The Steam Deck has been corrected for its rare but troublesome "loading throbber" issue

Steam Deck is often praised for its simplicity and ease-of-use compared to other portables, but it is not immune from bugs. Valve's most recent bug fix for the Steam Deck has fixed an annoying "loading throbber".

According to the Steam Deck client update notes the new client "fixed a very rare case wherein the UI would get stuck showing a loading throbber when in Offline Mode".

It's not fun to be stuck with a loading throbber when you first start your computer.

Loading throbbers are useful in that they let us know when our device is doing something other than just twiddling the thumbs. Loading throbbers will remain, whether you love them or dislike them.

Offline Mode was plagued by loading throbber issues, which is particularly offensive. Steam Deck is often used on long-haul flights or in areas with a spotty internet signal. Being able to use the Steam Deck without an active Internet connection can be very important.

Over the years I've experienced all sorts of loading throbbers, from Windows hourglasses and in-game spinners that never seem to stop. The little blue Windows circle is the most annoying loading throbber, in my opinion, when it persists too long. The fact that the little throbber is there is enough to irritate me.

But I have never experienced the Steam Deck loading throbber. If I had experienced it, I would probably consider it the most annoying. Offline Mode is supposed to solve annoyances and not create new ones.

Valve says that this persistent loading throbber was "rare" before the fix. I don't know how many people were stuck with the throbber on an offline boot. But "zero" would be better than "some". So we can be thankful that this throbber has been fixed.