Valve has released SteamOS 3.9.6 for the Beta and Preview channels, introducing several improvements to frame timing, display compatibility, and system stability. The update improves frame limiting with and without Variable Refresh Rate (VRR), reduces missed frames caused by CPU idle states, and fixes issues affecting games running on high-refresh-rate displays. It also resolves a black screen in certain RPG Maker games and a green screen issue with Steam Remote Play on NVIDIA GPUs.
The broader SteamOS 3.9 update also brings an updated Arch Linux base, KDE Plasma 6.7.3 for Desktop Mode, and a Linux 7.2 kernel rebase. Additional fixes address compatibility with games such as Forza Horizon 6, Elden Ring, and Dark Souls III, alongside improvements for Steam Machine, Steam Frame, and Legion Go 2. SteamOS 3.9.6 is currently available through the Beta and Preview channels, which players can enable under Settings, System, and System Update Channel.
SteamOS 3.9.6 Patch Notes
New in SteamOS 3.9.6
General Improvements and Fixes
- Added security and stability updates.
- Improved frame timing when using the frame rate limiter with VRR enabled.
- Improved frame timing when using the frame rate limiter without VRR.
- Fixed an issue where games running at a frame rate that was a multiple of the configured limit could drop below the intended value.
- For example, a 30 FPS game with a 60 FPS limit on a 120 Hz display could incorrectly run at 24 FPS.
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- Reduced missed frames at fixed refresh rates caused by slow wakeups from deep CPU idle states.
- Fixed a black screen affecting RPG Maker games using Fullscreen++, including Waste Walkers.
- Fixed an issue where games ran below the display refresh rate on monitors supporting 240 Hz or higher.
- Fixed Steam Remote Play displaying a green screen when using NVIDIA GPUs.
- Fixed an issue where the left mouse click could remain stuck after performing a two-finger tap on the touchscreen.
- Fixed an issue where SDR content appeared oversaturated when using HDR10 output on displays without wide-gamut support.
- Fixed an issue where GameMode and other LD_PRELOAD libraries could break when launched through Gamescope.
- Fixed several rare crashes and memory errors occurring during shutdown and when clients exited.
Desktop Mode
- Fixed a regression that prevented scripts from being added to Steam using the Add to Steam option.
SteamOS 3.9 General Improvements
- Updated the Arch Linux base.
- Updated Desktop Mode from KDE Plasma 6.4.3 to KDE Plasma 6.7.3.
- Improved support for the Steam Frame wireless adapter.
- Fixed an issue where hidden Wi-Fi networks failed to connect on the first attempt.
- Fixed Steam Remote Play not working on Steam Machine when the system booted without an external display connected.
- Fixed an issue where the Disable Frame Limiter toggle did not work when VRR was enabled.
- Fixed an issue where the frame limiter incorrectly applied to VR titles when streaming from Steam Machine to Steam Frame.
- Fixed a loss of input that could occur when a launcher window was accidentally dragged around in Game Mode.
- Fixed an issue where frame rate limits resulted in lower-than-intended FPS on certain external displays.
- Fixed suspend and resume issues on systems equipped with RDNA1 or RDNA2 dedicated GPUs.
- Fixed audio issues when connecting certain monitors in a multi-monitor configuration.
- Fixed an issue where firmware updates occasionally failed to apply on Steam Machine.
- Fixed a system crash when launching Forza Horizon 6 on Legion Go 2.
- Added preliminary brightness control support for Legion Go 2.
- Fixed an issue preventing certain games from running on recent Intel Panther Lake CPUs, including:
- Elden Ring.
- Dark Souls III.
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- Fixed performance issues in STAR WARS: Galactic Racer when resuming from suspend on Steam Machine.
- Fixed an issue that could cause GPU errors in The Crew Motorfest.
- Added a workaround for a firmware issue on certain ASUS devices that caused excessive fan speeds after waking from sleep.
- Fixed boot screen corruption on Intel PTL+ devices.
- Fixed an issue where changing the time zone could prevent users from switching to Desktop Mode until restarting the system.
- Improved idle power consumption on Steam Deck when no audio is playing.
- Added further security and stability updates.
Miscellaneous Improvements
- Updated the bootloader to improve compatibility with certain motherboards.
- Desktop Mode’s lock screen can now be explicitly enabled through Settings.
- The lock screen remains disabled by default.
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- Fixed an issue affecting Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP) login to Desktop Mode using system users when enabled.
Developer Improvements
- Changed the default Wi-Fi backend to wpa_supplicant to improve compatibility with various wireless networks.
- Enhanced wpa_supplicant to support fast Wi-Fi reconnection when resuming from sleep.
- This functionality was previously available only through the iwd backend.
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- Rebased the Linux kernel on Linux 7.2.
- Added preliminary hibernation support.
- Hibernation is not yet available through the Game Mode interface.
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Have you noticed these changes? Share your thoughts in the comments!
