Steam Deck Apex Legends Problems and Solutions

Respawn Entertainment and Electronic Arts did an excellent job releasing Apex Legends in 2020. This award-winning free-to-play battle royale Hero Shooter video game features legendary characters with powerful abilities, squad gameplay, stunning graphics, enhanced weapons, and more. Despite its success, it seems that some Steam Deck users are experiencing problems with Apex Legends. If you’re encountering issues with the game on your Steam Deck, don’t worry. While the Steam Deck is a powerful handheld gaming console for playing PC games, it may have conflicts or issues when running certain titles. It’s always best to identify the specific reasons for the issues and then work on resolving them to prevent recurrence. Let’s get into it without further delay.

Steam Deck Apex Legends Problems and Solutions

It’s worth mentioning that plenty of first-person shooter video games like Apex Legends and more titles are having several issues on Steam Deck such as the mouse bug, deck-verified issues, conflicts with the anti-cheat support for Linux, launching the game without controller support, Steam Deck login error, etc. Whereas some Steam Deck users are facing startup crashes with the game, in-game lags, hiccups, FPS drops, stuck on screen, in-app purchase errors, etc.

1. Apex Legends Not Launching or Not Loading or Crashing

First of all, Apex Legends not launching or crashing at startup issue on Steam Deck becomes one of the common problems among players that need to be fixed. It looks like that due to several possible reasons, your game starts crashing during launching or exits while loading. Luckily, there are a couple of workarounds mentioned below that can come in handy.

• Try restarting the Steam Deck device to remove temporary system glitches. Press the Steam button from the left side of the Steam Deck. Then select Power > Choose Restart. Once the device reboots, check for the issue again.
• You can also force restart the Steam Deck device by pressing and holding the Power button for at least 3 seconds. If it remains unresponsive, try long-pressing the Power button for around 10 seconds to reboot the system again forcefully. It’ll help the device to work freshly.
• An outdated SteamOS version can mostly cause several issues with the game running on Steam Deck, You should check for the available update by pressing the Steam button on the left side of the Steam Deck. Then go to Settings > Head over to the System tab. Select Check for Updates on the right side. If there is an update available, tap on Apply. Now, wait for the software update to complete. Once done, tap on Restart to apply changes.
• Try checking for the Apex Legends game update on Steam Deck and install the latest patch version because an outdated version can always have multiple issues whatsoever. Open your Steam Library > Under the Apex Legends library page, select Manage. Choose Properties > Select the Updates tab. Make sure to select Automatic updates > Reboot the Steam Deck. Whenever a new update is available for Apex Legends, it’ll automatically install.
• You should also check for the low storage space on your Steam Deck because not enough memory can cause multiple conflicts with the game’s launching. To do so: Just press the Steam button on Steam Deck > Go to Settings > Choose Storage. If the available storage space becomes low, delete or uninstall unnecessary apps/games from the console to free up some space.
• Make sure to remove and reinsert the microSD card into the Steam Deck device if you’ve installed Apex Legends in it. This method can also help you to run the game properly by removing connectivity glitches. To do so: Gently remove and insert the MicroSD card into the memory slot on the bottom side.
• You can also try resetting or formatting the MicroSD card on Steam Deck via the Settings menu to delete corrupted or missing games. To do so: Press the Steam button on Steam Deck > Go to Settings. Choose System > Select Format SD Card. It may take a couple of minutes to complete the format. Once done, reboot the Steam Deck and then reinstall or move the Apex Legends game.
• It’s highly recommended to forcefully change the Proton version on the Steam Deck because it can impact the game launching or performance a lot. To do so: Select Apex Legends from Library. Go to Settings of the game > Go to Properties. Choose the Compatibility option in the left sidebar. Make sure to click on the checkbox and select Proton Experimental. You can now select the version you want to use.
• If the above methods didn’t work for you then it’s better to uninstall and reinstall the Apex Legends game on your Steam Deck. The chances are high that reinstalling the game might fix several conflicts or issues with launching and stuttering. To do that: Press the Steam button on Steam Deck to open Settings. Scroll down in the sidebar and select Storage. Select the Apex Legends game that you want to uninstall. Now, press the X key to Uninstall the game. Wait for the game to be deleted completely. Once done, make sure to reinstall the Apex Legends game via Steam Store.
• You should also perform the factory reset method on Steam Deck to delete all the data and settings to the default state. It can also help you to fix crashing issues with the game. To do so: Press the Steam button on Steam Deck to open Settings. Under the System menu, scroll to the bottom and select Factory Reset. If prompted, make sure to confirm & proceed. The process may take some time to complete.

