No Man’s Sky Stuttering, Lags, or Freezing on Steam Deck: In 2016, Hello Games launched ‘No Man’s Sky’, an expansive open-world action-adventure survival game set within the cosmos.
This title is accessible on multiple platforms including PC, PS4, PS5, Nintendo Switch, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, Mac, and Xbox Cloud Gaming, as well as the Steam Deck.
Despite its overall success across these platforms, some players have reported experiencing issues such as stuttering, lag, or freezing specifically on the Steam Deck.
If you find yourself facing these challenges, this troubleshooting guide is designed to help you resolve the problems. We have compiled several potential solutions that may prove beneficial.
It’s important to note that while the Steam Deck is a robust and portable gaming handheld, certain in-game settings or conflicts with other components may lead to performance issues like lag or stuttering.
Fix: No Man’s Sky Stuttering, Lags, or Freezing on Steam Deck
Several factors can contribute to issues like stuttering, lag, or freezing while playing games on the Steam Deck.
These may include system glitches, outdated software for both the system and the game, problems with cloud synchronization, the specific version of Proton being used, and other potential causes.
Fortunately, a series of troubleshooting methods are outlined below. You can systematically follow these steps to resolve the issue. Let’s get started.
1. Reboot Steam Deck
To address any potential temporary system glitches or cache data problems, it’s advisable to restart your Steam Deck using the Software Updates feature. This can help resolve any minor issues that may arise. Here’s how to do it:
- 1. Press the Steam button located on the left side of your Steam Deck.
- 2. Navigate to Power and select Restart.
- 3. After the device has rebooted, verify if the issue persists.
2. Force Reboot Steam Deck
If you’re still encountering issues, consider performing a manual force restart of your Steam Deck by following these instructions. This method is particularly useful if your device is turned on but not responding or is experiencing significant lag.
To initiate a force reboot, press and hold the Power button for a minimum of 3 seconds. If the device does not respond, continue holding the Power button for approximately 10 seconds to perform a more forceful restart of the system.
3. Check for SteamOS Updates
Using an outdated version of SteamOS can lead to various problems, including bugs, stability concerns, and security vulnerabilities. To ensure your Steam Deck runs smoothly, it’s advisable to manually check for updates. Here’s how you can do it:
- 1. Press the Steam button located on the left side of your Steam Deck.
- 2. Navigate to the Settings menu and select the System tab.
- 3. On the right side, find and click on “Check for Updates.”
- 4. If an update is available, tap on “Apply” to initiate the process.
- 5. Allow the software update to finish downloading and installing.
- 6. Finally, click “Restart” to implement the changes.
By regularly updating SteamOS, you can enhance your device’s performance and security.
4. Check for No Man’s Sky Updates
An outdated version of the game may be causing conflicts with your system, potentially leading to performance issues due to existing bugs. To ensure that you have the latest updates for No Man’s Sky, follow these steps:
- 1. Launch your Steam Library and navigate to the No Man’s Sky section.
- 2. Click on “Manage” and then select “Properties.”
- 3. Go to the “Updates” tab and ensure that “Automatic updates” is enabled.
- 4. Restart your Steam Deck.
By doing this, any new updates for No Man’s Sky will be automatically downloaded and installed, helping to improve your gameplay experience.
5. Check Internal Storage Space
It’s important to monitor the available storage space on your Steam Deck, as insufficient disk space can lead to various 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 or uninstalling any apps or games you no longer need to free up storage.
6. Reinsert the MicroSD Card
If you’re experiencing issues with No Man’s Sky on your Steam Deck, it’s quite possible that a malfunctioning MicroSD card is to blame. To avoid potential problems, it’s advisable to format the MicroSD card thoroughly before using it with your device. Here’s how to do that:
- 1. First, ensure that your MicroSD card is securely inserted into the memory slot located at the bottom of the Steam Deck.
- 2. Press the Steam button to access the main menu, then navigate to the Settings section.
- 3. Select the System option, and then choose Format SD Card from the available settings.
- 4. The formatting process will take a few minutes to complete.
Keep in mind that the Steam Deck is compatible with UHS-I microSD cards that are rated class 3 or higher. However, it does not support UHS-II cards. If your MicroSD card is older or frequently malfunctions, it may be time to consider purchasing a replacement.
7. Enable Steam Cloud Synchronization
To ensure that your game is properly synced with the cloud servers, make sure to enable the Steam Cloud Synchronization feature on your Steam Deck if it has been turned off. Here’s how to do it:
- 1. Press the Steam button to open the menu.
- 2. Click on the Steam menu located in the top-left corner.
- 3. From the options presented, select Settings.
- 4. In the Settings menu, find and click on the Cloud tab.
- 5. Tick the box next to Enable Steam Cloud Synchronization.
- 6. Click OK to confirm and save your changes.
After completing these steps, restart your Steam Deck to finalize the new settings.
8. Force Change Proton Version on Steam Deck
To enhance game performance and improve launch success on your Steam Deck, it is advisable to manually adjust the Proton version. Follow these steps for optimal results:
- 1. Launch Steam and navigate to your Library to find No Man’s Sky.
- 2. Access the game’s Settings by clicking on it, then select Properties.
- 3. In the left-hand menu, locate and select the Compatibility option.
- 4. Ensure the checkbox is checked, then choose Proton Experimental from the dropdown menu.
- 5. You can now select your preferred Proton version for the game.
Implementing these changes can significantly influence your gaming experience.
9. Ensure No Man’s Sky is Verified on Steam Deck
Before diving into No Man’s Sky on your Steam Deck, it’s important to verify the game’s compatibility status to ensure a smooth gaming experience without any extra tweaks. The Steam Deck’s verification system categorizes games into four distinct classifications, providing insight into their performance on the device.
1. **Verified: This means the game functions exceptionally well on the Steam Deck without requiring any modifications.
2. **Playable: Although the game is operational, users may need to make some manual adjustments, such as configuring controller settings or using a mouse or touchscreen for navigating the launcher.
3. **Unsupported: Currently, this game is deemed unplayable on the Steam Deck.
4. **Unknown: This status indicates that the game has not yet been tested for compatibility. You are welcome to try it out, but keep in mind that we don’t have any information regarding its performance.
If you discover that your game falls under the Playable or Unsupported categories, you can check the Steam Deck Compatibility section on the game’s Steam Store page to learn more about which specific Verified requirements are not being met.
10. Reinstall No Man’s Sky
If the previous solutions haven’t resolved your issues, the next best step is to uninstall and then reinstall No Man’s Sky on your Steam Deck. This process can often address various conflicts or performance problems related to launching and gameplay.
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 from your list of installed games.
- 4. Press the X button to initiate the uninstallation process.
- 5. Allow some time for the game to be completely removed from your system.
- 6. Once uninstalled, head to the Steam Store to download and reinstall No Man’s Sky.
Reinstalling the game may help restore optimal performance and resolve any lingering issues.
11. Factory Reset Steam Deck
To restore your Steam Deck to its original factory settings, you can perform a factory reset. This action will erase all stored data and settings, returning the device to its default configuration. It can also help resolve any game crashing issues you may be experiencing. Here’s how to do it:
- 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 proceed with the reset.
- 4. Be aware that the reset process may take a little while to finish.
- 5. After the reset is complete, you will need to go through the initial setup process as if you’re using the device for the first time.
12. Contact Steam Deck
Should none of the suggested methods prove effective, we recommend reaching out to Steam Support to submit a support ticket regarding your issue. They are likely to provide you with the assistance you need.
Thank you for reading our guide; we hope you found it useful. If you have any additional questions, please feel free to leave a comment below.
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