Steam Deck Buttons: All buttons, their names, and functions at a glance

Steam Deck Buttons Explained: What Are They Called and What Do They Do?

A, B, X, Y - those are a given. But what's that small button with the three dots called again? And what exactly does the button with the three lines do? If you've ever wondered which button is being referred to when reading instructions or in forums: Here you'll find the answer. We'll go through all Steam Deck buttons - with their official names, positions, and functions.

The Buttons on the Front

Let's start with what most people already know. On the right side of the Steam Deck are the four action buttons - also called Face Buttons:

• A - Confirm / Primary Action
• B - Cancel / Back
• X - Secondary Action (and part of many shortcuts)
• Y - Tertiary Action

On the left side is the D-Pad (directional pad). It is used for navigation in menus and in some games also for control or quick-selection menus.

Additionally, there's the left analog stick (typically for movement) and the right analog stick (mostly for the camera). Both sticks are clickable and thus also function as additional buttons - L3 (left stick click) and R3 (right stick click).

The "Mysterious" Buttons: Steam Button, Quick Access, View & Menu

Now it gets interesting - because this is where most people stumble. On the front, there are four small buttons that are not immediately self-explanatory at first glance.

Steam Button (STEAM Button)

The button with the Steam logo is located to the left below the left trackpad. It's like the command center of your Deck:

• Short press: Opens the Steam menu (Library, Store, Settings, etc.)
• Long press: Shows an overview of all available button combinations

Furthermore, the Steam Button is part of almost every button combination on the Deck. It functions almost like an "Fn" key on a laptop - alone it does little, but in combination with other buttons, it does a lot.

Quick Access Button (Three-dots Button)

The famous button with the three dots "…" is located to the right below the right trackpad - opposite the Steam Button. Its official name is Quick Access Button, and in the community, it's often referred to as the QAM button (Quick Access Menu).

What it does:

• Opens the Quick Access Menu - a side menu with quick access to notifications, friends list, performance overlay, Decky Loader settings, and other settings
• Here you can, among other things, limit the TDP (Thermal Design Power), set the framerate limit, and monitor power consumption

Especially for performance tuning, this button is invaluable - you can access the most important system settings without having to leave the game.

View Button (left, two boxes / formerly "Select")

The small button to the left above the left analog stick, marked with a symbol of two overlapping rectangles, is officially called the View Button. Older users know it as the Select button - the equivalent on Xbox controllers is also called View.

Typical functions:

• Opens the map or a secondary menu in many games
• In some titles, it serves as an inventory or status display

Menu Button (right, three lines / formerly "Start")

On the opposite side - to the left of the right analog stick - sits the Menu Button. Its symbol: three horizontal lines (also known as the "hamburger menu" icon). In earlier controller generations, this was the Start button.

Typical functions:

• Pauses the game or opens the in-game menu
• Can serve as a confirmation button in some menus

In short: View = left = the old Select. Menu = right = the old Start. If you want to remember it: View shows you something, Menu opens something for you.

Shoulder Buttons: Bumper and Trigger (L1, R1, L2, R2)

At the top edge of the Steam Deck are four shoulder buttons - divided into bumpers and triggers:

• L1 (left bumper) - The upper left shoulder button. Digital click, no pressure point progression.
• R1 (right bumper) - The counterpart on the right side.
• L2 (left trigger) - The lower left trigger. Analog, so it detects how hard you press - perfect for sensitive acceleration in racing games or zoom levels.
• R2 (right trigger) - Analog trigger on the right side.

The analog triggers are a real highlight because they don't just know yes/no, but enable continuous input. In shooters, aiming (L2) and shooting (R2) are typically located here.

The Back Buttons: L4, L5, R4 & R5

Now we come to a feature that sets the Steam Deck apart from many standard controllers: On the back are four additional buttons, the so-called Back Grip Buttons.

