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Install Decky Loader from Steam Deck Desktop Mode with the official Steam Deck Homebrew installer, choose Latest Release for normal use, then return to Gaming Mode and open the Decky plug icon from Quick Access. The built-in Plugins Browser is where you install and manage plugins; a keyboard and mouse make the desktop steps easier but are optional.
What Decky Loader does
Decky Loader is a homebrew plugin launcher for Steam Deck. It adds a plug-shaped entry to the Gaming Mode Quick Access menu, where you can open Decky’s Plugins Browser and add independently maintained extensions. Decky itself is the launcher and management layer; each plugin is a separate project, so compatibility, maintenance quality, and behavior can differ from one plugin to another.
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The installation is performed in Desktop Mode rather than from the normal Gaming Mode interface. You download the official installer, run it on the desktop, select an update channel, and then switch back to Gaming Mode. Once installed, the loader is accessed with the Steam Deck’s (…) Quick Access button.
Choose the channel before you install
| Installer choice | Who it suits | What to expect |
|---|---|---|
| Latest Release | Most Steam Deck owners | The normal, stable branch for everyday use and plugin compatibility. |
| Latest Pre-Release | Plugin developers or people troubleshooting a release-branch problem | Earlier builds that may be less stable and can expose compatibility problems before they reach the regular release. |
Select Latest Release unless you have a specific development or troubleshooting reason to use a pre-release. Preview or beta SteamOS channels can also temporarily break loader compatibility after an update, so a stable SteamOS channel is the safer pairing for a normal Decky setup.
#1 Best Overall
- Read Before You Buy — No Video Output: These adapters support charging and USB 2.0 data transfer, but cannot transmit video signals. Except for standard USB webcams (which use USB data only), they are not compatible with HDMI/DisplayPort cables, video-capable USB-C hubs, or docking stations with video output.
- Convert USB-A Ports to USB-C: Designed to connect USB-C earphones, cables, flash drives, card readers, and other USB-C accessories to standard USB-A ports. Plug-and-play with no drivers or software required.
- Aluminum Alloy Housing: Built with a sturdy aluminum alloy shell that aids in heat dissipation and protects against daily wear and scratches. Designed to maintain a stable and secure connection.
- Compact & Travel-Friendly: The ultra-compact design allows the adapter to stay plugged into your device without blocking adjacent ports or adding bulk, reducing wear and tear on your original USB ports.
- 12-Month Warranty: Backed by a 12-month manufacturer warranty for peace of mind. Designed to meet strict quality control standards for reliable everyday performance.
What you need before starting
- A Steam Deck with access to Desktop Mode. The installer is run from the Linux desktop, not from the Gaming Mode store interface.
- A way to control the desktop. A USB-C or Bluetooth keyboard and mouse are convenient, but neither is required. The right trackpad can move the pointer, and the Steam plus Plus button shortcut opens the on-screen keyboard.
- A browser and a connection for the download. You will download the installer file from the official Decky Loader GitHub repository.
- Permission to enter an administrator password. The installer asks for this during setup. The project README says the installer can temporarily set a password when needed and remove it after completion.
- Time to return to Gaming Mode. The final step uses a desktop shortcut rather than a reboot command.
Save any work in Desktop Mode before switching back. The Decky installation procedure itself is short, but the first desktop interaction is easier if the Deck is connected to power and you have a reliable network connection for the download.
Install Decky Loader step by step
1. Connect optional peripherals or prepare the touch controls
If you have them, connect a compact keyboard and mouse through USB-C or Bluetooth. They are not prerequisites. Without them, place the pointer with the right trackpad. When a text field appears, press the Steam and Plus buttons together to bring up the on-screen keyboard. You can complete the entire installation with those controls, although renaming a downloaded file is more comfortable with a physical keyboard.
2. Switch from Gaming Mode to Desktop Mode
- Press the Steam button.
- Open Power.
- Select Switch to Desktop.
Wait for the Linux desktop to load. The installer file must be launched there; downloading it while still in Gaming Mode does not complete the setup.
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3. Download the official installer
Open a browser in Desktop Mode and navigate to the official Decky Loader GitHub repository. Download the installer file provided by the project. Do not substitute a file from an untrusted mirror or a random plugin page.
