# SteamOS 3.9.6 Beta rebases on Linux 7.2, fixes frame limiter and VRR timing

> **Key takeaway:** SteamOS 3.9.6 Beta rebases its kernel on Linux 7.2, switches to wpa_supplicant for WiFi, and resolves long-standing frame pacing issues with the framerate limiter on both VRR and fixed-refresh displays.

**Published:** 2026-11-13T02:05:23+00:00 
**Source:** Valve Steam Deck Official News 
**Category:** open-gaming 
**Canonical URL:** https://fosswire.org/news/steamos-396-beta-rebases-on-linux-72-fixes-frame-limiter-and.html 

## Summary
Valve has released SteamOS 3.9.6 Beta for Steam Deck, Steam Machine, and compatible handhelds, bringing a substantial update that rebases the operating system on Linux kernel 7.2 and switches the default WiFi backend from iwd to wpa_supplicant. The release addresses multiple frame timing problems, including improved behavior when the framerate limiter is active with or without variable refresh rate, elimination of dropped frames on capped games whose target framerate divides evenly into the limit, and reduced missed frames caused by slow CPU wakeups from deep idle states. Desktop Mode receives a Plasma update from 6.4.3 to 6.7.3, while game-specific fixes cover RPG Maker titles using Fullscreen++, 240 Hz and higher displays, Steam Remote Play green screens on NVIDIA GPUs, and several anti-cheat and compatibility issues affecting ELDEN RING, DARK SOULS III, and Forza Horizon 6.

The update also introduces preliminary hibernation support in the kernel, though it remains unexposed in Game Mode's interface, and enhances wpa_supplicant with fast reconnect on resume previously exclusive to iwd. Hardware-specific improvements include brightness control for the Legion Go 2, corrected fan behavior on certain ASUS devices after sleep, and boot screen fixes for Intel Panther Lake and newer platforms. Security patches, memory error corrections on shutdown, and resolved LD_PRELOAD conflicts with gamescope round out a maintenance-heavy release aimed at stabilizing the platform ahead of a future stable channel promotion.

## Kernel, graphics, and input fixes in SteamOS 3.9.6
- **Linux 7.2 rebase:** The kernel has been rebased on Linux 7.2, moving SteamOS forward from an unspecified earlier version and incorporating upstream driver, security, and subsystem improvements.
- **WiFi backend migration:** The default WiFi backend switched from iwd to wpa_supplicant, with enhancements to support fast reconnect on resume from sleep that was previously iwd-only, improving compatibility with diverse wireless networks.
- **Framerate limiter corrections:** Multiple frame timing bugs were resolved, including capped games no longer dropping below their target when the limit is a multiple of the game's framerate, and improved behavior both with and without VRR enabled.
- **CPU idle wakeup optimization:** Reduced missed frames on fixed-refresh displays caused by slow wakeups from deep CPU idle states, addressing a stuttering source unrelated to GPU performance.
- **LD_PRELOAD and gamescope fix:** Resolved an issue where gamemode and other LD_PRELOAD libraries would break when launched through gamescope, restoring compatibility with common Linux gaming performance tools.

## Why it matters
For Linux gaming, the wpa_supplicant switch and kernel rebase demonstrate Valve's continued investment in upstream compatibility rather than maintaining divergent networking stacks, which benefits both Steam Deck users and the broader Arch-based SteamOS ecosystem. The frame limiter and VRR fixes address complaints that have persisted across multiple SteamOS versions, making this release particularly relevant for players using external monitors or the Steam Frame wireless adapter where timing precision directly impacts perceived smoothness.