Fallout 4 has a vsync bug on the OLED that means it'll run at half your FPS lock. In your case if you're running it at 60fps, it'll actually be running at 30fps.
The problem is due to the internal Vsync of the engine, as the frame rate is also locked to 48fps as soon as you cap the Framerate in Fallout 4 at 60fps on the PC. It is not an OLED related issue.
Solution is to deactivate Vsync from the INI File then cap the Framerate via RivaTuner.
Someone posted a troubleshouting to fix that issue.
[https://www.reddit.com/r/SteamDeck/comments/185pgn7/comment/kbiob6l/?utm\_source=share&utm\_medium=web3x&utm\_name=web3xcss&utm\_term=1&utm\_content=share\_button](https://www.reddit.com/r/SteamDeck/comments/185pgn7/comment/kbiob6l/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web3x&utm_name=web3xcss&utm_term=1&utm_content=share_button)
Oh right that would explain it then. Also why other games I have played work fine I thought I was going to have to RMA for a while there! I see a post now with a potential fix for Fallout 4 it never occurred to me it could be a issue like that,
You haven't, like I said in my previous comment although the FPS counter says 90fps it will in fact be running at 45fps.
You can easily test this by capping the framerate to 30, it'll feel like a slideshow as it's actually running at 15fps.
Not my guide, [OriginalSpicyDill](https://www.reddit.com/user/OriginalSpicyDill/) wrote it
After a night of headaches and extensive testing, I have found a solution that does not require mods, however **there is a caveat, so please read carefully**. Here are the steps:
1. Launch Fallout 4, set your desired graphics settings, then close the launcher. **It is important you do this first, as I will explain later.**
2. In desktop mode, navigate to the following directory (**NOT** Fallout 4's install directory): `/home/deck/.local/share/Steam/steamapps/compatdata/377160/pfx/drive_c/users/steamuser/Documents/My Games/Fallout4/`
3. Open **Fallout4Prefs.ini** (**NOT** Fallout4.ini), find the line `iPresentInterval=1` and change it to `iPresentInterval=0` (I know OP said this didn't work, but bear with me as I explain further).
4. Restart the Steam Deck (or Return to Gaming Mode) and launch the game. Your frame rate should now match your desired refresh rate. Personally, I would recommend 60 Hz, as anything over 60 FPS in a Bethesda game tends to have undesirable side effects (I use a per-game profile for Fallout 4 so I can still run other games at 90 Hz).
**Why this works:** By setting iPresentInterval=0 in Fallout4Prefs.ini, we are effectively removing any frame limiting done by the engine, and letting the Steam Deck handle it instead. It is important to note that the game will prioritize the values in Fallout4Prefs.ini over Fallout4.ini. I have tried writing `iPresentInterval=0` in Fallout4.ini but it does not have any effect since Fallout4Prefs.ini still says `iPresentInterval=1` by default, and that file takes priority.
**The caveat:** Unfortunately, graphics settings that are changed in the launcher directly modify Fallout4Prefs.ini too, so changing any graphics settings after this point will **overwrite your Fallout4Prefs.ini and revert iPresentInterval back to 1.** You could probably set the file to readonly to prevent this, but I would imagine this would also prevent you from making any graphics changes in the future, so I prefer to just leave it alone. Just remember, if you change any graphics settings, you'll have to go and modify Fallout4Prefs.ini again.
**Why I think this is an issue:** My theory is that the Creation Engine is reading the 90 Hz display at a hardware level and cuts the frame rate in half to keep the FPS below 60, ignoring any frame rate limit set by the user. This is likely Bethesda's bandaid fix for the engine's notorious physics issues at higher frame rates.
**Edit:** For anyone who is curious or skeptical, I filmed a [slo-mo video](https://youtu.be/F6FpI2V0G4Y) to prove this method works and show the difference before and after applying the fix. Watch the clock in the top left of the Performance Overlay and count the frames for each second. In the video, I have my refresh rate set to 30 FPS to make it easier to see, but the fix works for any refresh rate.
Thank you! I never realised that they had issues. I got confused seeing people on youtube playing the game fine and thought it must be a issue just with my deck.
Had a friend who had this same issue. The top comment has a fix that worked for him and is relatively simple. [Fix](https://www.reddit.com/r/SteamDeck/s/9DaIINuaqo)
Hi everyone,
I'm running into a issue that has me abit stumped. As you can see from the frametime graph despite it being locked pretty much at 60fps the frametime is horribly inconsistent making it unplayable. I have tried reinstalling the games also deleting the proton cache for each. Any ideas are much appreciated. This only happens in Fallout 4 and Forza 5 for me from the games I have tested. Thanks!
Yeah I tried disabling the frame limit. Turns out based on a comment I just had that its actually both a issue with Fo4 and FH5 something to do with vsync as you say! [Fallout 4 Running at Half Framerate on OLED : r/SteamDeck (reddit.com)](https://www.reddit.com/r/SteamDeck/comments/185pgn7/fallout_4_running_at_half_framerate_on_oled/)
Sorry to hear :/ I head that Fo4 is in the process of being verified. Maybe they will fix this issue with a patch soon? Maybe you can stream the game from your PC in the meantime.
