Steam Link on Raspberry Pi: Stream PC Games to Your TV

There’s nothing quite like settling into the couch for a gaming session, but my gaming PC sits in a cramped home office upstairs. Moving the entire setup wasn’t an option, and running HDMI cables through the walls seemed excessive. That’s when I discovered steam link raspberry pi could solve this problem for under $50.

Valve originally sold dedicated Steam Link hardware, but they discontinued it after releasing the Steam Link app for various platforms. Now you can turn a Raspberry Pi into a game streaming device that rivals or exceeds the original hardware. This guide covers everything needed for successful raspberry pi gaming through Steam Link.

What is Steam Link and How Does It Work?

Steam Link is software that streams games from your gaming PC to another device over your home network. Your PC runs the actual game, encoding the video and audio output in real-time. The Raspberry Pi receives this stream, decodes it, and displays it on your TV while sending controller inputs back to the PC.

The Steam Link Process

Step	Host PC	Raspberry Pi
1	Runs game at full quality	Receives video stream
2	Encodes video (H.264/HEVC)	Decodes video stream
3	Receives controller input	Sends controller input
4	Processes game logic	Displays output to TV

The beauty of this setup is that game performance depends entirely on your PC hardware. The Pi only needs to decode video and handle input, which it does remarkably well.

Hardware Requirements for Steam Link

Setting up steam link raspberry pi requires specific hardware for smooth streaming.

Which Raspberry Pi Should You Use?

Model	Resolution	Frame Rate	Recommendation
Raspberry Pi 5	Up to 4K	60 FPS	Best performance, lowest latency
Raspberry Pi 4	1080p-4K	60-120 FPS	Excellent value, recommended
Raspberry Pi 400	1080p	60 FPS	Clean form factor
Raspberry Pi 3B+	1080p	60 FPS	Basic streaming, budget option
Raspberry Pi 3/2/Zero	Not recommended	Limited	High latency, frame drops

The Raspberry Pi 4 offers the best balance of performance and cost for most users. It can handle 1080p at 120Hz or 4K at 60Hz with proper configuration. The Pi 5 provides improved performance for 4K streaming but costs more.

Essential Components

Component	Purpose	Recommendation
Raspberry Pi 4/5	Stream decoder	4GB RAM minimum
Power Supply	Stable operation	Official 15W (Pi 4) / 27W (Pi 5)
microSD Card	OS storage	16GB+ Class 10
HDMI Cable	TV connection	HDMI 2.0 for 4K
Ethernet Cable	Network connection	Cat6 recommended
Controller	Game input	Xbox, PlayStation, or Steam Controller
Case with Cooling	Thermal management	Passive or active cooling

Network Requirements

Network quality makes or breaks raspberry pi gaming through Steam Link.

Connection Type	Bandwidth	Latency	Recommendation
Gigabit Ethernet	1000 Mbps	Lowest	Best experience
5 GHz WiFi (same room)	Variable	Low	Acceptable
2.4 GHz WiFi	Limited	Higher	Not recommended
Powerline Ethernet	Variable	Variable	Test before relying on

Use wired Ethernet whenever possible. Both your gaming PC and Raspberry Pi should connect via Ethernet to the same router or switch for lowest latency.

Installing Steam Link on Raspberry Pi

The installation process is straightforward with proper preparation.

Step 1: Install Raspberry Pi OS

For optimal Steam Link performance, use Raspberry Pi OS Bookworm or the older Buster release. Some users report Bullseye has issues with hardware-accelerated video paths.

Flash the image using Raspberry Pi Imager, boot your Pi, and complete initial setup including network configuration.

Step 2: Update the System

sudo apt update

sudo apt upgrade -y

Step 3: Install Steam Link

sudo apt install steamlink

The package installs from the official repository and includes all necessary dependencies.

Step 4: Configure Display Settings (Pi 4)

For 4K displays or high refresh rates, edit /boot/config.txt:

sudo nano /boot/config.txt

Add these lines for 4K support:

hdmi_enable_4kp60=1

For 120Hz streaming, add to /boot/cmdline.txt:

vc4.fkms_max_refresh_rate=120

Reboot after making changes.

