The release of the Fallout show has given new life to Fallout 4 and Fallout 76 which prompted mod Fallout 76 and also jump back into Fallout 4. So, it is the perfect time to go over the settings for Fallout 4 for both new and existing players, especially now that the next-gen update is out.
The first thing you need to do is connect a Mouse with your Steam Deck because the controller does not work on Fallout 4’s launcher. Yes, despite the next gen update you need to use the launcher.
If you don’t have a mouse, you can use the Steam Deck touch map to move the cursor around.
For the purpose of this guide, I am using the Poroton Experimental for Steam Play compatibility. Moreover, the next-gen update broke in-game access to graphics settings on Steam Deck but there is a fix if you run into this problem.
- In your Steam Library, select Fallout 4.
- Click the gear icon → Properties → General → Launch Options.
- Enter:
SteamDeck=0 %command%
Now, let’s move to the settings.
Fallout 4 Steam Deck Settings For Solid 60 to 90 FPS
| Setting | Value/Recommendation | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Resolution | 1280×800 (native) | For best clarity on Deck’s screen. |
| Frame Rate Limit | 40 FPS | Set in SteamOS quick access menu. |
| Refresh Rate | 40 Hz | Matches frame cap for smoothness5. |
| Texture Quality | High or Ultra | Ultra looks best, but High is more stable. |
| Shadow Quality | Medium | Good balance of visuals and performance. |
| Shadow Distance | Medium | Major impact on FPS—avoid High. |
| Decal Quantity | High or Medium | |
| Lighting Quality | High | |
| Godrays Quality | Low or Off | Very demanding—set to Low or Off. |
| Depth of Field | Low or Standard | |
| Ambient Occlusion | SSAO (High) | |
| Antialiasing | TAA | Best quality for Deck’s screen. |
| Anisotropic Filtering | 8 or 16 samples | Minimal performance impact. |
| Screen Space Reflections | Off | Saves performance. |
| Wetness/Rain Occlusion | On | Optional, minor impact. |
| Motion Blur | Off | |
| Lens Flare | On or Off | Personal preference. |
| View Distance (Object/Actor/Grass/Item Fade) | 2 (slider) | Medium or lower for best performance. |
| Distant Object Detail | Medium | |
| Object Detail Fade | Medium |
View Distance Settings:
Fallout 4 Performance On Steam Deck Vs Monitor
With the same settings I shared above, you can get really good results on both the Steam Deck screen and a monitor. If you’re in Docked Mode, set the resolution to 1280×720 to get a solid 60 FPS.
The performance is even better on the Steam Deck screen where you can get up to 90 FPS with these Fallout 4 settings.
Steam Deck: Common Fallout 4 Errors And Fixes
Despite really impressive performance there will be occasional issues that you’ll need to deal with. For example, if you push the game to 800p flickering issue pops up.
Flickering: The flickering issue is best solved with a mod called TAA Flicker Fixer. The mod will help you get rid of the jarring artifacts problem which makes gameplay much smoother and easy on the eyes.
Performance Boost: If you’re looking for even better performance in Fallout 4, get rid of useful props using the Insignificant Object Remover Mod. You can a ton of load off of Steam Deck that will increase the game’s performance.
Re-enable Achievements: Modding will turn off all Fallout 4 achievements so make sure to install the Achievements Mods Enabler on Steam Deck to re-enable mods. You can keep your mods while having achievements enabled.
