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How To Install Moonlight on Steam Deck: A Comprehensive Guide

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The Steam Deck, with its incredible portability and gaming prowess, has become a favorite for gamers everywhere. But what if you could extend its capabilities beyond just playing games installed directly on the device? That’s where Moonlight comes in. Moonlight is an open-source implementation of the NVIDIA Gamestream protocol that allows you to stream games from your powerful gaming PC to your Steam Deck, unlocking a world of high-fidelity gaming experiences on the go. This article provides a detailed guide on how to install and set up Moonlight on your Steam Deck.

Installing Moonlight on Your Steam Deck

The process of getting Moonlight up and running on your Steam Deck is straightforward. Here’s a step-by-step guide:

Switch to Desktop Mode: First, you need to be in the Steam Deck’s Desktop mode. To do this, press the Steam button, go to Power, and select Switch to Desktop.
Open the Discover Software Center: Once in Desktop mode, locate the Discover Software Center (it’s typically found on the taskbar, resembling a shopping bag). This is your gateway to installing applications on the Steam Deck.
Search for Moonlight: In the Discover Software Center’s search bar, type “Moonlight.” You should see the application appear in the results. Click on the Moonlight entry.
Install Moonlight: Click the Install button on the Moonlight application page. This will download and install Moonlight on your Steam Deck.
Return to Gaming Mode: Once the installation is complete, you can return to gaming mode by clicking on the “Return to Gaming Mode” shortcut on the desktop, or from the Steam menu.
Launch Moonlight: To launch Moonlight, go to your Steam library, locate it in the Non-Steam section (as it wasn’t installed through Steam), and then click Play.

Configuring Moonlight

With Moonlight installed, you’ll need to configure it to connect to your gaming PC. Here’s how:

Install Sunshine on Your PC: Sunshine is an open-source game streaming server that is designed to work with the Moonlight client. Download and install Sunshine on your Windows PC.
Locate Sunshine’s Local Name: After installing, Sunshine typically provides a local name or IP address that you’ll need to enter into Moonlight. You can find this in the Sunshine application or the address bar of its web interface.
Open Moonlight on your Steam Deck: Launch the Moonlight application in Game Mode.
Add Your Host PC: In Moonlight, click on the computer icon (usually in the upper-right corner). This will open a dialog box where you can enter the name or IP address of your Sunshine server. Enter the name, and press OK.
Pair Your Devices: You should now see the device icon of your Sunshine server. Select your server icon. A PIN will appear on the Sunshine web interface running on your PC. Enter that PIN on your Steam Deck to complete the pairing.
Stream Your Games: With everything paired, you should see your games appear in Moonlight. Select the game you want to play, and start streaming!

Optimizing Your Moonlight Experience

Network Connection: For the best streaming quality, ensure your PC and Steam Deck are connected to a stable and fast network. Wired connections are generally preferable to Wi-Fi for the host PC.
Adjusting Settings: Experiment with Moonlight‘s settings (resolution, bitrate, refresh rate) to find the optimal balance between image quality and performance for your setup.
Sunshine Configuration: Spend some time exploring Sunshine‘s settings on your PC, such as encoder options, to get the best streaming performance out of your PC.

By following these steps, you’ll be able to enjoy your PC games on the go with your Steam Deck, thanks to the power of Moonlight!

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What exactly is Moonlight and how does it work?

Moonlight is an open-source game streaming client that uses the NVIDIA GameStream protocol. It lets you stream games and applications from your host PC to your Steam Deck. The PC does the heavy lifting, and Moonlight on your Steam Deck displays the video and sends back your input.

2. Is Moonlight free to use?

Yes, Moonlight is completely free to use. It is open-source software, making it accessible to everyone.

3. Does Moonlight require an NVIDIA graphics card?

While the original implementation of the protocol was by NVIDIA, Moonlight can now stream from computers running Sunshine, which supports a wide range of GPUs. You no longer need an NVIDIA GPU on your server machine.

4. What is Sunshine, and why do I need it?

Sunshine is a game streaming server that acts as the bridge between your gaming PC and Moonlight. It’s necessary for PCs without NVIDIA GPUs to stream to Moonlight. It handles encoding your games and sending them to the client.

5. What are the minimum system requirements for using Moonlight on Steam Deck?

The main requirement is a stable Wi-Fi connection. The performance will also be affected by your host PC’s hardware (CPU, GPU, RAM) and the network quality between the two devices.

6. Can I stream games over the internet using Moonlight?

Yes, you can, but it requires additional configuration, such as port forwarding, and it might not be as seamless as local network streaming. Using services like Tailscale can make setting this up easier, and more secure.

7. What ports does Moonlight use?

Moonlight primarily uses the following TCP ports: 47984, 47989, and 48010. Make sure these are open on your router if needed.

8. Why is Moonlight sometimes better than Steam Link?

Moonlight often offers more flexibility and better performance than Steam Link. Moonlight can handle any source you want, and doesn’t suffer from the same DRM compatibility issues that sometimes plague Steam Link.

9. How do I add non-Steam games to Moonlight?

With Sunshine, it’s easy to add any application as a streamable game. Sunshine just needs to be pointed to the executable, and then it will appear in your Moonlight list.

10. Can I use Moonlight with a controller on the Steam Deck?

Yes, Moonlight supports the Steam Deck’s built-in controller, as well as any external controller you have connected to it.

11. How do I troubleshoot connection issues with Moonlight?

Check your network connection, make sure Sunshine is running on your PC, and ensure that the firewall isn’t blocking Moonlight or Sunshine. Using ping and other network tools can be helpful.

12. Can I use Moonlight with other operating systems besides Windows?

Sunshine, the server application, is available on Windows, Linux and MacOS, and Moonlight can run on a number of different client platforms.

13. Does Moonlight support multiple monitors on my PC?

Yes, Sunshine on the host PC supports multiple monitors, and you can choose which display to stream to Moonlight.

14. How does Moonlight handle audio streaming?

Moonlight can stream both stereo and surround sound audio. You can configure the audio settings in both Moonlight and Sunshine for optimal performance.

15. Is Moonlight game streaming safe?

Yes, Moonlight uses a secure client key system that is generated and stored locally on each device. There is no online account system that would be vulnerable to data breaches.