Step 5: Launch and Pair

Launch Steam Link from the desktop menu or run steamlink in terminal. The app searches for computers running Steam on your network. Select your gaming PC and enter the PIN displayed on your Pi into Steam on your PC.

Configuring Steam Link for Best Performance

Default settings work for basic streaming, but optimization unlocks the full potential of steam link raspberry pi.

Streaming Quality Settings

Setting	Fast	Balanced	Beautiful
Visual Quality	Lower	Medium	Highest
Latency	Lowest	Medium	Higher
Bandwidth Usage	~10 Mbps	~15-20 Mbps	~30+ Mbps
Best For	Competitive games	General use	Visual showcases

Start with “Fast” and adjust upward if your network handles it without issues.

Advanced Settings Recommendations

Setting	Recommended Value	Reason
Video	Fast	Lowest latency
Bandwidth Limit	15-25 Mbps	Prevents spikes
Frame Rate	Match display	Smooth playback
HEVC Encoding	Enable if supported	Better quality per bit
Performance Overlay	Enable during setup	Troubleshooting

Setting bandwidth to “Unlimited” often causes problems. A manual limit prevents network congestion from causing stuttering.

Host PC Configuration

Your gaming PC also needs optimization:

Setting	Location	Recommendation
Hardware Encoding	Steam Settings → Remote Play	Enable NVENC or QuickSync
Prioritize Network	Steam Settings → Remote Play	Enable
Host Resolution	Game settings	Match streaming resolution
Frame Rate Cap	In-game	Match streaming target

NVIDIA GPUs with NVENC or Intel CPUs with QuickSync handle encoding with minimal performance impact. AMD GPUs use VCE which also works well.

Controller Support and Configuration

Steam Link supports numerous controllers for raspberry pi gaming.

Supported Controllers

Controller	Connection	Compatibility
Xbox Wireless	Bluetooth/USB	Excellent
PlayStation DualSense	Bluetooth/USB	Excellent
PlayStation DualShock 4	Bluetooth/USB	Excellent
Steam Controller	Wireless receiver/BT	Native support
Nintendo Switch Pro	Bluetooth/USB	Good
8BitDo Controllers	Bluetooth/USB	Very Good
Generic USB Gamepads	USB	Varies

Bluetooth Controller Pairing

Put your controller in pairing mode (varies by controller), then from Steam Link settings, select “Add Controller” and follow the prompts.

For Xbox controllers, hold the pairing button until the Xbox button flashes rapidly. For PlayStation controllers, hold Share + PS button until the light bar flashes.

Performance Expectations and Latency

Understanding realistic expectations prevents frustration.

Typical Latency Breakdown

Component	Latency Contribution
Game rendering	Varies by PC
Video encoding	2-5ms (hardware)
Network transfer	1-5ms (Ethernet)
Video decoding	10-20ms (Pi)
Display processing	5-30ms (TV dependent)
Total	20-60ms typical

Enable your TV’s “Game Mode” to minimize display processing latency, often saving 20-50ms.

Achievable Performance by Resolution

Resolution	Frame Rate	Typical Latency	Experience
1080p	60 FPS	20-30ms	Excellent
1080p	120 FPS	14-20ms	Very Good
1440p	60 FPS	25-35ms	Good
4K	60 FPS	30-50ms	Acceptable

For competitive multiplayer games, lower resolutions with higher frame rates deliver better responsiveness. For single-player experiences, higher resolutions provide more visual appeal.

