The Steam Deck is packed with splendid feature , has upstanding performance , and has decent barrage fire life . But as our critical review noted , it does still call for some work . Fortunately , Valve has been on a regular basis posting important software updates to unsex issues and tot raw featuresthat gamers have wanted , and it ’s slowly becoming a more unchanging , various gadget for it .
But if you ’re still run into trouble or germ that make you want to throw your Steam Deck across the elbow room , have on for a minute . We ’ve collect the issues that citizenry are running into , and the solutions that we ’ve encounter can make thing much better . Let ’s do a little troubleshooting .
remark : Before you try any of the steps we ’ve list below , it ’s always a effective idea to fetch your Steam Deck online and check for any computer software update . Valve has released heap of kettle of fish through its updates , and get the latest variation of Steam Deck ’s software package could fix your problem the speedy way .
My Steam Deck keeps crashing
If you ’ve apply the latest update but biz keep crashing , try holding down the Steam DeckPowerbutton for about 10 minute to initiate a reboot .
If rebooting does n’t aid , we intimate visiting theSteam Deck Recovery webpageand stick with its statement to download the recovery image . You ’ll need an extra USB stick and the right utility to execute the retrieval , but Steam provides beneficial instruction for these steps . When in convalescence , choose toReinstall Steam OS , which attempts to store your downloaded game and onward motion while resetting the Steam Deck .
If nothing is reach a dispute , try play a variety of other game to compare performance . If only one or two biz are crashing , they may not be well - optimise to run on the Steam Deck .
My Steam Deck can’t reach Steam Servers
At some decimal point during 2023 , an computer error started toss off up telling Steam Deck user that their Steam Deck could not reach Steam server . As it turned out , this was a Wi - Fi issue that triggered ability - preserve way on the Steam Deck .
Luckily , there is an update for the Steam Deck to remedy this issue . While it should download automatically , if you ’ve disturbed it during download or have had net issuing you may need to manually upgrade your Steam Deck . To do so :
I updated, but then my Steam Deck stopped working
restart the Steam Deck by holding thePowerbutton down for around 10 to 12 second to bring up it . Rebooting may take some clip after an update , but this can often fasten any problems you were accept .
If the update keeps get serious problems , you should try roll back to a previous rendering of the software package . point to the Steam Deck Recovery pageto download the recovery range to a USB headstone . When launch the recovery , you should see an option to vagabond back to a premature update in the Boot Manager incision .
The Steam Deck performance overlay won’t go away
This error ask the Steam Deck ’s performance sheathing being stick to on your screen , not allow you to toy your game . In hypothesis , it should have been fix by an update , but there are still some reports of this error continuing . Try these muddle to get rid of the pesky sheathing :
My Steam Deck battery life is too low
you could keep an eye on battery living by selecting theQuick access menubutton on the Steam Deck and going to thePerformancesection . If your battery is running down too quickly , especially when playing sure games , you should try glower certain configurations to see if it facilitate .
stress lowering the brightness degree as much as you may and wrench off connections like Bluetooth if they are not needed . If you require even better shelling carrying into action , apply thePerformancesection to lower your frame rateor turn on FSR , which has been get laid to assist economize battery life . you may also direct get down the refresh pace cap to 30Hz .
My Steam Deck thumbsticks have started to drift
Often , drifting joysticks induce concerns that the hardware itself is failing and needs to be replaced ( just look at theproblem with Nintendo ’s JoyCons ) . However , if your Steam Deck stick are drifting , we have some good news – it ’s probably a software system take . This problem has been descry before when an update caused “ deadzone statistical regression . ” An additional plot of ground was created to get this publication . The expert thing you may do here is make certain your Steam Deck is update and restart it .
I can’t find the games I want to play
There should be a way to get almost any PC biz you need on the Steam Deck . It supports Steam , Epic Games , a diverseness of ape , andeven Xbox Game Pass game . There may be some title of respect that are PlayStation or Nintendo Switch exclusives that you wo n’t be capable to get on Steam Deck , but otherwise , there are few limitations .
However , finding a biz is n’t the same as playing it . Some games made for Windows PCs wo n’t go as well on the Linux - power Steam Deck , and that can make certain titles unplayable . However , the Steam Deck is optimized for game support , so you should at least sample to work a secret plan for a little while before giving up on it . Fortunately , Valve offers gamers a quick toolto tick which game are completely unsupported on the Steam Deck .
There’s no audio for my Steam Deck
If you are using the built - in talker , check that there ’s no Bluetooth connection with another audio gimmick , like a headset or span of earbuds you were using in the past times . If there are n’t any Bluetooth connectedness , press thePowerbutton for 10 mo to reboot and initiate again .
If you ’re using headphones that wo n’t work on the Steam Deck , you have fewer choice . Valve say there may be some third - political party headset that just are n’t compatible with the Steam Deck at this time . If you have the option , switch between using a Bluetooth association and the 3.5 mm audio frequency sea dog to see if one connexion lick well than the other .
I can’t pair a Bluetooth device
Some devices have a particular button that you call for to press to recruit pairing mode , so ensure you are doing that . You should also press theSteambutton to go toSettingsand access theBluetoothsection . check that that theShow all devicesoption is turned on here . If a antecedently match equipment is n’t working , you ’ll observe an selection in the Bluetooth section to draw a blank it and try re - pairing .
I only get a black screen on my Steam Deck
This calls for an old - fashioned reboot . Press thePowerbutton for around 10 second to restart . await for your Steam Deck to boot up again and see if the screen is back to normal . If this does n’t exploit , double - check that your Steam Deck has a shelling charge . If nothing changes the problem , it ’s meter to contact Valve . The Steam Deckhas a 12 - calendar month limited warranty , so you could qualify for a replacement fashion model .
I can’t turn my Steam Deck on
Check that your Steam Deck has battery flush and stop up in the power transcriber so you know it has a rootage of power . Try the reboot trick by have thePowerbutton down for 10 moment . ante up close attention to how the power push button is function : If the button seems stuck , or it is n’t giving any feedback that it was pressed down , this could be a ironware issue . Some Steam Decks were shipped with king buttons that started malfunctioning like this . Contact Valve — you should be underwrite under the guarantee to get a replacing .
at last , while it ’s not exactly a problem , if you ’re having problem with the Steam Deck ’s control , you do have the option toswitch to a keyboard and mouse setupif that will mould better .
