ARC Raiders throws you into a hostile future where scavenging, shooting, and split-second decisions mean the difference between extraction and disaster. As an extraction shooter blending PvE threats with unpredictable player encounters, the game demands smooth performance and sharp reflexes. But between crashes, control quirks, and framerate drops, a lot of players hit roadblocks. This guide collects the community’s hard-earned fixes and insights into one place, so you can spend less time troubleshooting and more time raiding.
Whether you are on a high-end PC, a Steam Deck, or a Linux rig, ARC Raiders can run beautifully with the right tweaks. Below you will find clear steps to optimize performance, solve technical hiccups, master the controls, and understand the game’s deeper systems.
Getting the Best Performance in ARC Raiders
ARC Raiders is built on Unreal Engine 5 and can be surprisingly CPU-heavy. Even with a solid graphics card you may see low GPU usage, stuttering, or frame rates stuck at 30 FPS. Start by checking that the game is using your dedicated GPU, not integrated graphics. In-game, set the Frame Rate Limit option to your display’s refresh rate or uncap it. Lowering the resolution to 1080p or even 720p can dramatically improve smoothness on older hardware, and enabling DLSS or FSR 3 (under the graphics settings) is one of the easiest ways to claw back frames without sacrificing too much visual quality.
If you are on a laptop, always plug it in and set your power plan to high performance. Close background applications that eat into your 16 GB of RAM; 32 GB is the sweet spot for this title. Many players find that capping the frame rate to a stable 45 FPS in the game settings eliminates wild fluctuations, especially on the Steam Deck.
Steam Deck Optimization
The Steam Deck can deliver a genuinely enjoyable ARC Raiders experience. On the OLED or LCD models, aim for low settings, FSR 3 set to Balanced or Performance, and a 30 or 45 FPS lock through the Deck’s quick access menu. Using Proton Experimental or Proton Hotfix is often necessary; some players also install Proton 10-25 via ProtonUp-Qt. When the AMD driver incompatibility pop-up appears, simply press “No” and the game will launch normally.
For extra smoothness, tools like Decky Loader’s Lossless Scaling plugin can reduce input lag and make aiming feel tighter. A mailbox display mode (via the plugin) combined with a 30-to-60 frame generation often works wonders. If you see heavy stuttering after an update, cap the frame rate to 45 FPS in the game settings and let shaders compile completely before starting a raid. A few players have had success reinstalling the lsfg-vk plugin through Decky to clear post-patch hitches.
Linux Performance and Proton Tweaks
ARC Raiders runs remarkably well on Linux desktops. Distributions like CachyOS, Bazzite, and Ubuntu (with the kernel driver, not amdgpu-pro) deliver stable performance on both NVIDIA and AMD GPUs. Radeon 7000 and 9000 series cards may require extra care: avoid the proprietary amdgpu-pro driver unless you absolutely need AMF encoding, as it can freeze the system on exit. Instead, stick to the open-source kernel driver and add PROTON_ENABLE_WAYLAND=1 %command% to the launch options if you are on Wayland. Many users also switch to Proton-GE to resolve rendering glitches.
Disabling the Steam overlay for this game can stop a whole class of crashes. If you do encounter a hard lock, try launching with Gamescope: gamescope --force-grab-cursor -- %command%. The -- is critical; missing it will prevent the game from starting. Should you still face FPS drops after an update, wait for shader compilation to hit 100% and test different Proton versions, starting with Proton 10-25 or the latest GE build.
Troubleshooting Crashes and Technical Issues
Common Crash Fixes
Random shutdowns or desktop freezes often point to power supply issues. ARC Raiders can push both CPU and GPU to their limits, and a PSU that is degrading or under spec may trip protection circuits. Check your Windows Event Viewer for “critical kernel power” errors and consider upgrading to a quality unit (e.g., Corsair 750W or better). Updating your BIOS and ensuring your CPU temperatures stay below 85°C under load also helps. On AMD systems, rolling back to an older GPU driver or reducing the in-game “Effects” quality can prevent sudden engine crashes, especially if the “Arc Fireball” effect seems to trigger an overheat.
After major patches, many Linux and Deck players see black screens, single-digit FPS, or endless loading. Removing the Steam overlay, clearing the shader cache, or switching between Proton Hotfix and Experimental frequently resolves these. If you use Decky Loader, run the framegen uninstaller to remove any vestigial hooks that might clash with the latest build.
Audio and Microphone Problems
If your microphone works everywhere except in ARC Raiders, cycle through every available input option in the audio settings; the game can be picky about which virtual device it picks up. On Windows, double-check Privacy Settings > Microphone and make sure ARC Raiders is allowed. For Steam Deck, wired headphones are often the most reliable, but you may need to toggle between the built-in mic and the headset. The orange and grey microphone icons indicate proximity chat and party chat respectively; to hear proximity, you must often mute yourself in external party chats (Discord, Xbox party) first. On Xbox, the push-to-talk is mapped to down on the d-pad by default, and holding that button should activate voice.
Mouse and Input Glitches
The mouse cursor jumping to a second monitor is a known issue on Linux Wayland sessions. Launching with PROTON_ENABLE_WAYLAND=1 %command% or using Gamescope captures the cursor correctly. On Pop!_OS and similar distributions, a system reboot and checking for kernel updates can stop mouse freezes. If your game refuses to recognize keyboard and mouse inputs at all, try different USB ports and ensure no other software is hijacking the devices.
