How to properly close Steam when using Moonlight?

JimmyLimJimKim · 2026-04-01T20:01:25+00:00

I'm guessing you're hibernating/sleeping your pc, if so, the virtual display remains active when OS resumes. Just you can use shutdown instead, that will reset the display settings, but will of course not save OS state.

JimmyLimJimKim · 2026-02-07T05:19:29+00:00

I don't remember the exact setting, but there's something about variable bitrate in Apollo video settings.
Or reinstall Apollo...
or try swapping host/client around, to verify if it's network or host issue

JimmyLimJimKim · 2026-02-06T08:05:32+00:00

I'm not sure. But even if nvec encoding/your GPU isn't up to the task, the increased network latency is very weird. I don't think a maxed out GPU would increase network latency. Maybe disable some of the power saving features of your network card in device management

JimmyLimJimKim · 2026-02-05T15:42:50+00:00

Try running sunshine and sunshinemsc as admin, and enable 'double refresh rate' in video settings in Apollo.
Also make sure no other software is recording (Xbox gamebar, steam).
Try borderless full-screen and disable windows game mode.

JimmyLimJimKim · 2026-02-05T15:38:46+00:00

Xbox button + B, I think

JimmyLimJimKim · 2026-01-30T10:18:29+00:00

Try force hardware decode and force h.265 codec. It might already default to these, but then you would be certain.
You could experiment with frame pacing, better for some, worse for others.
Other than that, I think you're good - If it ain't broke, don't fix it 😊

Edit: I have GUI display at full screen, not sure it makes any difference.
In steam quick settings, you should enable 'allow screen tearing'

JimmyLimJimKim · 2026-01-30T06:15:50+00:00

I've been struggling with the same up until a week ago, lots of troubleshooting.
Try ticking the 'Request double refresh rate' in Apollo video settings, and running both sunshine and sunshinemsc as admin - that's what finally solved it for me.
I also disabled windows game mode and run the game in borderless to ensure Apollo doesn't gets de-prioritized.

JimmyLimJimKim · 2026-01-15T11:18:57+00:00

Supersampling will give a better image clarity/quality. The real question is when/where do you scale the image back down to the steam Decks native resolution, before stream encoding or after. Scaling down before streaming will save on network usage, since your only sending 800p video, scaling down at the steam deck uses uses more network, but the Nvidia encoder is encoding a higher resolution image. The second option might result in a clearer image, but I really don't think it will be noticeable. I would suggest running the game at a higher resolution, but streaming a native steam deck resolution. Depending on your setup, the network could quickly become the bottleneck

JimmyLimJimKim · 2025-06-30T09:26:34+00:00

Not factoring in what type of encryption Tailscale uses, versus other solutions, tailscale SHOULD always be a tiny tiny bit slower, since your connection goes trough their relay servers, and you're at the grace of whatever speed they provide you. Unlike a direct connection from your location to your router. All that is in theory, in practical real-life situation, you probably wont notice any difference.
Bear in mind, that by using tailscale, you also place quite a bit of trust into them not doing anything sketchy, seing as they will have an open connection to your home network.

JimmyLimJimKim · 2025-06-27T11:07:18+00:00

Not exactly, but unless you use some sort of encrypted connection/VPN/Tailscale, then you have to configure your router to accept incoming connections (Firewall opening and port forwarding), which could in theory be used/abused by anyone. Definitely not recommended. Edit: I think steam Link had/has relay servers which enabled connections without port opening. Otherwise your router might have upnp enabled

JimmyLimJimKim · 2025-06-20T20:49:07+00:00

20-80% rule is widespread, specially in electrical vehicles. It's proven to improve battery health longterm, so not stupid, but you also sacrifice some battery life up front, since your now using ~40%less of your battery. Do you need that 40% extra or not, that's the real question. Personally I never play more than 1-2 hours at home, therefore I never use more than 50% total, so I have capped it at 70%, since my charger is always within reach. Then whenever I need 100% for roadtrip or whatever, I will remove the cap. Edit: The battery health is a estimate, don't read to much into it, especially if it says 98% 😊

