For most Steam Deck games, start with Steam’s default Proton selection. If a game has a specific problem, you can try another version for that game under Properties > Compatibility by enabling Force the use of a specific Steam Play compatibility tool. Change one game at a time and judge the result in play; no Proton channel is guaranteed to fix a particular title.
How to change a game’s Proton version on Steam Deck
- Open the game’s entry in your Steam Library.
- Press the Menu button and select Properties.
- Open Compatibility.
- Enable Force the use of a specific Steam Play compatibility tool.
- Select the Proton version you want to try, then close the settings and launch the game.
This is Steam Support’s recommended route for selecting a compatibility tool on Deck. If the game behaves worse, return to the same Compatibility page and choose the previous version or turn off the forced-tool option to restore Steam’s default selection. Steam’s labels and available builds can change as the client and Proton are updated.
Which Proton version should you choose?
Valve advises: “Most users should use Proton provided by the Steam Client itself.” That default is the sensible starting point. If troubleshooting calls for a comparison, the official channels have different purposes:
| Choice | When it makes sense | What to know |
|---|---|---|
| Default / Stable | Start here for ordinary play and predictable behavior. | Valve describes Stable as the default flavor, released after extensive QA and public release-candidate testing. |
| Experimental | Compare it when a game-specific issue may benefit from a newer fix or feature. | It is a public testing channel, not a universally better version. Valve says games listed as working only with Experimental in its changelog are tested for regressions before release. |
| Hotfix | Use it when Valve has issued a targeted fix relevant to your game. | Hotfix carries fixes for specific new or important games when a normal release cannot arrive in time; Valve intends it to be phased out as the fix matures. |
| Bleeding Edge | Not a casual troubleshooting choice. | Valve characterizes it as automated and untested, and warns it can damage a game prefix or saves. |
| Custom or local build | For advanced users who need a build not offered in Steam’s list. | Valve supports local builds in the user’s compatibility tools directory. Steam must be restarted to detect a newly installed tool. |
How to tell whether a different version helped
Test the game after changing its setting and assess the actual symptom you wanted to address. Compare whether it launches and reaches gameplay, whether it remains stable, and whether performance or graphics behavior changes. If a Valve release specifically associates a fix with a channel, that is a more useful reason to try it than assuming a newer label is always better. The official guidance does not establish outcomes for every game, so treat each selection as a game-specific test.
Quick Recap
Rank #4
- Valve is entering the gaming console marketplace with the new Steam Deck, a console geared towards PC gamers. The Steam Deck can be docked to a monitor, and used as a PC, or docked to a TV.
- Players can play a huge variety of games at any time with the comfort of a console and the freedom of a PC. Not anti-glare screen.
- Like the name suggests, the Steam Deck will include upgraded 1TB storage, and will include a carrying case. A micro SD slot will also enable expanded storage.
- Valve partnered with AMD to create a specialized APU optimized for handheld gaming, and Valve says the chip will deliver performance to run AAA gaming titles.
- The Steam Deck is outfitted with a 7-inch touchscreen, and two trackpads under the control sticks that allow gamers to operate games never designed outside of mouse and keyboard capabilities.
Rank #3
- Operating System: SteamOS 3.0
Rank #2
- International (UK) Version
- 7.4” diagonal, HDR OLED, 1280 x 800 x RGB, up to 90Hz Refresh rate, High performance touch, <0.1 ms Response time, 1,000 nits peak brightness (HDR), 600 nits (SDR)
- SteamOS 3.0 (Arch-based)
- 512GB NVMe SSD, 16GB LPDDR5 on-board RAM (5500 MT/s quad 32-bit channels), microSD UHS-I supports SD, SDXC and SDHC
- 6 nm AMD APU, CPU: Zen 2 4c/8t, 2.4-3.5GHz (up to 448 GFlops FP32
#1 Best Overall
- 1TB NVMe SSD
- 1280 x 800 HDR OLED display with premium anti-glare etched glass, 7.4" Diagonal display size up to 90Hz refresh rate
- Wi-Fi 6E
- 50Whr battery; 3-12 hours of gameplay (content-dependent)
- Carrying case with removable liner
What to check if the game still has problems
- Check Deck Verified status. Steam Support recommends checking the game’s compatibility status when troubleshooting.
- Review graphics settings. Steam Support also suggests adjusting graphics settings where appropriate.
- Watch for a different game download. If only the Linux version is installed, forcing Proton may cause Steam to download the Windows version.
- Return to the previous setting if needed. Revisit Compatibility and restore the earlier choice or default behavior before trying another change.
Sources
- Steam Support: Steam Deck – Software Info & Troubleshooting Guide (accessed October 4, 2026).
- Valve Software: Proton documentation (accessed October 4, 2026).
- Valve Software: Proton Versions (edited July 29, 2026; accessed October 4, 2026).
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