Can steam link run in background?

Can Steam Link Run in Background?

Steam Link is a fantastic feature that allows you to play your Steam games on your TV or other devices without the need for a powerful gaming PC. However, you may be wondering if Steam Link can run in the background, allowing you to use your PC for other tasks while still enjoying your games. In this article, we’ll dive into the details and provide a definitive answer to this question.

Direct Answer:

Yes, Steam Link can run in the background. However, there are some limitations and requirements to keep in mind.

How Does Steam Link Work?

Before we dive into the background running aspect, let’s quickly cover how Steam Link works. Steam Link is a technology that allows you to stream your Steam games from your PC to other devices, such as your TV or smartphone. This is achieved through a combination of compression, encryption, and latency-reducing techniques.

Background Running:

Now, let’s talk about running Steam Link in the background. When you launch Steam Link, it will detect the Steam connection on your PC and start streaming the game to your device. However, by default, Steam Link will not run in the background. Instead, it will take over your PC’s display and audio output, making it difficult to use your PC for other tasks.

Workarounds:

Fortunately, there are a few workarounds to allow Steam Link to run in the background:

• Windowed Mode: You can launch Steam Link in windowed mode by pressing the Ctrl + Shift + W keys while launching the app. This will allow you to minimize the Steam Link window and use your PC for other tasks.
• Borderless Windowed Mode: If you want to keep the Steam Link window open but not take up the entire screen, you can enable borderless windowed mode by going to Settings > Video > Windowed mode and checking the box next to Borderless windowed mode.
• Multiple Displays: If you have multiple monitors connected to your PC, you can use one monitor for Steam Link and the other for your PC’s desktop. This way, you can keep an eye on your PC’s desktop while still playing games on Steam Link.

Limitations:

While Steam Link can run in the background, there are some limitations to keep in mind:

• Performance: Running Steam Link in the background may affect the performance of your PC, especially if you’re playing demanding games.
• Audio: Steam Link may not work properly with some audio devices, such as surround sound systems.
• Controller Support: Steam Link may not support all controllers, including some gaming controllers.

Conclusion:

In conclusion, Steam Link can run in the background, but there are some limitations and workarounds to keep in mind. By using windowed mode, borderless windowed mode, or multiple displays, you can use your PC for other tasks while still enjoying your Steam games on Steam Link.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Here are some frequently asked questions about Steam Link and running it in the background:

• Q: Can I run Steam Link in the background while playing games on my PC?
• A: Yes, but you’ll need to use windowed mode or borderless windowed mode.
• Q: Will running Steam Link in the background affect my PC’s performance?
• A: Yes, it may affect performance, especially if you’re playing demanding games.
• Q: Can I use multiple controllers with Steam Link?
• A: It depends on the controller and the game being played.

Table:

In Conclusion:

Steam Link is a fantastic feature that allows you to play your Steam games on other devices. While it can run in the background, there are some limitations and workarounds to keep in mind. By using windowed mode, borderless windowed mode, or multiple displays, you can use your PC for other tasks while still enjoying your Steam games on Steam Link.