Mastering Controls and Aim
Controller players should start by tuning the deadzones. A movement inner deadzone of 5 prevents unexpected sprint toggling and makes walking feel deliberate. For aiming, a linear response curve with aim acceleration turned off gives you the most predictable crosshair movement. Most seasoned players set horizontal sensitivity around 150 and vertical at 145, then drop ADS sensitivity to about 60% of that. To dial everything in, spend time in the practice range snapping between targets: if you consistently overshoot, lower the sensitivity; if you undershoot, raise it.
Gyro controls on the Steam Deck are a game-changer for fine tuning shots. Activate gyro in Steam Input and set it to activate when you are aiming down sights. Combine it with a trackpad or thumbstick for large movements and let the gyro handle micro-corrections. Left-handed players can remap everything through Steam Input’s controller configuration: mirroring WASD to UHJK is one quick workaround, but the real power lies in the full button remapping. Unfortunately, the game does not natively support toggle aim (ADS) or rebindable controller push-to-talk, so Steam Input is your best friend. If you need push-to-talk on the Deck, the default is down on the d-pad; to avoid accidental weapon wheel pops, map that function to a rear grip button.
Gameplay Strategies and Meta
Blueprints are the lifeblood of your loadout. Night and thunderstorm maps increase loot quality, and breach rooms multiply your rewards. Look inside residential areas near the dam or the Buried City, but also check trash cans, lockers, and suitcases; many players report better blueprint drops from mundane containers than from weapon cases. A risk-free way to farm is to run a free loadout (a “naked run”), sprint to a high-tier zone, stuff a valuable item into your safe slot, and then surrender. You keep the safe item, and you can repeat the loop until you build up a stash of blueprints like the Snap Hook or high-tier weapon attachments.
Quests are not mandatory but they do unlock the Snap Hook blueprint and offer small lore tidbits. Think of them as optional side stops: worth doing once for the narrative, but you can ignore them if fetch tasks bore you. The best weapons shift with balance patches, but early on the Anvil, Venator, and Torrente are reliable workhorses. Complement them with a Compensator II or Extended Light Mag II, and always carry a Vita Spray or smoke grenade for emergencies.
Rocketeers spark heated debate. They are meant to be a high-threat enemy that forces you to reposition and use cover, but their wall-tracking AI and ability to delete your inventory can feel oppressive. Stay mobile, use smoke grenades to break line of sight, and do not be ashamed to run from a fight that is stacked against you. When another player gets the drop on you, your first move should be to find hard cover, not to immediately heal. Toss a snitch scanner or a lure to buy time, then re-peek after the initial panic. The Tactical Mk.2 Augment, which drops a smoke screen when your shield breaks, is a lifesaver for avoiding long-range ambushes.
Anti-Cheat and Linux Support
ARC Raiders uses Easy Anti-Cheat (EAC), which supports Linux in user mode. The developers at Embark Studios have a track record of Linux-friendly releases (The Finals being another), and so far the game does not require a kernel-level anti-cheat on Linux. Third-party automation tools like Autohotkey are detected and will prevent the game from launching, but you will not be banned simply for having them installed. To play, just make sure no Autohotkey scripts are running. For the latest compatibility details, check ProtonDB and Are We Anti-Cheat Yet.
Frequently Asked Questions
How can I improve performance on the Steam Deck?
Set everything to low, enable FSR 3 on Balanced, and cap the frame rate to 30 or 45 FPS. Use Proton Experimental or Hotfix, and dismiss the AMD driver pop-up by choosing “No”. Decky Lossless Scaling can further smooth the experience.
Why does ARC Raiders crash on my Linux system?
Try disabling the Steam overlay, switching to Proton-GE, or using PROTON_ENABLE_WAYLAND=1 %command%. Avoid amdgpu-pro drivers if possible, and stick to the kernel driver. Running the game through Gamescope also helps capture the cursor and prevent crashes.
My microphone does not work; how do I fix it?
In Windows, check Privacy Settings to allow microphone access. In-game, cycle through every audio input option. For proximity chat, you often need to mute yourself in external party chats. On Xbox, the push-to-talk is down on the d-pad.
What are the best controller settings for aiming?
Set the movement inner deadzone to 5, use a linear response curve, turn off aim acceleration, and start with horizontal sensitivity around 150 and vertical at 145. Drop ADS sensitivity to about 60% and tweak from there in the practice range.
Where can I find blueprints?
Prioritize night and thunderstorm maps, loot breach rooms, and check residential areas like the houses near the dam or Buried City. Regular containers like trash cans and suitcases often drop blueprints, so loot everything.
Is ARC Raiders playable on Steam Deck?
Yes, it is fully playable. Expect 30-45 FPS on low settings with FSR. Many players report a smooth experience using Proton Experimental and a frame cap of 45 FPS.
How do I stop the mouse cursor from jumping to my second monitor?
Add PROTON_ENABLE_WAYLAND=1 %command% to the launch options, or run the game through Gamescope with the --force-grab-cursor flag.
Can I use Autohotkey while playing?
The anti-cheat will block the game from starting if an Autohotkey script is running, but you will not be banned. Simply close any AHK processes before launching.
ARC Raiders continues to evolve with every patch, and the team at Embark has shown a genuine commitment to listening to player feedback. Keep an eye on official channels and the ever-helpful ProtonDB for the latest tweaks, and don’t be afraid to experiment with settings until the game feels just right for you. Good luck out there, Raider.
