SteamOS is mainly designed for gaming, but Steam Deck and other SteamOS devices can also work as regular Linux computers. In Desktop Mode, you can browse the web, install applications, connect external displays, manage files, and perform many everyday tasks.

Printing is possible too, but SteamOS does not provide the same printer setup experience as Windows or a typical desktop Linux distribution. The easiest approach is usually to use a network printer that supports IPP, AirPrint, or another driverless printing standard, then install and configure CUPS from Desktop Mode.

If you regularly use your Steam Deck for documents, study, remote work, or other desktop tasks, choosing a Linux-friendly network printer can make the setup much easier.

How to add a printer to SteamOS Desktop Mode

Printers That Work Well With SteamOS

For SteamOS, I would look for a printer with Wi-Fi or Ethernet networking and support for IPP, AirPrint, or Mopria. These features can reduce the need for manually installing a manufacturer-specific Linux driver.

PrinterTypeUseful features
Brother DCP-L2640DWMonochrome laser all-in-onePrint, scan, copy, Wi-Fi, Ethernet, automatic duplex
Brother HL-L2465DWMonochrome laser printerWi-Fi, Ethernet, automatic duplex, Linux support
Brother HL-L2405WCompact monochrome laser printerWi-Fi, USB, AirPrint, Mopria, compact design

The Brother DCP-L2640DW is particularly useful if you want more than printing because it combines printing, scanning, and copying. Brother lists Linux compatibility for the model, along with Wi-Fi and Ethernet connectivity and automatic duplex printing.

If you only need a printer, the Brother HL-L2465DW is a simpler option. The HL-L2405W is another compact monochrome laser printer with wireless connectivity and support for AirPrint and Mopria. Printer compatibility can vary with SteamOS versions, so network printing is still preferable to assuming that every USB printer will work.

How to Add a Printer to SteamOS

The following method installs the CUPS printing system in SteamOS Desktop Mode and then uses its web administration interface to add the printer.

1. Switch to Desktop Mode

On your Steam Deck, open the Steam menu, choose Power, and select Switch to Desktop.

Wait for the KDE Plasma desktop to load. You can connect your Steam Deck to a monitor, keyboard, and mouse if you want a more traditional desktop setup.

2. Open Konsole

Open Konsole from the application menu. Konsole is the terminal application included with SteamOS Desktop Mode.

3. Set a sudo password

If you have not already configured a password for administrative commands, run:

passwd

Enter your new password when prompted. You will need this password when using sudo.

4. Disable the SteamOS read-only filesystem

SteamOS normally keeps important parts of the operating system read-only. To install CUPS with the system package manager, temporarily disable that protection:

sudo steamos-readonly disable

Enter your sudo password when asked.

5. Install CUPS

CUPS is the Common UNIX Printing System used by many Linux desktops and applications for managing printers.

sudo pacman -S cups

Confirm the installation when Konsole asks you to proceed.

6. Start the CUPS service

After CUPS has been installed, enable and start its service:

sudo systemctl enable --now cups

You can check whether the service is running with:

systemctl status cups

If CUPS is running, you can configure the printer through its web interface.

7. Open the CUPS web interface

Open a web browser in Desktop Mode and visit:

http://localhost:631

This opens the CUPS administration interface running locally on your SteamOS device.

8. Add your printer

In the CUPS interface, open Administration and select Add Printer.

CUPS may ask you to authenticate. Use the SteamOS desktop account and the sudo password you configured earlier.

If your printer is connected to the same network, choose the appropriate network printer option. For a printer that provides an IPP address, you can enter its IPP URL manually.

ipp://PRINTER-IP/ipp/print

Replace PRINTER-IP with the actual local IP address of your printer. The exact IPP path can vary by printer, so check the printer’s network settings or documentation if the example above does not work.

9. Select the printer model or driver

After adding the printer, CUPS may ask you to select a manufacturer and model or provide a driver. If the printer supports driverless IPP printing, CUPS may be able to configure it without installing a separate manufacturer driver.

Choose the closest supported option when necessary and complete the printer setup.

10. Print a test page

Return to the CUPS printer list and open the printer you just added. Use the maintenance or administration options to print a test page.

If the test page prints correctly, the printer should also be available to compatible applications running in SteamOS Desktop Mode.

How Do I Add a Printer to a Steam Deck?

The process is essentially the same as adding a printer to SteamOS on another supported device. Switch the Steam Deck to Desktop Mode, install CUPS, start the CUPS service, open http://localhost:631, and add the printer through the Administration section.

A network printer is usually the easiest choice. If the printer supports IPP, AirPrint, or Mopria, SteamOS may be able to communicate with it without requiring a complicated proprietary driver installation.

Can I Print From Steam Deck Without a PC?

Yes. A Steam Deck running SteamOS can communicate directly with a compatible network printer. You do not need to send the document through another Windows or Mac computer.

The important part is that the Steam Deck and printer can communicate over the network and that CUPS has a suitable way to communicate with the printer. Driverless IPP printing can make this considerably easier.

Does SteamOS Have a Built-In Printer Manager?

SteamOS is primarily designed around gaming rather than traditional desktop administration. Desktop Mode provides a Linux desktop environment, but printer configuration is not as straightforward as it is on Windows.

