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Change keyboard layout

CloudDeck defaults to a US keyboard layout, which may be different from the layout of your local keyboard. If you have a German (QWERTZ), French (AZERTY), or any other layout, your keys won't match what's on screen.

Here's how to change it for both gaming mode and desktop mode.

What you'll need

  • Your CloudDeck password (find it in the CloudDeck portal while your CloudDeck is running)

Gaming mode

1. Switch to Desktop mode

Click Steam menu at the bottom left and go to Power > Switch to Desktop.

2. Open a terminal

Open a terminal from the application menu or by searching for "terminal."

3. Edit the environment file

In the terminal, type:

sudo nano /etc/environment

Enter your CloudDeck password when prompted. You can find it in the CloudDeck portal while your CloudDeck is running.

4. Add your keyboard layout

Add the following line to the file. Use de for German or fr for French:

XKB_DEFAULT_LAYOUT=de

5. Save and close

Press Ctrl + X, then Y, then Enter to save the file.

6. Restart your CloudDeck

Shut down your CloudDeck and start it again from the CloudDeck portal. Your keyboard layout will now work correctly in gaming mode.

Desktop mode

In desktop mode you can change the keyboard layout through the KDE Plasma system settings.

1. Open System Settings

Click the application menu in the bottom left corner and open System Settings.

2. Go to Keyboard settings

Navigate to Input & Output > Keyboard.

3. Enable custom layouts

In the Layouts section, tick the Enable checkbox.

4. Add your layout

Click Add and search for your language (for example "German" or "French"). Select it and click OK.

5. Apply

Click Apply at the bottom right. Your keyboard layout is now active in desktop mode.