How To Use The Proton Compatibility Features

The Steam Deck is a phenomenal device that raises the bar with handheld gaming. This is true for visuals, customization, and sheer quality of the gaming library, and the verified list of games on the machine is growing continuously. However, some games are playable but run into issues with controller compatibility and even performance.

The playable games on Steam Deck with problems are usually highlighted with a yellow exclamation mark. There is a way to get the best out of a game using the Proton compatibility layer. Proton is a tool that allows Windows games to run Linux operating systems by improving their compatibility. It is a game changer for titles that struggle to run on the hardware with the default settings.

Updated November 20, 2024 by Michael Llewellyn: This guide uses Decky Loader and its plugins to provide useful information on Proton Compatibility. Unfortunately, the latest Steam Deck update broke the program making it accessible from the Quick Access Menu. This guide has been updated to include restoring the Decky Loader app and your Proton Compatibility on the Steam Deck.

How To Use Proton Compatibility On Steam Deck

Proton Compatibility helps most games work without issues and controller problems. In this example, the Medieval open-world RPG Kingdom Come: Deliverance was used because it struggles to run without compatibility tools. Moreover, it underperforms on the consoles with strange particle effects, low vegetation, and shadows. On the Steam Deck with Proton Compatibility, Kingdom Come Deliverance can run with high settings and near-locked 40 FPS. To activate Proton Compatibility, use the following steps:

• Switch the Steam Deck on.
• Select the desired game that may be having issues running.
• Don’t start the game. Instead, select the cog wheel icon on the right side.

• Highlight and select the Compatibility option.
• In the new menu, highlight and select the Properties option.

• Check the Force The Use of a specific Steam Play Compatibility Tool option In the new menu.
• In the dropdown menu, select the most recent version of Proton or Proton Experimental.
• Again, using Kingdom Come Deliverance as an example of a challenging game to run with high settings, it runs at a smoother 40 FPS on Steam Deck with occasional dips to 35 in busy areas.

The Proton Compatibility tools will help games bypass several out-of-the-box compatibility problems. Moreover, it can help get the best out of graphically demanding games. The only issue where Proton won’t help is the readability of text issue.

Some games are developed with larger screens in mind. As a result, the text can appear too small on the Steam Deck screen. To rectify this issue, press the Steam and the L1 buttons to activate the Magnifier Tool.

Enable Developer Mode

To get more Proton compatibility features using Decky Loader, you should enable Developer Mode in the Steam Deck’s settings to maintain compatibility with Decky’s updates and patches. Use the following steps to enable Developer Mode.

• Open the Steam menu by pressing the Steam button.
• Then open System and set the System Update Channel is set to Stable.
• Then move further down down the System menu to Enable Developer Mode.
• Press the Steam button to reopen the Steam menu, and select the Developer.
• Under Miscellaneous, enable CEF Remote Debugging.

If your Decky Loader plugins vanish from the Quick Access menu recheck your Developer Mode settings. Follow the above settings, re-enable the above settings, and restart the Steam Deck. The plugins should return with your settings intact. Some major software updates for the Steam Deck can clash with the Decky Loader program.

Install Decky Loader For Steam Deck

To get the most out of the Steam Deck, players should make use of the side program known as Decky Loader. Decky Loader has several useful plugins for users to utilize and improve their gaming experience. Decky Loader has a plugin called ProtonDB Badges, which provides players with information on versions of Proton to use and other helpful settings. To install Decky Loader, use the following steps:

• Press the Steam Button underneath the left trackpad.
• Highlight Power and Switch to Desktop Mode.
• To make the next few steps easier, connect a keyboard and mouse. The in-game keyboard can be accessed by pressing the Steam and X buttons.
• Open the preferred browser in Desktop Mode and download Decky Loader using this link.
• Scroll down the GitHub page and download the program.
• Select Recommended Install and switch back to Gaming Mode after the installation.

Install ProtonDB Badges For The Steam Deck

Now, it is time to download ProtonDB Badges so players can access the recommended tools from the game pages.

• Press the QAM button with the three dots underneath the right trackpad.
• Highlight and select the new plug icon.
• Select the settings cogwheel and select Install Update.
• After the installation, click on the store icon.
• Scroll down until ProtonDB Badges is found and select Install.

• Open a game page, and a new icon will appear in the top left of the screen.
• Click the icon to get redirected to the ProtonDB website, where users suggest settings, guidance, and reports on bugs and issues.

Install DeckSettings On The Steam Deck

In addition to ProtonDB Badges, Steam Deck users can utilize another Decky Loader plugin that offers more tips to get games running as smoothly as possible. Use the following steps to install DeckSettings on the Steam Deck:

• Press the QAM button.
• Highlight and select the Decky Plug icon.
• Click on the Store icon.
• Enter DeckSettings in the search bar.
• Select Install.
• Open up Decky Loader and locate the DeckSetting plugin.
• The plugin will detect all the official Steam games installed on the Steam Deck.
• Select the game and click on the recommended settings.

How To Restore Decky Loader On The Steam Deck

Even with the above steps for Developer Mode, a major Steam Deck update can remove the Decky Loader app, your settings, and plugins from the Quick Access Menu. Use the following steps to restore the Decky Loader program for your Steam Deck.

• Press the Steam button and select Power.
• Switch back to Desktop Mode.
• In Desktop Mode, open a browser and reopen the Decky Loader GitHub page.
• Redownload Decky Loader.
• When the Installer has finished, double-click the installer.
• Select Execute. Avoid clicking Open as it will ruin your original settings.
• At the prompt, type in your sudo password.

When setting up a sudo password, it’s crucial to choose one that’s easy to remember. Forgetting your sudo password means you’ll have to reset your Steam Deck to its factory settings if you need to run programs that require it in Desktop Mode.

• When the installer has finished, power off the Steam Deck.
• Restart in Gaming Mode.
• Press the QAM button and your Decky Loader settings along with all the plugins will be exactly as you left them.