Installing and configuring CUPS gives you a standard Linux printing system and its browser-based administration interface.

Does SteamOS Support USB Printers?

Some USB printers can work with Linux and CUPS, but compatibility depends on the printer model and the available driver or printing protocol. A USB connection is therefore not a guarantee that the printer will work immediately.

For a new printer purchase, a model with Wi-Fi or Ethernet and support for IPP, AirPrint, or Mopria is generally a more convenient choice for SteamOS.

What Happens After a SteamOS Update?

This is one of the most important limitations of installing additional system packages on SteamOS.

SteamOS uses an operating-system update model that is different from a traditional Linux desktop installation. Software installed directly into the system with tools such as pacman may not survive an operating-system update as you expect. A SteamOS update can also change system configuration or restore the read-only state.

If printing stops working after an update, you may need to check CUPS again and repeat some of the setup steps. This is why SteamOS printing is better viewed as a useful Desktop Mode workaround rather than a replacement for a conventional desktop Linux installation.

Should You Re-enable the SteamOS Read-Only Filesystem?

After making system-level changes, you can restore the read-only state with:

sudo steamos-readonly enable

However, remember that installing CUPS with pacman is a system-level modification. If you later need to install or update system packages, you may need to temporarily disable the read-only filesystem again.

Is SteamOS Available for PC?

SteamOS is a Linux-based operating system developed by Valve. It was originally associated with Steam Deck, but Valve has been expanding SteamOS support beyond the Steam Deck.

Valve now provides support for SteamOS on additional hardware, including the Steam Machine and officially supported SteamOS handhelds. Recent SteamOS releases have also expanded compatibility with other AMD-powered PCs.

That does not mean every PC will work perfectly with SteamOS. Hardware compatibility, graphics support, firmware, controllers, Wi-Fi, and other components can affect the experience.

Which Devices Run SteamOS?

SteamOS currently runs on Valve hardware such as the Steam Deck and Steam Machine, as well as supported third-party hardware such as the Lenovo Legion Go S SteamOS Edition. Valve is also expanding compatibility with additional AMD-powered PCs and handhelds.

The exact list of supported hardware can change as SteamOS develops, so it is worth checking Valve’s current SteamOS hardware information before installing it on a PC or handheld.

Can I Use SteamOS for Work?

Yes, SteamOS can be used for some everyday work in Desktop Mode. You can browse the web, use office applications, manage files, connect external monitors and peripherals, and install compatible Linux software.

However, SteamOS is designed primarily as a gaming operating system. If your work depends on Windows-only applications, specialized business software, advanced printer drivers, or other hardware with limited Linux support, a conventional Windows or Linux desktop distribution may be more practical.

For occasional documents, web-based office tools, coding, browsing, light productivity, and similar tasks, Desktop Mode can be surprisingly capable.

What Type of Printer Is Best for SteamOS?

A network-connected printer with good Linux support is generally the safest choice. Look for Wi-Fi or Ethernet connectivity and standards such as IPP, AirPrint, or Mopria.

Monochrome laser printers are also worth considering if you mainly print documents. They are often a practical choice for text-heavy printing and do not require ink cartridges for every page.

Before buying, check the exact printer model’s Linux and network-printing compatibility rather than assuming that every printer from the same brand will work in the same way.

Troubleshooting SteamOS Printer Problems

If the printer does not work after installation, check these things first:

  • Make sure the Steam Deck and printer are connected to the same network.
  • Confirm that the printer’s IP address has not changed.
  • Check whether the printer supports IPP or another driverless printing protocol.
  • Verify that the CUPS service is running with systemctl status cups.
  • Try opening http://localhost:631 again and check the printer’s status.
  • Check the manufacturer’s Linux documentation for the exact model.
  • If the problem appeared after a SteamOS update, check whether CUPS and its configuration are still available.

Final Thoughts

Adding a printer to SteamOS takes a few more steps than adding one to Windows, but it is possible to build a useful printing setup in Desktop Mode. CUPS provides the printing system, while its web interface makes it possible to add and manage network printers.

If you are buying a printer specifically for a Steam Deck or another SteamOS device, prioritize network connectivity and driverless printing standards such as IPP, AirPrint, and Mopria. This can save you from dealing with complicated driver installation later.

Keep in mind that SteamOS updates can affect manually installed system software, so a printer configured this way may require some maintenance after major system updates.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I add a printer directly to Steam Deck?

Yes. Switch to Desktop Mode, install CUPS, start the CUPS service, and add the printer through the CUPS web interface.

Can I use a wireless printer with SteamOS?

Yes. Wireless network printers can work with SteamOS when the printer provides a compatible printing protocol such as IPP, AirPrint, or Mopria.

Do I need CUPS to print from SteamOS?

For the manual printer setup described in this guide, yes. CUPS provides the printing service and administration interface used to add the printer.

Will every printer work with SteamOS?

No. Compatibility depends on the printer model, Linux support, drivers, and printing protocols. Network printers supporting IPP or other driverless standards are generally easier to configure.

Can SteamOS be used as a normal desktop operating system?

SteamOS includes a Linux desktop environment and can run many desktop applications, but Valve positions it primarily as a gaming operating system. Desktop Mode provides access to many normal PC functions.

Related Steam Deck Guides

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