Steam Frame kernel receives optical drive support via Valve developer

Valve developer Gabe Rowe added support for external optical drives to the Steam Frame kernel. The update surfaced in a public GitHub repository a day after a user request on the Steam Frame forum on October 18, 2026. The user, Aiodensghost, wanted to use an external drive to watch movies and install Need for Speed: Carbon.

The update does not include new drivers. Instead, Rowe added three configuration entries to enable existing Linux options for CD-ROMs, SCSI functions for optical drives, and generic device access as loadable kernel modules. These functions are already enabled on the Steam Deck and Steam Machine. While the Steam Deck and Steam Machine use different hardware, the Steam Frame uses a Qualcomm ARM64 processor and a custom version of SteamOS.

The kernel change does not address the headset's inability to provide enough power to an external drive. Additionally, Valve has not announced when these modules will reach users through an official SteamOS update. Running a Windows game like Need for Speed: Carbon on the headset's ARM-based hardware would also require a compatibility solution and could face issues with original disc copy protection.