Arch Linux

Tux1

Member

Registered: 2026-01-28

Posts: 4

Steam won't launch

After a recent update, my flatpak installation of steam broke and I decided to move to the pacman install instead. However, whenever I try to run it, it gets stuck in an endless loop repeating the same message over and over again. I don't know why this is happening, since I installed the 32 bit drivers already. I've reinstalled it multiple times but it's only ever gotten to a single window showing up that quickly closes. Attached is a transcript of the output during my latest reinstall:

steam.sh[53317]: Running Steam on arch rolling 64-bit
steam.sh[53317]: STEAM_RUNTIME is enabled automatically
setup.sh[53439]: Steam runtime environment up-to-date!
steam.sh[53317]: Log already open
steam.sh[53317]: Steam client's requirements are satisfied
CProcessEnvironmentManager is ready, 6 preallocated environment variables.
[2026-01-28 18:05:15] Startup - updater built Jan 21 2026 17:12:15
[2026-01-28 18:05:15] Startup - Steam Client launched with: '/home/tux/.local/share/Steam/ubuntu12_32/steam' '-srt-logger-opened'
01/28 18:05:15 minidumps folder is set to /tmp/dumps
01/28 18:05:15 Init: Installing breakpad exception handler for appid(steam)/version(1769025840)/tid(55184)
Looks like steam didn't shutdown cleanly, scheduling immediate update check
CProcessEnvironmentManager is ready, 6 preallocated environment variables.
[2026-01-28 18:05:15] Loading cached metrics from disk (/home/tux/.local/share/Steam/package/steam_client_metrics.bin)
[2026-01-28 18:05:15] Failed to load cached hosts file (File 'update_hosts_cached.vdf' not found), using defaults
[2026-01-28 18:05:15] Using the following download hosts for Public, Realm steamglobal
[2026-01-28 18:05:15] 1. https://client-update.steamstatic.com, /, Realm 'steamglobal', weight was 1, source = 'baked in'
[2026-01-28 18:05:15] Checking for update on startup
[2026-01-28 18:05:16] Checking for available updates...
[2026-01-28 18:05:16] Downloading manifest: https://client-update.steamstatic.com/steam_client_ubuntu12
[2026-01-28 18:05:16] Manifest download: send request
[2026-01-28 18:05:15] Process started with command-line: '/home/tux/.local/share/Steam/ubuntu12_32/steam' '-child-update-ui' '-child-update-ui-socket' '8' '-srt-logger-opened'
01/28 18:05:16 minidumps folder is set to /tmp/dumps
[2026-01-28 18:05:15] Using update UI: xwin
01/28 18:05:16 Init: Installing breakpad exception handler for appid(steam)/version(0)/tid(55214)
[2026-01-28 18:05:16] Create window
[2026-01-28 18:05:16] Manifest download: waiting for download to finish
[2026-01-28 18:05:16] Manifest download: finished
[2026-01-28 18:05:16] Download skipped: /steam_client_ubuntu12 version 1769025840, installed version 1769025840, existing pending version 0
[2026-01-28 18:05:16] Nothing to do
[2026-01-28 18:05:16] Verifying installation...
[2026-01-28 18:05:16] Verifying all executable checksums
[2026-01-28 18:05:19] Set percent complete: 0
[2026-01-28 18:05:19] Set status message: Checking for available updates...
[2026-01-28 18:05:19] Set percent complete: -1
[2026-01-28 18:05:19] Set percent complete: -1
[2026-01-28 18:05:19] Set status message: Verifying installation...
[2026-01-28 18:05:19] Show window
[2026-01-28 18:05:49] Verification complete
UpdateUI: skip show logo
[2026-01-28 18:05:49] Destroy window
[2026-01-28 18:05:49] Shutdown

