How to Connect Steam Deck to TV (Step-by-Step)
The Steam Deck connects to a TV or monitor in three ways: USB-C with DisplayPort Alt Mode, an official or third-party dock, or wirelessly via Steam Remote Play. All three work, and the best option depends on how you want to use the setup. If you need help picking a dock, our best Steam Deck docking stations guide covers every budget.
Method 1: USB-C Cable Direct (Simplest)
The Steam Deck’s USB-C port supports DisplayPort Alt Mode. A USB-C to HDMI cable or a USB-C to DisplayPort cable connects the Deck directly to a TV or monitor. No dock required. This outputs video, but you will need a separate USB-C hub or a dock to also charge the Deck simultaneously, a direct cable connection will drain the battery during play.
For TV use: a USB-C to HDMI 2.0 cable handles up to 4K at 60Hz. The Steam Deck outputs at the display’s native resolution or lower. Most games will run better at 1080p even on a 4K TV given the Deck’s GPU capabilities.
Method 2: Dock (Recommended for Desk/TV Setup)
A Steam Deck dock sits on your desk or entertainment center and lets the Deck slot in like a console. Good docks provide HDMI output, USB-A ports for keyboard and mouse or controllers, and USB-C pass-through charging so the Deck charges while playing.
The official Valve dock costs around $79 and provides HDMI 2.0 (4K/60Hz), three USB-A 3.1 ports, and Gigabit Ethernet. Third-party options from JSAUX and iVoler cost $30 to $50 and provide similar functionality. For a full comparison of dock options, see our best Steam Deck docking stations guide.
Method 3: Steam Remote Play (Wireless)
Steam Remote Play lets you stream the Steam Deck’s screen to any device on your network. Install the Steam Link app on a smart TV, phone, or another computer, connect to the same Wi-Fi network as the Deck, and stream. This works well on a 5GHz Wi-Fi network with the TV and Deck close to the router.
Remote Play adds some latency compared to a wired connection. For slower games it is fine. For fast-action titles, a wired dock connection is more responsive.
Desktop Mode on a TV
When connected to a TV via dock or cable, the Steam Deck can run in Desktop Mode with full keyboard and mouse support. This turns it into a functional desktop PC for light tasks. Pair a Bluetooth keyboard and mouse, or connect USB peripherals through the dock. The Deck runs KDE Plasma as its desktop environment.
For more on using the Steam Deck as a full desktop replacement, see our Steam Deck desktop mode guide.
Best Settings for TV Gaming
When playing on a TV, increase the resolution target. At 1080p or 1440p output, many games that struggle at the Deck’s native 800p can run fine with upscaling via FSR. Set the render resolution to 720p, enable FSR, and output to 1080p via the dock. This gives a sharper image than native 800p on a large screen without a significant performance hit.
For docking station recommendations, see our best Steam Deck docks guide. For performance optimization, see our Steam Deck FPS guide.