You’re not alone if you’re having trouble with Steam Deck FPS dropping. Many Steam Deck gamers have been experiencing problems with their game’s performance, particularly with their FPS dropping. FPS drops can be caused by various factors, ranging from hardware issues to software conflicts.
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This article outlines a few steps that can be taken to help resolve the issue of low FPS on Steam games. With these tips, you can make sure your gaming experience is optimized, and you can enjoy the games you love. So, let’s get started!
Restart your Deck
If you are experiencing FPS drops while playing a game on Steam Deck, you may want to consider restarting it. Restarting your Steam Deck can help to clear out any temporary files or settings that may be causing the issue. It can also help reset any background processes that may interfere with your game’s performance.
Restarting your Deck can be quick and easy. Here’s what you need to do:
- Press and hold the Power button on your Steam Deck for 10-12 seconds.
- Wait for the Deck to discharge completely.
- Now, press and hold the Power button to turn it back on.
- You can also restart your Steam Deck by going to Steam > Power > Restart.
Once you have restarted your Deck, you can launch the game you were having issues with. You may notice an improvement in performance and a decrease in FPS drops. If you still experience the same issue, you may need to take other steps to reduce the FPS drops.
Check for Overheating Issues
If you’ve recently noticed that your Steam Deck FPS has been dropping, the culprit may be an overheating issue. Overheating can cause your Deck to slow down, resulting in a decrease in performance and a sudden drop in FPS. Fortunately, there are some steps you can take to remedy the problem and get your Steam Deck running smoothly again.
First, make sure that your Steam Deck is not being overworked. If you play many games continuously without any breaks, your Steam Deck can easily become overheated. Too much heat can cause your Steam Deck to slow down and even shut down, decreasing performance. To prevent this from happening, make sure you take regular breaks when playing games.
If you find that your Steam Deck is not overworked and is still overheating, you may need to take extra steps to fix the issue. First, make sure that the fans are running properly. If your fans are not working correctly, it can cause your Steam Deck to overheat. You can check your fan’s speed and make sure it is running at the proper speed.
Ensure the steam deck is not too close to any heat sources or other appliances. You can also check the temperature of your Steam Deck. Make sure the steam deck is clean and free of any debris.
Following these steps can prevent your Steam Deck FPS from dropping due to overheating.
Adjust In-game Settings
Most games allow you to adjust the graphics and performance settings to improve performance. To access these settings, launch the game and look for an options menu or settings menu. You can try lowering the resolution or turning off certain effects to see if it helps improve FPS.
Kill Unnecessary Programs in Desktop Mode
One of the most common causes of FPS drops on Steam Deck is having too many unnecessary programs running in the background. These programs can take up valuable resources that your game needs to run smoothly, leading to your game slowing down or even crashing. To fix this, you should try closing any programs you don’t need running. Follow these steps:
- Press the Steam button > Power > Switch to Desktop to enter Desktop mode. This will show you a list of all the applications and games that are currently running on your console.
- Right-click on the icons of any applications you want to close. You can do this by pressing and holding the “A” button on your controller while hovering over the icon.
- A menu will appear with a list of options. Select “Close” from the menu to close the application.
- Alternatively, you can close applications by pressing the “Start” button on your controller, selecting the application from the list, and then pressing the “Start” button again.
Check for Software Updates
Software updates often contain important system and security fixes, so keeping your SteamOS up to date is important. Here’s how to update your Steam Deck:
- Press the Steam button on your Steam Deck.
- Go to Settings > System.
- Select Software Updates.
- Click on Check for updates.
- If an update is available, follow the prompts to install it.
After your Steam Deck is up to date, launch a game and check if the performance has improved.
Reset your Steam Deck
If none of the above steps work, you may want to try resetting the Steam Deck to its default settings. This will erase all of your data and installed games, but it can sometimes fix performance issues. Here’s what you need to do:
- Press the Steam button on your Steam Deck.
- Select System and then scroll down to Advanced Settings.
- Select Factory Reset and follow the prompts to complete the reset.
Frequently Asked Questions
What causes my FPS to drop while playing Steam games?
Several factors can cause Steam games to experience FPS drops, including hardware limitations, overheating, outdated software, or conflicts with other applications running in the background.
How can I fix FPS drops while playing Steam games?
To fix FPS drops while playing Steam games, you should try updating your graphics drivers, optimizing your in-game settings, and closing any other applications running in the background. You can also try updating Steam to improve your FPS.
How can I optimize my in-game settings to improve FPS?
To optimize your in-game settings, you should lower the graphics settings such as resolution, textures, shadows, and anti-aliasing. You can also disable any unnecessary features like motion blur and V-sync.
What applications can cause FPS drops while playing Steam games?
Any applications running in the background can cause FPS drops while playing Steam games. This includes antivirus software, browser extensions, or other programs in Desktop mode. You should close any unnecessary programs while playing Steam games.
Final Words
This article provided some helpful solutions for troubleshooting and fixing Steam Deck FPS drops. Though the cause of FPS drops may vary from system to system, some of the most common causes include outdated software, hardware limitations, overheating, or conflicts with other applications running in the background. By following the steps outlined in this article, you should be able to identify and fix the problem. Ultimately, keep your computer and game up to date, and you should have no further issues with FPS drops.
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