can you post the summary section of streaming log?
..\steam\logs\streaming_log.txt

if its not laggy in the steam link menu, then its not input lag, its a delay between the host and client
something may be forcing steam to use internet relays instead of direct connection on lan

make sure windows network is set to private not public
disable any vpn
if using wifi, check router settings, disable wifi isolation for the ssid you use

Originally posted by _I_:

can you post the summary section of streaming log?
..\steam\logs\streaming_log.txt

if its not laggy in the steam link menu, then its not input lag, its a delay between the host and client
something may be forcing steam to use internet relays instead of direct connection on lan

make sure windows network is set to private not public
disable any vpn
if using wifi, check router settings, disable wifi isolation for the ssid you use

I think this is what you're after:

"[2025-01-05 00:15:10][144384.740549] Clearing capture only gameID
[2025-01-05 00:15:10][144384.745405] Streaming initialized and listening on port 27031
[2025-01-05 00:15:13][144387.813101] Streaming started to Steam Link build 902 at 192.168.1.122:58178, audio channels = 2, MTU = 1468
[2025-01-05 00:15:13][144387.813150] Streaming quality: k_EStreamQualityBeautiful
[2025-01-05 00:15:13][144387.813184] Streaming bitrate: Automatic
[2025-01-05 00:15:13][144387.813217] Device form factor: TV
[2025-01-05 00:15:13][144387.813309] Maximum capture: 1920x1080 59.94 FPS
[2025-01-05 00:15:13][144387.813342] Video Streaming: enabled
[2025-01-05 00:15:13][144387.813375] Audio Streaming: enabled
[2025-01-05 00:15:13][144387.813407] Input Streaming: enabled
[2025-01-05 00:15:13][144387.813901] =====================================================================
[2025-01-05 00:15:13][144387.813951] Game: UNKNOWN (0)
[2025-01-05 00:15:13][144387.814036] Setting target bitrate to 15000 Kbit/s, burst bitrate is 75000 Kbit/s
[2025-01-05 00:15:13][144387.814508] Creating new encoder for codec 3
[2025-01-05 00:15:13][144387.814637] Encoder init succeeded, now have 1 encoder(s)
[2025-01-05 00:15:13][144387.850533] Changing record window: 00061B64 (400228)
[2025-01-05 00:15:13][144387.851713] >>> Starting desktop stream
[2025-01-05 00:15:13][144387.853283] SynchronizeClientState(): setting capture size 2560x1440
[2025-01-05 00:15:13][144387.853520] SynchronizeClientState(): setting title to Steam Big Picture Mode
[2025-01-05 00:15:13][144387.853766] SynchronizeClientState(): setting icon 32x32
[2025-01-05 00:15:13][144387.853922] SynchronizeClientState(): setting cursor to 65561
[2025-01-05 00:15:13][144387.853984] SynchronizeClientState(): setting keymap
[2025-01-05 00:15:13][144387.854449] SynchronizeClientState(): setting activity to k_EStreamActivityIdle:
[2025-01-05 00:15:13][144387.861308] Recording system audio
[2025-01-05 00:15:13][144387.866422] [System Windows] Recording on device: Speakers (Steam Streaming Speakers)
[2025-01-05 00:15:13][144387.867587] Audio client mix format:
[2025-01-05 00:15:13][144387.867649] format: 65534
[2025-01-05 00:15:13][144387.867696] channels: 2
[2025-01-05 00:15:13][144387.867743] samples/sec: 48000
[2025-01-05 00:15:13][144387.867834] bytes/sec: 384000
[2025-01-05 00:15:13][144387.867880] alignment: 8
[2025-01-05 00:15:13][144387.867925] bits/sample: 32
[2025-01-05 00:15:13][144387.868244] channel mask: 0x3
[2025-01-05 00:15:13][144387.868314] data format: {00000003-0000-0010-8000-00AA00389B71}
[2025-01-05 00:15:13][144387.868545] Initializing audio with 2 channels and 48000 samples/sec
[2025-01-05 00:15:13][144387.868945] CDesktopCaptureDWM: Reinitializing D3D for adapter 0x104d9
[2025-01-05 00:15:13][144387.869006] Video adapter: NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4060 Ti, vendor ID: 0x10de, device ID: 0x2805
