Baldur’s Gate 3 is yet another addition to the list of great games released in 2023. Developed by Larian Studios, it’s the third mainline installment of the long-running RPG series. Like previous mainline Baldur’s Gate games, this one too is based on D&D. Particularly the 5th edition of the tabletop RPG. Fans have been enjoying BG3 a lot, as evidenced by the reviews and it becoming a best-selling game on both Steam and GOG. However, some players seem to be facing issues with the Steam Deck version. Specifically, there’s an issue where the game simply refuses to launch on the Deck, restricting players from accessing it.
Baldur’s Gate 3 is now Steam Deck verified, which means the developers do have an interest in the platform. And the game not launching on the Deck is a serious issue. Being able to play BG3 on a handheld device is a dream come true for many, and as such, this issue needs an immediate fix. And that’s why this guide is here to provide you with all the necessary information.
Baldur’s Gate 3 (BG3) Not Launching on Steam Deck Issue: Is there any fix yet
The root cause of this issue is unknown at the moment. So, we suggest that you follow the workarounds mentioned here thoroughly and see if any of them help you deal with this issue.
Restart the game and the Deck –
Before moving on to the complex workarounds, you should perform a quick restart of both the game and the Deck itself. Sometimes just doing this is enough to fix an issue. However, if the issue persists, you should move on to the next workaround.
Verify game files –
One of the causes behind this issue could be missing or corrupted game files. Luckily, Steam has a great feature that can help you with this problem. You just need to –
- Open Steam and then head straight to the Library.
- Next, right-click on Baldur’s Gate 3 to select Properties.
- From the newly opened window, choose Local Files > Verify the integrity of game files.
Use Proton Experimental –
By using Proton Experimental, you can launch Baldur’s Gate 3 on the Steam Deck without any issue. To do this –
- Open Steam on the Deck and go to Settings by clicking on the cogwheel icon located next to the controller icon.
- From the options presented, select Properties.
- Next, you will see five sub-options: – General, Compatibility, Updates, Installed Files, and Betas. Select Compatibility to proceed.
- On the right side of the screen, checkmark this option: – Force the use of a specific Steam Play compatibility tool. After that, from the dropdown menu below, find and select Proton Experimental. Run the game and select DirectX 11 in the launcher. Try launching it now and see if the issue is still there.
Update the Steam Deck –
In case you haven’t updated your Steam Deck in a while, we suggest you go ahead and download the latest available update. For your game to run optimally, you should always keep your Deck updated.
Redownload Baldur’s Gate 3 –
Redownloading is another option. This will require you to delete the game from the Deck and then download it from the start. You should also make sure that your in-game progress is saved on the cloud before trying this workaround.
Now, if the game still refuses to launch, you can try contacting support and having them take a look at it. For more such interesting guides on Baldur’s Gate 3, check out DigiStatement. Also, read: Baldur’s Gate 3 (BG3) Everburn Blade: How to Get & Find?
