USB-C Adapter | Drive | Keyboard Power Problem on Steam Deck OLED Model 3.5.7

[TheGim]

Your system information

• Steam client version: 1700676668
• SteamOS version: 3.5.7
• Opted into Steam client beta?: No
• Opted into SteamOS beta?: No
• Have you checked for updates in Settings > System?: Yes

Issue Description: USB-C Adapter Power Problem on Steam Deck (OLED Model)

Problem: When attempting to connect a USB stick or a mouse to the Steam Deck OLED Model using a USB-C to USB adapter, the devices do not function. However, they work perfectly in the BIOS, eliminating the possibility of a hardware problem. The issue appears to be power-related, possibly due to aggressive power-saving measures on the USB-C port.

Additional Behavior:

• If a keyboard is plugged in before booting, it works fine in both Gaming mode and Desktop mode. However, once unplugged and reconnected, the keyboard ceases to function and does not receive any power.
• This behavior is specific to the OLED Model and does not occur on the LCD Model, both using the same SteamOS version and Steam Client version.

Reproducibility: The issue is reproducible on three different Steam Deck OLEDs. Connecting a USB drive with a USB-C adapter or a keyboard with USB-C-connector without a powered dock or hub results in non-functionality.

Steps for Reproducing the Issue:

1. Plug in a USB drive with a USB-C adapter or a keyboard with USB-C without a powered dock/hub.
2. Devices do not work.

Additional Information: The only relevant information found was a seemingly meaningless log. When using a powered dock, more informative details about USB drivers and ports would be provided.

udevadm monitor:

KERNEL[1116.317043] change   /devices/pci0000:00/0000:00:14.3/PNP0C09:00/VLV0100:00/steamdeck-extcon/extcon/extcon0 (extcon)
UDEV  [1116.321876] change   /devices/pci0000:00/0000:00:14.3/PNP0C09:00/VLV0100:00/steamdeck-extcon/extcon/extcon0 (extcon)

It is a bit bothersome to pull out a powered Dock just to use a USB-Drive or quickly connect a Keyboard.

[TheGim]

Someone informed me to change the USB setting from DRD to XHCI in the BIOS. This resolved the issue, but I can't comprehend why this is the default behavior, as it implies you can't use a USB thumb drive with the Deck unless you modify this setting in the BIOS.

[safijari]

Just ran into this issue with my USB C headphones (VR P10). Changing to XHCI fixed the issue. I agree that if these things can't currently work correctly with DRD then the default should not be DRD.

[Franatix93]

Switched to XHCI in bios which fixed the issue of flash memory not being detected, but caused other issues. Waiting for an official update soon

[TheGim]

@Franatix93

Switched to XHCI in bios which fixed the issue of flash memory not being detected, but caused other issues. Waiting for an official update soon

What specific issues arose from the switch to XHCI in the BIOS? Listing them would be helpful for testing purposes, and including details on how to reproduce these issues would enhance the troubleshooting process.

[tay200k]

Hello I'm also having an issue with the type-c port on LCD deck.

Devices such and wireless keyboard and mouse will not be seen in game or desktop mode. My device's have been connected directly or with the official dock.

My USB storage device does show up though. I have tried switching from XCHI and DRD. Another thing my dock also doesn't get recognised in the settings/about page so can't see what version of the firmware is. Video out does work but with choppy sound. Not sure if software or hardware issue at this point.

I tried reverting to an older bios and that changed nothing, I also installed windows but it behaves exactly the same (no peripherals showing in device manager, connected via dock or direct with a type a to c adapter only usb storage and video out working)

Update 25 DEC Looks like mine was hardware related after weeks of back and forth with support they offered me a full refund on my LCD deck and when processed going to get a 1TB oled.

[kitor]

What specific issues arose from the switch to XHCI in the BIOS? Listing them would be helpful for testing purposes, and including details on how to reproduce these issues would enhance the troubleshooting process.

At least in case of my Oled 512G - Touchscreen stops working in XHCI mode, works again when back in dual role device.

I am running the latest update available in stable channel.

[Forceflow]

I've got something to add: I currently have 2 steam deck OLED's. Both have the same bios, default settings (DRD, thusly).

One one deck, my USB-C dongle (an Anker USB-C -> audio jack) works perfectly. On the other one, the behaviour with the dongle is problematic like described in this thread. Same bios version, same updates. I'm stumped ...

Update: I've put the decks by side and compared version numbers. All is the same, and still the behaviour is different.

Using sudo lsusb -v on both systems, I can confirm that:

• The first system ignores the DRD setting: it always boots with XHCI controllers available, regardless of BIOS settings. And thus, always works with USB-C devices
• The second system follows the DRD setting: when it says DRD, there are no XHCI controllers listed. When I manually set it to XHCI, everything works as it should.

So my question: what is the correct behaviour? Is SteamOS 3.5.7 supposed to ignore the DRD setting and simply always add XHCI controllers?

Edit 2: Looks like Valve is planning on making XHCI the default in the next bios update.

[Gentoli]

Looks like this is a linux specific issue. Hot plugging an apple usb-c headphone adapter works on Windows but not SteamOS. I think this is related at https://gitlab.freedesktop.org/drm/amd/-/issues/2984.

For me, external usb-c hubs works in DRD presumably because they have a UBS PD chip that negotiates data roles.