Headless backend not rendering anything apart from pointer

[gitautas]

Is there an existing issue for this?

• I have searched the existing issues

Are you using any gamescope patches or a forked version of gamescope?

• The issue occurs on upstream gamescope without any modifications

Current Behavior

When running Steam through gamescope on my home server using gamescope -e --backend headless -- steam -tenfoot -gamepadui I connect to the instance using Steam link and while it's seemingly launching successfully (I can hear sounds and launch games blindly) all I see in the output is the cursor that changes between normal, clickable and resize pointers if I move the cursor around the screen.

Steps To Reproduce

0. Use a VNC solution (like magic-mirror to log into Steam
1. launch Steam on a machine with no display connected using the headless backend gamescope -e --backend headless -- steam -tenfoot -gamepadui
2. Connect to the session using a Steam link client

Hardware information

- Distro: Fedora Linux 42 (Server Edition) x86_64
- CPU: 12th Gen Intel(R) Core(TM) i5-12600KF (16) @ 4.90 GHz
- GPU1: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1660 SUPER (the auto selected vulkan device for gamescope)
- GPU2: AMD Radeon RX 7600 (unable to try without disconnecting the 1660 because Gamescope does not support specifying Vulkan device ID/index :c)
- Driver Version: NVIDIA 580.82.09

Software information

- Desktop environment: N/A
- Session type: tty
- Gamescope version: gamescope --version `[gamescope] [Info]  console: gamescope version  (gcc 15.2.1)` but DNF says `3.16.15`
- Gamescope launch command(s): `gamescope -e --backend headless -- steam -tenfoot -gamepadui`

Which gamescope backends have the issue you are reporting?

• Wayland (default for nested gamescope)
• DRM (default for embedded gamescope, i.e. gamescope-session)
• SDL
• OpenVR

