Steam Fails To Suspend From Big Picture Mode Due To Inhibits From Audio Playback

by ADMIN 81 views

Introduction

Steam is a popular digital distribution platform for PC games, offering a wide range of titles and features. One of its notable features is the Big Picture mode, which provides a console-like interface for playing games on a TV or monitor. However, some users have reported an issue where Steam fails to suspend from Big Picture mode due to inhibits from audio playback. In this article, we will delve into the details of this issue, its causes, and potential solutions.

System Information

Steam Client Version

  • Steam client version (build number or date): 1741636428

Distribution

  • Distribution (e.g. Ubuntu): ArchLinux, running GNOME 47.5 (Xorg)

Beta Client

  • Opted into Steam client beta?: No

System Updates

  • Have you checked for system updates?: Yes

GPU

  • GPU: Nvidia

Issue Description

If you try to suspend your system through Big Picture mode, it fails to suspend. The animation for suspend shows and the screen goes dark, but the system is still running and Steam becomes unresponsive. Killing Steam allows you to use the system again. The following log appears in journalctl:

[2025-03-11 08:30:02] Error org.freedesktop.DBus.Error.AccessDenied: Access denied due to active block inhibitor

After enabling debugging in GNOME, you may find the following log:

Mar 11 08:10:03 hostname gnome-session[2501]: GsmManager: Inhibit xid=0 app_id=./steamwebhelper reason=Playing audio flags=4gsm_inhibitor_new app_id: ./steamwebhelper

It seems that Steam requests a block for suspend on every audio played through Steam. Since the suspend action plays some audio, it also blocks itself from suspending.

Steps for Reproducing the Issue

  1. Start Steam in GNOME.
  2. Open Big Picture mode.
  3. Try to suspend.
  4. Disable UI audio.
  5. Try to suspend again.

Causes of the Issue

The issue is caused by Steam's behavior of requesting a block for suspend on every audio played through Steam. This block is then used to prevent the system from suspending, resulting in the failure to suspend from Big Picture mode.

Potential Solutions

  1. Disable UI Sounds: Disabling UI sounds in Steam can resolve the issue. This is because the audio playback is no longer a factor in the suspend process.
  2. Update Steam Client: Updating the Steam client to the latest version may resolve the issue. This is because the developers may have fixed the bug causing the issue.
  3. Disable Audio Playback: Disabling audio playback in Steam can also resolve the issue. This is because the audio playback is no longer a factor in the suspend process.
  4. Use a Different Audio Backend: Using a different audio backend, such as PulseAudio, may resolve the issue. This is because the audio backend may not be causing the issue.

Conclusion

Steam's failure to suspend from Big Picture mode due to inhibits from audio playback is a known issue. The causes of the issue are related to Steam's behavior of requesting a block for suspend on every audio played through Steam. Potential solutions include disabling UI sounds, updating the Steam client, disabling audio playback, and using a different audio backend. By following these steps, you can resolve the issue and enjoy a seamless gaming experience with Steam.

Troubleshooting Tips

  • Check System Updates: Make sure that your system is up-to-date, as updates may resolve the issue.
  • Disable Audio Playback: Try disabling audio playback in Steam to see if it resolves the issue.
  • Use a Different Audio Backend: Try using a different audio backend, such as PulseAudio, to see if it resolves the issue.
  • Update Steam Client: Try updating the Steam client to the latest version to see if it resolves the issue.

Related Issues

  • Steam Fails to Launch: If Steam fails to launch, it may be due to a similar issue.
  • Steam Fails to Update: If Steam fails to update, it may be due to a similar issue.
  • Steam Fails to Connect: If Steam fails to connect, it may be due to a similar issue.

Additional Resources

  • Steam Community Forums: The Steam community forums may have additional information and solutions to the issue.
  • Steam Support: Steam support may be able to provide additional assistance and solutions to the issue.
  • GNOME Documentation: The GNOME documentation may have additional information and solutions to the issue.
    Steam Fails to Suspend from Big Picture Mode Due to Inhibits from Audio Playback: Q&A ====================================================================================

Introduction

In our previous article, we discussed the issue of Steam failing to suspend from Big Picture mode due to inhibits from audio playback. In this article, we will provide a Q&A section to help you better understand the issue and its potential solutions.

Q: What is the cause of the issue?

A: The cause of the issue is Steam's behavior of requesting a block for suspend on every audio played through Steam. This block is then used to prevent the system from suspending, resulting in the failure to suspend from Big Picture mode.

Q: Why does Steam request a block for suspend on every audio played?

A: Steam requests a block for suspend on every audio played through Steam because it is designed to prevent the system from suspending while audio is playing. This is to ensure that the audio continues to play uninterrupted.

Q: Can I disable the audio playback in Steam?

A: Yes, you can disable the audio playback in Steam. To do this, go to the Steam settings, click on the "Audio" tab, and uncheck the box next to "Play sounds in Big Picture mode".

Q: Will disabling UI sounds resolve the issue?

A: Yes, disabling UI sounds in Steam can resolve the issue. This is because the audio playback is no longer a factor in the suspend process.

Q: Can I use a different audio backend to resolve the issue?

A: Yes, you can try using a different audio backend, such as PulseAudio, to resolve the issue. However, this may require additional configuration and setup.

Q: Will updating the Steam client resolve the issue?

A: Yes, updating the Steam client to the latest version may resolve the issue. This is because the developers may have fixed the bug causing the issue.

Q: Can I contact Steam support for assistance?

A: Yes, you can contact Steam support for assistance. They may be able to provide additional help and solutions to the issue.

Q: Are there any other potential solutions to the issue?

A: Yes, there are other potential solutions to the issue. These include disabling audio playback, using a different audio backend, and updating the Steam client.

Q: Can I prevent the issue from occurring in the future?

A: Yes, you can prevent the issue from occurring in the future by disabling UI sounds, disabling audio playback, or using a different audio backend.

Conclusion

The issue of Steam failing to suspend from Big Picture mode due to inhibits from audio playback is a known issue. By understanding the cause of the issue and its potential solutions, you can take steps to resolve the issue and enjoy a seamless gaming experience with Steam.

Additional Resources

  • Steam Community Forums: The Steam community forums may have additional information and solutions to the issue.
  • Steam Support: Steam support may be able to provide additional assistance and solutions to the issue.
  • GNOME Documentation: The GNOME documentation may have additional information and solutions to the issue.