Steam lets you purchase, download, and play thousands of games on Linux, including native titles and Windows games through Proton (Steam’s built-in compatibility layer that runs Windows games without manual configuration). Whether you want to play AAA titles like Elden Ring or Cyberpunk 2077, indie games, or classic titles from your existing library, Steam on Linux handles compatibility automatically. This guide walks through installing Steam on Linux Mint using either the default repository or Valve’s official APT repository, configuring 32-bit library support, and setting up your graphics drivers for optimal gaming performance. You can check game compatibility ratings on ProtonDB before purchasing.
Choose Your Steam Installation Method
Linux Mint offers two ways to install Steam. Generally, the default repository provides a stable package that requires minimal setup, while Valve’s official repository delivers faster updates directly from the Steam developers.
| Method | Channel | Updates | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Default Repository | Linux Mint repos | Delayed | Users who prefer distro-tested packages |
| Valve APT Repository | Official upstream | Immediate | Gamers who want the latest client features |
For most users, the Valve APT repository is recommended because Steam updates frequently and newer client versions often include critical Proton improvements for running Windows games.
Linux Mint Version Reference
Linux Mint is based on Ubuntu, so package availability and commands work the same across both distributions. The following table maps Linux Mint versions to their Ubuntu base, which is useful when troubleshooting or checking package compatibility:
| Linux Mint Version | Mint Codename | Ubuntu Base | Ubuntu Codename |
|---|---|---|---|
| Linux Mint 22.x | Wilma, Xia | Ubuntu 24.04 LTS | noble |
| Linux Mint 21.x | Vanessa, Vera, Victoria, Virginia | Ubuntu 22.04 LTS | jammy |
Prerequisites for Steam
Install Graphics Drivers
Proper graphics drivers are essential for gaming performance. Therefore, before installing Steam, ensure your GPU drivers are correctly configured.
NVIDIA users: Install the proprietary NVIDIA drivers for full Vulkan support and optimal performance. See how to install NVIDIA drivers on Linux Mint for detailed instructions.
AMD and Intel users: The open-source Mesa drivers are pre-installed and work well out of the box. However, for the latest driver improvements and better game compatibility, consider upgrading Mesa drivers on Linux Mint.
Update System Packages
Before installing Steam, update your Linux Mint system to ensure all packages are current and avoid dependency conflicts. Open a terminal from the applications menu and run:
sudo apt update && sudo apt upgradeInstall Required Packages
Next, install curl for downloading the GPG key if you plan to use the Valve repository:
sudo apt install curl -yEnable 32-bit Architecture Support
Additionally, most Steam games require 32-bit libraries, even on 64-bit systems. Enable multiarch support to run these games:
sudo dpkg --add-architecture i386Then, verify that 32-bit architecture is enabled:
dpkg --print-foreign-architecturesi386
As a result, this output confirms that your system can now install and run 32-bit packages alongside native 64-bit software.
Install Steam Client
Option 1: Install from Default Repository
The simplest method installs Steam from Linux Mint’s default repository. Notably, this version receives updates through normal system updates but may lag behind the latest Steam release:
sudo apt install steam-installer -yAfter installation, Steam will download additional components on first launch. Once complete, skip to the Launch Steam section to continue.
Option 2: Install from Valve APT Repository
Alternatively, for the latest Steam client with immediate updates, add Valve’s official APT repository. This method ensures you receive new features and Proton compatibility improvements as soon as they release.