Logging, screenshots, or anything else

    ~  gamescope -e --backend headless -- steam -tenfoot -gamepadui                                    INT ✘  with dripauskaite@sonic 
[gamescope] [Info]  console: gamescope version  (gcc 15.2.1)
No CAP_SYS_NICE, falling back to regular-priority compute and threads.
Performance will be affected.
[gamescope] [Info]  scriptmgr: Loading scripts from: '/usr/share/gamescope/scripts'
[gamescope] [Info]  scriptmgr: Loading scripts from: '/usr/share/gamescope/scripts/00-gamescope'
[gamescope] [Info]  scriptmgr: Loading scripts from: '/usr/share/gamescope/scripts/00-gamescope/common'
[gamescope] [Info]  scriptmgr: Running script file '/usr/share/gamescope/scripts/00-gamescope/common/inspect.lua' (id: 0)
[gamescope] [Info]  scriptmgr: Running script file '/usr/share/gamescope/scripts/00-gamescope/common/modegen.lua' (id: 1)
[gamescope] [Info]  scriptmgr: Running script file '/usr/share/gamescope/scripts/00-gamescope/common/util.lua' (id: 2)
[gamescope] [Info]  scriptmgr: Loading scripts from: '/usr/share/gamescope/scripts/00-gamescope/displays'
[gamescope] [Info]  scriptmgr: Running script file '/usr/share/gamescope/scripts/00-gamescope/displays/asus.rogally.lcd.lua' (id: 3)
[gamescope] [Info]  scriptmgr: Running script file '/usr/share/gamescope/scripts/00-gamescope/displays/deckhd.steamdeck.deckhd-lcd.lua' (id: 4)
[gamescope] [Info]  scriptmgr: Running script file '/usr/share/gamescope/scripts/00-gamescope/displays/gpd.win4.lcd.lua' (id: 5)
[gamescope] [Info]  scriptmgr: Running script file '/usr/share/gamescope/scripts/00-gamescope/displays/lenovo.legiongo.lcd.lua' (id: 6)
[gamescope] [Info]  scriptmgr: Running script file '/usr/share/gamescope/scripts/00-gamescope/displays/lenovo.legiongos.lcd.lua' (id: 7)
[gamescope] [Info]  scriptmgr: Running script file '/usr/share/gamescope/scripts/00-gamescope/displays/valve.steamdeck.lcd.lua' (id: 8)
[gamescope] [Info]  scriptmgr: Running script file '/usr/share/gamescope/scripts/00-gamescope/displays/valve.steamdeck.oled.lua' (id: 9)
[gamescope] [Info]  scriptmgr: Loading scripts from: '/etc/gamescope/scripts'
[gamescope] [Warn]  scriptmgr: Directory '/etc/gamescope/scripts' does not exist
[gamescope] [Info]  scriptmgr: Loading scripts from: '/home/dripauskaite/.config/gamescope/scripts'
[gamescope] [Warn]  scriptmgr: Directory '/home/dripauskaite/.config/gamescope/scripts' does not exist
[gamescope] [Info]  vulkan: selecting physical device 'NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1660 SUPER': queue family 2 (general queue family 0)
[gamescope] [Info]  vulkan: physical device supports DRM format modifiers
[gamescope] [Info]  wlserver: [backend/headless/backend.c:67] Creating headless backend
[gamescope] [Error] vulkan: vkGetPhysicalDeviceFormatProperties2 returned zero modifiers for DRM format 0x38344241 (VkResult: 0)
[gamescope] [Error] vulkan: vkGetPhysicalDeviceFormatProperties2 returned zero modifiers for DRM format 0x38344258 (VkResult: 0)
[gamescope] [Info]  vulkan: supported DRM formats for sampling usage:
[gamescope] [Info]  vulkan:   AR24 (0x34325241)
[gamescope] [Info]  vulkan:   XR24 (0x34325258)
[gamescope] [Info]  vulkan:   AB24 (0x34324241)
[gamescope] [Info]  vulkan:   XB24 (0x34324258)
[gamescope] [Info]  vulkan:   RG16 (0x36314752)
[gamescope] [Info]  vulkan:   NV12 (0x3231564E)
[gamescope] [Info]  vulkan:   AB4H (0x48344241)
[gamescope] [Info]  vulkan:   XB4H (0x48344258)
[gamescope] [Info]  vulkan:   AB30 (0x30334241)
[gamescope] [Info]  vulkan:   XB30 (0x30334258)
[gamescope] [Info]  vulkan:   AR30 (0x30335241)
[gamescope] [Info]  vulkan:   XR30 (0x30335258)
[gamescope] [Info]  wlserver: Using explicit sync when available
[gamescope] [Info]  wlserver: Running compositor on wayland display 'gamescope-0'
[gamescope] [Info]  wlserver: [backend/headless/backend.c:17] Starting headless backend
[gamescope] [Info]  wlserver: Successfully initialized libei for input emulation!
[gamescope] [Info]  wlserver: [xwayland/server.c:107] Starting Xwayland on :0
The XKEYBOARD keymap compiler (xkbcomp) reports:
> Warning:          Could not resolve keysym XF86RefreshRateToggle
> Warning:          Could not resolve keysym XF86Accessibility
> Warning:          Could not resolve keysym XF86DoNotDisturb
Errors from xkbcomp are not fatal to the X server
[gamescope] [Info]  pipewire: stream state changed: connecting
[gamescope] [Info]  pipewire: stream state changed: paused
[gamescope] [Info]  pipewire: stream available on node ID: 33
[gamescope] [Info]  xwm: Embedded, no cursor set. Using left_ptr by default.
[gamescope] [Info]  vblank: Using timerfd.
steam.sh[610886]: Running Steam on fedora 42 64-bit
steam.sh[610886]: STEAM_RUNTIME is enabled automatically
setup.sh[610938]: Steam runtime environment up-to-date!
steam.sh[610886]: Log already open
steam.sh[610886]: Steam client's requirements are satisfied
CProcessEnvironmentManager is ready, 6 preallocated environment variables.
[2025-10-10 18:32:51] Startup - updater built Oct  3 2025 02:26:15
[2025-10-10 18:32:51] Startup - Steam Client launched with: '/home/dripauskaite/.local/share/Steam/ubuntu12_32/steam' '-srt-logger-opened' '-tenfoot' '-gamepadui'
10/10 18:32:51 minidumps folder is set to /tmp/dumps
10/10 18:32:51 Init: Installing breakpad exception handler for appid(steam)/version(1759461205)/tid(610980)
Looks like steam didn't shutdown cleanly, scheduling immediate update check
CProcessEnvironmentManager is ready, 6 preallocated environment variables.
[2025-10-10 18:32:51] Process started with command-line: '/home/dripauskaite/.local/share/Steam/ubuntu12_32/steam' '-child-update-ui' '-child-update-ui-socket' '8' '-srt-logger-opened' '-tenfoot' '-gamepadui'
10/10 18:32:51 minidumps folder is set to /tmp/dumps
[2025-10-10 18:32:51] Using update UI: console
10/10 18:32:51 Init: Installing breakpad exception handler for appid(steam)/version(0)/tid(610981)
[2025-10-10 18:32:51] Create window
[2025-10-10 18:32:51] Loading cached metrics from disk (/home/dripauskaite/.local/share/Steam/package/steam_client_metrics.bin)
[2025-10-10 18:32:51] Using the following download hosts for Public, Realm steamglobal
[2025-10-10 18:32:51] 1. https://client-update.akamai.steamstatic.com, /, Realm 'steamglobal', weight was 400, source = 'update_hosts_cached.vdf'
[2025-10-10 18:32:51] 2. https://client-update.fastly.steamstatic.com, /, Realm 'steamglobal', weight was 900, source = 'update_hosts_cached.vdf'
[2025-10-10 18:32:51] 3. https://client-update.steamstatic.com, /, Realm 'steamglobal', weight was 1, source = 'baked in'
[2025-10-10 18:32:51] Checking for update on startup
[2025-10-10 18:32:51] Checking for available updates...
[2025-10-10 18:32:51] Downloading manifest: https://client-update.akamai.steamstatic.com/steam_client_ubuntu12
[2025-10-10 18:32:51] Manifest download: send request
[2025-10-10 18:32:51] Set percent complete: 0
[2025-10-10 18:32:51] Set status message: Checking for available updates...
[  0%] Checking for available updates...
[2025-10-10 18:32:51] Set percent complete: -1
[2025-10-10 18:32:51] Manifest download: waiting for download to finish
[2025-10-10 18:32:52] Manifest download: finished
[2025-10-10 18:32:52] Download skipped: /steam_client_ubuntu12 version 1759461205, installed version 1759461205, existing pending version 0
[2025-10-10 18:32:52] Nothing to do
[2025-10-10 18:32:52] Verifying installation...
[2025-10-10 18:32:52] Verifying all executable checksums
[2025-10-10 18:32:52] Set percent complete: -1
[2025-10-10 18:32:52] Set status message: Verifying installation...
[----] Verifying installation...
[2025-10-10 18:32:52] Verification complete
UpdateUI: showing logo[2025-10-10 18:32:52] Set status message:
[----]
[2025-10-10 18:32:52] Set percent complete: -201
[2025-10-10 18:32:52] Show window