2. Error While Purchasing In-App Items

It’s highly recommended to wait a while and try purchasing the item again inside the Apex Legends game to check for the issue. You should also try doing it during off-peak timing, such as when the active number of users decreases. The higher number of active players may cause servers to go down or response to be slow. Otherwise, try using another payment method like debit/credit card, Steam Wallet, etc. (except for PayPal) to check if that helps or not.

3. Not Syncing to Steam Cloud

Several Apex Legends players are reporting an issue with not syncing to Steam Cloud on Steam Deck, which can be fixed by following the steps below. You can try disabling and retrying the Steam Cloud Synchronization method. Alternatively, you should also try repairing the game files via Steam Library, which you can find below.

• If you’ve disabled the Steam Cloud Synchronization feature on your Steam Deck, then turn it on right now to properly cloud sync the game with servers. To do so: Press the Steam button > Select the Steam menu at the top-left corner. Go to Settings from the list > Navigate to the Cloud tab. Checkmark the Enable Steam Cloud Synchronization box. Select OK to save the changes. Once done, restart the Steam Deck to apply changes.
• You can also retry cloud syncing manually by following the steps below to ensure the Steam account isn’t out of Sync with the Cloud Status. Press the Steam button > Select the specific game that’s troubling you. Select Out of Sync under the Cloud Status option. Choose the Retry Sync button from the popup. Wait for the process to complete, and the Cloud Status should show up to date.
• If none of the methods worked for you, then make sure to try verifying and repairing the game files (Steam Library Folder), which will include all the installed games on the Steam Deck. Sometimes issues with the corrupted or missing game files on the Steam Deck might cause several conflicts. To do this, Press the Steam button to open it > Select the Steam menu. Go to Settings > Go to the Downloads tab. Select the Steam Library Folders button > Select the specific game. Choose Repair Folder from the options menu. If prompted, make sure to select Yes to confirm. Wait for the repair process to complete. Once done, Steam can sync files to the cloud easily.

4. Not Launching Apex Legends in Offline Mode

Sometimes Apex Legends players are unable to launch the game in offline mode on Steam Deck unexpectedly. If you’re also encountering the same kind of issue then make sure to follow the methods below to fix it.

• You can follow the instructions below to configure Offline Mode on your PC for Steam Deck successfully. Launch Steam online > Ensure to select the ‘Remember my password’ box on the login screen. Now, verify & repair the game files of that specific title to make sure everything is up-to-date. Launch the particular game(s) that you want to play in Offline mode. Exit the game and return to Steam once you’re aware that the game is playable. Go to the Steam interface > Choose Settings > Select Account. Make sure to uncheck the ‘Don’t save account credentials on this computer’ option. Go back to the main Steam interface > Go to the Steam menu in the top-left corner. Select Go Offline… > Choose Restart in Offline Mode to restart Steam in Offline Mode.
• You can also try performing another method to turn off the compatibility mode and then try playing the game offline. To do so: Launch the game on the Steam Deck > Press right on the D_pad two times to select the gears. Press the A button > Select Properties. [You can also use the touchscreen and touch the gears then touch Properties] Now, scroll down one time to the Compatibility option > Just Uncheck to turn it off. Go back to the Steam main interface and play the game in Offline mode to check for the issue.

5. Mouse Not Working Bug with Apex Legends

Multiple Steam Deck users are reporting about the mouse not working issue with Apex Legends that you should try fixing by following the steps below.

• If we take a quick look at Steam Deck, it’s considered as a mini-PC in terms of playing PC games in the form of a handheld console. Though there is no convenience like a mouse and keyboard on consoles in most cases, Steam Deck is capable to run games with a mouse directly on the Linux desktop. You can follow the steps below to do so: Close all running games on Steam Deck. Press the Steam button on Steam Deck > Go to Power. Select Switch to Desktop > Now, open Steam via desktop. Open Steam Library > Select and open Apex Legends.
• It is necessary to pair your Bluetooth device with your Deck before it can be connected. When you’ve paired your Bluetooth device with your Deck, you’ll be able to easily connect your device to your Deck whenever you’d like. Open the Steam Deck Settings. Tap on the Bluetooth. Then, toggle the Show All Devices to On position. Now, connect and pair the wireless Bluetooth mouse to check for the issue.

