Standalone Guide button stops working on XInput controllers (Xbox/8BitDo) while Guide Chords continue to work

Your system information

• Steam client version: Stable (latest available at time of testing)
• SteamOS version: Stable (clean installation)
• Opted into Steam client beta?: Yes (issue also reproduced on Beta)
• Opted into SteamOS beta?: No
• Have you checked for updates in Settings > System?: Yes

Please describe your issue in as much detail as possible:

The standalone Guide/Home button does not work correctly with XInput controllers.

The issue was first observed on Bazzite, so I performed a clean installation of the latest official SteamOS Stable to rule out a distribution-specific issue. The exact same behavior occurs on SteamOS.

I also tested the latest Steam Client Beta, and the issue is still present.

Controllers tested:

Fails:

• Xbox Series Controller (Bluetooth)
• Xbox Series Controller (USB)
• 8BitDo Ultimate in XInput mode with 2.4ghz dongle and connected with USB

Works:

• DualSense
• Nintendo Switch Pro Controller
• 8BitDo Ultimate Bluetooth in Switch/Bluetooth mode

With XInput controllers:

• Pressing the Guide/Home button alone does nothing.
• Guide + A correctly opens the Quick Access menu.
• Guide + Right Stick correctly enables mouse mode.
• All other controller functionality works normally.

The issue only affects the standalone Guide button.

While troubleshooting on Bazzite, I verified using evtest that BTN_MODE press/release events are generated correctly for every Guide button press.

Steam also repeatedly logged:

Guide button skipped due to chording

This indicates Steam receives the Guide button but does not execute the standalone Guide action.

Expected behavior:

Pressing the Guide/Home button should always open the Steam menu.

Actual behavior:

With XInput controllers, the standalone Guide/Home button does nothing, while Guide Button Chords continue to function normally.

The exact same controllers work correctly when using native PlayStation or Nintendo input modes.

Steps for reproducing this issue:

1. Install the latest SteamOS Stable and fully update the system.
2. Connect an Xbox Series controller (USB or Bluetooth), or an 8BitDo Ultimate in XInput mode.
3. Enter Game Mode.
4. Press the Guide/Home button.

Result:
Nothing happens.

5. Press Guide + A.

Result:
Quick Access opens correctly.

6. Press Guide + Right Stick.

Result:
Mouse mode works correctly.

7. Connect a DualSense, Nintendo Switch Pro Controller, or 8BitDo Ultimate in Switch/Bluetooth mode.

Result:
The standalone Guide/Home button works correctly.

Additional notes:

• Reproduced on official SteamOS Stable.
• Reproduced on Steam Client Beta.
• Reproduced on Bazzite.
• Reproduced with two different XInput controllers from different manufacturers.
• Does not reproduce with native PlayStation or Nintendo controllers.
• No Decky Loader installed on SteamOS.

Start by reproducing the behavior in Game Mode with an Xbox Series controller or an 8BitDo Ultimate in XInput mode, then compare it with DualSense or Switch Pro input. Check the evtest BTN_MODE events and the Steam log message Guide button skipped due to chording. Done means the standalone Guide/Home button opens the Steam menu for XInput controllers while Guide button chords continue to work.