No Man’s Sky Keep Crashing on Steam Deck: “No Man’s Sky, an exploration-focused survival game developed and published by Hello Games, was released in August 2016. It is compatible with multiple platforms, including PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, and Microsoft Windows.
This action-adventure title features four distinct gameplay modes: exploration, survival, combat, and trading. Following the release of the Steam Deck, many PC games have become playable on this handheld device, and reports indicate that No Man’s Sky has been officially verified for compatibility with the Steam Deck.
However, some players have encountered issues, as the game reportedly crashes upon launch on the Steam Deck. A number of users have begun installing No Man’s Sky, but feedback suggests that the gaming experience may not be as smooth as expected on this platform.
Additionally, several players have reported startup crashes when attempting to run the game. Fortunately, recent updates to SteamOS, particularly the Mesa update, may have resolved performance issues for several titles, potentially improving the experience for No Man’s Sky players on the Steam Deck.”
Fix: No Man’s Sky Keep Crashing on Steam Deck
Should you continue to experience startup crashes or issues with launching games on your Steam Deck, this troubleshooting guide is here to help. We’ve compiled several potential solutions that may prove useful. Let’s dive right in and explore these options.
1. Reboot Steam Deck
To begin troubleshooting, it’s advisable to restart your Steam Deck from the Software Updates menu. This step can help resolve any temporary system glitches or cache-related issues that might be causing problems. Here’s how you can do it:
- 1. Press the Steam button on your Steam Deck.
- 2. Navigate to the Power option and select Restart.
- 3. Allow the device to fully reboot, then check if the issue persists.
2. Force Reboot Steam Deck
Should the problem persist, consider performing a force restart on your Steam Deck to eliminate any potential glitches or system conflicts.
This method is particularly useful if your device is powered on but is not responding or is experiencing significant lag. To execute a force reboot, follow these steps:
- 1. Press and hold the Power button for a minimum of 3 seconds.
- 2. If the device does not respond, continue to hold the Power button for approximately 10 seconds to initiate a forceful reboot of the system.
3. Check for SteamOS Updates
An older version of SteamOS can lead to various problems, such as bugs, instability, and security vulnerabilities. To ensure your Steam Deck runs smoothly, it’s advisable to manually check for updates by following these steps:
- 1. Press the Steam button located on the left side of your Steam Deck.
- 2. Navigate to Settings and select the System tab.
- 3. Click on “Check for Updates” on the right side. If an update is found, choose “Apply.”
- 4. Allow the software update to complete, then tap “Restart” to implement the changes.
By keeping your SteamOS updated, you can enhance performance and security on your device.
4. Check for No Man’s Sky Updates
An outdated version of the game might be causing compatibility issues with your system, potentially leading to bugs that hinder performance. To ensure you have the latest version of No Man’s Sky, follow these steps:
- 1. Access your Steam Library and locate No Man’s Sky.
- 2. Click on the “Manage” option.
- 3. Go to “Properties” and then navigate to the “Updates” tab.
- 4. Verify that “Automatic updates” is selected.
- 5. Restart your Steam Deck.
By doing this, any available updates for No Man’s Sky will be downloaded and installed automatically.
5. Check Onboard Storage Space
It’s important to monitor the available storage capacity on your Steam Deck, as insufficient disk space may lead to problems with launching and running No Man’s Sky.
To check your storage, simply press the Steam button, navigate to Settings, and select Storage. If you find that your available space is limited, consider removing any apps or games that you no longer use to create additional storage space.
6. Reinsert the MicroSD Card
A malfunctioning MicroSD card in your Steam Deck can lead to various problems, including crashes when launching No Man’s Sky. To ensure optimal performance, it’s advisable to fully format the MicroSD card before using it with your Steam Deck. Here’s how to format your microSD card:
- 1. Begin by securely inserting the MicroSD card into the designated slot located at the bottom of the device.
- 2. Press the Steam button on your Steam Deck, then navigate to the Settings menu.
- 3. Select the System option and click on Format SD Card.