Steam logging initialized: directory: /home/tux/.local/share/Steam/logs

XRRGetOutputInfo Workaround: initialized with override: 0 real: 0xf620d370
XRRGetCrtcInfo Workaround: initialized with override: 0 real: 0xf620bcc0
01/28 18:05:51 minidumps folder is set to /tmp/dumps
01/28 18:05:51 Init: Installing breakpad exception handler for appid(steamsysinfo)/version(1769025840)/tid(56439)
Running query: 1 - GpuTopology
Response: gpu_topology {
  gpus {
    id: 1
    name: "Intel(R) Arc(tm) B580 Graphics (BMG G21)"
    vram_size_bytes: 12809404416
    driver_id: k_EGpuDriverId_MesaIntel
    driver_version_major: 25
    driver_version_minor: 3
    driver_version_patch: 4
    luid: 0
  }
  default_gpu_id: 1
}

Exit code: 0
Saving response to: /tmp/steamBMaDAB - 66 bytes
steamwebhelper.sh[56454]: Starting steamwebhelper under bootstrap steamrt steam runtime via: /home/tux/.local/share/Steam/steamrt64/pv-runtime/steam-runtime-steamrt/_v2-entry-point
steamwebhelper.sh[56454]: Starting steamwebhelper with steamrt steam runtime at /home/tux/.local/share/Steam/steamrt64/pv-runtime/steam-runtime-steamrt/_v2-entry-point
Steam Runtime Launch Service: starting steam-runtime-launcher-service
Steam Runtime Launch Service: steam-runtime-launcher-service is running pid 56543
bus_name=com.steampowered.PressureVessel.LaunchAlongsideSteam
Steam Runtime Launch Service: steam-runtime-launcher-service pid 56543 exited
Steam Runtime Launch Service: starting steam-runtime-launcher-service
Steam Runtime Launch Service: steam-runtime-launcher-service is running pid 56871
bus_name=com.steampowered.PressureVessel.LaunchAlongsideSteam
Steam Runtime Launch Service: steam-runtime-launcher-service pid 56871 exited
Steam Runtime Launch Service: starting steam-runtime-launcher-service
Steam Runtime Launch Service: steam-runtime-launcher-service is running pid 57002
bus_name=com.steampowered.PressureVessel.LaunchAlongsideSteam
Steam Runtime Launch Service: steam-runtime-launcher-service pid 57002 exited
Steam Runtime Launch Service: starting steam-runtime-launcher-service
Steam Runtime Launch Service: steam-runtime-launcher-service is running pid 57106
bus_name=com.steampowered.PressureVessel.LaunchAlongsideSteam
Steam Runtime Launch Service: steam-runtime-launcher-service pid 57106 exited
Steam Runtime Launch Service: starting steam-runtime-launcher-service
Steam Runtime Launch Service: steam-runtime-launcher-service is running pid 57235
bus_name=com.steampowered.PressureVessel.LaunchAlongsideSteam
Steam Runtime Launch Service: steam-runtime-launcher-service pid 57235 exited
Steam Runtime Launch Service: starting steam-runtime-launcher-service
Steam Runtime Launch Service: steam-runtime-launcher-service is running pid 57294
bus_name=com.steampowered.PressureVessel.LaunchAlongsideSteam
Steam Runtime Launch Service: steam-runtime-launcher-service pid 57294 exited
Steam Runtime Launch Service: starting steam-runtime-launcher-service
Steam Runtime Launch Service: steam-runtime-launcher-service is running pid 57500
bus_name=com.steampowered.PressureVessel.LaunchAlongsideSteam
exec ./steamwebhelper -nocrashdialog -lang=en_US -cachedir=/home/tux/.local/share/Steam/config/htmlcache -steampid=55184 -buildid=1769025840 -steamid=0 -logdir=/home/tux/.local/share/Steam/logs -uimode=7 -startcount=0 -steamuniverse=Public -realm=Global -clientui=/home/tux/.local/share/Steam/clientui -steampath=/home/tux/.local/share/Steam/ubuntu12_32/steam -launcher=0 --valve-initial-threadpool-size=4 --valve-enable-site-isolation --enable-smooth-scrolling --password-store=basic --log-file=/home/tux/.local/share/Steam/logs/cef_log.txt --disable-quick-menu --disable-component-update --gaia-url=http://disabled.invalid --enable-features=PlatformHEVCDecoderSupport --disable-features=WinRetrieveSuggestionsOnlyOnDemand,SpareRendererForSitePerProcess,DcheckIsFatal,BlockPromptsIfIgnoredOften,ValveFFmpegAllowLowDelayHEVC
