Steam Deck VPN: How to Choose and Set It Up 

The Steam Deck is basically a handheld gaming console that Gabe Newell and the team at Valve have given us, courtesy of his genius. With an awesome library of games and some seriously zippy hardware, plus a bunch of nifty plugins to make your gaming experience even better , it’s not a surprise that the Steam Deck has become Valve’s undisputed champion. But let’s get real, gaming from public WiFi can be a total pain in the proverbial – slow speeds, security threats, the whole shebang. That’s where a VPN comes in – essentially a virtual shield around your internet connection that gives you a low ping and a safe online gaming experience.

The Steam Deck – Your New Best Mate for Portable Gaming

The Steam Deck is the ultimate portable gaming machine – giving you the full-on power of a gaming PC right in the palm of your hand. Whether you’re lounging on the couch, killing time on public transport, or even gaming at a café (because, why not?), with the Steam Deck you’re free to play your fave Steam games anywhere, anytime. And with great portability comes great need for security – especially when you’re gaming online from dodgy public WiFi hotspots.

That’s where a VPN comes in to save the day. By setting up a secure tunnel between your Steam Deck and a remote VPN server, you get to enjoy all the benefits of online gaming without the hassle of security threats and throttling. So, whether you’re a hardcore gamer looking to boost your online security, dodge ISP throttling, or simply enjoy a smoother gaming experience, using a VPN on your Steam Deck is a no-brainer for any gamer who values security, freedom and a great online gaming experience.

Why You Need a VPN on Your Steam Deck in the first place

So, why bother installing a VPN on your Steam Deck? Well, the benefits are pretty compelling, if we’re allowed to say so ourselves:

• It is a Good thing to say Goodbye to Slow Speeds and Lags. A good VPN service will make slow speeds and lags history. The best VPN services will provide a great number of server choices to make because you will be able to conceal your IP address and hide your identity. Besides, it has high gameplay and streaming speeds, which means that you can have little buffering and low latency – no longer do you have to deal with annoying throttling in your Internet Service Provider.
• Play Your Favour Games Anywhere Anytime and Do Not Worry. You may also realize that when you travel or relocate to a new country your favorite games are not sold there. However, there is nothing to panic about because a VPN will only have you connected to a server in your native country, and thus, you can continue playing games as though you never leapt out of the house. And, using VPN, you will be able not only to play online games in foreign servers and avoid geo-targeting, but also to be sure that your data remains safe and secure.
• Don’t Make Your Data a Nightmare to Keep Your Data Safe and Secure when Gaming over Public WiFi. The convenience of playing games over the WiFi of a crowd might be a nice option, but it is also a hackers playfield – and you do not want to become the victim of that kind of playing. However, when you send your internet traffic through a VPN server, you are able to enjoy a safe and secure gaming content devoid of all the security threats and risks of insecure public WiFi hotspots. Additionally, in the case of a VPN, you will be able to have the best internet security, which will guard you against DDoS, hacking and phishing.

VPNs also let you access popular streaming services from anywhere in the world, by bypassing geo-restrictions – so you can enjoy Netflix, Hulu and HBO Max on your Steam Deck, no matter where you are.

Note: VeePN don’t encourage you to use a VPN in a way that would potentially breach the Terms of Service of other platforms. For more details, please read the VeePN Terms of Service and just make sure you’re on the right side of the law.

Choosing the Best VPN for Steam Deck – Let’s Get Down to Business

With loads of VPN services out there, which one is the best for your Steam Deck? That’s the million-dollar question! When searching for the perfect Steam Deck VPN, it’s all about choosing a service that’s both gaming-optimised and secure, and one that will play nice with your Steam OS. Here’s what to look for:

• Linux and WiFi Router compatibility are a Must. The Steam Deck runs on Steam OS, which is based on Linux. So, any top-notch VPN app needs to play nice with this operating system. But not every VPN is compatible with WiFi routers – so keep that in mind, if you plan to set up a VPN on your home router, or use a VPN router, to achieve a smooth and secure gaming session on your Steam Deck.
• Fast Connection Speeds are a Given. Fast, reliable connection speeds are essential for a cutting-edge VPN service. Sure, your VPN app might slow things down a bit because of encryption, but reputable providers keep this slowdown to a minimum. They’ve got the latest protocols like WireGuard doing their magic, ensuring that high-profile data encryption doesn’t come at the cost of slower speeds. If you’re into gaming or streaming, you want to be able to do so – quickly. Look for VPNs that offer awesome speeds and you’ll be able to play without buffering or lag.* Server Network. Having a reliable network of servers is everything when it comes to a Steam Deck VPN. Its the difference between a seamless online gaming experience and one where you can’t even get a solid connection. With a broad network of servers, you can still get online even when loads of other users are online at the same time – no matter how many are playing just like you. And the best Steam Deck VPNs arent just limited to a few devices or platforms either – theyre flexible, so you can hook them up to whatever you’re using
• Stealth Security. Okay, so you want to protect yourself and your Steam Deck from all the internet’s nasty bits – that makes sense. But how do you do that with a VPN? Well, a good one should have all the right tools – we’re talking about the highest level of encryption protocols, automatic kill switch, dns leak protection and the works. You want to be able to game or browse online without any worries – like your data being snatched or your identity stolen. No fuss, just secure.
• Flexible Pricing. And then there’s the cost – maybe the biggest thing to think about when choosing a VPN. Price is a big deal, and you want to make sure you get a service that fits your wallet. Plenty of reputable providers come with a money back guarantee or a free trial period – which lets you try them out risk free before shelling out your cash. This way you can pick the VPN service that suits you and your needs.

