7. Q & A - wtlnetwork/muon GitHub Wiki

Muon Questions and Answer Section:

    • Can I use more than 1 devices to connect to Muon?

A: We cannot confirm whether using more than two devices would lead to technical issues or overheating on the host hardware. Until thorough testing is conducted, we recommend limiting the setup to two devices to ensure reliability and safety.

    • Can you host Muon on other devices besides the Steam Deck? (e.g running SteamOS on Laptops, PCs or other Linux handhelds)

A: We highly recommend SteamOS on the Steam Deck being used for hosting

Muon does not install on other Operating Systems and/or Laptops/Desktops.

But if you wish to test it for potential workarounds:

  • Check if your handheld/laptop has a Wi-Fi card with an AP (Access Point) ability.
  • If Decky-loader can be installed on the Steam GameMode UI.

Decky-loader will prompt you that it won't be a seamless experience.

    • Can other Linux distros connect to Muon?

A: While only tested with SteamOS, BazziteOS, Garuda Linux and CachyOS (Arch Linux Distro)

SteamOS and BazziteOS distros operate seamlessly together - SteamOS as host and guests using BazziteOS. Most Arch Linux distributions, such as CachyOS, also function well as guests.

However, it is worth noting that experiences with Garuda Linux have been inconsistent, with some games connecting successfully while others fail to do so.

Please make sure the appropriate drivers are installed in advance, we aren't sure what drivers need to be installed.

    • There are some games that have LAN support but don't work when I attempt to find the lobby, why is that?

A: We’re not entirely sure what the root cause is, but based on Jeno’s research, it seems that games using 'LAN Broadcasts'—typically older titles with legacy server browsers like those built on the Source Engine—allow open searching across TCP/UDP ports and IPs. In contrast, some games rely on a 'Search' function that scans for lobbies on the local network but requires the Steam Networking API to be online for lobbies to show up. Games with direct IP support can bypass this local scan if online login isn't required or offer an option to disable Steam Networking/Online Login entirely.

For now, our best move was to set up a Steam Curator page to highlight games that work reliably over ad-hoc connections.

Here is a link for it: https://store.steampowered.com/curator/45558697/

    • Why does it keep on making me install the dependencies every time I update SteamOS?

A: This is a result of the installation package being used, at some point we plan to switch to "Nix", this is still in development, but in theory it'll keep the dependencies installed after each SteamOS update.

    • Why not use NetworkManger instead of hostapd and dnsmasq?

A: A previous Ad-Hoc plugin developed by Tormak9970 utilized NetworkManager for configuration. However, this approach had a limitation: NetworkManager defaulted to using WPA3-SAE, an enterprise-level network security protocol. This configuration inadvertently blocked ad-hoc connections from sending and receiving data. In contrast, the current implementation using hostapd and dnsmasq employs WPA2 for network security. This change in security protocol from WPA3-SAE to WPA2 resolves the issue of blocked ad-hoc connections, enabling proper functionality of the access point for sending and receiving data.

Despite configuring NetworkManager to use WPA2, it persistently defaulted to WPA3-SAE. We are investigating the possibility of transitioning to NetworkManager in the future. However, until this issue is resolved, we will continue to utilize hostapd and dnsmasq as our primary networking solution.

    • Does Steam Play Together work with Muon?

A: In the original concept for Muon, Steam Play Together was considered as an advanced version of the Nintendo DSi's "Download Play" feature. (Or currently the Nintendo Switch 2's Game Share feature) The idea was to allow players to stream games to guests' devices for multiplayer purposes without requiring them to download the full game, provided the developers enabled the Play Together feature.

Ideally, we strongly desire Remote Play Together to be compatible with Muon, as this would significantly expand to not just LAN games but split-screen games as well that can be played offline. However, the feature was abandoned early due to Steam's requirement (DRM) for an online connection to use Steam Play Together.

However, despite the official version of Steam's Play Together not functioning as intended, there are community work in progress plugins for the Steam deck called "Remote Play Whatever" which allows non-steam supported games to function, one of the plugins remain without a decky-loader plugin and another one is out of date and won't function, we remain optimistic that once one of the plugins gets a decky-loader plugin version, we'll initiate communication with the developers in a potential LAN mode option, hoping that Muon and Remote Play Whatever can work simultaneously.

    • Can I use Local Transfers between devices with Muon?

A: Although initially conceived as a potential feature for Muon, the ability to utilize Local Transfers for sharing games between host and guest devices would have been ideal for on the go sharing of games as long as the guest has the same game in their library, however Steam's Digital Rights Management (DRM) system has rendered the Local Transfers feature unusable in offline scenarios.

    • How can I take part with testing games and where do I confirm it's playable?

A: We currently have a discussions page on the Muon Verified Steam Group.

https://steamcommunity.com/groups/muonverified/discussions/0/591766950678399417/

Please provide a list of the games you have tested, and our team will review and investigate further!

Troubleshooting Questions and Answer Section:

  • My Hotspot won't start, still says I need to start the hotspot when I did

A: If you have installed the dependencies for the first time or after a new steam deck update, restart the device. After reboot, start the hotspot again and it'll start normally.

If the above fails, switch to desktop mode, /home/[Your Username]/homebrew/logs/muon to find the log files. Please send the recent log file to the URL listed here: https://github.com/wtlnetwork/muon/issues stating the issue.

  • I've launched a LAN server in a legacy browsing game yet my guest still can't find the lobby

A: Please go to this link for further advice: https://steamcommunity.com/groups/muonverified/discussions/0/664957399129414325/

  • My Wi-Fi keeps trying to sign into my own Steam Deck SSID

A: If this is happening, restart the device and it will fix the issue.

  • I'm on the beta/preview build of SteamOS and Muon doesn't work, any suggestions?

A: Switch to desktop mode, /home/[Your Username]/homebrew/logs/muon to find the log files. Please send the recent log file to the URL listed here: https://github.com/wtlnetwork/muon/issues stating the issue.

  • The dependencies fail to install, it said to check the log files

A: To find the log file, switch to desktop mode, /home/[Your Username]/homebrew/logs/muon to find the log files. Please send the log file to the URL listed here: https://github.com/wtlnetwork/muon/issues