Steam logging initialized: directory: /home/dripauskaite/.local/share/Steam/logs

[2025-10-10 18:32:52] ProcessNextMessage: socket disconnected
[2025-10-10 18:32:52] No more messages are expected - exiting
XRRGetOutputInfo Workaround: initialized with override: 1 real: 0xf622df90
XRRGetCrtcInfo Workaround: initialized with override: 1 real: 0xf622c670
10/10 18:32:52 minidumps folder is set to /tmp/dumps
10/10 18:32:52 Init: Installing breakpad exception handler for appid(steamsysinfo)/version(1759461205)/tid(611019)
Running query: 1 - GpuTopology
ATTENTION: default value of option vk_xwayland_wait_ready overridden by environment.
ATTENTION: default value of option vk_xwayland_wait_ready overridden by environment.
ATTENTION: default value of option vk_xwayland_wait_ready overridden by environment.
ATTENTION: default value of option vk_xwayland_wait_ready overridden by environment.
ATTENTION: default value of option vk_xwayland_wait_ready overridden by environment.
ATTENTION: default value of option vk_xwayland_wait_ready overridden by environment.
ATTENTION: default value of option vk_xwayland_wait_ready overridden by environment.
Response: gpu_topology {
  gpus {
    id: 1
    name: "NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1660 SUPER"
    vram_size_bytes: 6700400640
    driver_id: k_EGpuDriverId_NvidiaProprietary
    driver_version_major: 580
    driver_version_minor: 82
    driver_version_patch: 9
    luid: 0
  }
  gpus {
    id: 2
    name: "llvmpipe (LLVM 20.1.8, 256 bits)"
    vram_size_bytes: 3221225472
    driver_id: k_EGpuDriverId_MesaLLVMPipe
    driver_version_major: 25
    driver_version_minor: 1
    driver_version_patch: 9
    luid: 0
  }
  default_gpu_id: 1
}