Firefox may save the file with the name decky_installer.desktop.download. That suffix means the browser has treated the file as an unfinished download or has not given it the desktop-launcher name expected by the file manager. Rename it to decky_installer.desktop before attempting to run it. Remove only the .download ending; do not change the rest of the filename.
4. Put the installer on the desktop and run it
- Open the browser’s download location, or open the Dolphin file manager and browse to the downloaded file.
- Drag
decky_installer.desktoponto the desktop. - Double-click the desktop file.
- When prompted, enter an administrator password and approve the installer’s actions.
The project README notes that the installer can temporarily create an administrator password if the Deck does not already have one, then remove that temporary password after it finishes. Follow the prompt shown on your Deck rather than inventing a password or downloading a separate password utility.
Rank #2
- 5-in-1 USB-C Hub: Experience comprehensive connectivity featuring a Power Delivery input, two USB-A 2.0 ports, a USB-A 3.0 port, and an HDMI port. (Note: The USB-C power delivery input port is only for connecting an external wall charger to power your laptop and cannot power peripheral devices.)
- 90W Pass-Through Charging: Achieve optimal charging with 90W pass-through power to your laptop, supported by a total input of 100W, with the hub reserving 10W for operational efficiency. (Note: Wall charger not included.)
- Quick Data Transfers: Accelerate your productivity with rapid data transfers using a high-speed 5Gbps USB 3.0 port and two 480Mbps USB 2.0 ports.
- 4K HDMI Display: Enhance your visual experience with a hub capable of delivering 4K resolution at 30Hz in both mirror and extend modes. Please note that this hub is compatible with MacBook (macOS 12 and newer), Windows 10 and 11, ChromeOS, and laptops equipped with DP Alt Mode and Power Delivery. Note: This device is not compatible with Linux.
- What You Get: Anker USB-C Hub (5-in-1, 4K HDMI), welcome guide, 18-month warranty, and our friendly customer service.
5. Select the release branch
When the installer presents its channel choices, select Latest Release for a normal installation. Choose Latest Pre-Release only when you are developing plugins, testing a reported issue, or have been directed to try it after the release branch fails. Pre-release builds are not guaranteed to be fully stable.
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6. Return to Gaming Mode
On the desktop, open the shortcut labeled Return to Gaming Mode. This takes you back to the Steam Deck interface where Decky’s Quick Access entry is available.
7. Confirm that Decky is present
- Press the (…) Quick Access button on the right side of the Deck.
- Look for the Decky plug icon in the Quick Access sidebar.
- Select the plug icon to open Decky.
If the icon is present, the loader is installed and ready for plugin installation. If it is missing, do not proceed to plugin URLs; use the recovery steps later in this guide.
Add a plugin from Decky’s Plugins Browser
Once the plug icon appears, install plugins from Decky’s built-in browser rather than manually copying files.
- Open Quick Access with the (…) button.
- Select the Decky plug icon.
- Inside Decky, select the store or Plugins Browser icon.
- Browse or search for the plugin you want.
- Select the plugin, review the displayed entry, and press Install.
- Return to the Decky menu and open the plugin to confirm that it loaded.
The browser includes a version dropdown. For an ordinary installation, leave version selection at its default and avoid manually choosing an older or experimental version. Manual version selection is useful only when a plugin’s maintainer or a troubleshooting instruction specifically requires it; otherwise it adds another compatibility variable.
Rank #3
- Sleek 7-in-1 USB-C Hub: Features an HDMI port, two USB-A 3.0 ports, and a USB-C data port, each providing 5Gbps transfer speeds. It also includes a USB-C PD input port for charging up to 100W and dual SD and TF card slots, all in a compact design.
- Flawless 4K@60Hz Video with HDMI: Delivers exceptional clarity and smoothness with its 4K@60Hz HDMI port, making it ideal for high-definition presentations and entertainment. (Note: Only the HDMI port supports video projection; the USB-C port is for data transfer only.)
- Double Up on Efficiency: The two USB-A 3.0 ports and a USB-C port support a fast 5Gbps data rate, significantly boosting your transfer speeds and improving productivity.
