Starfield supports Steam Deck but even though it has been out for a while, the game doesn’t run very well on Valve’s handheld. So, what’s the solution if developers aren’t ready to fix Starfield’s Steam Deck performance? The answer is optimization through modding.
Yes, modders have fixed most of Starfield’s performance issues with optimization mods. If you’re also facing problems with Starfield, it is time to download Steam Deck Essentials And mod from Nexus Mods. Here’s my quick guide on how to improve Starfield’s performance on Steam Deck.
Note: You need to be in Desktop Mode for this.
Step 1: Download Steam Deck Essentials
At the heart of increasing Starfield’s performance is the Steam Deck Essentials mod. Download it from the Nexus Mods website. When you’re on the Steam Deck mod page, click on “Manual Download” to start the downloading process.
Once downloaded, the mod file will be able in Steam Deck’s Downloads folder in the Dolphin Filder Explorer.
Step 2: Unzip The Mod File
The mod folder will be downloaded in Zip format so we need to unzip it. Open the Dolphin File Explorer and access the Downloads folder.
Right click on the Steam Deck Essentials aka SD Essentials folder and scroll down to Extract > Extract Archive Here.
When you hit this option, the files will be extracted but the job isn’t done yet. Click on Home from the side bar and click on the three lines at the top right corner of the screen. This will open up a drop menu where you can enable the “Shown Hidden Files” option.
Step 3: Move Mods Files To Correct Folders
Head back to the downloads folder and inside the extracted Steam Deck Essentials folder. Inside said folder you will see the following two sub-folders; Documents and Starfield Directory.
We need to access the Starfield Directory where multiple ini files are waiting for you. Copy all ini files by holding down the right trigger on your Steam Deck anywhere in the empty space and drag your thumb across the trackpad to highlight the files.
Now, click on one of the ini files to copy them all.
With the files copied to the clipboard. Use the following path to reach the Starfield game files.
Home > .steam > steam > steamapps > common > Starfield.
Inside the Starfield folder click on an empty space with the right trigger and paste the ini files.
Now we need to go back to the mod file but this time we will enter the Documents subfolder in Steam Deck Essentials. There is only one ini files in the Documents sub folder so copy that and then head to the following path:
Home > .steam > steam > steamapps > compatdata > 1716740 > pfx > drive_C > user > steamuser > Documents > My Games > Starfield.
Once there, click on an empty space with the right trigger and paste the ini files we copied from the Documents folder.
Step 4: Get Rid Of Starfield Shader Cache
The Steam Deck Essentials mod won’t work without deleting the shader cache. The shader cache is found at the following path:
Home > .steam > steam > steamapps > shadercache > 1716740.
Delete all files in the shader cache folder before booting up the game.
Step 5: Boot Starfield
Return to Gaming Mode on your Steam Deck and boot up Starfield. Wait for the shaders to build.
After the game has loaded, you should go to the game’s settings menu. Look for the section labeled “Graphics Preset.” Here, you’re going to change the current graphics quality setting to any other option, and then switch it back to “Low.” This step is very important because it resolves an issue caused by a modification (mod) you’ve applied to the game.
