protonscr

Stutter/intense fps drops with Steam overlay

steamopen overlayDistro Family: ArchProton
ValveSoftware/steam-for-linux#8591 · opened 2022-05-17 by ghost · updated 2026-06-24 · 11 comments · github
2 matching comments, n / p to jump
?ghost 2022-05-17 github

Your system information

  • Steam client version (build number or date):
    Build date: May 14, 2022
    API: v020
  • Distribution (e.g. Ubuntu): Arch Linux, using multilib repo
  • Opted into Steam client beta?: No
  • Have you checked for system updates?: Yes

Please describe your issue in as much detail as possible:

Opening Steam overlay and then closing it rapidly can cause intense stutters and fps drops, and this only happens if you move the mouse around after closing the overlay; if there's no movement from the mouse, the fps remains the same.

This is a strange issue I've been having on both Xorg and Wayland/Xwayland, and to me, it seems to occur especially if you open the overlay while a game is loading. It's not tied with the game itself and likely an overlay or Proton issue since I haven't reproduced this issue on Linux Native games yet.

This issue happened recently in Barotrauma, running on Proton Experimental.

Steps for reproducing this issue:

  1. Open a game under Proton
  2. Quickly open and close Steam overlay while the game is loading, main menu or else, as long it's loading
  3. Try to move your mouse

I'll try reproducing it with a video proof if needed.

TThePyrotechnic 2022-05-21 github

I have this exact problem as well.

Proton experimental
GTX 2070 Super NVIDIA Drivier 510.60.02
Steam package 1653101165 API v020, Stable
NixOS 21.11.337357.dff5496b128 (Porcupine)

Ccrayfish143 2023-03-20 github

I too have this issue

Proton 7.0-6
512GB Steam deck
Steam package 1679113038 api v020, steam deck stable
SteamOS 3.4.6

LLegitGreenBoi 2023-04-06 github

Having the same problem on every version of Proton I've tried

NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1070 Ti
Steam package 1679680416 APIv020, no beta and up to date
Arch Linux 6.2.9-zen1-1-zen

Llostdharma 2023-08-12 github

I've made a video where I reproduced this issue from the start and included timestamps describing the video in the description: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mMb-3q4hPSQ

My system info gist: https://gist.github.com/mascherone108/229a438b60e4b410dcdb39a104e78499
To add to this: It seems to be only related to mouse movement and the overlay. I suspected mouse polling rate, but changing it from 1000Hz to 500Hz did nothing (changed it using /sys/module/usbhid/parameters/mousepoll, but I am not sure whether it actually worked or not).

Also, it has been happening on both X and Wayland, on AMD and NVIDIA (haven't tried Intel iGPU), different kinds of games, versions of Steam and drivers, etc.

Side note: Can I ask any moderators to remove the overlay label from FO:NV that was added because of my report? I thought it happened only in FO:NV but that is no longer the case. The link to my report is here: https://github.com/ValveSoftware/Proton/issues/356#issuecomment-850809077

Llostdharma 2023-08-13 github

A guide to reproduce the issue quickly:

  1. Run a game through Proton
  2. Hold Shift+Tab (or your own shortcut) to rapidly open and close the overlay
  3. Move your mouse in a random or circular motion for 1-3 minutes
  4. Try moving your mouse in the game quickly

You might be wondering why would anyone use the overlay like this? The answer is you don't even need to open it rapidly because it can happen even in long game sessions where you might only use the overlay every few minutes.

Why only games running through Proton?

  • According to OP and my findings, Linux native games such as Counter-Strike: Source and Amnesia: Rebirth don't seem to suffer from this issue. Whereas games like Fallout New Vegas, Kingdom Come: Deliverance, Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain and Assassin's Creed: Origins do.

Some things to note:

  • Moving your mouse slowly doesn't trigger the stutters, only fast movements and flicks do
  • Sometimes moving your mouse quickly can cause it to not respond anymore until you stop and then all of the previous movements happen at once or delayed
  • Other non-mouse movements are fine
Ssofiedotcafe 2024-02-07 github

Is this related? The steam overlay seems to be very laggy for me

FFairlightish 2024-06-15 github

Still an issue with Steam version 1718305227. The more I open and close overlay the worse it gets to the point of game becoming unplayable.
NVIDIA RTX 2060 driver 550.90.07
Linux Mint 21.1

JJSeamus 2024-09-24 github

Still an issue with Steam version 1726683985
NVIDIA RTX 2070 driver 550.120
Linux Mint 22 Cinnamon

BBlxters 2024-12-02 github

Sill an issue for me aswell

Steam Version: 1731433018
NVIDIA RTX 3080 Driver Version: 565.57.01
OS: EndeavourOS x86_64
DE: KDE Plasma 6.2.4
WM: KWin (Wayland)

CCrinfarr 2025-12-28 github

One year later, still an issue on some proton games

Steam Version: 1766451605
Nvidia RTX 4070, driver 590 (open)
OS: Arch x86-64
WM/DE: Hyprland

AAndiiCodes 2026-06-24 github

one year later still same issue........ allthough tbf I had same issue on windows 11, not as bad as Linux though.
Steam Vesrion:1782257239
Asrock Steel Legend 7800xt
OS: Arch Linux
WM: KWin

Proton versions

Upstream links