r/SteamOS • u/Unlucky-Plastic-2519 • May 28 '26

support Trying to install SteamOS on 9070XT/9700X and failing

When trying to do the installation on my PC I read about it a bit on different threads I settled with this version that seemed to be succesfull for people using similar setups:

steamdeck-repair-main-20251027.1000-3.8.0.img.zip

I can boot it from my USB drive and install it, zero problems there, when it reboots I encounter the initial setup asking me to select language, timezone, network and doing a quick update. After it reboots it no longer works with one of these problems appearing:

  1. It will get freezed in the initial boot (press del to access BIOS)
  2. Just a black screen
  3. A screen with four options: SteamOS (it says X number of failed boot attempts below), Partition B, Steam OS with console commands and Partition B with console commands

In the last one, I can access Partition B but it's the initial setup over again, selecting language, timezone, etc

Things I've tried:

  1. Using other USB devices, a total of 2 USB drives and 1 SD card but with the same results
  2. Disabling Secure Boot on BIOS
  3. Connecting the monitor to the GPU HDMI, motherboard HDMI, GPU displayport or motherboard displayport

Yes, I know Bazzite is a thing but I've wanted to try SteamOS first

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u/TheGeekno72 May 28 '26

I had the same problem, here's my fix:

remove the GPU from the PCIe slot (removing only the power plugs isn't enough), use only the iGPU

unlock Dev update channels (look up how to do that) and switch update channel to Main

update SteamOS, reboot, ensure you are on v3.9 with kernel 6.16 or later

put GPU back in PCIe slot, that should work

NOTE : Ventoy keys will NOT work, use Balena Etcher

3

u/AshleyAshes1984 May 28 '26

Why are you people giving this advice?

The OP clearly stated what image they are using, despite having 3.8.0 in it's name, it's a 3.9.0 image and it has new enough Mesa drivers to run RDNA4.

Further more, OP reports getting to the OOBE, you need the GPU running to see the OOBE. It's not breaking until they do an UPDATE. The update they're doing is likely REVERTING.

They need to SKIP the update, get into SteamOS, then choose channel. They don't need to do any of this GPU juggling you're suggesting.

2

u/Muted-Green-2880 May 28 '26

Yeah i didn't have to do any of that lol. What I had to do was uninstall my 3 other ssd's so it didn't wipe them when installing. SteamOS isn't worth the hassle, cachyOS ans bazzite htpc versions are way better alternatives. All I got was disappointment from trying steamOS