How to force uninstall or force update Proton Experimental w missing files

[phantomsystem]

Hi, hope someone can help

I end up deleting the folder for Proton Experimental (i know, why), and now Steam is permanently on the resume update, and when trying to update it just doesn't work.
This is impeding me to play some of my library games.

Trying to update, either Game mode or Desktop mode, doesn't work. Tried restarting several times.
When uninstalling it can't find the original files and it gets me back to the update.

Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks

[Jâbbérwôkkï]

Try to reset to factory first thru settings. You will have to reinstall games but maybe that will help without having to re image the whole OS. And don't delete experimental proton again. Proton is the compatibility layer the games need to run on Steam Deck, yes there are several versions, but some need it or they won't work at all.

[WarnerCK]

Probably easiest done in desktop mode:

Open up you library, and in the dropdown that says "Games" also tick the box that says "Tools" so that the dropdown now says "Games and Tools."

Scroll down the list to find Proton Experimental, right-click -> Properties -> local files -> verify integrity of local files. That should pull in replacements for the files you deleted.

[phantomsystem]

Thanks for the help.

I'm holding factory reset for now.
Regarding verify integrity I have attempt that, but if no success.

Basically don't delete Proton folders :P

Do you guys know if reinstalling Steam OS would work?

On the Steam Deck Recovery instructions (https://help.steampowered.com/en/faqs/view/1B71-EDF2-EB6D-2BB3) refers to an option that attempts to preserve the games.

[phantomsystem]

Just updating.

I tried just a reinstall, but unfortunately that didn't work on the issue.

I guess if you delete a Proton folder, the only option is to re-image the deck.

[class101 [OLED deck]]

Originally posted by phantomsystem:

Just updating.

I tried just a reinstall, but unfortunately that didn't work on the issue.

I guess if you delete a Proton folder, the only option is to re-image the deck.

Your guess is wrong

Read carefully what wrote WarnerCK, this is the way to restore a broken Proton on linux, it is the same for the Deck

A proton install should show as a game in your library, he explains step at step how to display them because they could be hidden by default, then once you found it, you can verify its integrity like a normal game

Imagine if every linux user had to restore a complete system just for a steam issue, it sounds wrong :D

[phantomsystem]

Hi,

Yes I agree that to restore a complete system because of just a steam issue sounds wrong. But I'm short of options to solve the issue.

Here is what I attempted:

I followed WarnerCk recommendation and tried to verify Proton Experimental, but it just shows 0 files verified.

And when trying to just update Proton Experimental I get "DISK WRITE ERROR".

Tried uninstalling Proton Experimental too, and it says "Missing Shared Content".

As stated I tried to just reinstall Proton over, but that didn't fixed too.

Any solutions?

Thanks

[jr2]

Steam on Linux here. Fun fact: even if you go in and delete the files and verify (mine was stuck on write error on update), it will 1) verify & re-download the files then 2) tell you it needs an update and that it can't write (update will fail). If you try to uninstall: "Failed to uninstall Proton Experimental due to: Uninstall error - missing shared content." Probably something stupid like a missing symlink or bad permissions. Whoopsi-poopsie, better nuke & pave like it's Windows '98!!
EDIT: Delete the program folder and its .acf file (in /steamapps, you'll have to open the acfs to see which is what unless you know its steamapp number). Then install to a different location, once successful, move back to original location (for my case anyways). Holy magical banana carts it works again. WTF, whatever. Problem solved anyways.

[phantomsystem]

Lol, amazing that you got a way around. Thanks for sharing
Yeah I end up needing to reimage in order to fix it. Win 98 vibes ;)

[Leb]

Originally posted by jr2:

Delete the program folder and its .acf file (in /steamapps, you'll have to open the acfs to see which is what unless you know its steamapp number). Then install to a different location, once successful, move back to original location (for my case anyways). Holy magical banana carts it works again. WTF, whatever. Problem solved anyways.

So I'm struggling with this same issue. I deleted the game folder, I deleted the acf file, and I deleted the compatdata folder. I launch steam, and the game shows as uninstalled. Excellent. I click to install it, and I can only install it to the same location that it was previously installed, despite the fact that I have two game libraries. All other games ask me which drive to install to. This is so baffling. Any idea why this particular game or why steam would not allow this game to be installed to my SD card?

[phantomsystem]

Hey, my only fix for the issue was was to re imagine the steam deck os. Once done all went back to normal. I install my games on the sd card prior, so after the os reinstall all went "reconnected". Hope works out

https://help.steampowered.com/en/faqs/view/1B71-EDF2-EB6D-2BB3

[Leb]

I'd like to avoid the nuclear option, as I've got a lot of stuff installed on my SSD that I'm not trying to have set up again afterward. But if it comes down to that, I guess I'll have no other option.

[AdolfRizzler]

Originally posted by jr2:

Steam on Linux here. Fun fact: even if you go in and delete the files and verify (mine was stuck on write error on update), it will 1) verify & re-download the files then 2) tell you it needs an update and that it can't write (update will fail). If you try to uninstall: "Failed to uninstall Proton Experimental due to: Uninstall error - missing shared content." Probably something stupid like a missing symlink or bad permissions. Whoopsi-poopsie, better nuke & pave like it's Windows '98!!
EDIT: Delete the program folder and its .acf file (in /steamapps, you'll have to open the acfs to see which is what unless you know its steamapp number). Then install to a different location, once successful, move back to original location (for my case anyways). Holy magical banana carts it works again. WTF, whatever. Problem solved anyways.

How do i delete the program folder and figure out my acf file

[[TW]浦木宏]

Originally posted by GRU:

Originally posted by jr2:

Steam on Linux here. Fun fact: even if you go in and delete the files and verify (mine was stuck on write error on update), it will 1) verify & re-download the files then 2) tell you it needs an update and that it can't write (update will fail). If you try to uninstall: "Failed to uninstall Proton Experimental due to: Uninstall error - missing shared content." Probably something stupid like a missing symlink or bad permissions. Whoopsi-poopsie, better nuke & pave like it's Windows '98!!
EDIT: Delete the program folder and its .acf file (in /steamapps, you'll have to open the acfs to see which is what unless you know its steamapp number). Then install to a different location, once successful, move back to original location (for my case anyways). Holy magical banana carts it works again. WTF, whatever. Problem solved anyways.

How do i delete the program folder and figure out my acf file

SSD
/home/deck/.local/share/Steam/steamapps/

SD Card
/run/media/mmcblk0p1/SteamLibrary/steamapps/

you can see this folder , mabey the acf file in this location

[Smokescreen]

I managed to delete proton 7 and 8 from my steam deck by moving them to an ssd then deleting the acf files on desktop mode. To find the acf files, enter desk top mode --> go to file manager --> select your ssd under Removeable Devices --> then select steamapps. Just open up the acf files until you find the ones for proton, move to trash and delete. Then go to the common folder and delete the proton folders.

[tinogodi]

Hello all, was experiencing the same issue for about 3 days and after much searching this is how I uninstalled and reinstalled proton experimental...
1.In desktop mode located proton experimental and went to the gear icon
2. Click on properties
3. Click on the location folder button, this will open up dolphin and send you straight to the location folder
4. Delete the folder and empty out the trash
5. Switch back to gaming mode and proton experimental will download by itself.
I checked the integrity files and all is well 👍🏻