As popular as Valve's handheld gaming platform is, the Steam Deck is still prone to encountering issues like the controller not working. Another issue that might get in the way of your gaming session is the Steam Deck performance overlay getting stuck.
This can happen at any time, so you might be in the middle of a game or going through your settings when it happens. When this issue does occur, all you'll see on your screen is the Steam Deck performance overlay, and it'll stay there no matter what settings you change.
It can be frustrating to deal with, so we'll share some tips on dealing with Steam Deck's performance overlay issue.
How to fix Steam Deck performance overlay stuck?
Even with the performance overlay plastered on your screen, you'll still have access to a few things that can fix it. Here's what you can try:
- Adjust the performance overlay slider: This seems to be the most effective fix according to several Steam Deck users. Press the three-dot button under your right trackpad, tap on the batter icon, and then adjust the performance overlay slider back and forth.
- Turn the Steam Deck off and on again: It's a common fix for any device, so the Steam Deck shouldn't be any different.
There have been some reports where the performance overlay slider doesn't respond when trying the first method. If that happens, you can go ahead and try the second method of turning your Steam Deck off and then on again.
What does the Steam Deck performance overlay do?
Having the performance overlay suddenly show up on your Steam Deck shouldn't be a cause for concern. All it does is show you different metrics to gauge how well your device is running.
It shows you things like CPU temperature, GPU usage, and frame rates. It's actually a pretty helpful feature, but it can be quite disruptive when playing games.
Having the overlay constantly on your screen can block off mini maps or obscure text dialogue, making it difficult to progress through the game you're playing. The two methods above seem to be proving quite effective, so hopefully, it works for you as well.
If you're also having trouble reaching the Steam servers on your Steam Deck, we've got you covered there, too.