Inconsistent Linux Crash/Freezes (and some solutions for some crashes)

[Wrenderbender]

I've had some crashes on linux and have been doing a lot of research for how to solve it. I haven't been able to solve my problem but I have found some solutions for other crashes which may help other people.

Random Crashes potential solutions

• Crash on launch: See https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=3316773673
• Verify your files before doing anything else
• Swap from dx to vulkan and vica versa
• Capping fps to be less than screen refresh rate
• Disable steam overlay
• Disable full screen focus behavior (https://forums.playdeadlock.com/thr...-launch-multiplatform-issue.84892/post-168359)
• Launch Option: PROTON_ENABLE_WAYLAND=1(https://forums.playdeadlock.com/threads/linux-random-crashes-multiple-times-in-a-game.82824/)
• Disable Intel Turbo boost (https://steamcommunity.com/app/1422450/discussions/0/4431066386194306848/) (Disabling on linux: (https://askubuntu.com/questions/619875/disabling-intel-turbo-boost-in-ubuntu)
• nvglxfix, try using xspam first before using it (https://github.com/vahook/nvglxfix)

My problem
My crash has happened across source 2 games (or at least CS2) which is when in game (not in the hideout) the game will freeze and some audio effects will loop (particularly ability effects like wraith's cards). Then the following will display in another dialogue box

Vulkan encountered unrecoverable error VK_ERROR_DEVICE_LOST.

Then I have to restart the game and rejoin the game. It usually happens during laning phase but has happened later in the game. Sometimes I will not freeze but this is uncommon. I've checked my logs when it freeze and nothing displays which indicates a crash (perhaps the game.... deadlocks? sorry.) When it crahses mangohud doesn't show a crash spike anywhere, though my swap gets to 9 GB. Though swap size is 16GB.

Some info (will provide more on request)

Mesa Version: OpenGL version string: 4.6 (Compatibility Profile) Mesa 25.3.3-arch1.5
Driver Version: cachyos-v4/linux-cachyos-nvidia-open 6.18.5-2
CPU: 11th Gen Intel(R) Core(TM) i7-11370H (8) @ 4.80 GHz
GPU 1: NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3050 Ti Mobile [Discrete]
GPU 2: Intel Iris Xe Graphics @ 1.35 GHz [Integrated]
OS: CachyOS x86_64
Kernel: Linux 6.18.5-2-cachyos
Proton Version: GE-Proton10-28
DE: KDE Plasma 6.5.5
Launch options

__GL_SHADER_DISK_CACHE=true __GL_SHADER_DISK_CACHE_PATH=/home/wren/Applications/Deadlock/ShaderCache __GL_SHADER_DISK_CACHE_SKIP_CLEANUP=true gamemoderun %command% +citadel_unit_status_use_new true

 

[kaking]

Hello, just wanted to add that since the recent update I've been getting these exact crashes/errors (the Vulkan device lost one) in Street Brawl (haven't tried normal gamemode yet). Hideout and Explore NYC work fine but in Street Brawl after some time it always crashes (seemingly after a "flashy" ability like Giest bomb maybe?) and I need to completely restart the game if it freezes (but sometimes it straight up exits).

OS: KDE neon User Edition x86_64
Host: B450M DS3H WIFI -CF
Kernel: 6.14.0-37-generic
Uptime: 2 hours, 10 mins
Packages: 2739 (dpkg), 35 (flatpak)
Shell: bash 5.2.21
Resolution: 2560x1440
DE: Plasma 6.5.5
WM: kwin
Theme: Breeze-Dark [GTK2], Breeze [GTK3]
Icons: breeze-dark [GTK2/3]
Terminal: yakuake
CPU: AMD Ryzen 7 5700X (16) @ 4.665GHz
GPU: Intel DG2 [Arc A770]
Memory: 13638MiB / 32015MiB
driverInfo = Mesa 25.3.3 - kisak-mesa PPA

 

[XyDm]

would just like to add that this is not a linux exclusive issue as I have had the same problems and I am on windows

 

[kaking]

Very strange because I just downloaded Deadlock on Windows 11, same machine, and now it runs fine. It also fixed a different problem I think is described here https://forums.playdeadlock.com/threads/crashing-right-before-initial-match-load.98556/ (but without the crashing) where load times took a super long time/froze and I would only load in after everything started which I've been having for a while. Maybe that's just an SSD difference?

 

[kaking]

Okay it seems like I've spoken too soon. I've put in another hour or so into Street Brawl on Windows and it just crashed again. Same symptoms of freezing and repeating audio, except it completely froze my computer and after a few minutes I had to hardware shut it down to escape. It seems to me this affects both Linux and Windows as well as very different hardware between me and Wrenderbender

 

[The Veemo Enthusiast]

I'm having the same issue on linux where it crashes and loops audio. From what ive noticed for me is that steam itself will crash with no explanation causing deadlock to freeze.

 

[lorenzozmiranda]

Had the same problem on Fedora Linux with KDE Plasma.

I added the "PROTON_ENABLE_WAYLAND=1" launch option and changed the render api to dx11 via the game, and after closing and opening the game, it did not trigger the error. I guess this is the best fix for now. Hope they fix this soon.

The game takes a longer time to load all the stuff but it is stable. I don't know if the launch option did anything.

 

[The Veemo Enthusiast]

Had the same problem on Fedora Linux with KDE Plasma.

I added the "PROTON_ENABLE_WAYLAND=1" launch option and changed the render api to dx11 via the game, and after closing and opening the game, it did not trigger the error. I guess this is the best fix for now. Hope they fix this soon.

The game takes a longer time to load all the stuff but it is stable. I don't know if the launch option did anything.

unfortunately i already have both of those enabled, ive noticed it tends to happen when i try to use text chat. What version of proton do you use?

 

[lorenzozmiranda]

Currently I'm using GE Proton 10-28 via flatpak. Before the update that started crashing my game, it was Valve's Proton Experimental

 

[kaking]

Okay I tried GE Proton 10-28 from flatpak and that didn't work, then tried with

PROTON_ENABLE_WAYLAND=1 -nojoy -novid -no_prewarm_map -vulkan

from this thread and https://forums.playdeadlock.com/threads/deadlock-crashes.98313/. Then I tried with just

PROTON_ENABLE_WAYLAND=1

No dice, I tried above command and native, and even GE Proton 10-28 and

-nojoy -novid -no_prewarm_map -vulkan

Every time it crashes in the hideout seemingly whenever I dash (as Abrams if that matters) or heavy melee? Or maybe it just crashes after a certain amount of time and so happens during dash or melee.

 

[kaking]

Okay maybe I just figured it out (at least for me)! I just did GE Proton 10-28 and -dx11 in the launch options and I just played a full game of Street Brawl no crashes. Seems to be working great for me, aside from dx11 performance of course. Would appreciate some other people checking this out to see if this actually works or I'm just getting lucky.

Edit: Actually I just tried native with dx11 and it worked as well, so maybe this is just a Vulkan issue?