Troubleshooting Common Issues

High Latency or Stuttering

Symptom	Likely Cause	Solution
Consistent lag	WiFi connection	Switch to Ethernet
Periodic freezes	Network congestion	Lower bandwidth limit
Input delay only	Controller issue	Try wired connection
Video stuttering	Decoder overload	Lower quality settings

Display Problems

Issue	Solution
Black screen on Pi 4	Use HDMI port 0 (near power)
Locked at 30 FPS	Enable 4Kp60 in config.txt
No HEVC option	HEVC requires Pi 4 or newer
Wrong resolution	Set display mode in raspi-config

Controller Issues

Problem	Fix
Controller not recognized	Reconnect via USB first
Bluetooth disconnects	Reduce distance to Pi
Button mapping wrong	Configure in Steam Big Picture
Lag on wireless	Switch to wired USB

Alternatives to Steam Link

If Steam Link doesn’t meet your needs, consider these alternatives for raspberry pi gaming:

Alternative	Best For	Limitations
Moonlight	NVIDIA GPUs, lower latency	Requires GameStream/Sunshine
Parsec	Multi-platform, co-op	Requires account, uses cloud relay
Chiaki	PlayStation Remote Play	PlayStation console required

Moonlight particularly excels on Raspberry Pi, often providing lower latency than Steam Link when paired with NVIDIA’s GameStream or the open-source Sunshine server.

Useful Resources

Resource	URL	Description
Steam Link App	store.steampowered.com/app/353380	Official page
Raspberry Pi OS	raspberrypi.com/software	Operating system
Steam Support	support.steampowered.com	Official troubleshooting
Moonlight	moonlight-stream.org	Alternative streaming
Sunshine	github.com/LizardByte/Sunshine	Open-source GameStream

Frequently Asked Questions

Can Raspberry Pi 4 stream games at 4K 60 FPS?

Yes, but with caveats. The Pi 4 supports 4K 60Hz HEVC decoding, and Steam Link can stream at this resolution. However, you need to enable 4K support in config.txt, your gaming PC needs sufficient power to render and encode 4K, and your network must handle the higher bandwidth (30-50 Mbps). Many users find 1080p at higher frame rates provides a better experience than 4K at 60 FPS due to lower latency.

How does Steam Link on Raspberry Pi compare to the original hardware?

The Raspberry Pi 4 matches or exceeds the discontinued Steam Link hardware. The original device streamed at 1080p 60Hz maximum, while Pi 4 can achieve 1080p at 120Hz or 4K at 60Hz. The Pi also offers more flexibility since you can use it for other projects when not gaming. Some users report the Pi 4 has slightly higher baseline latency but better peak performance.

What’s the best controller for Steam Link on Raspberry Pi?

Xbox Wireless controllers provide the most reliable experience, especially newer models with Bluetooth. PlayStation DualSense and DualShock 4 controllers also work excellently. The Steam Controller remains officially supported but discontinued. For lowest latency, connect any controller via USB rather than Bluetooth. 8BitDo controllers offer great compatibility and Nintendo-style options.

Can I use Steam Link to play non-Steam games?

Yes. Add non-Steam games to your Steam library using “Add a Non-Steam Game” in Steam’s menu. The game will then appear in your library and can be streamed through Steam Link. Some launchers like Epic Games, GOG Galaxy, or emulators work this way. You can also use Steam’s desktop streaming to access your entire PC, though this has higher latency than streaming specific games.

Is WiFi good enough for Steam Link?

5 GHz WiFi can work acceptably if both devices have strong signals and your router isn’t congested. However, Ethernet dramatically improves consistency and reduces latency spikes that cause stuttering. WiFi adds 10-30ms of variable latency plus potential packet loss. For casual single-player games, good WiFi works fine. For anything requiring quick reactions, Ethernet is strongly recommended.

Building Your Steam Link Setup

Creating a steam link raspberry pi setup transforms how you enjoy PC games. The combination of low cost, minimal power consumption, and silent operation makes it ideal for living room gaming without moving your entire PC.

Start with a Raspberry Pi 4, connect everything via Ethernet, configure for 1080p 60 FPS, and use a wired controller. This baseline setup provides excellent performance for most games. Once comfortable, experiment with higher resolutions or frame rates based on your specific hardware and network capabilities.

The investment of time setting up Steam Link pays dividends every time you want to play PC games from the comfort of your couch, and the Pi remains available for other projects when you’re not gaming.

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Option 1 (154 characters): Transform your Raspberry Pi into a Steam Link device for streaming PC games to your TV. Complete setup guide with performance tips and controller support.

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