[2025-01-05 00:15:13][144387.886170] Audio mix: start=144877961772, returned=0
[2025-01-05 00:15:13][144387.886242] Audio source [Speakers (Steam Streaming Speakers)]: init=0, adjustment=0, through=0, last_start=0, mixed=0, drop_before=0, drop_after=0
[2025-01-05 00:15:13][144387.888235] Client requested VirtualHere support, redirecting to Steam Store
[2025-01-05 00:15:13][144387.901889] CDesktopCaptureDWM: desktop duplication enabled
[2025-01-05 00:15:13][144387.921466] >>> Switching video stream from NONE to Desktop_MovieStream
[2025-01-05 00:15:13][144387.928233] Changing adapter [old=0][new=66777]
[2025-01-05 00:15:13][144387.928307] Building new pipeline
[2025-01-05 00:15:13][144387.928468] Trying to create an encoder for streaming: [hardware_enabled=true][hardware_suppressed=false]
[2025-01-05 00:15:13][144387.928524] Allowed Codecs: 4
[2025-01-05 00:15:13][144387.972154] Created encoder NVENC for codec 4
[2025-01-05 00:15:13][144387.979500] CLIENT: Sending HID device 28de/1142/1 Valve Software Steam Controller at /dev/hidraw1
[2025-01-05 00:15:13][144387.979572] CLIENT: Sending HID device 28de/1142/2 Valve Software Steam Controller at /dev/hidraw2
[2025-01-05 00:15:13][144387.979659] CLIENT: Sending HID device 28de/1142/3 Valve Software Steam Controller at /dev/hidraw3
[2025-01-05 00:15:13][144387.979711] CLIENT: Sending HID device 28de/1142/4 Valve Software Steam Controller at /dev/hidraw4
[2025-01-05 00:15:13][144387.979761] CLIENT: Sending HID device 28de/1142/0 Valve Software Steam Controller at 1-1.1:1.0
[2025-01-05 00:15:13][144387.979810] CLIENT: Sending HID device 20d6/2035/-1 PowerA Xbox Series X Wired Controller Black at sdl://1
[2025-01-05 00:15:13][144387.979870] CLIENT: Got control packet k_EStreamControlSetQoS
[2025-01-05 00:15:13][144388.012194] Over 960 sample audio gap (4832)
[2025-01-05 00:15:13][144388.012274] Video Encoder Changed
[2025-01-05 00:15:13][144388.013756] >>> Capture method set to Desktop DWM NV12 + NVENC H264
[2025-01-05 00:15:13][144388.014934] >>> Capture resolution set to 1920x1080
[2025-01-05 00:15:13][144388.014989] >>> Capture colorspace set to BT.601 limited range
[2025-01-05 00:15:13][144388.016547] CLIENT: Got control packet k_EStreamControlSetTargetBitrate
[2025-01-05 00:15:13][144388.016603] CLIENT: Starting audio stream: frequency=48000, channels=2
[2025-01-05 00:15:13][144388.016649] CLIENT: OnInputStreamChanged 0 0
[2025-01-05 00:15:13][144388.016692] CLIENT: Initialized audio decoder: codec=3, sample rate=48000, channels=2
[2025-01-05 00:15:13][144388.016737] CLIENT: Got control packet k_EStreamControlStartAudioData
[2025-01-05 00:15:13][144388.016780] CLIENT: Got control packet k_EStreamControlSetSpectatorMode
[2025-01-05 00:15:13][144388.016868] CLIENT: Got control packet k_EStreamControlSetCaptureSize
[2025-01-05 00:15:13][144388.016927] CLIENT: Got control packet k_EStreamControlSetTitle
[2025-01-05 00:15:13][144388.016978] CLIENT: Got control packet k_EStreamControlSetIcon
[2025-01-05 00:15:13][144388.017023] CLIENT: Got control packet k_EStreamControlSetCursor
[2025-01-05 00:15:13][144388.017071] CLIENT: Got control packet k_EStreamControlSetKeymap
[2025-01-05 00:15:13][144388.017118] CLIENT: Got control packet k_EStreamControlSetActivity
[2025-01-05 00:15:13][144388.051250] >>> Capture method set to Desktop DWM shared NV12 + NVENC H264
[2025-01-05 00:15:14][144388.175960] >>> Client video decoder set to Marvell hardware decoding
[2025-01-05 00:15:14][144388.176026] CLIENT: Got control packet k_EStreamControlSetCursorImage
[2025-01-05 00:15:14][144388.176066] CLIENT: Marvell hardware decoding
[2025-01-05 00:15:14][144388.176111] CLIENT: Got control packet k_EStreamControlStartVideoData
