TLDR to the issue

There have been many reports of the new Steam controller failing to update on Linux distros other than SteamOS, I am making this post to document my solution to this issue.

From what I can tell, certain distros place restrictions on what data can be accessed via USB.

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Solution

So as many others here I got my Steam controller and was encountering the update errors on my Debian 13 desktop.

I tried updating via a Windows laptop which was successful however did not stop Steam from complaining there was an update on my Debian machine.

I did a little digging in my steamui_system.txt and noticed my error was

[2026-07-09 10:23:55] HardwareUpdate: ------[ stdout ]------
Found Type: Triton USB SN: FXA9961904609
UPDATING TRITON USB - SN:	FXA9961904609
ERROR: Couldn't open BL comport
[2026-07-09 10:23:55] HardwareUpdate: ------[ stderr ]------

more digging I found out that the update script/tool is stored in /home/YourUser/.local/share/Steam/bin/hardwareupdater/ and in that folder the script/tool is called hardwareupdater.x86_64

This script/tool has launch options that should not be missed in your steamui_system.txt, for me it was —update-by-serial “SerialNumberOfController”

Many Linux users will dislike this but run the script/tool as a sudoer or root in a shell like such,

sudo /home/YourUser/.local/share/Steam/bin/hardwareupdater/hardwareupdater.x86_64 --update-by-serial 'FXA9961904609'

Replace the /YourUser/ portion of the directory path with the username of your Linux account and change the serial-number to match your controller.

the script/tool will display progress as it goes and eventually succeed, Steam will prompt you one last time there is an update but then proceed past the actual update itself and instead do a short tutorial on the controller. I guess there are USB permissions issues hence the failures.

The output of the script/tool is as such

sudo /home/YourUser/.local/share/Steam/bin/hardwareupdater/hardwareupdater.x86_64 --update-by-serial 'FXA9961904609

Found Type: Triton USB SN: FXA9961904609
UPDATING TRITON USB - SN:       FXA9961904609
DEBUG: Found TRITON matching SN`
ERASING
PROGRAMMING: IBEX_FW_6A4D85E3.fw
PROGRESS: 9%
PROGRESS: 17%
PROGRESS: 26%
PROGRESS: 34%
PROGRESS: 43%
PROGRESS: 51%
PROGRESS: 60%
PROGRESS: 68%
PROGRESS: 77%
PROGRESS: 85%
PROGRESS: 94%
PROGRESS: 100%
RESETTING
SUCCESS

---

Disclaimer:

If the script/tool at all stalls or hangs, which it shouldn't as it took less than a minute for me to complete the update, DO NOT unplug the controller, you may damage the firmware doing this essentially bricking your controller, just be patient and wait or Control + C the script/tool to abruptly exit the script, unfortunately the script/tool has been compiled into binary so i cannot verify how it handles abrupt exits!

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Edit

I have not tested this on the Steam Puck, only the controller, I suspect they use the same script but cannot confirm that as my Puck was updated on a Windows Laptop and didn’t prompt me to update on my Debian desktop afterwards.

Hey Lemmy,

I have some Steam + other keys that I have laying around that I never used / will never use. Some of them are probably already claimed from friends. Take what you want, but let me know what keys are already claimed / claimed by you and I'll remove them from the list.

Enjoy!

NON STEAM

Displate 40% off discount code Redemption Key: EK18B9B4

Displate Discount Code 40% off Redemption Key: CW36F543

Fanatical Wheel Spin spin to win Redemption Key: RCtg6C8WPdLXR8

STEAM

Eternights Romantic, action, apocalypse Redemption Key: BF35R-5KVLF-NJDQC

Wildfrost Frosty, tactical, roguelike Redemption Key: 6DJQC-N48R0-PEM8R

Alekon Photograph Cute Creatures Redemption Key: KLPTV-FGBLB-AZLRR

Buggos Awesome Auto-battler Redemption Key: JDV77-MZK02-4THJ2

Candy Disaster Tower Defense Crazy Trap Combining Redemption Key: WM9H7-GDCWT-3LLEZ