But let’s be clear – if you’re considering a free VPN, it’s a waste of your time. They often don’t have the best servers, which means slower connections and worse ping times. And lets not even get started on the fact that free VPNs sell your personal data to advertising agencies – its a pretty lousy deal

Instead of messing around with free VPNs that don’t deliver, we reckon you should give VeePN a try. Its got it all going on. With over 2,500 servers in 89 locations, VeePN gives you super-fast connections and keeps to a strict no logs policy – so your personal details stay private. And the icing on the cake? You can connect up to 10 devices at the same time, keeping your gaming and browsing stable and secure. And to top it all off, you can try VeePN out risk free for 30 whole days before deciding if you want to keep on using it.

Other top choices for a Steam Deck VPN include ExpressVPN, which is specifically optimized for use with Steam Deck and is super easy to install. ExpressVPN also has a kill switch, leak protection and split tunneling to keep you safe online. NordVPN is a bit of a powerhouse with its servers and streaming support, Surfshark is super budget-friendly and fast with great connection speeds and a huge server network, and CyberGhost is a great choice for gaming on Steam Deck with fast speeds and a large server network.

Just remember – most of the big name VPN providers dont have a dedicated app for Arch Linux – so if your Steam Deck is running on that OS, you might need to get your VPN up and running manually or using some sort of third party tool.

Next up, we’ll show you exactly how to get your Steam Deck up and running with a VPN – in a step by step guide thatll walk you through it all.

VPN Security Features

So just how do the best Steam Deck VPNs keep you safe and private online?
Here are the things you should be on the lookout for:

• Encryption : its the ultimate protection for your data, and every VPN connection uses it – making it super hard for hackers to snoop on what you’re doing while you’re gaming or browsing.
• DNS Leak Protection : this feature stops your dns queries being intercepted by unwanted eyes, so your browsing activity stays private – even from your isp
• Split Tunneling : With this feature, you can choose what apps or games use the VPN and which connect straight to the internet – giving you a lot more control over your network traffic, and boosting your gaming performance.
• Kill Switch : This one’s a lifesaver – if the VPN connection drops out for any reason, the kill switch automatically cuts off your connection – stopping any unprotected data from leaking out.
• Strict No-Logs Policy : the best VPNs keep no records of your online activity on your Steam Deck – at all. That means your privacy is protected.

With these security features in place, you can kick back and know your Steam Deck is completely secure for gaming, browsing and any other online activity

VPN and Steam Deck Compatibility

Because not all VPN providers are made equal – in fact, most of the main ones dont have a dedicated app for Arch Linux. So if your Steam Deck is running on that OS, you might have to get your VPN up and running manually or using some sort of third party tool.## Since Steam Deck runs on Arch Linux, setting up a VPN will be a bit of a challenge , but on the flip side a lot of top providers have made it relatively painless to configure a VPN connection manually or use third-party apps like TunnelDeck to make things a heck of a lot easier

When you’re shopping for a VPN to use with your Steam Deck, look for one that makes it really easy to set things up on Arch Linux and comes with configuration files that’ll get along swimmingly with your device. Third-party apps can also make all the difference, allowing you to connect to your VPN with just a few clicks. This way you can enjoy all the benefits of a VPN like secure browsing and access to game servers all around the world without having to deal with any technical hassle. Also make sure the VPN you choose is user-friendly and has good support for Steam Deck users, so you can focus on gaming rather than trying to figure out why something isn’t working.

How to install VeePN on your Steam Deck

First off, if you want to use a VPN on your Steam Deck, you’ll need to switch over to Desktop Mode. There’s a couple of ways you can install VeePN on your Steam Deck – by installing it directly on Steam OS (which is basically just Linux underneath) and on a Wi-Fi router. If you choose to use a router with VeePN, all the devices connected to your network – including your Steam Deck – will get the benefit of VPN protection.

