How To Get Steam On Linux – Steam Linux Client Install

by

Installing Steam on Linux is straightforward once you know which package manager to use. If you are wondering how to get steam on linux, you have come to the right place. This guide covers every major Linux distribution, from Ubuntu to Arch, with clear steps and no fluff.

Steam is the largest PC gaming platform, and Linux support has improved dramatically. Whether you are a new Linux user or a seasoned pro, getting Steam running is simple. Let’s walk through the process step by step.

Why Steam On Linux Matters

Gaming on Linux used to be a hassle. Today, thanks to Proton and Steam Play, thousands of Windows games run natively or near-natively. Valve’s commitment to Linux means you can play AAA titles without dual-booting.

Knowing how to get steam on linux opens up a massive library of games. You also get better performance in many cases, especially with AMD graphics cards. Plus, you avoid Windows bloatware and telemetry.

How To Get Steam On Linux

The method depends on your distribution. Most users will use their package manager, but there are also Flatpak and manual installation options. Below, we cover each major distro family.

Ubuntu And Debian Based Systems

Ubuntu, Linux Mint, Pop!_OS, and Debian all use APT. This is the easiest method for beginners.

  1. Open a terminal (Ctrl+Alt+T).
  2. Update your package list: sudo apt update
  3. Install Steam: sudo apt install steam
  4. Launch Steam from your application menu.

That is it. The package manager handles dependencies automatically. On 64-bit systems, you may need to enable 32-bit architecture first:

sudo dpkg --add-architecture i386
sudo apt update
sudo apt install steam

Some Ubuntu flavors include Steam in the software center. You can also download the .deb file from the Steam website, but the repository version is usually more stable.

Fedora And Red Hat Based Systems

Fedora uses DNF. The process is similar but requires enabling the RPM Fusion repository.

  1. Enable RPM Fusion free and non-free repositories:
    sudo dnf install https://mirrors.rpmfusion.org/free/fedora/rpmfusion-free-release-$(rpm -E %fedora).noarch.rpm
    sudo dnf install https://mirrors.rpmfusion.org/nonfree/fedora/rpmfusion-nonfree-release-$(rpm -E %fedora).noarch.rpm
  2. Install Steam: sudo dnf install steam
  3. Launch from the applications menu.

If you get a dependency error, install the 32-bit libraries manually: sudo dnf install steam-devices. On Fedora 38 and later, Steam works out of the box with Wayland.

Arch Linux And Manjaro

Arch users have Steam in the community repository. Manjaro includes it by default in the software center.

  1. Open terminal.
  2. Install Steam: sudo pacman -S steam
  3. For 32-bit support, enable multilib in /etc/pacman.conf (uncomment the [multilib] section).
  4. Launch Steam.

Arch users often prefer the steam-native package for better performance. If you encounter font issues, install ttf-liberation or noto-fonts.

OpenSUSE

OpenSUSE uses Zypper. Steam is available in the official repositories.

  1. Add the Packman repository for multimedia codecs:
    sudo zypper addrepo -cfp 90 https://ftp.gwdg.de/pub/linux/misc/packman/suse/openSUSE_Tumbleweed/ packman
  2. Install Steam: sudo zypper install steam
  3. Launch from the menu.

For Leap users, replace Tumbleweed with your version number in the repository URL.

Flatpak Method (Universal)

Flatpak works on almost any Linux distribution. It is sandboxed, which means better security but slightly slower startup.

  1. Install Flatpak if not present: sudo apt install flatpak (Ubuntu) or sudo dnf install flatpak (Fedora).
  2. Add Flathub repository: flatpak remote-add --if-not-exists flathub https://flathub.org/repo/flathub.flatpakrepo
  3. Install Steam: flatpak install flathub com.valvesoftware.Steam
  4. Run: flatpak run com.valvesoftware.Steam

The Flatpak version is maintained by Valve and updates automatically. Some users report better compatability with older hardware.

Snap Method

Ubuntu includes Snap by default. The Steam snap is maintained by Canonical.

  1. Open terminal.
  2. Install: sudo snap install steam
  3. Launch from the applications menu.

Snap packages are slower to start but update automatically. Some users experience issues with controller support on Snap versions.

Post Installation Steps

Once Steam is installed, you need to log in and configure a few things. Here is what to do after installation.

Enable Steam Play For All Games

Steam Play (Proton) lets you run Windows games on Linux. Enable it globally:

  1. Open Steam and go to Settings > Steam Play.
  2. Check “Enable Steam Play for all other titles”.
  3. Select the latest Proton version (usually Proton Experimental or 8.0).
  4. Restart Steam.