- Fast and Reliable 85W Charging: Offers high-capacity, speedy charging for laptops up to 85W, so you spend less time tethered to an outlet and more time being productive.
- What You Get: Anker USB-C Hub (7-in-1), welcome guide, 18-month warranty, and our friendly customer service.
Install one plugin at a time when setting up a new Deck. That makes it easier to identify which extension is responsible if the menu becomes slow, an entry disappears, or a later SteamOS update exposes an incompatibility. Because plugins are independently maintained, an extension can lag behind changes in SteamOS or Decky even when the loader itself is working.
Update, reload, or remove a plugin
Update a plugin
Open Quick Access, select the Decky plug icon, and use the plugin’s management controls. The exact control shown can vary by plugin version, but management is performed from the Decky menu rather than by replacing files on the desktop. If an update is offered, install it from that interface and reopen the plugin to verify it loads.
Reload a plugin
If a plugin is installed but its panel does not appear, return to the Decky menu and use the available reload control. Reloading is a management action inside Decky; it is different from reinstalling the loader itself.
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Open the plugin’s management controls and choose the uninstall option. Uninstalling removes the plugin files, but the project documentation warns that it may not remove other files the plugin created while it was installed. If you later reinstall the same plugin, it may detect those remaining files; do not assume that uninstalling is equivalent to a complete reset of every setting or data file.
Install a plugin from a URL only when you trust the source
Decky also supports URL-based plugin installation from its Settings menu. This can be useful when a maintainer gives you a direct release URL that is not yet listed in the Plugins Browser, but it bypasses the normal discovery path.
Use URL installation only for a source you trust and can verify. The Decky project explicitly warns against installing plugins from untrusted URLs. A web address alone does not prove that a file is safe, compatible, or maintained. Prefer a maintainer’s documented release location, check that the URL is exactly the one provided, and avoid links pasted into unsolicited messages. If you cannot establish who maintains the plugin or why you need that specific build, use the Plugins Browser instead.
Rank #4
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- Next-Level 10Gbps & 3A Charging: No more slow 480Mbps, this usb to usb c adapter has a transfer speed of up to 10Gbps, allowing you to do more transferring in less time. This usb adapter fits both USB A and USB C charger, supporting up to 3A fast charging
- Upgraded Exquisite Craftsmanship: With an aluminum alloy housing and metal connector, the usbc to usb adapter is extremely durable and sturdy. Rigorously tested to withstand more than 10,000 times of plugging and unplugging, ensuring long-lasting performance
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- Please Note: To reach 10Gbps speed, keep the cable under 3.3 ft. For USB A Male to USB C adapters, try flipping the USB C connector. USB C Male to USB A adapters support bidirectional 10Gbps transfer within 3.3 ft
Troubleshoot the common installation failures
The downloaded installer will not open
First check the filename. In Firefox, remove the .download suffix so the file is exactly decky_installer.desktop. If double-clicking it from the browser’s download panel does not launch it, open the Dolphin file manager, locate the file, drag it to the desktop, and double-click the desktop copy. This addresses the common case where the browser has not handed the desktop launcher to the file manager correctly.
The Decky plug icon is missing immediately after installation
Switching back to Gaming Mode does not require a separate plugin installation. Press the (…) button and check the Quick Access sidebar. If the plug icon is still absent, return to Desktop Mode, rerun the official installer, and install the stable branch again. This is the project’s documented first fix for a missing loader entry.
The icon disappeared after a SteamOS update
- Switch to Desktop Mode.
- Run the official Decky installer again.
- Select the stable or Latest Release branch.
- Use Return to Gaming Mode and check Quick Access.
SteamOS updates can temporarily hide or break the loader. Reinstalling the stable branch is the recommended recovery rather than immediately changing to a pre-release. If the stable reinstall does not restore Decky, try the pre-release branch as a troubleshooting step, then consult existing project issues or file a new issue with the SteamOS version, Decky channel, and symptoms you observed.
Decky works, but one plugin does not
Treat the loader and the plugin as separate failure points. Open Decky and use the plugin’s reload control. If that does not help, update or uninstall the individual plugin from its management controls. Avoid changing the loader branch solely because one independently maintained plugin is broken; the plugin may need its own compatibility update.
