Main Menu

Manually Updating the Steam Link

Updating the Steam Link

Need to update your Steam Link or load a specific build on it? Click on the scenario that best describes your setup for detailed instructions

Loading Specific Steam Link Builds

You may need to load specific Steam Link builds to better troubleshoot issues. To do this, follow the steps below:

  1. From the Steam Link’s base page, check your system settings to ensure that you are using build 449 or newer. If your Steam Link is not using this build, you may need to switch to click the Switch to Public Build button from the Steam Link System Setting Page.
    • If you are still unable to update to the required build version, please try updating after performing a factory reset.
  2. Determine which build you would like to load. Create a text file called update_branch.txt containing the number of the build you wish to use. Place this file on a USB drive using the file path /steamlink/config/system/update_branch.txt
  3. Insert the USB drive into the Steam Link
  4. Unplug your Steam Link, wait 3 seconds, then plug it back in
  5. The correct build will automatically be downloaded and installed
  6. After the update, navigate to the System Settings page to ensure that both the Release and Build version have been updated.

Additional Notes

If you do not see the correct build number after performing this process please do the following:

  1. Check to make sure the file on your USB drive does not have a hidden extension (update_branch.txt.txt)
  2. Try another USB drive

Manually Updating the Steam Link

If your Steam Link is not connected to the internet, you can update it manually using the steps for setup and installation below:

Setup

  1. Download the installation file for the current Steam Link Build. - SystemUpdate.zip
  2. Using a USB drive, create a folder called steamlink in the root directory, or top-level. When you open the drive, you should see the steamlink folder
  3. Move the SystemUpdate.zip file you just downloaded into the steamlink folder. Your file path should look like /steamlink/SystemUpdate.zip
  4. In the steamlink folder, create a new folder called config
  5. Open the config folder and create a new folder called system
  6. Inside the system folder, create an empty text file (.txt) called update_branch. Your file path should be /steamlink/config/system/update_branch.txt
  7. Follow the Installation steps below to update the Steam Link to the latest build

Loading Specific Steam Link Builds

If you would like to load a specific Steam Link build while the Link is not connected to the internet, please follow the steps below:

Setup

  1. Determine which build you would like to load. Create a text file called update_branch.txt, open the file, and type in the number of the build you wish to use.
  2. Place this file on a USB drive using the file path /steamlink/config/system/update_branch.txt
  3. Copy this URL into a web browser and replace the ‘XXX’ with the desired build number
    • http://media.steampowered.com/steamlink/06_2015/SystemUpdate_full_XXX.zip
  4. Press Enter and download the .zip file to the /steamlink/ folder you just created on the USB drive
  5. Edit the file name to SystemUpdate.zip

The file paths should look like this:

  • /steamlink/SystemUpdate.zip
  • /steamlink/config/system/update_branch.txt

Installation

  1. Power on the Steam Link, connect to your local network, and verify that you can navigate to the Settings > System menu
    • Use a wired Ethernet connection if possible
  2. Remove all input devices except a mouse and keyboard
  3. Remove the power cord and wait 3 seconds
  4. Insert the prepared USB drive into the port closest to the power cord
  5. Power on the Steam Link by plugging the cord back in
  6. The update should start after a longer than usual delay on the splash screen

After the update finishes, test the build by navigating to System > Settings.

Additional Notes

If the update does not start automatically:

  1. Verify that the Steam Link was connected to your local area network before attempting to update.
  2. Check to make sure the file on your USB drive does not have a hidden extension (update_branch.txt.txt)
  3. Perform a quick format on the USB drive (using default values) and repeat the steps in the Setup section

Problem with Steam?

Help Me With My Issue