For a game like Kenshi to be crashing on the Steam Deck shouldn’t be quite surprising. The game is neither officially supported on the handheld nor has good UI scaling that makes it a Deck-playable game. But players have managed to run the game on their Decks without much hassle, compromising on text size and whatnot. However, one of the most common issues that Steam Deck users run into when trying a non-verified game on their handheld is crashing. Well, Kenshi is no exception. As per various reports, the game just crashes when launched and sometimes even forces the Deck to undergo a hard reboot. All this can be very frustrating, which is why we have shared this guide featuring all the effective workarounds to get rid of this issue.
Despite being a sandbox RTS, Kenshi is not a very demanding game in terms of system specifications. The recommended system requirements to run the game are not much, and the Steam Deck is more than capable of handling the game. Now, you might be wondering: why crash then? Well, it is most likely due to the compatibility issues that arise when playing a game on a Linux-based OS rather than on Windows. How to fix it? Continue reading.
Also read: Best Kenshi Steam Deck Settings for high FPS & performance
Kenshi crashing on Steam Deck: How to fix it
There can be countless reasons for the game to crash on your Steam Deck. It could be due to corrupt game files, or compatibility issues, as mentioned earlier. Whatever the case, the game does run on the Deck, which means that if you try the right workarounds, you might be able to play it on your handheld.
1) Restart Deck
A simple restart can sometimes do wonders when it comes to fixing crashing issues in-game. So, we recommend that you do the same. Press and hold the power button on your Steam Deck for at least 10 seconds. This will reboot the Deck after which you should be able to run the game.
2) Verify Game Files
As stated earlier, corrupt game files can also lead to crashing issues. So, we recommend that you verify the game files and then check if the crashing issue persists. To do this, just head over to Steam, go to Library, and select the game. Now, click on the Options button on your Deck, and select Properties. Here, go to the Installed Files tab, and select the “Verify Integrity of Game Files” option. Once the scan is complete, launch the game and then check if the issue persists.
3) Change Proton version
Proton plays a vital role in running Windows games on a Linux-based OS such as the SteamOS on your Steam Deck. Selecting an incompatible version of Proton to run Kenshi on your Deck can also lead to crashing issues. This is why we recommend switching the proton version and experimenting. To do this, head over to the game’s properties menu in Steam, and then select the Compatibility tab. Here, checkmark the Force Proton Use option, and select either Proton Experimental or Proton GE. Once selected, launch the game and then check if the issue persists.
4) Remove Mods
Mods, although they bring variety to a game, can also be the epicenter of in-game issues. So, if you are using mods in Kenshi on your Steam Deck and experiencing crashes, we recommend removing them and then launching the game. This will rule out the possibility of whether the crashing issue is related to mods or not.
5) Change TDP and in-game settings
If you are experiencing crashes after playing for a while, then it is possible that the Deck is unable to handle the game. So, in that case, you can consider lowering the in-game settings, especially settings like Draw Distance, Grass, and Foliage, to 0.8. After this, set the Steam Deck’s TDP to 9. Doing so should provide a stable Kenshi experience on your Deck.
6) Reinstall game on Deck’s internal memory
If you have installed the game on a microSD card that’s connected to the Steam Deck, we recommend uninstalling the game and then reinstalling it on the Deck’s internal memory. Doing so might fix the crashing issue for good. So, make sure to give this method a shot.
Well, we hope that these workarounds were helpful in fixing the crashing issue of Kenshi on Steam Deck. If you find this guide insightful and informative, make sure to visit Android Gram regularly.