Deepest Chamber: Resurrection Gritty Card Battler Redemption Key: AVNWX-KTDZM-RELB4

EARTHLOCK Indie Retro JRPG Redemption Key: VB6KI-I6LBL-EVVM0

Feed All Monsters Feed All Monsters Redemption Key: NEYWQ-VTE0Q-GFPFT

Longvinter Cute Loot Craft Steal Redemption Key: 93HCY-BD0L3-QQQ4J

Patch Quest Monster Taming bullet-hell Redemption Key: 6IJEE-67IZF-4KK24

Repella Fella Dark Comedy Story Redemption Key: PQAXF-KEL59-5H0MQ

SIFU: Deluxe Cosmetic Pack Look Good SIFU Redemption Key: XT82Y-ZVHW6-CGG5I

The Red Lantern Dog Sledding Adventures Redemption Key: 9TE0K-4QV39-4G4YK

Thief Simulator Steal Things Redemption Key: AMG2B-9KPP4-2YT25

Tunguska: The Visitation Stealth Action RPG Redemption Key: HZKKW-7IHVE-9RZRD

Valthirian Arc Hero School RPG Redemption Key: 94DN6-NGKBZ-L04HD

Vermillion VR Painting (In VR) Redemption Key: 6VFFY-07B5Q-EGKMI

We Are The Dwarves Tactical Dwarf Adventure Redemption Key: QPG6A-DZA35-NKZY0

Zapling Bygone Smart Slime Metroidvania Redemption Key: HMEVH-J3F6X-9C95G

8 Bit Armies Blocky Pixel Strategy Redemption Key: IJIM9-L3MKN-0F32I

Astronimo Build Bots Assemble Redemption Key: PKAWX-FQYMT-A25P3

A Short Hike Chill Cozy Climbing Redemption Key: TET5B-ZL069-3AYFV

Beyond Blue Deep Sea Exploration Redemption Key: CKB4G-XELAT-F8APY

Cook, Serve, Delicious! 3?! Cooking Typing Management Redemption Key: PEWEN-4KEE8-HZVYL

DEPLOYMENT Intense Competitive Arena Redemption Key: R7TQ4-CY44A-HBG0M

Eyes in the Dark Unique Stylish Rogue-lite Redemption Key: FMEMM-HBM50-3AA6H

Frostpunk Survival, dystopian, city-builder Redemption Key: T4TRF-665G3-Y3DHP

Final Profit: A Shop RPG Item Shop Tycoon Redemption Key: 5IXMZ-5M9XL-PBFCT

Godfall Ultimate Edition Godly Hack-and-Slash Redemption Key: FKHEM-BPB98-RRN7A

Hadean Tactics Card-battle, strategy, roguelike Redemption Key: CNPKR-9B72R-K2R0W

Ikonei Island Cozy Island Together Redemption Key: 672JF-HWDI0-JTI2F

LOUD: My Road to Fame Roaring Rhythm Rocker Redemption Key: D5V6A-2FNHZ-6P0JI

Lacuna Pixel Noir Detective Redemption Key: 9JBE3-BK8N8-Z9BZ2

Mars First Logistics Exploration, construction, space Redemption Key: DM8HT-QVLRG-J0LMR

MCC Island (Minecraft Java Edition): Jingle Jam Rewards pack! Redemption Key: JJ23-KW26-T76T-WP32

MCC Island MCC Island Jingle Jam Rewards Pack Redemption Key: JJ24-7P64-V69P-9B73

Projections Geometry Hack-and-Slash Redemption Key: YLDV0-6R26D-QLI2C

Submachine: Legacy Mystery, puzzle, exploration Redemption Key: D46MN-JT89P-6VBWE

Slap City Seriously Fun Platforming Redemption Key: HZL6Z-WFF28-W3II2

A Story Beside Heartwarming Cozy Journey Redemption Key: ZZAPQ-J72C6-XI4G9

Sticky Business Entrepreneurial, management, creative Redemption Key: R4ADL-Y75ZP-FF9AH