• L4 - Upper left back button
• L5 - Lower left back button
• R4 - Upper right back button
• R5 - Lower right back button

By default, these buttons are not assigned - and that's what makes them so powerful. You can freely configure them via the controller settings in the Steam menu. Popular assignments include jumping, reloading, or crouching, so you don't have to take your thumb off the analog stick.

If you want inspiration for useful layouts: It's best to look at the community profiles for your favorite game. There are often tried and tested configurations that you can adopt with a click.

Sidebar from the author - Kevin: The eXtremeRate back button enhancement is actually my absolute favorite mod. I don't actively use the back buttons, but the silicone of the button enhancement feels super good in the hand and the Steam Deck still fits into a case/carrying bag. Truly highly recommended! You can find the mentioned back button enhancement here.

Trackpads and Joysticks

The Steam Deck has two capacitive trackpads - one on the left, one on the right. They support touch input and haptic feedback, simulating a slight "click feeling."

What they are designed for:

• Mouse control - In desktop mode or with PC games that don't have native controller support, the trackpads are your mouse
• Radial menus - You can configure them so that a circular quick selection appears as soon as you touch the pad
• Touch menus - For complex games, grids or buttons can also be placed on the trackpads

In addition, there is, of course, the 7-inch touchscreen, which also functions as an input device - for example, for the virtual keyboard or for navigation in the interface.

Other Buttons: Power & Volume

At the top edge of the device, you will also find:

• Power button - Short press puts the Deck in standby, long press shuts it down or opens the power menu
• Volume buttons (Volume Up / Volume Down) - Two physical buttons for volume control, right next to the power button

Difference OLED vs. LCD: Are the Buttons the Same?

Short answer: Yes, the button layout is identical for both the Steam Deck OLED and LCD. There are no new or relocated buttons.

However, Valve has improved the quality of the OLED model: The bumpers (L1/R1) are more durable and easier to replace, the joysticks feel a bit grippier, and the haptics of the trackpads have been refined. From the outside, the buttons also look slightly different - the labeling is a bit more subtle in gray instead of the brighter white of the LCD model.

Functionally, nothing changes. Every guide and shortcut that applies to the LCD also applies to the OLED.

Useful Button Combinations

The Steam Button unfolds its full potential in combination with other buttons. Here is an overview of the most important shortcuts you should know:

Button Combination	Function
Steam + X	Open virtual keyboard
Steam + R1	Take screenshot
Steam + L1	Activate screen magnifier
Steam + R2	Left click (mouse)
Steam + L2	Right click (mouse)
Steam + B (hold)	Force quit game
Steam + D-Pad right	Enter key
Steam + D-Pad left	Escape key
Steam + D-Pad down	Tab key
Steam + Joystick up/down	Adjust display brightness
Steam (long press)	Show all shortcuts

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the button with the three dots on the Steam Deck called?

That's the Quick Access Button (also called QAM button). It is located to the right below the right trackpad and opens the Quick Access Menu with quick access to performance settings, notifications, and more.

What is the button with the three lines on the Steam Deck called?

That's the Menu Button - the counterpart to the classic Start button. It is located to the left of the right analog stick and opens the pause menu in most games.

What is the difference between the View and Menu Button?

The View Button (two overlapping rectangles, left) corresponds to the old Select button and usually opens maps or secondary menus. The Menu Button (three lines, right) corresponds to the old Start button and pauses the game or opens the main menu.

Can I freely assign the back buttons (L4, L5, R4, R5)?

Yes. By default, they are not assigned. You can configure them individually via Steam Button → Controller Settings → Edit Layout - per game or globally.

How do I open the virtual keyboard?

Press Steam + X. The on-screen keyboard can be operated via touchscreen, trackpad, or joystick.

Do Steam Deck OLED and LCD have the same buttons?

Yes, the button layout is identical. The OLED model merely has qualitatively improved bumpers and grippier joysticks, but no new or differently placed buttons.

You don't just want to know your Steam Deck, but also equip it? Whether it's a screen protector, case, or thumbstick caps - at decky.net you'll find suitable accessories that match your setup.