Connect via Steam Link using your Wi-Fi network.
Connect via Steam Link using your Wi-Fi network.
Hi! Your setup seems possible. The Steam Link should connect to the router you’re using for gaming, which is the second one connected via cable. Since your main PC connects to the first router (wired), it should work fine. Just ensure both routers are online and properly configured.
It's not my expertise, but I'm curious—would switching to access point mode help?
Ensure devices are connected to the same network segment. Activate access point mode on router 2 if available; otherwise, turn off NAT and DHCP to prevent issues with router 1.
Steam connection fails over WiFi because of the device's hardware. Opt for an Ethernet port plugged into power and skip the hassle. Alternatively, switch your WiFi to a lower frequency to improve reception—though this may affect other devices. Many phones prefer channel 11 since it has less interference. While the Steam link works on channel six, clearing any obstructions helps. Background info: I have a sonic wall and an AC router (not inexpensive). Delays range from 500ms to 43,000ms, making gameplay extremely frustrating without a stable Ethernet link. My router sits just above the Steam port, which is problematic. A better approach would be using an RTP server to stream your PC screen to an Elgato on a Linux machine for zero latency.
It seems Steam Link via WiFi isn't very reliable. It's worth considering using a wired connection instead.
As @Oshino Shinobu mentioned, everything needs to be on the same subnet. The issue with Steam link network discovery is not very intuitive—it doesn’t allow you to set a fixed IP for your gaming PC manually. If that feature exists and your network setup is correct, it shouldn’t matter whether you’re on a different subnet. Besides that, I believe it’s fine as long as you have a strong wireless connection.
Even with a fixed IP address, if the network segment changes, the router can't locate the Steam connection unless static routes are set up. From the user's perspective, the link would appear on another network, causing data to go through the router which must then forward it to the other group. If the router isn't programmed to handle each segment, the PC won't be able to access the link, regardless of the static IP. It must belong to the same network for the PC to treat it as local traffic.