[BUG] With Hybrid Graphics, SteamVR and Steam Client need to use the same GPU otherwise invisible UI in SteamVR

[JosSamLoh]

Describe the bug
When in SteamVR, the Steam Client must be using the same GPU as SteamVR in order for the Steam UI to be visible.

To Reproduce
Steps to reproduce the behavior:

1. Set Steam and SteamVR to use the same GPU
2. Launch SteamVR
3. SteamVR loads fine and UI shows
4. Set Steam to use, in my case, AMD GPU, and SteamVR to use NVIDIA GPU
5. Launch SteamVR
6. SteamVR loads fine but UI is now invisible

Expected behavior
SteamVR isn't reliant on the Steam Client in order to display the UI in SteamVR, or, if it must be, isn't reliant on using the same GPU.

It would be nice for me to use the AMD GPU for the Steam Client as it runs a lot smoother, and have SteamVR use my, more powerful, NVIDIA GPU. Unfortunately I have to use my NVIDIA GPU to run both at the moment, which with the Steam Client, lags my computer.

System Information (please complete the following information):

• Steam client version (build number or date): 1771028361 | Fri, Feb 13, 2026 6:15 PM UTC -08:00
• SteamVR version: 2.15.3 (1769223233)
• Distribution (e.g. Ubuntu): Arch
• Steam runtime diagnostics: steam-runtime-diagnostics-amdgpu.txt steam-runtime-diagnostics-nvidiagpu.txt
• Steam and SteamVR logs: steam-logs.tar.gz
• Minidumps: steam-minidumps.tar.gz

Screenshots

HYBRDGPU.mp4

[DanaGoyette]

The same issue happens for me on two different machines: one with AMD iGPU + NVIDIA dGPU, the other with Intel iGPU + AMD dGPU. So it's not just an NVIDIA issue.