We do often include affiliate links to earn us some pennies. See more here.
Another Steam Client Beta has released, one of the important fixes here is that the DualShock 4 gamepads should now work with recent Kernel versions.

Here's what's changed:
  • Fixed Launchers in Steam games not using the Desktop Configuration
  • Fixed a bug with controller configuration conversion from one controller type to another where some modes such as DPad wouldn’t be active after conversion.
  • Added support for the Desktop Configurator for when a game asks for the Configurator but the user has disabled the overlay or Big Picture overlay.
  • Fixed bug with On-screen Keyboard in Big Picture Mode’s web browser losing input.
  • Fix handling of XDG_DATA_DIRS and .desktop files with command-line arguments when adding non-steam games to your library.
  • Fixed game support for DualShock 4 controllers when using recent kernels.


A pretty small update, but good to have such issues fixed as I saw a few people complaining about the DS4 recently.

The point about the Desktop Configurator sounds interesting, but I'm not exactly sure what they mean by it. I have yet to see any game bring up Steam's own configuration tool for gamepads when editing any gamepad settings in-game. If anyone can shed some light on that, leave a comment. Article taken from GamingOnLinux.com.
Tags: Beta, Steam
6 Likes
About the author -
author picture
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.
See more from me
The comments on this article are closed.
22 comments
Page: 1/3»
  Go to:

Cyba.Cowboy Aug 16, 2017
Did I miss something?

I've been using a DUALSHOCK4 with Steam (and GOG.com!) for years (since not too long after the Sony PlayStation 4 came out)... And it works perfectly with most games (even the force-feedback/vibration)(I could count on one hand the games which don't work or don't work properly)!

I don't even need to do anything special - just pair it with my computers (I've used it on different computers over the years) via bluetooth.

What exactly is it with DUALSHOCK4 game pads that supposedly doesn't work?


Last edited by Cyba.Cowboy on 16 August 2017 at 11:20 am UTC
Liam Dawe Aug 16, 2017
Quoting: Cyba.CowboyDid I miss something?

I've been using a DUALSHOCK4 with Steam (and GOG.com!) for years (since not too long after the Sony PlayStation 4 came out)... And it works perfectly with most games (even the force-feedback/vibration)(I could count on one hand the games which don't work or don't work properly)!

I don't even need to do anything special - just pair it with my computers (I've used it on different computers over the years) via bluetooth.

What exactly is it with DUALSHOCK4 game pads that supposedly doesn't work?
My memory is a little hazy on it, but I believe in recent Kernels the way DS4 were handled was changed, causing breakages.
Jan Aug 16, 2017
Yes, recent Kernel updates completely broke PS3 and PS4 controllers on SteamOS. I can confirm that from my own experience. My DualShock 4 is only working in SteamOS menus at the moment.
M@GOid Aug 16, 2017
Quoting: Cyba.CowboyDid I miss something?

I've been using a DUALSHOCK4 with Steam (and GOG.com!) for years (since not too long after the Sony PlayStation 4 came out)... And it works perfectly with most games (even the force-feedback/vibration)(I could count on one hand the games which don't work or don't work properly)!

I don't even need to do anything special - just pair it with my computers (I've used it on different computers over the years) via bluetooth.

What exactly is it with DUALSHOCK4 game pads that supposedly doesn't work?

I tested a DS4 last year, and everything was fine. Last month a bought one for my gamepad collection and things do not look good. The axis and buttons configuration are all over the place. Some kernel update messed things up badly. A believe a couple weeks ago some kernel (I'm using 4.12) and/or some system update on Ubuntu 17.04 got things strait again, but last time I tried, 16.04 is still broken.

