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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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42 comments
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Xpander Nov 23, 2016
Quoting: Nyamiou
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.

amen



works fine for me after reloading udev rules
ProfessorKaos64 Nov 24, 2016
No I won't, I use SteamOS :)
Creak Nov 24, 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.
"sudo gedit" will simply launch gedit as root. there's no rule AFAIK against that (except maybe the security risk of using an app on top of X), but it works nonetheless.
fcastillo Nov 24, 2016
What if I'm using Steam Link? I've notice a lot of disconnection problems on the Link, and recently there was an announcement for an update to SteamOS that fixes this. I'm not using SteamOS just the client on Ubuntu, but I'm seeing this problems because of the Link. Any suggestions?
Eike Nov 24, 2016
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I don't know where to tell that optimally, I guess Liam is flooded with mails:
Steam Link is off 60%, so it's about 20 bucks now (plus shipping)!
Guppy Nov 24, 2016
Any word on how they expect the udev rules to be updated for non beta?

While I'm comfy editing files and digging up group names it's the kind of "voodoo sorcery" that makes people shy away from Linux.



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 will work fine - it's run from a terminal not alt-f2 so you can see the prompt.
Eike Nov 24, 2016
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Quoting: GuppyAny word on how they expect the udev rules to be updated for non beta?

While I'm comfy editing files and digging up group names it's the kind of "voodoo sorcery" that makes people shy away from Linux.

Quoted from the guide:
"We are working with distributions to make sure the necessary access is provided out of the box, but this might not currently be the case depending on your distribution of choice. "
Corben Nov 24, 2016
Will the new rules be updated sooner or later distro-wise? Or will all Linux users have to do these changes manually?

Edit: ah, Eike's post already answers this ;)


Last edited by Corben on 24 November 2016 at 8:19 am UTC
melkemind Nov 24, 2016
Thanks for alerting us to this. I would've been wondering what went wrong if you hadn't.
Grifter Nov 24, 2016
I see a lot of bluetooth being mentioned, but I was under the impression that the steam controller used plain wifi instead of bluetooth, am I mistaken? Or is this new change changing over to bluetooth? Please enlighten my ignorance.
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