If you decide to install VeePN directly on your Steam Deck, first switch to Desktop Mode – this is going to let you install some packages that can help you manage your VPN connections. You’ll need to grab some configuration files, usually .ovpn or .conf format, from your VPN provider. To make things a bit easier you might want to consider grabbing a plugin called TunnelDeck – this makes it a whole lot simpler to manage your VPN connections on your Steam Deck.

After it’s all installed, just keep in mind you might have to reinstall the VPN after you’ve done some system updates. When you’re connecting make sure the VPN is up and running before you switch back to Gaming Mode. Once you’ve set it up in Desktop Mode the VPN connection will stay active even when you switch back to Gaming Mode, which means you’ll be able to use it to keep your gaming sessions private, get access to region-locked content and have a more secure gaming experience overall.

Method 1: right on your Steam Deck

1. First off, grab Decky Loader from GitHub and have a look at the latest version.

2. You’ll find three little dots on the right side of the Steam Deck menu. Tap on them and select Plugin Loader.

3. You’ll get taken to the Plugin store – have a look round and find the plugin called TunnelDeck and install it onto your Steam Deck.

4. Once it’s installed, launch TunnelDeck.

5. Within the app, turn on the OpenVPN installation option.

6. Next switch over to Desktop Mode on your Steam Deck. To do this, tap the Steam button, head to Power and then tap Switch to Desktop.

7. You’ll get a brief little reboot – don’t worry about it, this will only take a few seconds. Once you’re back in, you’ll be in Desktop mode.

8. Now find the Menu, go to System Settings and then click on Network followed by the Connections tab.

9. Click on the + icon to add a new connection. Next, scroll down to Other and click on Import VPN connection…, then click Create.

10. First off, get a subscription for VeePN from https://order.veepn.com/pricing/ .

11. Log into your VeePN account and pick a Linux config file – choose a server location you like.

12. After downloading the configuration file, go back to Step 9. When you click Create, you’ll need to locate the file you just downloaded and select it. Next, click Open.

13. You might get a little prompt asking if you want to copy your certificates, just click Yes.

14. Fill in your VeePN login details (username and password).

15. Change the option under the dropdown menu from the default option Store password for this user only (encrypted) to Store password for all users (not encrypted).

16. Click on Apply to save the changes.

If setting up VeePN on your Steam Deck is all a bit of a mess, don’t worry – our support team are on the job 24/7.

Method 2: your Wi-Fi router

1. First off, get on the web and access your router’s login page.

2. Sign in to the VeePN website using your login details.3 – Get to the page where you can grab VeePN configuration files for your router model.

4 – Grab the configuration files for your router model – these are the files you’ll need to get going.

5 – While you’re over at the VeePN website, grab some login credentials for your VPN network – you’ll need these to get your router to talk to the VPN server.

6 – Connect your Steam Deck to the WiFi network that VeePN is protecting.

By the way – we’ve got a pretty handy article on installing VeePN on a WiFi router if you want to know more.

Troubleshooting Common Issues

Having some issues with your VPN on your Steam Deck? Don’t stress, most problems can be sorted out with a few simple steps:

• Check Your Internet Connection is Working: Before you go doing anything else, just double check that your Steam Deck is connected to a stable internet connection. Flaky Wi-Fi can cause VPN connection drops or slowdowns – you’ve been warned!\
• Give Your Steam Deck a Restart: Sometimes all it needs is a bit of a kick-start – give your Steam Deck a restart and see if that sorts out those connectivity issues. Simple but often effective.\
• Have Another Look At Your VeePN Setup: Double-check your VPN settings to make sure you’ve got the right configuration file and protocol chosen for your VPN provider. It’s an easy mistake to make but one that can throw a wrench in the works and stop your VPN from working.
• Get In Touch With VeePN’s Support Team: If all else fails, give VeePN’s support team a shout – they’ll be able to help you get your VPN up and running on your Steam Deck and sort out any tricky issues that might be popping up.

By following these steps and choosing a half-decent VPN provider, you’ll be enjoying a smooth and private gaming experience on your Steam Deck – no matter where you happen to be.

Enjoy Steam Deck gaming on your own terms with VeePN

With VeePN on your side, you can be pretty sure your Steam Deck games are going to play without a hitch – whether you’re playing in an airport, a hotel lobby, on a train or just in the comfort of your own home. While your Steam Deck keeps going like clockwork, you can be safe in the knowledge that your connection won’t slow down and your personal info will stay out of prying eyes. To get the full confidence boost every time you launch into a gaming session on your Steam Deck, VeePN is the one to choose. It gives you fast and reliable connection speeds, heaps of servers to choose from and top-notch protection for your online privacy. So why not download VeePN today and get the most out of every gaming session, all while keeping your personal info safe from the hackers and spammers.

Written by VeePN Research Lab VeePN Research Lab is dedicated to provide you latest posts about internet security and privacy.

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