How to resolve the Steam Deck controller issue for Overwatch 2

Overwatch 2 departed Early Access last week, indicating that a number of fresh players would be interested in starting the multiplayer first-person shooter. September 15, Overwatch 2 isn't Steam Deck Verified, therefore users of the portable device may have certain problems.

Controller compatibility is one of the most common issues. Players of Steam Deck sometimes discover that their controller inputs are no longer recognized by the game. This issue is very common when you resurrect and die. Thankfully, there is a simple cure that only requires a few steps to execute.

Fix for the Steam Deck controller issue in Overwatch 2

This problem is very unpleasant since it causes the game to crash completely. Even more annoying are the unresponsive controls since they might cause you to get thrown out of the game if you stay in the spawn area for too long.The game seems to be having trouble converting to PC controls since it is assuming that you will be using a mouse and keyboard. Occasionally, when the issue occurs, you may even see the pointer on the screen. Although there isn't yet an official solution for the issue, some users have discovered that using Proton to your advantage may let you get around it.

First solution: Shut off the trackpads

You may attempt to disable the Deck's trackpads entirely. To do this, launch the menu by pressing the "STEAM" button while the game is open. Go to the "Controller Settings" section by scrolling down the menu of Overwatch 2. Here is where you may disable the trackpads by selecting "Edit Layout."Some people seem to have had success with this solution. I can attest from personal experience that although it did momentarily solve the issue, it eventually died and then reappeared.

Option 2: Make Use of Proton

If you are having trouble with the trackpad solution, you may also solve the issue using the correct version of Proton. Proton Experimental is what you should use; it's available for download from the Steam store. After downloading it, open your library, choose Overwatch 2, and press the gear symbol to see a menu. After selecting "Properties" from the list below, scroll down to "Compatibility." Here, choose Proton Experimental from the list of compatible tools that appears after checking the box labeled "Force the use of a specific Steam Play compatibility tool."An unauthorized version of Valve's Proton tools called GE Proton could be necessary if you're still experiencing problems. To do this, turn your Deck to desktop mode and click the Software Center (the symbol that looks like a shopping bag). Install ProtonUp-Qt after searching for "ProtonUp" there.When it is on your smartphone, launch it, choose "Add version," and then scroll to locate GE-Proton8-11. After downloading, launch ProtonUp and choose "Show game list" to see a list of all the Steam games you have installed. Make sure GE-Proton8-11 is the compatible tool installed for Overwatch 2 by scrolling to Overwatch 2. This ought should resolve the issue.After being removed from Early Access, Overwatch 2 had a less-than-graceful landing. Many gamers have expressed dissatisfaction with the way the free-to-play system has been handled, in addition to a few problems. The game may still be fixed to have its Steam Deck confirmed, even if it is presently unverified on the Deck.