Freezing in every game, occasionally causing total system lockup

[DivideTheZero]

Hello, I've been having this problem ever since I got the Deck. Every game at some point, will lockup and I'll be forced to either quit the game, or occasionally force shut down the system. Possibly hardware issue?

The freezing occurs at seemingly random times, but *usually* within the first 15 minutes of launching a game. The game will freeze, the screen will go black for a sec, then when it comes back the game will be completely unresponsive. Audio still plays, and I can usually use the overlay and exit the game. Sometimes the overlay will also be unresponsive, and I have to force shut down the system. (Note: In these scenarios, I can still hear the overlay, I just can't see it)

This freeze occurs in *every single game I have tested*. H:ZD, Control, Hitman 3, No Man's Sky, Half Life 2, ME: Legendary, etc.

It appears like the GPU is crashing or resetting. Graphics settings and intensity appear to have zero impact on the issue. Happens just as often on low presets as on high presets.

So far I have tried re-imaging the deck, and opted into the beta branch. No change.

[Sebioff]

Having the exact same issue, and tried the same things and more without success.
I also think a hardware issue seems likely, otherwise it would affect a lot more people?
I have contacted Steam support and will update here with their response.

[DivideTheZero]

Originally posted by Sebioff:

I have contacted Steam support and will update here with their response.

Same, so far they’ve just said they’re investigating. No info other than that so far

[Quad_Plex]

I have experienced this two or three times aswell, once in Test Drive Unlimited (added as non-Steam game), once in GTA IV and once on GTAV, all running on Proton Experimental. I have however also played for much longer than an hour in single playsessions without this occuring so it seemed more like a fringe software caused crash to me than anything serious

EDIT: have since RMAd my device, was a hardware fault after all.

[Daft Incarnate]

Having the same problem on Stardew Valley. I'm getting really random 100% gpu spikes, framerates dropping from 30 to 12 and a brief lockup where it doesnt respond. Was fine for the last couple of days though. I wonder if the last update messed things up.

[Quad_Plex]

Update: For some reason, in the game Wreckfest, I experience this crashing all the time. Makes playing the game impossible, I can't even get through a single race. Very odd, but I still feel like this could be attributed to Proton because I have played other, graphically intensive, games for extended periods without problem

EDIT: After trying out different Proton versions and (I think this is important) choosing 'Developer' -> 'Delete Proton Files' on Wreckfest every time I changed Proton versions, I landed on proton 7.0-1 and it's working normally now. Used to crash within 5 minutes before every time I tried to play or even stayed in the main menu, now I've been playing for 20 minutes without issue

Edit edit: nope, crashed again. Can't get Wreckfest to work reliably...

[DivideTheZero]

Steam support had me try this. Didn't help me but I figured I'd leave it here for others to give it a shot.

"Please try the following steps and let us know whether the stability with these games is improved.

1. Shut the unit down from the OS or by holding the power button for 10 seconds.
2. Check that the unit is completely off. There should be no haptic feedback from the trackpads.
3. While holding down Volume- and Quick Access (...), press the power button once. Continue holding Volume- and Quick Access for a few seconds, then let go.
4. Unit should now boot normally but may take longer than normal (up to a few minutes)."

Waiting for their next response now

[Quad_Plex]

Originally posted by TheRoguePianist:

1. Shut the unit down from the OS or by holding the power button for 10 seconds.
2. Check that the unit is completely off. There should be no haptic feedback from the trackpads.
3. While holding down Volume- and Quick Access (...), press the power button once. Continue holding Volume- and Quick Access for a few seconds, then let go.
4. Unit should now boot normally but may take longer than normal (up to a few minutes)."

I've done this reset twice, the first time I held Volume- and (...) for too long and ended up in the Bios Boot device selection, since doing it the second time I can at least attest that Wreckfest seems to be running a lot better and is playable for multiple races at a time, however I've still experienced a crash here and there, though a lot less common - going to have to see how it develops

[Niketas]

having the same issue and while tryin to talk with support basically get he same 3 responses whenever i feedback to them even having tried what they suggest in my last message them, horrendously unreliable on everything but one game for me, idle champions of the forgotten realms.
the thing performs so weirdly even just typing sometimes makes the gpu freak out

[raz3r]

I have the same exact issue... Rise of the Tomb Raider, Mass Effect Legendary Edition and Kingdom Come Deliverance freeze after a few minutes of gameplay. I am going to open a ticket.

[DivideTheZero]

Another update: Valve RMA’d my deck. Hopefully my replacement arrives soon

[raz3r]

Originally posted by TheRoguePianist:

Another update: Valve RMA’d my deck. Hopefully my replacement arrives soon

Would you be so kind as to share what you told'em? Hope I can get an RMA too since I have the exact same issue :(

[DivideTheZero]

Originally posted by raz3r:

Would you be so kind as to share what you told'em?

Pretty much the same thing I posted here. Had to go back and forth a few times trying some different solutions. They started the RMA yesterday after the last thing they had me try failed.

[fruits]

Same problem here. I've tested both Proton games (for example Ghostrunner, GTA V) and native Linux games under Steam play (Cities: Skylines, Portal 2). These all freeze for me after 5-15 minutes of gameplay. Sometimes the Steam UI is still accessible after this, and sometimes I have to hold down the power button for 5 sec to reboot the device. Doesn't matter if I'm running on AC power or battery. I've tried resetting the device with instructions in this thread, to no avail.

First I figured it's a software problem with Proton compatibility issues, but since it happens in native titles too I'm more convinced it's a hardware problem with my unit. I've contacted Steam support about this, let's see what happens.

[eskyves]

I have the same problem every game crash in 5 to 10 mn, I have contacted the support and I'm waiting for a reply...

[fruits]

I did some digging and found (via journalctl at the time of the crash) that the issue is caused by GPU resets: https://imgur.com/3Vm7uCk

Doesn't seem to matter if I play a 2D pixel art indie game (as I was while taking that screenshot of logs) or demanding AAA shooter, this issue still occurs within minutes of launching the game.

Interestingly the device seems more stable in desktop mode instead of game mode...