Steam Runtime Launch Service: steam-runtime-launcher-service pid 57500 exited
Steam Runtime Launch Service: starting steam-runtime-launcher-service
Steam Runtime Launch Service: steam-runtime-launcher-service is running pid 57707
bus_name=com.steampowered.PressureVessel.LaunchAlongsideSteam
Steam Runtime Launch Service: steam-runtime-launcher-service pid 57707 exited
Steam Runtime Launch Service: starting steam-runtime-launcher-service
Steam Runtime Launch Service: steam-runtime-launcher-service is running pid 57816
bus_name=com.steampowered.PressureVessel.LaunchAlongsideSteam
Steam Runtime Launch Service: steam-runtime-launcher-service pid 57816 exited
Steam Runtime Launch Service: starting steam-runtime-launcher-service
Steam Runtime Launch Service: steam-runtime-launcher-service is running pid 57949
bus_name=com.steampowered.PressureVessel.LaunchAlongsideSteam
steamwebhelper.sh[58102]: Starting steamwebhelper under bootstrap steamrt steam runtime via: /home/tux/.local/share/Steam/steamrt64/pv-runtime/steam-runtime-steamrt/_v2-entry-point
steamwebhelper.sh[58102]: Starting steamwebhelper with steamrt steam runtime at /home/tux/.local/share/Steam/steamrt64/pv-runtime/steam-runtime-steamrt/_v2-entry-point
reaping pid: 55214 -- steam
exec ./steamwebhelper -nocrashdialog -lang=en_US -cachedir=/home/tux/.local/share/Steam/config/htmlcache -steampid=55184 -buildid=1769025840 -steamid=0 -logdir=/home/tux/.local/share/Steam/logs -uimode=7 -startcount=1 -steamuniverse=Public -realm=Global -clientui=/home/tux/.local/share/Steam/clientui -steampath=/home/tux/.local/share/Steam/ubuntu12_32/steam -launcher=0 --valve-initial-threadpool-size=4 --valve-enable-site-isolation --enable-smooth-scrolling --password-store=basic --log-file=/home/tux/.local/share/Steam/logs/cef_log.txt --disable-quick-menu --disable-component-update --gaia-url=http://disabled.invalid --enable-features=PlatformHEVCDecoderSupport --disable-features=WinRetrieveSuggestionsOnlyOnDemand,SpareRendererForSitePerProcess,DcheckIsFatal,BlockPromptsIfIgnoredOften,ValveFFmpegAllowLowDelayHEVC
steamwebhelper.sh[58821]: Starting steamwebhelper under bootstrap steamrt steam runtime via: /home/tux/.local/share/Steam/steamrt64/pv-runtime/steam-runtime-steamrt/_v2-entry-point
steamwebhelper.sh[58821]: Starting steamwebhelper with steamrt steam runtime at /home/tux/.local/share/Steam/steamrt64/pv-runtime/steam-runtime-steamrt/_v2-entry-point
exec ./steamwebhelper -nocrashdialog -lang=en_US -cachedir=/home/tux/.local/share/Steam/config/htmlcache -steampid=55184 -buildid=1769025840 -steamid=0 -logdir=/home/tux/.local/share/Steam/logs -uimode=7 -startcount=2 -steamuniverse=Public -realm=Global -clientui=/home/tux/.local/share/Steam/clientui -steampath=/home/tux/.local/share/Steam/ubuntu12_32/steam -launcher=0 --valve-initial-threadpool-size=4 --valve-enable-site-isolation --enable-smooth-scrolling --password-store=basic --log-file=/home/tux/.local/share/Steam/logs/cef_log.txt --disable-quick-menu --disable-component-update --gaia-url=http://disabled.invalid --enable-features=PlatformHEVCDecoderSupport --disable-features=WinRetrieveSuggestionsOnlyOnDemand,SpareRendererForSitePerProcess,DcheckIsFatal,BlockPromptsIfIgnoredOften,ValveFFmpegAllowLowDelayHEVC

brumaire

Member

From: France

Registered: 2026-01-18

Posts: 7

Re: Steam won't launch

Hello, can you try to run « steam-native »  ?

