How can I get my Steam games running properly on Linux?
Asked by
MellowCactus47
I switched from Windows to Linux on a ThinkPad T430 and now some of my Steam games either fail to launch or run with serious bugs. Left 4 Dead 2 was especially problematic. The laptop has 8 GB of RAM, a 450 GB SSD, and an Intel Core i5 processor. I'm already using Steam and Proton Experimental, but I'm not sure which compatibility settings or Proton version I should use. What should I try?
Answers
Your laptop’s hardware is fairly limited for modern gaming, so performance will depend heavily on the specific title and resolution. Compare the Linux resolution with the one you used in Windows; running at a higher resolution can make performance much worse. Also include your Linux distribution, graphics details, and any exact error messages when troubleshooting a particular game.
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Check each game in a Linux gaming compatibility database before troubleshooting. It usually lists whether the game works well, which Proton version is recommended, and any launch options or tweaks people have tested.
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Make sure the games are installed on a Linux-compatible filesystem rather than running directly from a Windows NTFS installation. Reinstalling them on a Linux partition can avoid permission and compatibility problems. If one Proton version does not work, switch to another stable release or an older version.
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For Left 4 Dead 2, try the Windows version through Proton instead of the native Linux port. The Linux version has had issues for some players. Since the integrated Intel graphics may not provide usable Vulkan support, you can try launching Proton games with the PROTON_USE_WINED3D=1 environment variable. Also test different Proton versions instead of relying only on Proton Experimental.
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MellowCactus47: Thanks, I’ll try the Proton version and the graphics setting.