I also have to say that some games do not like the Steam gamepad configurator, instead they try to connect to the gamepad directly and if you have the Steam thingy activated on your non-Steam Controller, the game will register two inputs, like you and a ghost are using the controller at the same time. So multiplayer games will always show a second player using the same inputs as you. Over the top of my head, Assault Android Cactus and Rocket League have this problem.
M@GOid Aug 16, 2017
Liam, I think Valve games, like L4D2, open up the Steam configuration from the game menu.
Liam Dawe Aug 16, 2017
Quoting: M@GOidI also have to say that some games do not like the Steam gamepad configurator, instead they try to connect to the gamepad directly and if you have the Steam thingy activated on your non-Steam Controller, the game will register two inputs, like you and a ghost are using the controller at the same time. So multiplayer games will always show a second player using the same inputs as you. Over the top of my head, Assault Android Cactus and Rocket League have this problem.
That seems to have been an issue in SDL 2, which will be fixed in the next release: https://twitter.com/flibitijibibo/status/895361415782989824
Darkdisorder78 Aug 16, 2017
Quoting: liamdawe
Quoting: Cyba.CowboyDid I miss something?

I've been using a DUALSHOCK4 with Steam (and GOG.com!) for years (since not too long after the Sony PlayStation 4 came out)... And it works perfectly with most games (even the force-feedback/vibration)(I could count on one hand the games which don't work or don't work properly)!

I don't even need to do anything special - just pair it with my computers (I've used it on different computers over the years) via bluetooth.

What exactly is it with DUALSHOCK4 game pads that supposedly doesn't work?
My memory is a little hazy on it, but I believe in recent Kernels the way DS4 were handled was changed, causing breakages.

You must be using Windows because force feedback doesn't work on Steam OS. I doesn't work with the steam controller, so how can it work with the DUALSHOCK 4?
Liam Dawe Aug 16, 2017
Quoting: Darkdisorder78
Quoting: liamdawe
Quoting: Cyba.CowboyDid I miss something?

I've been using a DUALSHOCK4 with Steam (and GOG.com!) for years (since not too long after the Sony PlayStation 4 came out)... And it works perfectly with most games (even the force-feedback/vibration)(I could count on one hand the games which don't work or don't work properly)!

I don't even need to do anything special - just pair it with my computers (I've used it on different computers over the years) via bluetooth.

What exactly is it with DUALSHOCK4 game pads that supposedly doesn't work?
My memory is a little hazy on it, but I believe in recent Kernels the way DS4 were handled was changed, causing breakages.

You must be using Windows because force feedback doesn't work on Steam OS. I doesn't work with the steam controller, so how can it work with the DUALSHOCK 4?
I think you quoted the wrong person there, with me included, but I assure you vibration does work on the Steam Controller, not many games I've tried actually use it though. Micro Machines used it quite well.
M@GOid Aug 16, 2017
Quoting: Darkdisorder78
Quoting: liamdawe
Quoting: Cyba.CowboyDid I miss something?

I've been using a DUALSHOCK4 with Steam (and GOG.com!) for years (since not too long after the Sony PlayStation 4 came out)... And it works perfectly with most games (even the force-feedback/vibration)(I could count on one hand the games which don't work or don't work properly)!

I don't even need to do anything special - just pair it with my computers (I've used it on different computers over the years) via bluetooth.

What exactly is it with DUALSHOCK4 game pads that supposedly doesn't work?
My memory is a little hazy on it, but I believe in recent Kernels the way DS4 were handled was changed, causing breakages.

You must be using Windows because force feedback doesn't work on Steam OS. I doesn't work with the steam controller, so how can it work with the DUALSHOCK 4?

I don't know about SteamOS, but on Ubuntu it does work, with all my gamepads (DS4,Both Xbox, F710). The Steam Controller on the other hand, is by emulation and only work with Valve games, at last in my experience.
Darkdisorder78 Aug 16, 2017
Wait so force feedback works in Ubuntu and with any game? Valve ships the Steam controller advertising haptic feedback. I thought linux didn't support rumble because it's not enabled on Steam OS? It's a little weird that they built steam OS off of Debain because it's incomplete.


Last edited by Darkdisorder78 on 16 August 2017 at 5:19 pm UTC
While you're here, please consider supporting GamingOnLinux on:

Reward Tiers: Patreon. Plain Donations: PayPal.

This ensures all of our main content remains totally free for everyone! Patreon supporters can also remove all adverts and sponsors! Supporting us helps bring good, fresh content. Without your continued support, we simply could not continue!

You can find even more ways to support us on this dedicated page any time. If you already are, thank you!
The comments on this article are closed.