Valve has resolved an issue that prevented Steam's local network game transfers from functioning correctly. The fix, implemented in a recent stable channel update for the Steam Client, ensures that users can once again transfer games between their PCs and Steam Deck devices without relying on internet bandwidth. Previously, some users encountered situations where Steam would download games via the internet instead of utilizing a local network, which could be problematic for those with limited data or slow internet connections.
Updating Your Steam Client
To ensure local network transfers are operational, users should verify that their Steam client is up to date. On a PC, this can be done by opening the Steam client, selecting 'Steam' from the top-left menu, and then choosing 'Check for Steam Client Updates…'. A restart of the client may be necessary to apply any pending updates.
For the Steam Deck, updates are typically indicated by a yellow exclamation point next to the settings cog icon. Users can also manually check for updates by navigating to the settings cog, then to 'System,' and under 'Updates.' If an update is available, it can be applied by tapping 'apply.' Following the download and installation of the update, the Steam Deck will need to be restarted. It is important that all devices involved in a local network transfer are running the same version of the Steam client for the feature to work as intended.