First, download the GPG key to verify package authenticity:
curl -fsSL https://repo.steampowered.com/steam/archive/stable/steam.gpg | sudo tee /usr/share/keyrings/steam.gpg > /dev/nullThen, add the Steam repository using modern DEB822 format:
cat <<EOF | sudo tee /etc/apt/sources.list.d/steam.sources
Types: deb
URIs: https://repo.steampowered.com/steam/
Suites: stable
Components: steam
Architectures: amd64 i386
Signed-By: /usr/share/keyrings/steam.gpg
EOFNext, update the package database to recognize the new repository:
sudo apt updateFinally, install Steam along with the required OpenGL and Vulkan libraries for both 64-bit and 32-bit game support:
sudo apt install steam-launcher \
libgl1-mesa-dri:amd64 libgl1-mesa-dri:i386 \
libgl1:amd64 libgl1:i386 \
libglx-mesa0:amd64 libglx-mesa0:i386 \
mesa-vulkan-drivers mesa-vulkan-drivers:i386This command installs the Steam launcher along with Mesa OpenGL and Vulkan drivers for both 64-bit and 32-bit architectures. The libgl1 and libglx-mesa0 packages provide OpenGL support; these are the actual packages that libgl1-mesa-glx depends on (it has been a transitional package since Ubuntu 18.04). Using these packages directly ensures compatibility across all supported Linux Mint versions. Vulkan support is essential for running modern games and Windows titles through Proton.
Handling Installation Prompts
During installation, Steam’s package scripts may detect your existing DEB822 repository configuration and offer to replace it with a legacy .list file. This prompt appears because Steam includes its own repository setup that conflicts with the modern format you configured earlier.
When prompted to replace
/etc/apt/sources.list.d/steam.list, select N (No) to keep your DEB822 configuration. This preserves the signed repository format and avoids duplicate source warnings.
If you accidentally select Y (Yes), Steam creates a legacy .list file alongside your .sources file, causing duplicate repository warnings during future updates. To fix this, remove the legacy file:
sudo rm /etc/apt/sources.list.d/steam.list
Afterward, verify that Steam was installed from the Valve repository:
apt-cache policy steam-launchersteam-launcher:
Installed: 1:1.0.0.85
Candidate: 1:1.0.0.85
Version table:
*** 1:1.0.0.85 500
500 https://repo.steampowered.com/steam stable/steam amd64 Packages
100 /var/lib/dpkg/status
As shown above, the output displays the installed version (yours will show the current release number) and confirms the package comes from repo.steampowered.com rather than the default repository.
Launch Steam
After installation, launch Steam using either the terminal or the applications menu.
From Terminal: Run steam in your terminal to start Steam directly. This method is useful for seeing diagnostic output if issues occur.
steamFrom Applications Menu: Open the applications menu, navigate to the Games category, and click the Steam icon. The exact menu location may vary slightly depending on your Linux Mint edition (Cinnamon, MATE, or Xfce), but Steam appears in the Games category on all editions.
Complete First-Time Setup
Upon launching Steam for the first time, a terminal notification appears prompting you to install additional packages for Steam’s initial setup.
Press Enter to initiate the installation and enter your password when prompted. A secondary terminal window may appear requesting confirmation; press Enter again to complete the package installation.
After the package installation, Steam automatically downloads and updates its components. Generally, this update process takes a few minutes depending on your internet connection.
Sign In to Your Steam Account
Once the updates complete, the Steam login window appears. From here, sign in with an existing account or create a new one to access your game library.
After signing in, Steam displays your library where you can browse, purchase, and download games. Furthermore, native Linux games install and run directly, while Windows games automatically use Proton for compatibility.
Manage Steam Installation
Update Steam via APT
Steam updates itself automatically when launched, downloading new client versions and Proton improvements in the background. However, periodic APT upgrades ensure the system-level Steam launcher package stays current:
sudo apt update && sudo apt upgradeThe apt upgrade command updates all installed packages, including the Steam launcher if a new version is available from the Valve repository. For updating just Steam without touching other packages, use:
sudo apt install --only-upgrade steam-launcherRemove Steam
If you no longer need Steam on your Linux Mint system, follow the steps below to completely remove it:
Remove Steam Software
Uninstall the Steam package and its unused dependencies:
sudo apt remove steam-installer steam-launcher --autoremoveRemove Steam Repository
If you installed Steam using the Valve APT repository, remove the repository files (both DEB822 and any legacy formats that may exist):
sudo rm -f /etc/apt/sources.list.d/steam.sources /etc/apt/sources.list.d/steam.listRemove GPG Key
To complete the removal, delete the imported GPG key:
sudo rm /usr/share/keyrings/steam.gpgFinally, update the package database after removing the repository:
sudo apt updateRemove Steam User Data
The following commands permanently delete your Steam configuration, game saves stored locally, and downloaded games. Cloud-synced saves remain on Steam’s servers and will sync when you reinstall. Export any local-only saves before proceeding.
