How to add Non-Steam Games to Steam Deck

Tags: steam deck

Written by: Tushar Sharma

I have a desktop for gaming, but ever since I got the Steam Deck, my gaming time has quadrupled. It's remarkable how well it handles even demanding games—it's like a Kindle for gaming. While the default SteamOS mainly supports games from the Steam store, you can actually play almost any game on the device.

Prerequisites

Before diving into the steps, ensure you have the following:

1. Steam Deck: Fully updated to the latest firmware.

2. PC: A computer to transfer game files (optional, but recommended).

3. Wi-Fi Network: Both your Steam Deck and PC should be connected to the same network.

4. Terminal Access: Familiarity with basic terminal commands is helpful.

5. Game Files: The non-Steam game files you want to install.

Enable Desktop Mode

The Steam Deck runs on a custom Linux-based operating system called SteamOS. To add non-Steam games, you’ll need to switch to Desktop Mode.

1. Power On your Steam Deck.

2. Hold the Power Button until the power menu appears.

3. Select Switch to Desktop to enter Desktop Mode.

Once in Desktop Mode, you’ll have access to a full Linux desktop environment, allowing you to install and configure software.

Step 2: Find Your Steam Deck’s Username and IP Address

In Desktop Mode, open the Konsole terminal (found in the Applications menu).

Check the Username

The default username on the Steam Deck is deck. Confirm this by running:

whoami
# Output: deck

Find the IP Address

Next, find your Steam Deck’s IP address:

ip addr | grep inet

Example output:

inet: 127.0.0.1/8 scope host lo
inet: 192.150.1.111/24 brd 192.168.1.255 scope global dynamic wlan0

Take note of the IP address (e.g., 192.150.1.111).

Enable SSH on Steam Deck

To transfer files from your PC to the Steam Deck, enable SSH:

sudo systemctl start sshd
sudo systemctl status sshd

Transfer Game Files to Steam Deck

On your PC, open a terminal and run:

scp -r GameFolder deck@192.168.1.124:/home/deck/Games

Install and Configure Lutris

Lutris is a popular open-source gaming platform for Linux that simplifies the process of running non-Steam games. It supports a variety of runners, including Wine, Proton, and native Linux games.

• Open Discover: In Desktop Mode, open the Discover Software Center (similar to an app store).

• Search for Lutris: Install Lutris from the Discover store.

• Install Wine and Dependencies: Lutris requires Wine to run Windows games. Install Wine and any necessary dependencies from Discover.

• Add Your Game:

  • Open Lutris and click the + button to add a new game.
  • Set the runner to Wine.
  • Browse to the game’s .exe file in /home/deck/Games.
  • Configure any additional settings (e.g., Wine version, DXVK, etc.).
  • Install and launch the game.

Add the Game to Steam

To make the game accessible from SteamOS (Gaming Mode), you’ll need to add it to your Steam library.

• Open Steam in Desktop Mode.

• Click Add a Game > Add a Non-Steam Game.

• Browse to the game’s executable file. By default, Wine creates a virtual C: drive at:

/home/deck/.wine/drive_c/

Add the game and ensure it appears in your Steam library.

Configure Proton Compatibility

For Windows games, you may need to enable Proton compatibility in SteamOS.

• In Gaming Mode, navigate to your library and select the non-Steam game.

• Go to Properties > Compatibility.

• Check Force the use of a specific Steam Play compatibility tool and select the latest version of Proton Experimental.

• Launch the game and enjoy!

Common Issues and Fixes

Terminal Error: “Unable to Lock Database”

This error occurs when the package manager is locked by another process. Fix it by running:

sudo pacman -Syu --noconfirm

Missing Dependencies (e.g., isskin.dll)

Some games require additional libraries. Install them using winetricks:

sudo pacman -S winetricks --noconfirm
winetricks vcrun6sp6

If issues persist, specify the Wine prefix:

WINEPREFIX=~/.wine winetricks vcrun6

Invalid or Corrupted PGP Signature

This error can occur when updating packages. Fix it by reinitializing the keyring:

sudo pacman-key --init
sudo pacman-key --populate holo

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