Steam Link lets you play games and use your desktop from another room

Steam Link is software that streams your computer's screen and controls to another device on the same network. You run Steam Link on a second device — a phone, tablet, or another computer — and it displays whatever is on your main gaming PC. You can play games, open files, or do anything else you would normally do at your desk, but from anywhere in your home.

The setup is straightforward: install Steam on your main PC, install the Steam Link app on your second device, connect both to the same Wi-Fi network, and pair them. Once paired, your second device becomes a remote control for your main computer's screen.

Key Takeaways

  • Steam Link streams your main PC's screen to another device, so you need Steam installed on the computer you want to access.
  • Both devices must be on the same Wi-Fi network, though a wired connection to your main PC gives better performance.
  • You pair the devices once, then Steam Link remembers the connection for future use.
  • Steam Link works on phones, tablets, and other computers, and the app is free to read.
  • Your second device needs to be reasonably close to your router for smooth streaming, especially if you are playing fast-paced games.

What you need before you start

Your main gaming PC must have Steam already installed and running. If you do not have Steam, read it from steampowered.com and create an account. Steam does not need to be actively running a game — it just needs to be open in the background.

Your second device — the one you will hold or sit with — needs the Steam Link app. This app is free and available on iOS, Android, Windows, Mac, and Linux. Search your device's app store for "Steam Link" and install it from Valve, the company that makes Steam.

Both devices must connect to the same Wi-Fi network. If your main PC is wired to your router with an ethernet cable, that is fine — Steam Link still works as long as both devices can reach each other on the network.

How to pair your devices for the first time

Open Steam on your main PC and leave it running. Then open the Steam Link app on your second device. The app will search for Steam instances on your network and show a list of available computers.

Select your main PC from the list. Steam will generate a four-digit PIN code on your main PC's screen. Enter this PIN into the Steam Link app on your second device. Once you enter the code, the devices are paired and Steam Link remembers this connection.

After pairing, you can launch Steam Link anytime and it will connect automatically. You do not need to enter the PIN again unless you unpair the devices or reset Steam Link.

Accessing your desktop and launching games

Once connected, your second device displays your main PC's screen. You can navigate using the touchscreen, a connected controller, or a keyboard and mouse if you have them paired to your second device. Many people use a wireless controller — the same ones that work with Steam games — to control the desktop and play games.

To launch a game, navigate to your Steam library on the streamed screen and select the game you want to play. The game runs on your main PC, but you see and control it from your second device. This works for any game in your Steam library, not just games designed for streaming.

You can also access your desktop files, web browser, or any other program on your main PC. Steam Link streams the entire desktop, so anything you can do at your main computer, you can do through Steam Link.

Getting the best performance

Stream quality depends on your Wi-Fi signal strength and network speed. If you are close to your router and have a strong signal, you will see smooth, clear video. If you are far away or the signal is weak, the image may become blurry or lag behind your inputs.

For the best experience, position your second device within sight of your Wi-Fi router. If you play fast-paced games like shooters or racing games, a strong connection matters more than for slower games or desktop browsing. If your Wi-Fi is unreliable, consider moving your router or using a Wi-Fi extender.

If your main PC is connected to your router with an ethernet cable, that improves performance significantly. The cable connection is faster and more stable than Wi-Fi, so your main PC sends a cleaner stream to your second device.

Troubleshooting common connection problems

If Steam Link cannot find your main PC, make sure both devices are on the same Wi-Fi network. Some networks separate devices into different bands or subnets, which blocks Steam Link from discovering your computer. Check your router settings or ask your internet provider if your network isolates devices.

If the connection drops or becomes very slow, move closer to your router or restart both Steam and the Steam Link app. Interference from other devices can also slow Wi-Fi — microwaves, cordless phones, and baby monitors all use the same frequency as Wi-Fi and can cause lag.

If you see a black screen or the stream freezes, try reducing the stream resolution in the Steam Link app settings. Lower resolution uses less bandwidth and may fix freezing on slower networks. You can also check that your main PC is not running other bandwidth-heavy tasks like downloads or video uploads.

When Steam Link is useful and when it is not

Steam Link works well for playing games from your couch, accessing files from another room, or using your PC from bed. It is also useful if you want to play a game on a second monitor or device without leaving your main PC unattended.

Steam Link is not ideal for competitive online games where every millisecond matters, because streaming adds a small delay between your input and what appears on screen. For casual games, strategy games, or single-player games, this delay is usually not noticeable. For fast-paced multiplayer games, you may prefer to play directly on your main PC.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a good internet connection for Steam Link to work?

No — Steam Link works over your home Wi-Fi network, not the internet. You only need a stable local network connection. If your Wi-Fi is slow or unreliable, Steam Link performance will suffer, but you do not need fast internet speeds from your provider.

Can I use Steam Link outside my home?

Steam Link is designed for local networks only. You cannot use it to stream from your home PC to a device outside your home network. Some users set up remote access through other tools, but that is beyond Steam Link's built-in features.

What if I have multiple PCs with Steam installed?

Steam Link will show all of them in the device list when you open the app. Select the one you want to connect to, and the app will pair with that computer. You can switch between PCs by opening Steam Link again and choosing a different computer.

Does Steam Link work with games I own on other platforms?

Steam Link only streams games and programs on your main PC. If you have games on Epic Games, Origin, or other platforms, you can still access them through Steam Link — just launch them from your desktop. Steam Link does not care what store the game came from, only that it runs on your main computer.

Will using Steam Link slow down my main PC?

Streaming uses some of your PC's processing power and network bandwidth, but it does not significantly slow down your main computer. You can still use your main PC normally while someone else is using Steam Link, though both will share your Wi-Fi bandwidth.