Left 4 Dead 2 is a well-known title in the gaming community. Even though the game was launched in 2009, it has maintained its audience over the years. Interestingly, this game was developed by Valve, which justifies its popularity. Hence, it’s natural that the game has captivating features to attract gamers. Consequently, PC and console gamers have T4D2 right in their libraries. Well, many are choosing to play this game on the Steam Deck. However, players are facing difficulties doing the same. Precisely, users have reported that Left 4 Dead 2 is crashing on the Steam Deck. So, if you are encountering the same issue, then consider reading this guide for potential fixes.
Left 4 Dead 2 is a sequel to the original Left 4 Dead, developed by Turtle Rock Studios & Valve. The game was released on Windows, MacOS X, Linux, and Xbox 360. Like its predecessor, it is a first-person zombie shooter co-op game. It exhibits the aftermath of an apocalyptic, infesting pandemic. Players, that is, the survivors, have to fight against the horde of infected zombies. Each survivor has a crucial role in the campaign. In addition to this, there are various game modes players can enjoy. Considering the game’s immersive features, it is obvious that players would want to try it on their Steam Decks. However, due to unknown reasons, many are encountering crashing issues when launching the game on their Decks. So, is there a fix available for the same?
Left 4 Dead 2 Crashing on Steam Deck: How to fix it
Considering T4D2 has been developed by Valve, it is a Steam Deck verified game. It implies that players can enjoy the game on the Deck without any issues. However, the crashing reports say otherwise. Sadly, the developers have not addressed the issue yet. A verified game crashing on the Deck, with developers unaware of it—well, that’s quite unfortunate. Well, in the absence of an official fix, here are a few potential fixes for you to try:
Restart the Steam Deck
The initial troubleshooting method to tackle any issue is a simple restart. Well, this simple task is an effective underdog. Device restart allows to loading of the files properly, removing software-related issues.
Update the SteamOS and Game
The Steam Deck development team and the respective game developers usually release bug fixes and optimizations with the updates. Considering that both the game and Deck developers are from Valve, it is quite possible that timely updates are released regularly. These updates could be your one-stop solution to resolve the issue of crashing.
Remove Mods
Many players have shared that the use of mods could lead to the game crashing on the Deck. While some mods can enhance the experience, outdated or incompatible ones can cause crashes. Hence, disable mods one by one to identify the troublemaker. Then, remove the culprit and enjoy the game.
Change the Proton Version
Games rely on Proton, a compatibility layer for running Windows games on Linux, to run smoothly on the Steam Deck. The compatibility of the game differs with the Proton versions. So, to change the Proton version, follow these steps:
- First, open the Steam Library.
- After this, right-click on Left 4 Dead 2.
- Now, select Options and then Properties.
- After this, choose Compatibility
- Then, checkmark the Force Proton option.
- After this, select the desired Proton Version. You can try Proton Experimental or Proton GE.
- Once done, launch the game and check if the issue persists.
Verify Game Files Integrity
Sometimes, the game files could be the culprit for game crashes. Well, you can use the in-built feature of Steam to check the integrity of the files. So, open the Steam Library and right-click on Left 4 Dead 2. Now, select Properties and click on Installed Files. After this, choose Verify Game Files Integrity. This will check the game files for any corruption. Once the check is done, launch the game and see if the crash occurs.
Move the Game to Internal Storage
External SD cards enable slower access to the game data on the device. Conversely, the internal storage enhances the stability and performance of the game as it allows high-speed access to the game data. So, if you have installed the game on external storage, then consider moving it to internal.
Reinstall the Game
Lastly, if nothing works then it’s recommended to reinstall the game. It allows you to start the game with freshly downloaded files. However, make sure you save your progress before uninstalling.
Well, these are the workarounds worth trying to fix the Left 4 Dead 2 crashing on Steam Deck issue. We hope that at least one of the workarounds helped you. Now, survivors, get ready with your equipment; the zombies are coming to get you. That being said, for more such guides and updates, visit Android Gram daily. Also read: Blasphemous 2 crashing on Steam Deck: How to fix it
