protonscr

Steam overlay frequently hangs active title when opened.

steamopen overlayDistro Family: Arch
ValveSoftware/steam-for-linux#9003 · opened 2022-12-16 by ZereoX · updated 2025-05-25 · 10 comments · github
ZZereoX 2022-12-16 github

Your system information

Please describe your issue in as much detail as possible:

I found that opening the Steam overlay will randomly hang any title currently running and require the title for be force closed and relaunched. Audio can continue to be heard, but visuals freeze. Further more, gameoverlayui can be observed failing with the following exit code:

(process:163056): GLib-GObject-CRITICAL **: 23:49:39.759: g_object_unref: assertion 'G_IS_OBJECT (object)' failed
src/steamexe/main.cpp (254) : Assertion Failed: reaping pid: 163056 -- gameoverlayui
src/steamexe/main.cpp (254) : Assertion Failed: reaping pid: 163056 -- gameoverlayui

Dumps: dumps.zip
gameoverlayui.log: gameoverlayui.log

Steps for reproducing this issue:

  1. Launch any title.
  2. Press Shift + Tab repeatedly until issue triggers.
Example Reproduction
https://user-images.githubusercontent.com/761853/208027774-9910b794-4173-4f7b-8894-228ff442585b.mp4

Notes:

  • This sometimes happens on the very first attempt, but can take several attempts. The issue is however usually triggered within 10 or so toggles.
  • This was triggered on various titles, not just the one showcased above.
Bbxkx 2022-12-18 github

I have same/similar issue. It's been a problem for quite a while now, at least around October. I don't really know exactly since I thought it was only an issue with a specific game until I noticed it's the same with other games.

I've tried a couple of games and when it freezes varies.
For example with The Witcher 3 the game instantly freezes when I try to open the Steam overlay. With other games I can open the overlay but the game freezes the moment I close the overlay.
Interestingly Noita doesn't freeze at all. I tried the games with Proton 6.3 and experimental but it doesn't change anything.
Also they all have the the issue where I have to press every key twice for the letter to show up (e.g. in chat, browser)

None of these issues with the Linux native titles I've tried.

Regarding the logs you've posted. I see those even with games where the overlay works.

I'm on Arch, Intel i5-12400, AMD RX 6600

LLightsockie 2022-12-19 github

Have the same issue, with Deep Rock Galactic specifically as well (haven't noticed it with other games, but might not have been in a situation to).
I had the problem with current "Proton Experimental", but switching to Proton 7.0-5 seems to have stopped it from happening. At first I thought it was mangohud, because it stopped happening yesterday after I disabled it. But it started happening again today and so I switched to Proton 7.0-5 (like some of my friends were using) and now mangohud is usable again too.

    CPU Brand:  AMD Ryzen 5 2600X Six-Core 
    Kernel Version:  6.0.7-artix1-1
    Steam Runtime Version:  steam-runtime_0.20221019.0
    Driver:  AMD AMD Radeon RX 5700 XT (navi10, LLVM 14.0.6, DRM 3.48, 6.0.7-artix1-1)
    Driver Version:  4.6 (Compatibility Profile) Mesa 22.2.3
TTheGreatestJannet 2023-01-15 github

Any progress on this? It is still an issue. GTA V and the Sims 3 freeze as soon as the overlay is opened and the game must be force quit. It's really annoying as both these games have CD keys popups that you can't get rid off without disabling the overlay completely.

Ppurplebar0 2023-03-20 github

For me, simply starting a game with Steam Overlay enabled causes visuals of all Proton (perhaps DXVK/Vulkan specifically?) games to freeze at random intervals for ~50 ms until reboot, even if a game is afterwards played with Overlay disabled. I assume simply restarting the Steam client would be sufficient rather than a reboot, but still.

This has been happening for about a couple of months.

Arch Linux
Mesa 22.3.6-1
Steam package versions 1676336721 (1 month outdated due to bad updates)
AMD Radeon RX 6600 XT

Aabrakadobr 2023-07-19 github

Had similar issue.
fixed with increasing sudo sysctl -w vm.max_map_count=1048576
found solution under youtube video with advice sysctl -w vm.max_map_count=262144 or make it double to 524288, but in my case I had to double it again before game stop crashing.

Ubuntu 22 + compiz
RTX 3050 + all drivers + cuda
DayZ game with Proton 7, 8 and experimental

NNubeBuster 2023-10-30 github

Disabling steam overlay worked for me

Kkraftzwerg 2024-02-13 github

Had similar issue. fixed with increasing sudo sysctl -w vm.max_map_count=1048576

Thank you , that fixed it with my HL2 Mod on Fedora 39

MManagor 2024-12-03 github

With vm.max_map_count being bumped up in many distros, can we assume this is fixed?

MManagor 2025-05-25 github

@kisak-valve Do you think this could be closed?

Kkraftzwerg 2025-05-25 github

I know, it is a known Bug.
Yes, close the ticket

Managor @.***> schrieb am So., 25. Mai 2025, 04:24:

Managor left a comment (ValveSoftware/steam-for-linux#9003)
https://github.com/ValveSoftware/steam-for-linux/issues/9003#issuecomment-2907563619

@kisak-valve https://github.com/kisak-valve Do you think this could be
closed?

—
Reply to this email directly, view it on GitHub
https://github.com/ValveSoftware/steam-for-linux/issues/9003#issuecomment-2907563619,
or unsubscribe
https://github.com/notifications/unsubscribe-auth/AFAQBTDKMHXKLLXG7FSAW633AESVVAVCNFSM6AAAAABS44NCCWVHI2DSMVQWIX3LMV43OSLTON2WKQ3PNVWWK3TUHMZDSMBXGU3DGNRRHE
.
You are receiving this because you commented.Message ID:
@.***>

Proton versions

Upstream links