Elden Ring Steam Deck Bug Can Leave Game Inoperable

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Steam Deck users looking forward to the release of Elden Ring expansion Shadow of the Erdtree tomorrow, June 21, 2024, may grow a tad concerned to realize the latest patch 1.12 includes a bug which can make the entire game inoperable.


FromSoftware revealed on X/Twitter it is working to fix an issue on Valve's handheld PC where inputs stop working if the game is left inactive for more than five minutes. Unfortunately for Steam Deck players, FromSoftware said "the date and time of the hotfix will be announced separately," suggesting it won't be released in time for Shadow of the Erdtree launching.

"A Steam Deck related issue has been identified and a hotfix is being worked on," FromSoftware said. "Leaving your Steam Deck inactive for more than five minutes may stop the game from accepting inputs. We apologize for inconvenience."

Leaving your Steam Deck inactive for more than five minutes may stop the game from accepting inputs.

Thankfully the issue isn't too game-breaking as long as players don't step away from Elden Ring for more than a few minutes, but it will likely lead to a few frustrating moments for those who forget or aren't aware of the problem.

A hard reset will presumably be required in these instances, but doing so for Elden Ring, as is the case with previous FromSoftware games such as Dark Souls and Bloodborne, poses a chance of save data corruption.

The odds of this happening are slim, but FromSoftware games insist players officially quit from the main menu instead of closing them outright. Not doing so, regardless of whether the player quits intentionally, their system crashes, or a bug like this Steam Deck issue stop them from logging out proper, poses a slight risk of data corruption.


Elden Ring's patch 1.12 doesn't include any other know issues, and FromSoftware will hopefully have this Steam Deck bug addressed sooner rather than later. The update otherwise includes new hairstyles, additional quality of life improvements, and the ability to summon Spirit Steed (horse) Torrent in the final fight, to the glee of many Elden Ring players.

The changes come just in time for Shadow of the Erdtree, but accessing the DLC isn't as simple as installing the update and selecting it on a menu. Players must instead tick off a handful of obscure feats beforehand, including beating an optional boss.

IGN's guide on how to prepare for the Shadow of Erdtree is fully up to date with everything you need, however, and make sure to check out our Elden Ring interactive map to ensure you're not missing any important collectibles.


You can also catch up on IGN's "How Long to Beat" for Shadow of the Erdtree and kill some time ahead of its imminent release byf reading our extensive 10/10 review.

"Like the base game did before it, Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree raises the bar for single player expansions," we said. "It takes everything that made the base game such a landmark RPG, condenses it into a relatively compact 20-25 hour campaign, and provides fantastic new challenges for heavily invested fans to chew on."


Ryan Dinsdale is an IGN freelance reporter. He'll talk about The Witcher all day.