Why Are My Steam Games Not Showing Up on Moonlight?

The frustration of firing up Moonlight to stream your favorite PC games only to find your Steam library missing is a common one. It can be a real buzzkill when you’re ready to jump into a gaming session and things aren’t working as expected. The most common reason why your Steam games aren’t showing up in Moonlight boils down to how Moonlight discovers and presents your games, and how this interacts with your system’s setup.

The primary issue is that Moonlight doesn’t directly scan your Steam library itself. Instead, Moonlight relies on NVIDIA’s GameStream technology (or its open-source alternative, Sunshine) to identify and present games available for streaming. If GameStream or Sunshine isn’t correctly configured, or if it can’t identify your Steam games, then they won’t appear in the Moonlight client. Essentially, Moonlight acts as a remote viewer and relies on its host (your gaming PC) to handle game identification and streaming.

Here’s a detailed breakdown of common causes and how to fix them:

• GeForce Experience Configuration Issues: If you’re using NVIDIA’s GameStream directly, ensure that GeForce Experience is installed and up-to-date. Furthermore, the folder where your games are installed must be listed within GeForce Experience’s settings. To check this, open GeForce Experience, click on the Settings (gear icon), go to the “SHIELD” tab and enable Gamestream, then look for the “Games” section. Here, you can add or modify folders that contain your games using the “+” button. Missing or incorrect game folder paths are the most frequent reason for missing games in Moonlight.

• Sunshine Server Configuration: If you’re using Sunshine, an open-source GameStream alternative, ensure it is properly installed and configured on your host PC. Review the Sunshine configuration settings to confirm that it is correctly detecting and listing games. This often involves ensuring Sunshine has access to the correct Steam folder. If you installed games in a different location from the default, you’ll need to add that to Sunshine.

• Incorrect Game Path/Permissions: Moonlight can only display games that are correctly recognized by either GameStream or Sunshine. This requires that the games reside in the folders monitored by these services. If your games are in locations not configured in GeForce Experience or Sunshine, they won’t appear. File permissions can also interfere; ensure that the GameStream/Sunshine server has the necessary access to the game folders.

• Game Compatibility Issues: Although Moonlight is generally compatible with most games, some might have compatibility quirks. DRM (Digital Rights Management) can sometimes cause issues, leading to black screens or failed streaming. In rare instances, certain games might not be identified correctly by the server software.

• Steam Overlay Issues: Sometimes, the Steam Overlay can interfere with Moonlight’s ability to stream games properly. You can try disabling the overlay in Steam’s settings for the specific game, which you can find in the “Properties” menu of a game in your Steam library.

• Firewall and Network Issues: Firewalls can also block Moonlight’s connection to GameStream or Sunshine. Ensure that your firewall is configured to allow incoming and outgoing traffic for both the server-side software ( GeForce Experience/Sunshine ) and the Moonlight client. Network issues, such as inconsistent Wi-Fi or router configurations, might also be at fault.

• Driver Problems: Outdated or incompatible graphics drivers can create problems with both the streaming and detection of games. Update your NVIDIA graphics drivers (or drivers for your graphics card for Sunshine users) to the latest version for optimal performance.

• Outdated Software: If your Moonlight client or your server ( GeForce Experience or Sunshine) is out of date, you might experience game detection issues. Always make sure both the client and server software are updated to the most recent versions.

In summary, if your Steam games are not showing up on Moonlight, start by checking that the folder where your games are installed is listed in GeForce Experience or that Sunshine is correctly configured to detect them. Make sure that your firewall isn’t blocking the connection, and that you have the latest drivers. With these steps, you should be able to identify and resolve the issue, so you can get back to your gaming session.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

How do I add Steam games to Moonlight?

You don’t directly add games to Moonlight. Instead, you configure your GameStream (through GeForce Experience) or Sunshine server to recognize your game library. Moonlight then detects and displays the games available through these services. Ensure your game folders are added to the server software and that the services are properly running.

Can I use Moonlight with non-NVIDIA graphics cards?

