A few minutes in the quick access menu can transform how games run on the Steam Deck.
Use the Performance menu
Press the … button and open Performance. Cap the frame rate to 40 or 45 fps and match the screen refresh rate to it for a smooth, efficient experience.
Lower the TDP for older games
Lighter games do not need full power. Lowering the TDP limit saves a lot of battery.
Check Deck Verified
Look for the green Verified badge. Playable games may need different controls or settings, and the community notes on each game help.
Use upscaling
Running games at a lower resolution with FSR upscaling keeps frame rates up with little visible loss on the small screen.
Keep SteamOS updated
Valve updates SteamOS regularly with performance improvements and new features.