Troubleshooting

Each system has a specific folder name. SNES games must be in the snes folder, not "Super Nintendo" or "SNES".

Check the Folder Structure page for exact folder names.

Emulators look for specific extensions. A SNES game named game.rom will not be detected; it needs to be game.sfc or game.smc.

Check the ROM File Formats page for correct extensions.

ES-DE scans for games on startup. If you added games while running:

1. Press Start to open main menu
2. Select Scraper or Game Lists
3. Select rescan option

Or simply restart ES-DE.

Steam ROM Manager uses "parsers" for each system. If a parser is disabled, those games will not be added.

1. Open Steam ROM Manager
2. Check the left sidebar
3. Enable parsers for systems you want
4. Run Preview and Save again

Steam ROM Manager cannot modify Steam's library while Steam is running. Close Steam before saving.

After previewing, you must click "Save app list" to write changes to Steam.

Many systems require BIOS files. Without them, games will not start.

1. Check the BIOS guide for your system
2. Verify files are in the correct location
3. Verify file names are exact (case-sensitive)
4. Use RetroDeck's BIOS checker or similar tool

The ROM file itself may be bad:

• Try a different dump of the same game
• Verify ROM with a ROM manager tool
• Check if the file downloaded completely

Some emulators do not support all formats. Convert to a compatible format:

• Convert BIN/CUE to CHD for disc games
• Extract from 7z archives (some cores do not read these)
• Convert between ROM formats if needed

The game may be trying to launch with the wrong emulator:

• Check Steam ROM Manager parser settings
• In ES-DE, select the correct emulator for that system
• Verify game is in the correct system folder

For BIN/CUE games, you must have all files and launch via the .cue file:

• Ensure all .bin files are present
• Ensure .cue file references correct .bin names
• Consider converting to CHD (single file)

The Steam Deck may be power-limited:

1. Open QAM (three-dot button)
2. Increase TDP limit
3. For demanding games, try 12-15W

Lower internal resolution in emulator settings:

• PS2: Try 2x instead of 3x
• GameCube/Wii: Try 1x or 2x
• PS3: Try 100% or lower

Visual enhancements cost performance:

• Disable or simplify shaders
• Disable texture upscaling
• Disable PGXP in PS1 if needed
• Disable widescreen hacks

Some games are demanding or have emulation issues:

• Check emulator's compatibility wiki
• Look for game-specific settings
• Some games simply need more power than available

First-time stutter is often shader compilation. Options:

• Play through initial stutter (it decreases over time)
• Enable async shader compilation (smoother but may cause visual glitches)
• Pre-compile shaders if emulator supports it

If game runs at different rate than screen:

• Match refresh rate to game (60Hz for most)
• Enable VSync in emulator
• Try 40Hz mode for games that cannot hold 60

Check these common causes:

• Ensure audio is not muted in Steam Deck
• Check emulator audio settings
• Try different audio driver (SDL, PulseAudio)
• Ensure CD audio was ripped (for disc games)

Audio buffer issues:

• Increase audio buffer size in emulator settings
• Increase audio latency
• Check for performance issues (audio needs stable framerate)

Audio desync solutions:

• Enable sync audio to video
• Adjust audio rate control
• Ensure game is running at correct speed

Steam Input or emulator config issue:

• Check Steam Input layout for the game
• Check emulator's input settings
• Try applying EmuDeck/RetroDeck controller profiles
• Map controls manually in emulator

Controller layout mismatch:

• Edit Steam Input layout
• Reconfigure in emulator
• Reset to default and remap

For older games that only support D-pad:

• Map left stick to D-pad in Steam Input
• Some emulators have analog-to-digital options

In-game saves not working:

• Check save folder permissions
• Ensure SRAM/memory card file is created
• Some games need time to save (do not exit too fast)
• Check emulator's save location setting

Save states can break between emulator versions:

• Use in-game saves as primary backup
• Create multiple save states
• After emulator update, in-game save should still work

Save file locations:

• RetroDeck: retrodeck/saves/
• EmuDeck RetroArch: Emulation/saves/
• Standalone emulators: Check their specific data folders

Try these solutions:

• Change graphics backend (OpenGL vs Vulkan)
• Disable enhancements
• Try software renderer (slower but accurate)
• Check game-specific settings in emulator

Wrong textures or missing graphics:

• Disable texture filtering/upscaling
• Disable texture replacement packs
• Check if CHD was created correctly

VSync not working properly:

• Enable VSync in emulator
• Disable "Allow Tearing" in Steam Deck settings
• Match refresh rate to game