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You will need to update your udev rules for the Steam Controller

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Valve have changed the USB/Bluetooth communication the Steam Controller uses, so on Linux you will need to update your udev rules.

Note: This is for the Beta client, but works on the stable client too. Even if you're on the stable client, it's likely a good idea to do it now ready for the next stable release on the Steam client.

See their announcement here, which links to this guide of issues.

Funnily enough, Valve didn't even list the actual file you need to update, so here it is:
/lib/udev/rules.d/99-steam-controller-perms.rules

You can open it easily doing this in terminal (on Ubuntu for example):
sudo gedit /lib/udev/rules.d/99-steam-controller-perms.rules

Edit it to look like this (make sure you edit the group name like it says!):
Quote# This rule is needed for basic functionality of the controller in Steam and keyboard/mouse emulation
SUBSYSTEM=="usb", ATTRS{idVendor}=="28de", MODE="0666"

# This rule is necessary for gamepad emulation; make sure you replace 'pgriffais' with a group that the user that runs Steam belongs to
KERNEL=="uinput", MODE="0660", GROUP="pgriffais", OPTIONS+="static_node=uinput"

# DualShock 4 wired
SUBSYSTEM=="usb", ATTRS{idVendor}=="054c", ATTRS{idProduct}=="05c4", MODE="0666"
# DualShock 4 wireless adapter
SUBSYSTEM=="usb", ATTRS{idVendor}=="054c", ATTRS{idProduct}=="0ba0", MODE="0666"
# DualShock 4 slim wired
SUBSYSTEM=="usb", ATTRS{idVendor}=="054c", ATTRS{idProduct}=="09cc", MODE="0666"

# Valve HID devices over USB hidraw
KERNEL=="hidraw*", ATTRS{idVendor}=="28de", MODE="0666"

# Valve HID devices over bluetooth hidraw
KERNEL=="hidraw*", KERNELS=="*28DE:*", MODE="0666"

# DualShock 4 over bluetooth hidraw
KERNEL=="hidraw*", KERNELS=="*054C:05C4*", MODE="0666"

# DualShock 4 Slim over bluetooth hidraw
KERNEL=="hidraw*", KERNELS=="*054C:09CC*", MODE="0666"


I tried reloading udev rules after, but it didn't seem to work. A reboot with the new rules in place and it works once again.

Valve still haven't fixed the issue of the Steam Controller not working in wireless unless Steam is open though, bug reported here on September 1st. Not everyone seems to have that issue though.

Thanks to Furball in our Telegram group chat for pointing it out. Article taken from GamingOnLinux.com.
Tags: Hardware, HOWTO, Steam
6 Likes
About the author -
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I am the owner of GamingOnLinux. After discovering Linux back in the days of Mandrake in 2003, I constantly came back to check on the progress of Linux until Ubuntu appeared on the scene and it helped me to really love it. You can reach me easily by emailing GamingOnLinux directly. Find me on Mastodon.
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Redface Nov 23, 2016
Thanks for the info. Could you maybe add that this is for Steam beta only for now?
Yakumozo Nov 23, 2016
Thanks for info! I've got steam controller just recently and sometimes couldn't make it working. Switching back to non-beta version worked for me though, but maybe I will be able to go back to beta now :)
Perkeleen_Vittupää Nov 23, 2016
QuoteFunnily enough, Valve didn't even list the actual file you need to update

Why is Valve so "funny" about their business all the more now? Why is it, that they basically could change the whole gaming field in favor for Linux (which they seemingly endorse) with few swift strokes. Windows would be on it's way out.

Even MS themselves realize "something"; they joined the Linux Foundation as a platinum member. Linux will be de facto platform for gaming in future. Why not just speed the inevitable up?

Thanks to Liam, this is not much of a thing at all again :)


Last edited by Perkeleen_Vittupää on 23 November 2016 at 8:49 pm UTC
Liam Dawe Nov 23, 2016
Quoting: RedfaceThanks for the info. Could you maybe add that this is for Steam beta only for now?
Done.
Naib Nov 23, 2016
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Well adding it in non-beta won't do any harm as it add's more HID for udev to manage.

interestingly I popped over to the gentoo wiki page I created to update the entry and someone had added a HTC vive HID entry.

https://wiki.gentoo.org/wiki/Steam_Controller

# HTC Vive HID Sensor naming and permissioning
KERNEL=="hidraw*", SUBSYSTEM=="hidraw", ATTRS{idVendor}=="0bb4", ATTRS{idProduct}=="2c87", MODE="0666"
chrisq Nov 23, 2016
Reloading udev rules have always worked for me using one of the following:

udevadm control --reload

udevadm trigger

You might need to disconnect/reconnect the dongle afterwards though.
tmtvl Nov 23, 2016
Wait a minute... "sudo gedit"? That shouldn't work. Unless you've got sudo aliased to xdg-su, kdesu, gksu, or something like that.
Liam Dawe Nov 23, 2016
Quoting: tmtvlWait a minute... "sudo gedit"? That shouldn't work. Unless you've got sudo aliased to xdg-su, kdesu, gksu, or something like that.
It has always worked for as long as I can remember.
Nyamiou Nov 23, 2016
QuoteThis rule is necessary for gamepad emulation; make sure you replace 'pgriffais' with a group that the user that runs Steam belongs to

Just put "users" then, it's way simpler.
Guy Fawkes Nov 23, 2016
Quoting: PerkeleenVittup
QuoteFunnily enough, Valve didn't even list the actual file you need to update

Why is Valve so "funny" about their business all the more now? Why is it, that they basically could change the whole gaming field in favor for Linux (which they seemingly endorse) with few swift strokes. Windows would be on it's way out.

Even MS themselves realize "something"; they joined the Linux Foundation as a platinum member. Linux will be de facto platform for gaming in future. Why not just speed the inevitable up?


Some of the key persons inside Valve have been intimidated by Microsoft in my knowledge. For example MS and their cronies have practiced this for decades in countless instances. They are not going to give an inch away without a fight, my friend. Gaben is also not untouchable. I'm sure this is considered tinfoil speech here. This is the truth though. Regular people can be very gullible in their inherent faith in righteousness. We must reach for equality in every area of this rotten system.
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