Edited By
Isabella Martinez

Gamers are facing a peculiar audio issue when attempting to play non-Steam games on the Deck. Users are reporting that games fail to launch, yet the audio begins to play in the background upon hitting "play." This has led to frustration and confusion in the community as players seek solutions.
In a recent discussion, one player expressed that despite testing multiple Proton configurations, they still encounter the frustrating audio problem. "I can play the game on my PC if I have to, but I like the Deck more," they stated, highlighting a common sentiment among gamers who prefer the handheld experience.
Interestingly, another user noted, "It does work in desktop mode!" This hints at a possible workaround, suggesting that switching between Desktop and Gaming modes might help alleviate the issue. However, this resolution may not be ideal for those who primarily use the Deck in Gaming Mode.
Players have taken to forums to untangle this audio glitch, sharing insights and suggestions:
Many recommend trying to launch the game multiple times without switching Proton versions to prevent hidden prompts from hindering gameplay.
Some are encouraged to post more detailed information when seeking help, emphasizing the importance of listing attempted fixes.
Users are also referencing ProtonDB and other guides for more tailored solutions as they troubleshoot.
"Try launching the game a few times in a row without switching Proton versions at all in between each launch and see what happens," suggested a community member, underlining the shared knowledge within the forums.
โผ๏ธ Switching to Desktop Mode appears to be a temporary fix for some players.
โผ๏ธ Users are encouraged to provide detailed troubleshooting steps when asking for help.
๐ Resources like Steam Deck Guide and ProtonDB are invaluable for resolving these kinds of issues.
With many players turning to forums for help, it's clear this problem needs further investigation. Will Valve address this audio glitch in future updates? For now, gamers are left searching for solutions within the community, continuing to seek the perfect balance of portability and performance in their gaming experiences.
Thereโs a strong chance that Valve will roll out an update addressing the audio issues players face with non-Steam games on the Deck. Given the growing discussions on forums, developers are likely aware of the frustration this glitch causes. Experts estimate around a 70% probability that Valve prioritizes these concerns in future patches, as they aim to enhance user experience and maintain player loyalty. Gamers are hopeful that such fixes will lead to smoother gameplay, reinforcing the need for the Deck to remain competitive in the handheld gaming market.
A parallel can be drawn to the early days of the Xbox Live service, where gamers faced connectivity issues that caused frustration and halted multiplayer experiences. Initially, players turned to community forums much like todayโs players do, sharing tips and tricks until Microsoft addressed the problems through updates. This scenario reminds us that collective frustration often fosters a community-driven approach to problem-solving, allowing players to create solutions in real-time, much like how today's gamers are working together to navigate audio challenges on the Deck.