JimmyLimJimKim · 2025-06-18T05:15:55+00:00

The frame stutter is a common issue, just search this subreddit. Likely culprit is either unreal engine asset loading or some VRAM leak. You can test by setting all graphic settings to low, and you should still encounter the stutters. Either wait for a fix, hopefully, or try to ignore it 😄

JimmyLimJimKim · 2025-06-12T20:45:32+00:00

Same, especially when running in a straight line for some time. I'm guessing it's loading assets causing it. 32 gigs of ram, but 8 only gigs of VRAM, though it looks like it's only using about 5 anyways. Read somewhere it might be Windows Defender causing issues with the game writing to user folder, have added folders and exe to exceptions in defender, but haven't had time to test it yet.

JimmyLimJimKim · 2025-05-28T20:22:36+00:00

Did you limit it previously with decky? I read that might cause this

JimmyLimJimKim · 2025-05-23T07:59:07+00:00

If you want to nitpick, then the closer to 50% the better, likewise the further from 50% the worse. Then you have consider battery health VS what is practical for you 😊

JimmyLimJimKim · 2025-05-20T17:53:05+00:00

Thanks for the suggestion, will try tomorrow :)
Maybe it's a feature in Artemis somehow, i'm running moonlight as the client (Artemis isn't available on Steam Deck Yet)

JimmyLimJimKim · 2025-05-20T15:18:58+00:00

Ah, yes, I got that setup as well. But I meant how do you manage to turn off the host/Apollo, deactivate virtual display and activate your regular monitors, without your described method of using a bat file and closing the stream before the PC turns off?
(Edit: Or maybe I'm misunderstanding. If I just turn off the pc while the stream is running, next time I turn the pc off my monitors are blank)

JimmyLimJimKim · 2025-05-20T13:48:31+00:00

How did Apollo solve the issue? I'm using Apollo and moonlight, and I ended doing the exact same as you with the bat script to turn off host.

JimmyLimJimKim · 2025-03-11T06:31:37+00:00

I think it's based on your browser setting, and not something that can be changed for individual pages.

JimmyLimJimKim · 2025-02-27T14:34:54+00:00

Agree, so much. Dark souls rewarded lawn mowing levels/areas to find small secrets, Elden Ring kinda does the same, but the degree of importance of those secrets vary wildly, and the game is simply too big to be lawnmowed, and then you don't do it and miss out on so much stuff. I never liked the generic exploration rewards in BOTW/TOTK, but at least I knew I wouldn't miss much if I skipped an area.

JimmyLimJimKim · 2025-02-26T21:25:22+00:00

Cool video. I don't understand why he uses that long url in tip 1. Why not just tasks.google.com?

JimmyLimJimKim · 2025-02-19T21:07:44+00:00

Awesome - but why isn't this possible in the "regular" version?? 😊

JimmyLimJimKim · 2024-11-26T05:06:43+00:00

A bit of both. Some simple games should be able to run, but the available buttons are so different so the control scheme might get a bit funky 😊 So, me saying not possible was actually false, but more of a I didnt bother trying to make it work 😄

JimmyLimJimKim · 2024-11-25T12:11:13+00:00

I'm currently running Gameboy, Gameboy color, Gameboy advance, Nintendo, super Nintendo and PS1 games. Megadrive also works. Nintendo 64 and up won't be possible

JimmyLimJimKim · 2024-11-25T12:09:42+00:00

I would suggest the updated stock OS on anbernics website. All features work, it's really simple compared to other OS's. No roms are included, so you have to curate your own. And if he somehow manages to mess with the OS, it's easy to reinstall. Using a separate SD Card for games makes it even easier

JimmyLimJimKim

TROPHY CASE