How to install Steam on a Chromebook in 2024

In this guide, we'll walk you through the process of installing Steam on your Chromebook. Steam is a popular digital distribution platform for video games, offering a vast library of titles across various genres. By installing Steam on your Chromebook, you can access a wide range of games and enjoy gaming on the go.

Important Considerations

Before we begin, there are a few crucial points to keep in mind:

  • This tutorial is specifically designed for Chromebooks with Intel or AMD CPUs that support Linux Apps. It will not work on Chromebooks with ARM64 architecture CPUs.
  • Only games with Linux clients will be compatible with your Chromebook.
  • Ensure that your Chromebook has sufficient processing power to run the games you intend to play.

Video Tutorial

For a visual guide, you can follow along with our video tutorial above. The video provides a step-by-step walkthrough of the installation process, complementing the written instructions below.

Installation Steps

Follow these commands in your Chromebook's Linux terminal to install Steam:

1) sudo dpkg --add-architecture i386
2) echo "deb https://deb.debian.org/debian bullseye main" | sudo tee /etc/apt/sources.list.d/bullseye_chrome_os_made_simple.list
3) sudo apt update
4) sudo apt install libgl1-mesa-dri:i386 libgl1-mesa-glx:i386 libc6:i386 libc6-i386 libnss3 python3-apt zenity
5) wget https://cdn.cloudflare.steamstatic.com/client/installer/steam.deb
6) sudo dpkg -i steam.deb
7) sudo apt -f install
8) sudo rm /etc/apt/sources.list.d/bullseye_chrome_os_made_simple.list
9) steam fixedvblank_mode=0

Explanation of Commands

Let's break down what each command does:

  1. Adds 32-bit architecture support, which is necessary for many Steam games.
  2. Adds the Debian Bullseye repository to your sources list, providing access to required packages.
  3. Updates the package list to include the new repository.
  4. Installs necessary dependencies for Steam and many games.
  5. Downloads the Steam installer package.
  6. Installs the Steam package.
  7. Installs any missing dependencies.
  8. Removes the temporary Debian Bullseye repository from your sources list.
  9. Launches Steam with a specific graphics configuration to improve compatibility.

Troubleshooting Tips

If you encounter any issues during the installation process, try these troubleshooting steps:

  • Ensure your Chromebook's software is up to date.
  • Restart your Chromebook and try the installation process again.
  • If a specific command fails, try running it individually to see any error messages.
  • Check your internet connection, as some steps require downloading packages.

Additional Resources

For more information and support, you can refer to these resources:

We hope this guide helps you successfully install and enjoy Steam on your Chromebook. Happy gaming!

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