Turn on Desktop mode

Since the docking station most likely has more ports, you can connect a mouse and keyboard for a full desktop experience.

  • Go to “Power” and click on it
  • Select “Switch to Desktop”
  • Go to settings to change the resolution
  • Navigate to “Display and Monitor”
  • In the “Display Configuration” section, select the external display
  • Set it as the primary display and set the native resolution, depending on your TV or monitor
  • To turn off the display of the Steam Deck, select the “Built-in screen” option, and uncheck the “Enabled” option
  • Click “Apply,” and now you should have the full experience of a PC.

Step

4

Use the Steam Deck

You should now be able to see the output on the TV instead of the Steam Deck, and you can navigate by using the controls on the deck or via the peripherals.

Via USB-C to HDMI cable

The second is the quickest and easiest method to connect the Deck to a TV, but it has some drawbacks. Unlike the first method, using a USB-C to HDMI cable will occupy the port on the Steam Deck that is used for charging, so your play time will be limited. That being said, this is how you can do it.

Step

1

Connect the converter to the Steam Deck

Insert the USB-C port of the converter into the Steam Deck.

Step

2

Connect the HDMI cable to the converter

The HDMI cable coming from the TV will be connected to the HDMI port of the converter.

Step

3

Try using the Steam Deck

Now your Steam Deck should work like a wired controller, and you can play games on the TV, but remember, you'll have limited playtime.

FAQs

Can you watch TV on Steam Deck?

Yes, you can watch TV on your Steam Deck by connecting it to a TV and then streaming content on various streaming applications such as YouTube. You can do this even without connecting the Deck to the TV.  

What is desktop mode in Steam Deck?

The desktop mode in Steam Deck transforms it from a handheld gaming device to a mini-PC and gives you a desktop-like environment. You can download applications, browse the internet, and even run applications outside of Steam. 

Conclusion

We've reached the end of this journey, and hopefully, you now know how to connect a Steam Deck to a TV or any other external display. It is a very simple process, and you'll only need to invest in a converter or a dongle to make the most out of it. 

If you're looking to take your setup to the next level, we recommend you check out the best Steam Deck SD cards and controllers for the top picks.

About the Author

Ussamah Mehmood

Ussamah works as a content writer and editor at BGFG. He is experienced in tech, hardware, gaming, and marketing.