Attention all Steam Deck users: Valve is finally addressing a long-standing frustration—the inability to turn off the screen while downloading games. But here's where it gets exciting: Valve is now testing a low-power mode that lets your Steam Deck complete downloads with the screen off, saving energy and extending battery life. This update, currently available on the Beta and Preview channels, is a game-changer for those who’ve ever wished to download games or updates without keeping the device running unnecessarily.
And this is the part most people miss: When The Verge first raised this issue with Valve two years ago during the Steam Deck OLED launch, the company seemed hesitant. Hardware engineer Yazan Aldehayyat pointed out that downloading consumes significant power, raising concerns about users accidentally leaving a hot device in their bag, thinking it was asleep. However, Valve’s new solution appears to address these worries elegantly.
Here’s how it works: With the update installed, pressing the power button during a download triggers a prompt asking if you want to continue downloading with the screen off. If you choose to proceed, the Steam Deck enters a low-power mode. But here’s the clever part: If you press a button or move the device, a status screen pops up, showing download progress. From there, you can either fully wake the device or let it continue downloading in the background with the screen off.
By default, this feature is enabled when your Steam Deck is plugged in, but you can also activate it while running on battery via the settings. However, if your battery drops below 20%, the device will enter a full sleep mode to conserve power.
Controversy alert: While this update is a welcome improvement, it raises questions about why it took so long to implement. Was Valve initially overestimating the risks of accidental overheating, or did user feedback finally tip the scales? And what other power-saving features could be on the horizon? Let us know your thoughts in the comments—do you think this update was worth the wait, or is there more Valve could do to optimize the Steam Deck experience?