[2025-01-05 00:15:14][144388.176157] CLIENT: Got control packet k_EStreamControlVideoEncoderInfo
[2025-01-05 00:15:14][144388.176203] CLIENT: Marking frame 0 complete with status k_EStreamFrameResultDroppedReset
[2025-01-05 00:15:14][144388.176248] CLIENT: Marking frame 1 complete with status k_EStreamFrameResultDroppedReset
[2025-01-05 00:15:14][144388.176309] CLIENT: Marking frame 2 complete with status k_EStreamFrameResultDroppedReset
[2025-01-05 00:15:14][144388.176354] CLIENT: Got control packet k_EStreamControlSetCursorScale
[2025-01-05 00:15:14][144388.176401] CLIENT: Got control packet k_EStreamControlVideoEncoderInfo
[2025-01-05 00:15:14][144388.176444] CLIENT: Got video sequence 9, expected 6, sending lost data notification
[2025-01-05 00:15:14][144388.375314] CLIENT: Marking frame 9 complete with status k_EStreamFrameResultDroppedReset
[2025-01-05 00:15:14][144388.375559] CLIENT: Marking frame 10 complete with status k_EStreamFrameResultDroppedReset
[2025-01-05 00:15:14][144388.445308] CLIENT: Got video sequence 23, expected 20, sending lost data notification
[2025-01-05 00:15:14][144388.445364] CLIENT: Marking frame 16 complete with status k_EStreamFrameResultDroppedReset
[2025-01-05 00:15:14][144388.445409] CLIENT: Marking frame 17 complete with status k_EStreamFrameResultDroppedReset
[2025-01-05 00:15:14][144388.445474] CLIENT: Marking frame 18 complete with status k_EStreamFrameResultDroppedReset
[2025-01-05 00:15:14][144388.445559] CLIENT: Marking frame 19 complete with status k_EStreamFrameResultDroppedReset
[2025-01-05 00:15:14][144388.445608] CLIENT: Marking frame 23 complete with status k_EStreamFrameResultDroppedReset
[2025-01-05 00:15:14][144388.445662] CLIENT: Marking frame 24 complete with status k_EStreamFrameResultDroppedReset
[2025-01-05 00:15:14][144388.445701] CLIENT: Marking frame 25 complete with status k_EStreamFrameResultDroppedReset
[2025-01-05 00:15:14][144388.796105] Setting target bitrate to 30000 Kbit/s, burst bitrate is 150000 Kbit/s
[2025-01-05 00:15:14][144388.828099] CLIENT: Got control packet k_EStreamControlSetTargetBitrate
[2025-01-05 00:15:15][144389.844344] SynchronizeClientState(): setting cursor to 65539
[2025-01-05 00:15:15][144389.921682] CLIENT: Got control packet k_EStreamControlSetCursor
[2025-01-05 00:15:15][144389.921731] CLIENT: Got control packet k_EStreamControlSetCursorImage
[2025-01-05 00:15:15][144390.046239] CLIENT: Texture rect: 1920x1080 at 0,0
[2025-01-05 00:15:15][144390.046297] CLIENT: Video rect: 1920x1080 at 0,0
[2025-01-05 00:15:15][144390.046342] CLIENT: Video size: 1920x1080, output size: 1920x1080, overlay size: 1280x256
[2025-01-05 00:15:15][144390.046387] CLIENT: Texture rect: 1920x1080 at 0,0
[2025-01-05 00:15:15][144390.046437] CLIENT: Video rect: 1920x1080 at 0,0
[2025-01-05 00:15:15][144390.046483] CLIENT: Texture rect: 1920x1080 at 0,0
[2025-01-05 00:15:15][144390.046530] CLIENT: Video rect: 1920x1080 at 0,0
[2025-01-05 00:15:16][144391.302288] CLIENT: Got control packet k_EStreamControlControllerConfigMsg
[2025-01-05 00:15:16][144391.302365] CLIENT: Got control packet k_EStreamControlControllerConfigMsg
[2025-01-05 00:15:16][144391.302435] CLIENT: Got control packet k_EStreamControlControllerConfigMsg
[2025-01-05 00:15:18][144392.298052] CLIENT: Got control packet k_EStreamControlControllerConfigMsg
[2025-01-05 00:15:18][144392.298114] CLIENT: Got control packet k_EStreamControlControllerConfigMsg
[2025-01-05 00:15:18][144392.304455] CLIENT: Got control packet k_EStreamControlControllerConfigMsg
[2025-01-05 00:15:18][144392.311523] CLIENT: Got control packet k_EStreamControlControllerPersonalizationUpdate
[2025-01-05 00:15:18][144392.311596] CLIENT: Got control packet k_EStreamControlControllerConfigMsg
[2025-01-05 00:15:20][144394.843396] SynchronizeClientState(): setting cursor hidden
"

