How to Use Steam for In-House Game Streaming

Game streaming has become increasingly popular in recent years, allowing gamers to enjoy their favorite titles on various devices. While there are dedicated game streaming platforms available, such as Twitch or Mixer, did you know that you can use Steam for in-house game streaming? In this article, we’ll guide you through the process of using Steam to stream games within your home network.

Step 1: Set Up Steam on Both Computers

To begin, make sure you have Steam installed on both the computer you want to stream games from (the host) and the computer you want to stream games to (the client). You can download the Steam client for free from the official Steam website.

Step 2: Enable In-Home Streaming

Next, launch Steam on the host computer and log in to your Steam account. In the Steam client, navigate to the ‘Steam’ menu at the top-left corner and select ‘Preferences.’ In the Preferences window, click on the ‘In-Home Streaming’ tab. Check the box that says ‘Enable streaming’ to activate the feature.

Step 3: Configure Streaming Settings

After enabling in-home streaming, you can customize the streaming settings to suit your preferences. You can adjust options such as resolution, frame rate, and bandwidth limit. Higher settings will provide better visual quality but may require a faster and more stable network connection. Experiment with these settings to find the right balance for your network.

Step 4: Connect the Client to the Host

On the client computer, launch Steam and log in to the same Steam account used on the host computer. Once logged in, click on the ‘Steam’ menu, select ‘Settings,’ and go to the ‘In-Home Streaming’ tab. Make sure the ‘Enable streaming’ box is checked, and you should see the host computer listed under ‘Remote Computers.’ Click on the host computer’s name to initiate the connection.

Step 5: Start Streaming

With the host and client computers connected, you are now ready to start streaming games. On the client computer, select the game you want to stream from your Steam library and click the ‘Stream’ button. The game will start streaming from the host computer to the client, and you can play it using your preferred input device.

Tips for Optimal Streaming Experience

Here are a few tips to ensure you have the best possible streaming experience:

• Use a wired network connection whenever possible. Ethernet connections provide more stability and lower latency compared to Wi-Fi.
• Close unnecessary programs and processes on both the host and client computers to free up system resources for game streaming.
• Consider using a gamepad or controller for better gameplay experience, especially for games that are more console-oriented.
• If you encounter lag or performance issues, try lowering the streaming settings, such as resolution or frame rate, to reduce the network bandwidth required.

By following these steps, you can utilize Steam’s in-home streaming feature to enjoy your favorite games on different devices within your home network. Whether you want to play games on your living room TV or a lightweight laptop, Steam’s in-home streaming makes it possible.

So, gather your gaming gear, set up Steam on both computers, and start streaming your favorite games hassle-free!