This is how Steam Deck users can easily play Apex Legends just like a desktop PC using the wired/wireless mouse and keyboard on the Steam Deck’s screen.

6. Apex Legends Stuck on Loading Screen

Well, plenty of reports are also claiming that the Apex Legends game is stuck on the loading screen on Steam Deck which becomes frustrating a lot. There are several possible reasons behind such an issue that can easily be tracked and fixed. You can follow the steps below to do so:

• Display refresh rate is another factor contributing to Steam Deck’s lagging. Several games do not support the high refresh rate, even though it supports 60 Hz. If the lagging problem persists, change the refresh rate to 30 Hz and ensure that your device has a 30 Hz refresh rate.
• When games haven’t been charged properly, Steam Deck doesn’t display all of them in the library. However, when the batteries are not fully charged, the Deck is frequently unable to load apps. It is quite common for this to happen, even though it may seem strange. The charging cables on your iPhone should be plugged in and out properly if you want to ensure that it is charging correctly. Nevertheless, you can check again if your Steam Deck is Stuck on loading or boot screen issue gets resolved or not.
• Try performing the power cycle method on Steam Deck to refresh the system glitch or connectivity glitch. Use the power button to turn off your Steam Deck completely. Once the power cable and wires have been removed, remove all cables and wires. You can then plug in the cables after about 20 or 30 seconds. The Steam Deck may need to be restarted if you are experiencing problems. The issue may have been resolved if you turned on the power again. 
• Check the internet connection on the Steam Deck to see if it’s working properly. Issues with network stability or speed can eventually trigger several conflicts.

7. Apex Legends Not Showing in the Library

If you’re encountering the Apex Legends game not showing in the library error on Steam Deck, make sure to follow the steps below to fix it.

• To remove temporary system glitches, try restarting the Steam Deck device. Press the Steam button on the left side of the Steam Deck. Then select Power > Choose Restart. Once the device reboots, check for the issue again.
• You can also force restart the Steam Deck device by pressing and holding the Power button for at least 3 seconds. If it remains unresponsive, try long-pressing the Power button for around 10 seconds to forcefully reboot the system. It’ll help the device to work freshly.
• An outdated SteamOS version can mostly cause several issues with the game running on Steam Deck; you should check for the available update by pressing the Steam button on the left side. Then go to Settings > Head over to the System tab. Select Check for Updates on the right side. If there is an update available, tap on Apply. Now, wait for the software update to complete. Once done, tap on Restart to apply changes.
• Try checking for the Apex Legends game update on Steam Deck and installing the latest patch version because an outdated version can always have multiple issues. Open your Steam Library > Under the Apex Legends library page, select Manage. Choose Properties > Select the Updates tab. Make sure to select Automatic updates > Reboot the Steam Deck. It’ll automatically install whenever a new update is available for Apex Legends.
• Please make sure to log out of the Steam account on Steam Deck, Reboot the device, and then log back into the account again to check for the issue.

8. Apex Legends Runs Without a Controller

It looks like several Steam Deck users are having issues with controller support while playing or launching Apex Legends. As per multiple reports, Apex Legends automatically starts running without using a controller. If you’re also facing the same issue, make sure to try pressing the ‘A’ button on the controller to get rid of the specific issue. This trick might easily swap the game to the controller.

Additionally, you can also try tapping on the screen to forcefully adjust the game window focus because sometimes the game only runs in the Big Picture Mode on Steam Deck via Steam, which can be another issue.

9. Steam Deck Login Error with Apex Legends

Plenty of Apex Legends players are having issues with the login on Steam Deck unexpectedly. According to reports, even after playing the game on Steam PC, whenever they try to log in using the Steam Deck credentials, it always says ‘you’re already linked with a Steam account, and please log in or register with a different account’. Even unlinking and linking back to the Steam account doesn’t work properly. Sometimes it says credentials are incorrect or expired.

Well, it seems like your Steam account is connected to a different EA account, which is why the login-related error appears on Steam Deck quite often. You should check whether you’re using another EA account at the same time for any other video game. It’s better to contact EA Support regarding this issue and ask to find out what’s actually troubling regarding account linking.

There is no specific solution yet on it and you’ll have to wait further if the problem persists. You can still follow up on this thread to get support from EA Help.

That’s it, guys. We assume this guide was helpful to you. If you have any further queries, please comment below.