The setup breaks after using a preview SteamOS channel
Preview and beta SteamOS channels can introduce changes before Decky or its plugins have adapted. Move back to the stable SteamOS channel when reliability matters, then reinstall the stable Decky branch if the icon is missing. Keep pre-release Decky builds for development or targeted diagnosis rather than as a default pairing with preview system software.
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A practical maintenance routine
Before installing an extension
- Read the plugin’s description and confirm that it serves a feature you actually need.
- Prefer the Plugins Browser entry over a manually supplied URL.
- Leave the version selector at its default unless a maintainer gives a specific reason to choose another version.
- Install a single new plugin and test it before adding another.
After a SteamOS update
- Open Quick Access and check for the Decky plug icon.
- If the icon is missing, rerun the installer and choose Latest Release.
- Open each important plugin and use its management controls to reload or update it.
- If only one plugin fails, troubleshoot that plugin rather than replacing the entire loader installation.
When removing software
Use Decky’s uninstall control for the plugin. Remember that files created by the plugin may remain, so an uninstall does not promise that every associated file disappears. Avoid deleting unrelated files from the desktop or system directories simply because a plugin stopped working.
Best Value
- 5-in-1 Connectivity: Equipped with a 4K HDMI port, a 5 Gbps USB-C data port, two 5 Gbps USB-A ports, and a USB C 100W PD-IN port. Note: The USB C 100W PD-IN port supports only charging and does not support data transfer devices such as headphones or speakers.
- Powerful Pass-Through Charging: Supports up to 85W pass-through charging so you can power up your laptop while you use the hub. Note: Pass-through charging requires a charger (not included). Note: To achieve full power for iPad, we recommend using a 45W wall charger.
- Transfer Files in Seconds: Move files to and from your laptop at speeds of up to 5 Gbps via the USB-C and USB-A data ports. Note: The USB C 5Gbps Data port does not support video output.
- HD Display: Connect to the HDMI port to stream or mirror content to an external monitor in resolutions of up to 4K@30Hz. Note: The USB-C ports do not support video output.
- What You Get: Anker 332 USB-C Hub (5-in-1), welcome guide, our worry-free 18-month warranty, and friendly customer service.
What Decky installation does not guarantee
Decky Loader is community-maintained homebrew software, not a component of the standard Steam Deck operating system. There is no single compatibility guarantee for every plugin, and a plugin can become outdated even while Decky itself remains functional. Keep the loader on the release branch unless you have a reason to test pre-release code, and treat each plugin as an independently maintained addition.
No authoritative source establishes a universal plugin count or a fixed performance overhead for Decky. Performance and reliability can vary with the particular plugins installed, their versions, and changes in SteamOS. Do not use an unsourced plugin-count or overhead figure to decide whether the setup is suitable for your Deck; test only the extensions you need and remove those that cause problems.
Quick reference
| Task | Path |
|---|---|
| Enter Desktop Mode | Steam button → Power → Switch to Desktop |
| Run the installer | Download the official installer, rename Firefox’s .download file if necessary, place it on the desktop, and double-click it |
| Normal channel | Latest Release |
| Return to Gaming Mode | Desktop shortcut: Return to Gaming Mode |
| Open Decky | (…) Quick Access button → Decky plug icon |
| Open plugin catalog | Decky → store/Plugins Browser icon |
| Install a plugin | Select a plugin → Install |
| Recover after an update | Rerun the installer → install the stable branch → return to Gaming Mode |
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I install Decky Loader without a physical keyboard or mouse?
Yes. USB-C and Bluetooth peripherals are optional. Use the right trackpad as the mouse and press Steam plus Plus to open the on-screen keyboard when text entry is required.
Do these 3 things before closing this tab:
1Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errors2Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitches3Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsWhich Decky channel should I choose for everyday use?
Choose Latest Release. Latest Pre-Release is intended mainly for plugin developers or targeted troubleshooting and may be less stable.
What should I do if Decky disappears after SteamOS updates?
In Desktop Mode, rerun the official installer and install the stable branch again. If that does not restore the icon, try the pre-release branch and then consult or report the project issue.
Quick Recap
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