How to Turn Your Elgato Stream Deck into a Sim Racing Button Box

Introduction

If you have ever reached for your keyboard in the middle of a race, you know how disruptive it can be to manage routine tasks such as requesting a fast repair, changing tires, or adjusting audio levels. Even a brief search for the correct key can break concentration and cost valuable time on track. A highly effective way to streamline these controls is by configuring an Elgato Stream Deck as a dedicated sim racing button box, giving you immediate, reliable access to critical commands without leaving the wheel.

A dedicated button box can be expensive, but with our step-by-step guide and free icon pack, you can easily transform your stream deck into a fully functional button box that looks sharp and performs like a button box in a professional turnkey setup. So instead of fumbling for keys or investing in extra hardware, you can have a customizable control panel at your fingertips that can handle pit stop commands, black box navigation, and replay functions. This guide will walk you through the process of setting up your Stream Deck for iRacing so you can spend less time searching for buttons and more time focused on chasing that checkered flag.

Step 1: Download the Elgato Software/Driver

If you already own an Elgato Stream Deck, start by downloading and installing the correct software for your specific model. You can find a list of the drivers here: https://www.elgato.com/us/en/s/downloads.

Next, connect your stream deck to your PC or Mac. For this demonstration, I am using a MacBook Pro, which requires a USB-C to USB-C connection. Make sure your stream deck is recognized by the Elgato software, as demonstrated below.

Elgato Stream Deck paired with my work laptop

Step 2: Learn iRacing Hotkeys

Before you begin programming your stream deck, it is important to know which commands iRacing uses and how they are assigned. You get full control through the Options → Controls menu, where you can map or remap any function to fit your setup. Many commands are assigned by default, such as black box navigation and basic driving controls, while others, like pit speed limiter, brake bias, or push-to-talk, often need to be set manually. Taking time to review this menu ensures that your most important functions are configured before moving them to your stream deck-turned button box.

Black box navigation is at the heart of iRacing’s hotkey system. By default, the function keys open specific black boxes that display vital information: F1 shows lap timing, F2 brings up standings, F3 shows relative positions, F4 manages fuel, and F5 controls tire information. Additional boxes, such as pit stop adjustments and mirrors, can be opened with F6 through F10. You can also cycle forward through these boxes with Tab or go backward with Shift+Tab. These shortcuts allow you to monitor race-critical data without ever leaving the cockpit view.

You can find a more comprehensive list of iRacing commands here: https://www.iracing.com/keyboard-shortcuts/. 

Image courtesy of iRacing

Step 3: Download our Free Icon Pack

To help you transform your Elgato Stream Deck into a fully functional sim racing button box, we put together a free icon pack for you to use. Each icon is designed with sim racing in mind, making it easy to identify pit commands, black box functions, and replay controls at a glance. Simply download the pack, import it into the Elgato software, and you will have a clean, professional-looking layout for iRacing stints. 

Download link: Apex Sim Racing Free Race Deck Icon Pack

You can organize and color-coordinate it better than I did!

Step 4: Map Hotkeys to Stream Deck Functions

Here's the tedious part. Once you know which iRacing hotkeys you want to program, you will need to manually assign each one to a button in Elgato software. Open the Elgato Stream Deck app, drag a hotkey action onto a button, and then press the key combination that corresponds to the command in iRacing. For example, if you want a dedicated Fast Repair button, assign Ctrl+F to that slot and label it clearly.

The process is repetitive, but it is also where the magic happens. Each button you configure takes away the hassle of remembering which keyboard key does what. With your custom icon pack applied, the stream deck turns into an intuitive control board that looks and feels like real sim racing hardware. As you continue mapping, you will start to see how natural it becomes to hit the right command without thinking, just like pressing a button on your wheel.

To make things easier, consider grouping your functions into categories. Pit stop commands like refueling, tire changes, and fast repair can go on one page. Black box navigation might live on another, and replay or camera controls on a third. You can also set up multi-action buttons that trigger several commands at once, such as enabling refueling and changing all four tires with a single press. This organization not only keeps your layout clean but also maximizes the usefulness of every button on your race deck.

Preset actions with hotkeys

Step 5: Organize Your Layout

Now that your hotkeys are mapped, the final step is organizing your layout in a way that feels natural. Think of your stream deck like the dashboard of a race car; the most critical controls, such as pit stop functions and black box navigation, should always be within easy reach on the first page. Commands that are useful but less urgent, like replay tools or camera changes, can be placed on secondary pages that you swipe to when needed. 

A clean, structured layout not only looks professional but also helps you react instinctively during a race. Grouping related functions together is the best way to achieve this. For example, dedicate one page to pit operations like fast repair, refueling, and tire changes, another to black box controls for fuel and relative, and a third to replay management. This way, every page has a clear purpose, and you are never scrambling around for the right button under pressure.

If you prefer to have all of your buttons on one page, that works too. With our free icon pack, you can color-coordinate the pit operations, black box controls, and replay management so everything is easy to spot at a glance. A consistent visual layout not only looks great but also helps you react quickly in high-pressure moments when every second matters.

I set mine up across multiple pages, but you can always keep all your commands on the first page if that feels easier.

Conclusion

Turning your Elgato Stream Deck into a sim racing button box is one of the easiest ways to improve your iRacing experience. Once you know the hotkeys, assign them to custom buttons, and organize your layout, you will have a control system that feels natural and keeps you focused on driving instead of reaching for the keyboard.

Take a little time to set it up and make it your own. The next time you are in the middle of a race, every command will be a single tap away, allowing you to keep your focus on the track and your eyes on the checkered flag.

Elgato Stream Deck

Buy now

Elgato Stream Deck Plus Bundle

Buy now

Elgato Stream Deck XL Bundle

Buy now

Race Deck

Buy now

View all