It also happens in the steam link ui.

can you post the summary section with times to encode capture fps etc..

if the client is more more than 40ms behind the host, then its most likely using internet relays
but if its laggy even on the link menu before connecting to host, then it its either tv input delay or link issue

try putting the tv in game mode and see if that fixes it

The tv is already in game mode. I'll see ifnI can find what it is you're after in the log file if the thing I already posted is wrong.

Is this it? [2025-01-05 00:46:35][146269.787427] "SessionStats"
{
"ClientDeviceID" "Steam Link"
"ClientDeviceVersionID" "build 902"
"GameNameID" "Desktop"
"appid" "413080"
"TimeSubmitted" "1736037995"
"ResolutionX" "1920"
"ResolutionY" "1080"
"CaptureDescriptionID" "Desktop DWM shared NV12 + NVENC H264"
"DecoderDescriptionID" "Marvell hardware decoding"
"BandwidthLimit" "30000"
"FramerateLimit" "60"
"Transport" "1"
"SlowGamePercent" "0"
"SlowCapturePercent" "0"
"SlowConvertPercent" "0"
"SlowEncodePercent" "0"
"SlowNetworkPercent" "0"
"SlowDecodePercent" "0"
"SlowDisplayPercent" "0"
"AvgClientBitrate" "3.74933362007141113"
"StdDevClientBitrate" "0.798212409019470215"
"AvgServerBitrate" "16864.87109375"
"StdDevServerBitrate" "0"
"AvgLinkBandwidth" "100000.0078125"
"AvgPingMS" "1.05133056640625"
"StdDevPingMS" "1.17075681686401367"
"AvgCaptureMS" "0.176072880625724792"
"StdDevCaptureMS" "0.116172485053539276"
"AvgConvertMS" "0.0035808151587843895"
"StdDevConvertMS" "0.00654918607324361801"
"AvgEncodeMS" "2.12823009490966797"
"StdDevEncodeMS" "0.782160043716430664"
"AvgNetworkMS" "1.89918696880340576"
"StdDevNetworkMS" "1.43832337856292725"
"AvgDecodeMS" "1.65317535400390625"
"StdDevDecodeMS" "0.566705942153930664"
"AvgDisplayMS" "0.0714045688509941101"
"StdDevDisplayMS" "0.158373311161994934"
"AvgFrameMS" "19.2676506042480469"
"StdDevFrameMS" "3.56549859046936035"
"AvgFPS" "60.5341644287109375"
"StdDevFPS" "38.1033706665039063"
"BigPicture" "1"
"KeyboardMouseInput" "1"
"SteamControllerInput" "0"
"TouchControllerInput" "0"
"GameControllerInput" "1"
"XBox360ControllerInput" "0"
"XBoxOneControllerInput" "1"
"PS3ControllerInput" "0"
"PS4ControllerInput" "0"
"PS5ControllerInput" "0"
"OtherControllerInput" "1"
"GameControllerVID" "121"
"GameControllerPID" "6172"
"WasSpectating" "0"
"RemotePlayTogether" "0"
}