Now almost any Windows game in your library will attempt to run. Some games need specific Proton versions, which you can set per game in Properties.

Install Graphics Drivers

For best performance, install proprietary drivers if you have an NVIDIA GPU. AMD and Intel open-source drivers work out of the box.

NVIDIA:

  • Ubuntu: sudo apt install nvidia-driver-545
  • Fedora: sudo dnf install akmod-nvidia
  • Arch: sudo pacman -S nvidia nvidia-utils

AMD: Mesa drivers are included. Install mesa-utils for Vulkan support.

Intel: Same as AMD. Install intel-media-driver for hardware video decoding.

Fix Common Issues

Steam on Linux sometimes has minor glitches. Here are quick fixes.

  • Steam won’t launch: Delete ~/.steam/ubuntu12_32/steam-runtime and restart.
  • No sound in games: Install pulseaudio-utils or pipewire-pulse.
  • Fonts look weird: Install ttf-mscorefonts-installer or noto-fonts-emoji.
  • Controller not detected: Install steam-devices package.

Alternative Methods To Get Steam

Besides package managers, there are other ways to install Steam. These are useful if you want the latest version or a portable install.

Download From Steam Website

Valve offers a .deb package for Debian-based systems. This method is not recommended for beginners because it may break dependencies.

  1. Go to store.steampowered.com/about.
  2. Download the Linux installer.
  3. Run: sudo dpkg -i steam_latest.deb
  4. Fix missing dependencies: sudo apt install -f

Compile From Source

This is for advanced users only. Steam is partially open-source, but the client itself is proprietary. You cannot compile the full client from source.

Use Lutris Or Bottles

Lutris is a game manager that can install Steam as a runner. It is useful if you want to manage multiple game launchers in one place.

  1. Install Lutris: sudo apt install lutris
  2. Open Lutris and click the + button.
  3. Search for “Steam” and install the runner.

Bottles lets you run Windows applications, including Steam, in isolated prefixes. This is overkill for most users.

Performance Tips For Steam On Linux

Getting Steam installed is only half the battle. Here are tweaks to improve gaming performance.

Enable Esync And Fsync

These reduce CPU overhead in Proton games. Enable them in Steam settings:

  • Go to Settings > Steam Play > Advanced.
  • Check “Enable Esync” and “Enable Fsync”.

You also need to increase the maximum number of file descriptors:

echo 'fs.file-max=524288' | sudo tee -a /etc/sysctl.conf
sudo sysctl -p

Use Gamescope

Gamescope is a micro-compositor from Valve that improves performance and fixes screen tearing. Install it:

  • Ubuntu: sudo apt install gamescope
  • Arch: sudo pacman -S gamescope

Launch a game with: gamescope -f -- %command% in Steam launch options.

Disable Compositor

Desktop compositors like KWin or Mutter can cause input lag. Disable them temporarily:

  • KDE: Alt+Shift+F12 toggles compositor.
  • GNOME: Install gnome-shell-extension-disable-compositor.

Use MangoHud

MangoHud shows FPS, temperatures, and usage stats. Install and enable it per game:

sudo apt install mangohud
# In Steam launch options: mangohud %command%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I Install Steam On Any Linux Distribution?

Yes, Steam works on most distributions. The easiest are Ubuntu, Fedora, and Arch-based systems. For others, use the Flatpak method.

Do I Need A Powerful Computer To Run Steam On Linux?

No, Steam itself is lightweight. Gaming performance depends on your GPU and CPU, not the operating system.

How Do I Uninstall Steam From Linux?

Use your package manager. For Ubuntu: sudo apt remove steam. For Flatpak: flatpak uninstall com.valvesoftware.Steam. This removes the client but keeps your games folder.

Why Are Some Games Not Working On Steam Linux?

Some games have anti-cheat software (like Easy Anti-Cheat) that does not support Linux. Check ProtonDB.com for compatability reports.

Can I Run Steam On A Raspberry Pi?

Not officially. Steam requires x86 architecture, while Raspberry Pi uses ARM. Some community projects exist, but performance is poor.

Final Thoughts

Now you know how to get steam on linux using any method. The process is simple once you identify your distribution. Start with the package manager, enable Steam Play, and install the right drivers.

Linux gaming has never been better. With Proton, you can play thousands of Windows games without leaving your favorite OS. If you run into issues, the Linux gaming community is active and helpfull.

Go ahead and install Steam today. Your game library is waiting.