- 4. The formatting process may take a few minutes to complete.
Keep in mind that the Steam Deck supports UHS-I microSD cards that are class 3 or higher; however, it does not support UHS-II cards. If your MicroSD card is older or frequently becomes corrupted, it may be time to consider purchasing a new one.
7. Enable Steam Cloud Synchronization
If you previously turned off the Cloud Synchronization feature on your Steam Deck, it’s important to reactivate it to ensure your game data syncs correctly with the servers.
To do this, follow these steps:
- 1. Press the Steam button, then choose the Steam menu located in the top-left corner.
- 2. From the menu, select Settings and head to the Cloud section.
- 3. Make sure to tick the box for “Enable Steam Cloud Synchronization.”
- 4. Click OK to confirm and save your settings.
- 5. Finally, restart your Steam Deck to ensure the changes take effect.
By enabling this feature, you’ll keep your game progress safely backed up and easily accessible across devices.
8. Force Change Proton Version on Steam Deck
To enhance game performance and ensure smooth launching on your Steam Deck, it’s advisable to manually adjust the Proton version. Follow these steps:
- 1. Navigate to your Library and find No Man’s Sky.
- 2. Access the game’s Settings by clicking on it, then select Properties.
- 3. In the left sidebar, click on Compatibility.
- 4. Check the box to enable compatibility settings, then choose Proton Experimental from the dropdown menu.
- 5. You now have the option to select the specific Proton version you’d like to experiment with.
This adjustment can significantly improve your gaming experience.
9. Ensure No Man’s Sky is Verified on Steam Deck
Before diving into No Man’s Sky, it’s essential to verify your Deck’s compatibility for a smooth gaming experience without the need for any adjustments. The Steam Deck has established a ‘Deck Verified’ classification system that categorizes games into four distinct groups based on their performance.
- 1. **Verified: This category indicates that the game functions exceptionally well on the Steam Deck right out of the box, requiring no additional tweaks.
- 2. **Playable: Games in this category are operational but may need some user intervention. This might involve configuring controller settings or utilizing a mouse or touchscreen for launcher navigation.
- 3. **Unsupported: If a game falls into this category, it means it is not currently deemed playable on the Steam Deck.
- 4. **Unknown: This designation is for games that have not yet undergone compatibility testing. While you are welcome to give it a try, there is no available information regarding its performance.
To check the specific compatibility status of a game, including any unmet requirements for the Verified category, visit the Steam Deck Compatibility section on the game’s Steam Store page.
10. Reinstall No Man’s Sky
To resolve potential launch issues with No Man’s Sky on your Steam Deck, it’s advisable to uninstall and then reinstall the game. This process can help eliminate various conflicts that may be affecting your gameplay experience. Here’s how to do it:
- 1. Start by pressing the Steam button on your Steam Deck to access the Settings menu.
- 2. In the sidebar, scroll down and select the Storage option.
- 3. Locate No Man’s Sky in your list of installed games and select it.
- 4. Press the X button to proceed with the uninstallation of the game.
- 5. Allow some time for the game to be fully removed from your device.
- 6. Once the uninstallation is complete, head back to the Steam Store to reinstall No Man’s Sky.
By following these steps, you may improve the overall performance and resolve any issues you’ve been experiencing.
11. Factory Reset Steam Deck
To restore your Steam Deck to its original factory settings, which will erase all data and configurations, follow these steps. This process can also resolve any game crashing issues you may be experiencing:
- 1. Begin by pressing the Steam button to access the Settings menu.
- 2. Navigate to the System section and scroll down to find the Factory Reset option.
- 3. If you receive a prompt, confirm your choice to continue.
- 4. Please be aware that this process may take a few moments to finish.
- 5. After the reset is complete, you will need to set up your device as if it were new.
12. Contact Steam Deck
Should the previous methods not meet your needs, we recommend reaching out to Steam Support to submit a support ticket. They are likely to provide you with the assistance you require.
Thank you for reading! We trust this guide has been beneficial. If you have any additional questions, please feel free to leave a comment below.
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