Technically, Moonlight is designed to work with the NVIDIA GameStream protocol. While Moonlight can run on systems with other GPUs, the PC that hosts the stream needs an NVIDIA graphics card when using GameStream. However, if you are using the open-source alternative, Sunshine, it does not require an NVIDIA card on your host machine.

Is Moonlight better than Steam Link?

Moonlight and Steam Link serve similar purposes, but Moonlight is preferred for its broader game compatibility. Steam Link is excellent for the Steam ecosystem, but Moonlight can stream from any source, sometimes even where Steam Link struggles. Moonlight often provides lower latency and a better experience with games outside of Steam library.

How do I get Moonlight to work on my Steam Deck?

To use Moonlight on your Steam Deck, you’ll need to add it as a non-Steam game in desktop mode. Open Steam in Desktop mode, go to Library, click “Add a Game…” in the bottom left, and then “Add a Non-Steam Game…”. Navigate to the directory /var/lib/flatpak/exports/bin/ and select Moonlight. This will add it to your Steam library, where you can then launch it in game mode.

Does Moonlight use NVIDIA GameStream?

Moonlight is an open-source client for the NVIDIA GameStream protocol. It provides an alternative method for using GameStream on various devices, including those not supported by NVIDIA’s official clients. Moonlight also supports Sunshine, which is a open source alternative to GameStream.

Is Moonlight game streaming safe?

Yes, Moonlight is generally considered safe. Client keys are generated and stored locally. There’s no online account system that could be compromised, meaning your personal data and system are not at significant risk due to Moonlight’s architecture.

What is the difference between Sunshine and Moonlight?

Sunshine is the game-streaming server that runs on your PC, handling the heavy lifting of running the game. Moonlight is the game-streaming client that runs on the device you want to use to play the game, whether it’s a laptop, a phone, or a Steam Deck. Sunshine prepares the game to be streamed, and Moonlight displays it.

Can I add games manually to Moonlight?

No, you can’t directly add games to the Moonlight client itself. Games are made available to Moonlight via the GameStream settings in GeForce Experience or through Sunshine. You need to ensure that your game folders are correctly configured on the server side.

Does Moonlight work remotely?

Yes, Moonlight can work remotely. You need to configure port forwarding on your router to access your GameStream or Sunshine server when outside your local network. This allows you to stream games from your home PC to a device anywhere with an internet connection.

How do I enable Steam Overlay with Moonlight?

The Steam Overlay is managed by Steam. In order to use the overlay with games streamed using Moonlight, the game must be launched directly from Steam on your host PC. Once launched that way, it should be visible in the streamed version. If not, confirm that the Steam Overlay is enabled in your Steam settings for that specific game.

What FPS can I get with Moonlight?

Moonlight can stream at up to 120 FPS. However, the actual frame rate will depend on your network bandwidth, the capabilities of your hardware, and the game itself. The higher the FPS, the smoother the gaming experience will feel.

Can Moonlight wake up my PC?

Yes, if your PC is on the same network as your client device, Moonlight can attempt to wake it up using Wake-on-LAN functionality. However, Wake-on-LAN needs to be configured in your system’s BIOS settings and your NIC driver settings for this to work. It might not always work when streaming remotely.

What will happen to Moonlight after GameStream support is removed from GeForce Experience?

The future of Moonlight is tied to how the community adapts to the removal of GameStream. If users continue to utilize older versions of GeForce Experience, the changes to Moonlight might be minimal. However, the rise in popularity of open-source alternatives like Sunshine might lead to a greater focus on these.

Is it necessary to use Sunshine with Moonlight?

No, it’s not strictly necessary. Moonlight was initially designed to work with NVIDIA GameStream. Sunshine serves as an alternative, open-source server that enables streaming for those without NVIDIA GPUs or those seeking a different approach. You can choose either GameStream or Sunshine as a streaming method for Moonlight, but you do not require both.

Why do some games work in Moonlight, but others don’t?

The reasons vary, but it typically comes down to compatibility with GameStream/Sunshine, DRM issues, or improper configuration. Some games may not be correctly identified by the server software, or the streaming protocol may encounter issues when running a specific game. Ensure all software is up-to-date, and that the game folders are configured correctly to minimize these problems.