Sapiens Caveman Colony Sim Redemption Key: KFEDZ-DKAQG-MH7HK

Sephonie Inspired Classic Platformer Redemption Key: R3M85-7LR2Y-CBXG7

Silicon Zeroes Indie Programming Puzzles Redemption Key: 78EFD-FX4TF-F8RJN

Spirit of the Island Co-op Farm with Friends Redemption Key: NGF0A-VC765-YD4TZ

Space Gladiators Be a Space Potato Redemption Key: BTL50-DATDH-TC0Z8

Tiny Life The Sims with Pixels Redemption Key: 2L56H-H64JZ-HBJD5

Two Point Campus University, simulation, management Redemption Key: MKRHW-WJG4D-FW2YB

Train Valley 2 Trains Trains Trains Redemption Key: BVJDN-RWM47-FL53I

Tinytopia Build Small Towns Redemption Key: CIK8C-NAJ26-X0BVD

Homeworld Remastered Collection Legendary Space Strategy Redemption Key: PRH4L-78F97-Y9ZTB

Witchtastic Multiplayer Spooky Cooking Redemption Key: P7Y98-PXEB7-0HIG7

Xenonauts Tactical Alien Resistance Redemption Key: KEZER-3LRRV-MBTGB

Warum die @BNetzA als Digital Service Coordinator #DSC gegen die #Plattform @steam vorgeht und bzgl ihrer #Sorgfaltspflichten ermittelt, hat #MichaelMoorstedt in einem lesenswerten @SZ_de Artikel aufgeschrieben.

#Arcom @HennaVirkkunen #RenateNikolay #ThomasJarzombek

https://www.sueddeutsche.de/kultur/steam-spiele-kontroversen-diskussion-plantation-simulator-li.3498070

https://help.steampowered.com/en/faqs/view/78E3-7431-1E88-AD59#retailers

Can I purchase Steam Gift Cards at retailers?

Yes, but only for a limited time.

We introduced Steam Gift Cards to retail stores back in 2012, and added the digital program in 2017. Unfortunately, scammers use gift cards from major brands like Steam to take advantage of all people all over the world.

We’ve responded to gift card scams over the years by taking a number of actions to protect customers, including:

• Working with retailers
• Working with law enforcement
• Making changes to the cards, including adding a prominent scam warning
• Limiting redemption to be in the currency of your Steam wallet
• Limiting availability of cards
• Removing cards from sale when we observed abnormal activity

As we have continued to put more and more restrictions in place, scammers have adapted. They continue to have an impact on Steam customers and other unsuspecting individuals. So we've made the difficult decision to end the Steam Gift Card program at retail stores.

As Steam Gift Cards run out of stock at retail locations, we will not be restocking them. We expect all retailers to be out of stock by the end of 2026. Though we will no longer be selling physical gift cards, you will still have the ability to use your existing gift cards on Steam whenever you choose, subject to local laws.

We also continue to offer Steam Digital Gift Cards, and are working to make this an even better experience. Guest checkout, which we added last year, is another way for family members and friends to gift Steam users with a digital card anytime.

You can learn more about gift card scams here.

Big milestone for HackMeNow.

The official Steam store page has been approved and is now live.

HackMeNow is a terminal-style hacking puzzle game with 15 handcrafted levels, Linux-inspired commands, logs, hidden files, traps, rogue systems, and a cyber-mystery watching from behind the screen.

Wishlist it on Steam and help support the launch.

The system is watching.
Type carefully.

@steam

https://store.steampowered.com/app/4770020/HackMeNow/

Wider, higher res images, new personalized sections and more

Today we are excited to announce the release of the refreshed Steam Store home page. Thank you to everyone who opted into the Steam Client beta and provided feedback during the beta period. The updated design is a continuation of recent improvements across the Steam store, like the game page updates we made a few months ago.

son 😭😭😭😭😭

https://x.com/gabefollower/status/2062138290560524586

https://news.bloomberglaw.com/antitrust/microsoft-accused-of-kickback-deals-with-valve-to-harm-pc-gaming

Great news ! HackMeNow page in
@steam
is under review!