Stream Epic Games On Steam Link: Setup Guide

Streaming your favorite titles from the Epic Games Store to your TV, tablet, or phone doesn't require buying them twice. Valve's remote streaming tech mirrors your host computer onto nearly any screen. Because Steam Link treats your host PC as an open canvas, you can easily bridge the gap between platforms.

You can pull this off using two primary methods. The first method involves importing your Epic library titles directly into Steam as non-Steam shortcuts. The second method relies on minimizing Big Picture mode to access your host desktop directly. Both approaches let you use controllers seamlessly and take advantage of Valve's low-latency video encoding.

Method 1: Adding Epic Games as Non-Steam Shortcuts

The cleanest way to keep your living room setup organized is by injecting your Epic titles directly into your Steam library. This allows Steam Link to recognize the game, load custom controller configurations, and handle inputs properly without fumbling with desktop mode.

1. Open the Steam client on your host computer and log into your account.
2. Look at the bottom-left corner of the window and click the + ADD A GAME button.
3. Select Add a Non-Steam Game from the pop-up menu.
4. Browse your local drives for the specific game executable file (the .exe file) or check the automatic app list if Steam detects it.
5. Click Add Selected Programs to push the shortcut into your library.

Once the shortcut sits in your library, right-click it, select Properties, and rename it if the raw executable file name looks messy. You can even grab custom grid art from community asset databases so it looks right at home next to your native Steam purchases. When you launch Steam Link on your client device, your Epic titles will appear ready to stream.

Method 2: Accessing the Host Desktop via Steam Link

If you play a title with a complex launcher—such as the native Epic Games Launcher itself—adding individual shortcuts can become tedious. Instead, you can bypass the library interface entirely by launching a direct desktop stream.

1. Open the Steam Link app on your mobile device, smart TV, or secondary PC and pair it with your host machine.
2. Start a connection stream into your host computer's Big Picture mode.
3. Navigate to the power or settings menu inside Big Picture mode and select Minimize Steam or exit to desktop.
4. Use your connected controller or a paired mouse to open the Epic Games Launcher from your Windows taskbar.
5. Launch your game normally. The host PC renders the game, while the video feed compresses and beams straight to your remote display.

Keep in mind that raw desktop streaming can occasionally lock your frame rate lower depending on your host display settings. For the best results, configure your Epic game to run in Borderless Windowed mode to prevent black bars or resolution mismatch errors on your secondary screen.

Optimizing Network Performance for Smooth Play

Game streaming relies heavily on local network bandwidth. If your stream stutters, drops frames, or suffers from input lag, hardware adjustments alone won't fix it.

• Plug in via Ethernet: Connect your host computer directly to your router using a wired cable. Wi-Fi introduces packet loss and latency spikes that cripple fast-paced action games.
• Adjust Remote Play Settings: Open Steam settings on your host PC, navigate to Remote Play, and toggle your bandwidth limits. If you run a gigabit local network, set the configuration profile from "Balanced" to "Beautiful".
• Check Hardware Encoders: Ensure your graphics card drivers are fully up to date. Modern GPUs feature dedicated hardware encoders (like NVENC for NVIDIA or AMF for AMD) that drastically reduce encoding latency compared to CPU-based rendering.

For further technical documentation on optimizing local transmissions, check out the official Steam Remote Play Support Hub.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Streamers frequently run into avoidable roadblocks during setup. Watch out for these common errors:

• Forgetting Administrator Permissions: Some Epic titles require admin rights to launch correctly through a secondary hook. Run Steam as an administrator on your host PC if your games crash instantly upon streaming.
• Ignoring Background Audio Devices: If your remote device plays no sound, check your Windows sound settings. Steam Link occasionally captures the wrong default playback device on the host machine.
• Leaving Background Apps Open: Heavy rendering tasks or active video renders on your host PC consume valuable encoding cycles. Close resource-heavy software before starting your session.

To explore more about setting up local storefronts or managing cross-platform titles, visit the Epic Games Store Documentation.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use my Xbox or PlayStation controller with Epic games on Steam Link?

Yes. Steam translates inputs from nearly any major controller (including DualSense and Xbox Wireless controllers) into standard XInput signals. Even if an Epic game lacks native controller support, Steam's input wrapper maps your hardware seamlessly.

Do I need the Epic Games Launcher open on my host PC?

Yes. Your host computer handles the heavy lifting, including game execution and anti-cheat verification through the Epic client. Your remote device only acts as a video decoder.

Can I stream Epic games outside of my home Wi-Fi network?

You can use Steam Link Anywhere to connect over external internet connections. However, off-network streaming requires high upload speeds on your host network and introduces noticeable input delay, making slower or turn-based titles ideal.

Why is my stream lagging even though my PC is powerful?

Local network congestion usually causes lag rather than weak hardware. Make sure your client device sits on a clean 5GHz Wi-Fi band or uses a wired adapter to maintain stable frame pacing.