if k/m without the controller have no lag, then it is something to do with the controller or its driver

here is the controller vid/pid, might help devs narrow down the issue

Did you ever find a fix to this? I had a PowerA Xbox One styled wired controller that worked perfectly. It seems none of my Series X|S wired controllers with PowerA work correctly. Maybe it is a driver or software issue for the controller? Directly to my PC works perfectly. My wireless controllers with steam link work great too, but sometimes the wired controllers just feel better for me.

I wish I could figure out how to fix it. I've tried pretty much everything I could find and even tried Moonlight, tried beta build of steam link etc.

I'm tempted to build and program a raspberry pi to use as a steam link and hope it works better?

I kind of got rid of the issue by buying a steam deck and using it docked, which hasn't shown any lag I've noticed with any of my controllers.

I am having this issue now. Every time I try to use my PowerA fusion pro 2 on any of my games I get the worst lag. When I just use M&K there is no lag what so ever. No drivers need updating, No controller updates available, just lag whenever I try to play. Very Frustrating. This has only been an issue for about a week. This is happening on Steam, EA app, Xbox app.

I have been dealing with this exact same problem. I actually got Power A to send me a replacement under warranty. That one worked perfectly... except that it had a faulty trigger that broke after a few uses. I just got another warranty replacement... and again with the crazy input lag. 😭 I have two other Power A controllers that also work perfectly. It's so bizarre.

Just got ANOTHER replacement PowerA controller and it had the same issue. It has to be some kind of software issue, right?

I would be very curious if the working PowerA controllers and the laggy ones report the same VID/PID and firmware version, or show any other sort of difference. Because if some of them consistently work fine and others consistently show notable input latency, I can't help but wonder if you're actually getting identical-looking controllers with differing innards/logic.

are they usb or bt?

is the link menu laggy before connecting to host pc?

Originally posted by Packetdancer:

I would be very curious if the working PowerA controllers and the laggy ones report the same VID/PID and firmware version, or show any other sort of difference. Because if some of them consistently work fine and others consistently show notable input latency, I can't help but wonder if you're actually getting identical-looking controllers with differing innards/logic.

I assume this is probably right as well.

Originally posted by _I_:

are they usb or bt?

is the link menu laggy before connecting to host pc?

They are USB.

And yes, it's laggy in the menu. You can see the problem quite clearly in the controller testing UI on the main Steam Link interface. I've noticed that beyond the crazy lag, if I steadily spin the stick about three times it will lock up and the controller will stop registering inputs.

Edit: I just realized that the OP describes exactly this same behavior too.

could it be the tv?
using the tv osd menu, make sure game mode is enabled

do other controllers have no input delay