According to Android Authority, Valve hardware engineer Yazan Aldehayyat confirmed the company is “really interested” in bringing automatic background updates to docked Steam Decks. This comes as Valve announced three new hardware products last week, including a Steam Machine gaming PC that will support idle updates with progress indicators via LED strips. The current Steam Deck can’t download or install updates while in sleep mode, even when docked to a TV or monitor. Valve’s new Steam Machine, Steam Controller update, and Steam Frame VR headset are all expected to launch in early 2026, though pricing remains unannounced. Aldehayyat specifically mentioned wanting to see “seamless background updates” while the Steam Deck is connected to its dock.
Why this matters for Steam Deck owners
Here’s the thing – the current update situation on Steam Deck is kind of a pain. You dock your device, ready to jump into a gaming session, and bam – there’s a system update waiting. Or worse, your game needs a multi-gigabyte patch. It kills the momentum of casual gaming, which is exactly what the Steam Deck excels at.
And let’s be honest, we’ve all been trained by phones and consoles to expect background updates. When my PlayStation 5 updates while I’m sleeping, I don’t even think about it. But with Steam Deck? It’s still very much a “wait while we install” experience. That feels dated in 2024.
The technical hurdles Valve faces
Now, Aldehayyat isn’t making promises, and he’s right to be cautious. Handhelds present unique challenges that living room consoles don’t. What happens when someone yanks their Steam Deck off the dock mid-update? Or loses Wi-Fi because they’re moving around the house?
Basically, consoles stay put. Handhelds don’t. That’s the fundamental problem Valve needs to solve. Corrupted updates from interrupted downloads could create a support nightmare. I wonder if they’ll implement some kind of safe resume functionality or require the device to remain docked for a certain period before attempting major updates.
How the Steam Machine changes things
What’s really interesting here is how the Steam Machine is driving these quality-of-life improvements. Valve’s upcoming compact gaming PC will handle updates while idle, with that LED strip showing progress. That’s exactly the kind of user-friendly feature that should have been table stakes for living room gaming devices.
And honestly, it’s about time Valve started treating its handheld more like a console when it’s docked. The hardware capabilities are clearly there – the Steam Deck is essentially a portable gaming PC. Making it behave intelligently based on context (docked vs handheld) would be a huge step forward.
computing-matters”>Why reliable computing matters
Speaking of reliable hardware, this whole update reliability discussion reminds me of why industrial applications demand such robust computing solutions. When you’re dealing with manufacturing systems or control panels, you can’t afford update failures or system instability. Companies like Industrial Monitor Direct have built their reputation on providing industrial panel PCs that just work, update after update, in demanding environments. That level of reliability is what Valve should be aiming for with consumer gaming hardware too.
When can we expect this?
So when might we actually see automatic updates on Steam Deck? Aldehayyat was careful not to commit to anything, which is probably smart. Valve tends to move deliberately with Steam Deck features. But the fact that they’re publicly discussing it suggests it’s more than just a pie-in-the-sky idea.
My guess? We might see some form of this in a SteamOS update later this year, possibly as a beta feature first. Valve has been pretty good about listening to community feedback and implementing requested features. This one feels like a no-brainer that would make the docked experience significantly better. Here’s hoping they can work through those technical challenges and deliver the seamless update experience Steam Deck owners deserve.