In my experience, running steam with steam runtime lately is a lot of trouble.

Last edited by brumaire (2026-01-29 10:52:57)

Tux1

Member

Registered: 2026-01-28

Posts: 4

Re: Steam won't launch

Update: I tried a troubleshooting tip mentioned on the wiki and got this:

[tux@tuxbox ubuntu12_32]$ file * | grep ELF | cut -d: -f1 | LD_LIBRARY_PATH=. xargs ldd | grep 'not found' | sort | uniq
        libgdk_pixbuf-2.0.so.0 => not found
        libgtk-x11-2.0.so.0 => not found
        libICE.so.6 => not found
        libopenal.so.1 => not found
        libpulse.so.0 => not found
        libSDL2-2.0.so.0 => not found
        libSM.so.6 => not found
        libvdpau.so.1 => not found
        libXi.so.6 => not found
        libXrandr.so.2 => not found
        libXrender.so.1 => not found
        libXtst.so.6 => not found

I believe this might be the culprit, but I have no idea how to fix it.

Tux1

Member

Registered: 2026-01-28

Posts: 4

Re: Steam won't launch

Bump. Would like someone to help me out here. I tried querying the packages in the database but I couldn't find any, maybe that's the culprit?

brumaire

Member

From: France

Registered: 2026-01-18

Posts: 7

Re: Steam won't launch

Steam Runtime Launch Service: starting steam-runtime-launcher-service
Steam Runtime Launch Service: steam-runtime-launcher-service is running pid 56543
bus_name=com.steampowered.PressureVessel.LaunchAlongsideSteam
Steam Runtime Launch Service: steam-runtime-launcher-service pid 56543 exited
Steam Runtime Launch Service: starting steam-runtime-launcher-service
Steam Runtime Launch Service: steam-runtime-launcher-service is running pid 56871
bus_name=com.steampowered.PressureVessel.LaunchAlongsideSteam
Steam Runtime Launch Service: steam-runtime-launcher-service pid 56871 exited
Steam Runtime Launch Service: starting steam-runtime-launcher-service
Steam Runtime Launch Service: steam-runtime-launcher-service is running pid 57002
bus_name=com.steampowered.PressureVessel.LaunchAlongsideSteam
Steam Runtime Launch Service: steam-runtime-launcher-service pid 57002 exited
Steam Runtime Launch Service: starting steam-runtime-launcher-service
Steam Runtime Launch Service: steam-runtime-launcher-service is running pid 57106
bus_name=com.steampowered.PressureVessel.LaunchAlongsideSteam
Steam Runtime Launch Service: steam-runtime-launcher-service pid 57106 exited
Steam Runtime Launch Service: starting steam-runtime-launcher-service
Steam Runtime Launch Service: steam-runtime-launcher-service is running pid 57235
bus_name=com.steampowered.PressureVessel.LaunchAlongsideSteam
Steam Runtime Launch Service: steam-runtime-launcher-service pid 57235 exited
Steam Runtime Launch Service: starting steam-runtime-launcher-service
Steam Runtime Launch Service: steam-runtime-launcher-service is running pid 57294
bus_name=com.steampowered.PressureVessel.LaunchAlongsideSteam
Steam Runtime Launch Service: steam-runtime-launcher-service pid 57294 exited

Whatever the problem is, this seems to indicate that it's related to the Steam runtime. As i mentionned previously, did you try to run steam with « steam-native » instead of « steam » ?

Please also make sure you followed the instruction on steam wiki page on the arch wiki page : https://wiki.archlinux.org/title/Steam

Like, the previous command you mentionned was indicated to troubleshoot missing library for « steam-native », not steam with its own runtime, which is packaged with its own set of libraries. So this won't help for steam runtime.
If you want to go the « steam-native » road. Make sure you install packages providing each one of those missing library.
You can find which package provide these with « pacman -F ». For instance : « sudo pacman -F libopenal.so.1 » will indicate that libopenal.so.1 is provided by « extra/openal ».

Last edited by brumaire (Today 11:54:40)