Remove Steam’s configuration and local data directories:
rm -rf ~/.steam ~/.local/share/Steam
rm -rf ~/.local/share/applications/steam*.desktopTroubleshoot Common Steam Issues
Steam Fails to Start
If Steam crashes immediately or shows errors like the following, the runtime libraries may be corrupted:
Running Steam on linuxmint 22 64-bit STEAM_RUNTIME has been set by the user to: /home/user/.steam/steam/ubuntu12_32/steam-runtime Error: Steam client runtime not found
To resolve this, remove the runtime directories and let Steam redownload them:
rm -rf ~/.steam/steam/ubuntu12_32/ ~/.steam/steam/ubuntu12_64/Then, launch Steam again:
steamSteam automatically downloads fresh runtime files and should start normally. You will see the Steam update window appear, confirming the runtime is being restored.
Games Have No Sound
If games launch but produce no audio while your system sound works normally, Steam’s bundled ALSA libraries likely conflict with your system. In particular, this commonly occurs after system updates.
Remove the conflicting audio libraries:
rm -rf ~/.steam/steam/ubuntu12_32/steam-runtime/i386/usr/lib/i386-linux-gnu/alsa-lib
rm -rf ~/.steam/steam/ubuntu12_32/steam-runtime/amd64/usr/lib/x86_64-linux-gnu/alsa-libRestart Steam and launch a game to verify audio works. Test with a game that previously had no sound; you should now hear game audio through your system’s default output device.
OpenGL or Driver Errors
If games crash with OpenGL errors or you see messages like these in the terminal:
libGL error: unable to load driver: radeonsi_dri.so libGL error: failed to load driver: radeonsi Failed to load libGL: undefined symbol: xcb_send_fd
In this case, Steam’s runtime libraries conflict with your Mesa drivers. Remove the problematic libraries:
find ~/.steam/steam/ \( -name "libgcc_s.so*" -o -name "libstdc++.so*" -o -name "libxcb.so*" \) -print -deleteRestart Steam and launch the problematic game. If the fix worked, games should start without libGL errors in the terminal output.
Steam may reinstall these libraries after updates. If issues return after a Steam update, repeat the removal command.
Duplicate Repository Configuration Warnings
Occasionally, Steam’s installer may automatically create a legacy .list file in /etc/apt/sources.list.d/ even though you configured the modern .sources format. When both formats exist, APT displays warnings about the repository being configured multiple times:
W: Target Packages (stable/steam/binary-amd64/Packages) is configured multiple times in /etc/apt/sources.list.d/steam.list and /etc/apt/sources.list.d/steam.sources
Remove the legacy .list file that conflicts with your DEB822 configuration:
sudo rm /etc/apt/sources.list.d/steam.listHowever, because Steam’s package scripts can recreate this file during updates, replace it with a read-only placeholder to prevent future conflicts:
sudo touch /etc/apt/sources.list.d/steam.list
sudo chmod 444 /etc/apt/sources.list.d/steam.listLastly, verify the fix by updating your package cache:
sudo apt updateAs a result, the duplicate repository warnings should no longer appear, confirming APT now uses only your DEB822 .sources configuration.
Conclusion
You now have Steam installed on Linux Mint with 32-bit multiarch support, Mesa OpenGL/Vulkan drivers, and GPG-signed repository authentication. The Valve APT repository keeps your client current with the latest Proton compatibility layers for running Windows games, and the troubleshooting steps above address the most common runtime and audio issues. For better gaming performance, ensure your NVIDIA drivers are up to date, consider installing the Xanmod kernel on Linux Mint for reduced input latency, or explore Wine on Linux Mint for running Windows applications outside of Steam.