Exit code: 0
Saving response to: /tmp/steamDBofpD - 110 bytes
steamwebhelper.sh[611025]: Starting steamwebhelper under bootstrap steamrt steam runtime via: /home/dripauskaite/.local/share/Steam/steamrt64/steam-runtime-steamrt/_v2-entry-point
steamwebhelper.sh[611025]: CEF sandbox already disabled
steamwebhelper.sh[611025]: Starting steamwebhelper with steamrt steam runtime at /home/dripauskaite/.local/share/Steam/steamrt64/steam-runtime-steamrt/_v2-entry-point
Steam Runtime Launch Service: starting steam-runtime-launcher-service
Steam Runtime Launch Service: steam-runtime-launcher-service is running pid 611252
bus_name=com.steampowered.PressureVessel.LaunchAlongsideSteam
exec ./steamwebhelper -nocrashdialog -lang=en_US -cachedir=/home/dripauskaite/.local/share/Steam/config/htmlcache -steampid=610980 -buildid=1759461205 -steamid=0 -logdir=/home/dripauskaite/.local/share/Steam/logs -uimode=4 -startcount=0 -gamepadui -steamuniverse=Public -realm=Global -clientui=/home/dripauskaite/.local/share/Steam/clientui -steampath=/home/dripauskaite/.local/share/Steam/ubuntu12_32/steam -launcher=0 -use_xcomposite_workaround --valve-initial-threadpool-size=6 --valve-enable-site-isolation --enable-smooth-scrolling --disable-gpu-compositing --disable-gpu --no-sandbox --password-store=basic --log-file=/home/dripauskaite/.local/share/Steam/logs/cef_log.txt --disable-quick-menu --disable-component-update --disable-features=SpareRendererForSitePerProcess,DcheckIsFatal,BlockPromptsIfIgnoredOften,ValveFFmpegAllowLowDelayHEVC
[gamescope] [Info]  binding: (GRMarker) -> Adding new trigger [F12 + Control_L].
[gamescope] [Info]  binding: (GRBackgroundRecordingToggle) -> Adding new trigger [F11 + Control_L].
[gamescope] [Info]  binding: (GuideKeyboardHotkey) -> Adding new trigger [Tab + Shift_L].
[gamescope] [Info]  binding: (QAMKeyboardHotkey) -> Adding new trigger [Tab + Control_L + Shift_L].
ATTENTION: default value of option vk_khr_present_wait overridden by environment.
ATTENTION: default value of option vk_xwayland_wait_ready overridden by environment.
ATTENTION: default value of option vk_khr_present_wait overridden by environment.
ATTENTION: default value of option vk_xwayland_wait_ready overridden by environment.
ATTENTION: default value of option vk_khr_present_wait overridden by environment.
ATTENTION: default value of option vk_xwayland_wait_ready overridden by environment.
ATTENTION: default value of option vk_khr_present_wait overridden by environment.
ATTENTION: default value of option vk_xwayland_wait_ready overridden by environment.
ATTENTION: default value of option vk_khr_present_wait overridden by environment.
ATTENTION: default value of option vk_xwayland_wait_ready overridden by environment.
ATTENTION: default value of option vk_khr_present_wait overridden by environment.
ATTENTION: default value of option vk_xwayland_wait_ready overridden by environment.
ATTENTION: default value of option vk_khr_present_wait overridden by environment.
ATTENTION: default value of option vk_xwayland_wait_ready overridden by environment.
[Gamescope WSI] Application info:
  pApplicationName: hellovr_vulkan
  applicationVersion: 1
  pEngineName: (null)
  engineVersion: 1
  apiVersion: 4194304
[Gamescope WSI] Executable name: vulkandriverquery
[Gamescope WSI] Forcing on VK_EXT_swapchain_maintenance1.
[gamescope] [Warn]  xwm: got the same buffer committed twice, ignoring.
[gamescope] [Warn]  xwm: D-Bus call to get unit corresponding to pid 611289 failed!

The XKEYBOARD keymap compiler (xkbcomp) reports:
> Warning:          Unsupported maximum keycode 708, clipping.
>                   X11 cannot support keycodes above 255.
> Warning:          Could not resolve keysym XF86RefreshRateToggle
> Warning:          Could not resolve keysym XF86Accessibility
> Warning:          Could not resolve keysym XF86DoNotDisturb
Errors from xkbcomp are not fatal to the X server
sh: line 1: lsb_release: command not found
ATTENTION: default value of option vk_xwayland_wait_ready overridden by environment.
ATTENTION: default value of option vk_xwayland_wait_ready overridden by environment.
ATTENTION: default value of option vk_xwayland_wait_ready overridden by environment.
ATTENTION: default value of option vk_xwayland_wait_ready overridden by environment.
ATTENTION: default value of option vk_xwayland_wait_ready overridden by environment.
ATTENTION: default value of option vk_xwayland_wait_ready overridden by environment.
ATTENTION: default value of option vk_xwayland_wait_ready overridden by environment.
Desktop state changed: desktop: { pos:    0,   0 size: 1280, 720 } primary: { pos:    0,   0 size: 1280, 720 }
Caching cursor image for se-resize, size 24x24, serial 54, cache size = 0
CDesktopCapturePipeWire: Opening DRM render node /dev/dri/renderD128
CDesktopCapturePipeWire: setting stream node path: gamescope
reaping pid: 610981 -- steam

[lmncaj]

I have a same issue.
Seems like headless mode doesn't work well.

[Green-Sky]

I have the same issue, I checked and the built-in pipewire source stays empty.
I also can't even use steam's streaming if its in gamescope nested mode. (pipewire source not empty)

edit: I got some images from the pipewire source with steam running, but remote play still shows nothing.

CDesktopCapturePipeWire: PipeWire stream state changed to error
CDesktopCapturePipeWire: PipeWire stream state error: no more input formats
CDesktopCapturePipeWire: PipeWire core error: no more input formats

+

The nodes are not manually connectable, it just seems to fail.