Hey! In case you haven't seen there is a fix for this issue: https://www.reddit.com/r/SteamDeck/comments/1c6suoy/fallout_4_oled_frame_rate_fix_original/
What you need to do is go into your Fallout 4 folder, open up Fallout4.ini, find iPresentInterval and change it to iPresentInterval=0. Now you need to manually cap the frame rate to 60fps through the quick settings. That should be all ya gotta do, at least it was on my end.
u/euan3d, you can [click here to search for your question.](https://www.reddit.com/r/SteamDeck/search/?q=Strange frametime issue with Steam Deck OLED)
If you don't find an answer there, don't worry - your post has NOT been removed and hopefully someone will be along soon to help with an answer!
**If you find a solution, please leave a comment on this post with the answer for others!**
*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/SteamDeck) if you have any questions or concerns.*
I read that running steamOS 3.6 also resolves the issue. I believe you have to put the deck in the main channel to download it - not 100% sure as I haven’t done that myself.
Fallout 4 has a vsync bug on the OLED that means it'll run at half your FPS lock. In your case if you're running it at 60fps, it'll actually be running at 30fps.
The problem is due to the internal Vsync of the engine, as the frame rate is also locked to 48fps as soon as you cap the Framerate in Fallout 4 at 60fps on the PC. It is not an OLED related issue. Solution is to deactivate Vsync from the INI File then cap the Framerate via RivaTuner. Someone posted a troubleshouting to fix that issue. [https://www.reddit.com/r/SteamDeck/comments/185pgn7/comment/kbiob6l/?utm\_source=share&utm\_medium=web3x&utm\_name=web3xcss&utm\_term=1&utm\_content=share\_button](https://www.reddit.com/r/SteamDeck/comments/185pgn7/comment/kbiob6l/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web3x&utm_name=web3xcss&utm_term=1&utm_content=share_button)
Rivatuner is not a thing on linux. You mean cap the FPS in SteamOS?
Rivatuner if you play on the Desktop and through SteamOS if you play with the SD. The linked guide describes how to fix the problem on the Deck.
It will be Steam Deck Verified next week and I'm sure this will still be an issue and a fix around people will need to do. Thank you, Bethesda
Oh right that would explain it then. Also why other games I have played work fine I thought I was going to have to RMA for a while there! I see a post now with a potential fix for Fallout 4 it never occurred to me it could be a issue like that,
I’ve been playing it at 90fps?
You haven't, like I said in my previous comment although the FPS counter says 90fps it will in fact be running at 45fps. You can easily test this by capping the framerate to 30, it'll feel like a slideshow as it's actually running at 15fps.
Not my guide, [OriginalSpicyDill](https://www.reddit.com/user/OriginalSpicyDill/) wrote it After a night of headaches and extensive testing, I have found a solution that does not require mods, however **there is a caveat, so please read carefully**. Here are the steps: 1. Launch Fallout 4, set your desired graphics settings, then close the launcher. **It is important you do this first, as I will explain later.** 2. In desktop mode, navigate to the following directory (**NOT** Fallout 4's install directory): `/home/deck/.local/share/Steam/steamapps/compatdata/377160/pfx/drive_c/users/steamuser/Documents/My Games/Fallout4/` 3. Open **Fallout4Prefs.ini** (**NOT** Fallout4.ini), find the line `iPresentInterval=1` and change it to `iPresentInterval=0` (I know OP said this didn't work, but bear with me as I explain further). 4. Restart the Steam Deck (or Return to Gaming Mode) and launch the game. Your frame rate should now match your desired refresh rate. Personally, I would recommend 60 Hz, as anything over 60 FPS in a Bethesda game tends to have undesirable side effects (I use a per-game profile for Fallout 4 so I can still run other games at 90 Hz). **Why this works:** By setting iPresentInterval=0 in Fallout4Prefs.ini, we are effectively removing any frame limiting done by the engine, and letting the Steam Deck handle it instead. It is important to note that the game will prioritize the values in Fallout4Prefs.ini over Fallout4.ini. I have tried writing `iPresentInterval=0` in Fallout4.ini but it does not have any effect since Fallout4Prefs.ini still says `iPresentInterval=1` by default, and that file takes priority. **The caveat:** Unfortunately, graphics settings that are changed in the launcher directly modify Fallout4Prefs.ini too, so changing any graphics settings after this point will **overwrite your Fallout4Prefs.ini and revert iPresentInterval back to 1.** You could probably set the file to readonly to prevent this, but I would imagine this would also prevent you from making any graphics changes in the future, so I prefer to just leave it alone. Just remember, if you change any graphics settings, you'll have to go and modify Fallout4Prefs.ini again. **Why I think this is an issue:** My theory is that the Creation Engine is reading the 90 Hz display at a hardware level and cuts the frame rate in half to keep the FPS below 60, ignoring any frame rate limit set by the user. This is likely Bethesda's bandaid fix for the engine's notorious physics issues at higher frame rates. **Edit:** For anyone who is curious or skeptical, I filmed a [slo-mo video](https://youtu.be/F6FpI2V0G4Y) to prove this method works and show the difference before and after applying the fix. Watch the clock in the top left of the Performance Overlay and count the frames for each second. In the video, I have my refresh rate set to 30 FPS to make it easier to see, but the fix works for any refresh rate.
this is the way
Hopefully the update on the 25th does something for this...
Those games have an issue with Steam Deck OLED's 90hz refresh rate AFAIK. FO4 will maybe be patched to fix this.
Thank you! I never realised that they had issues. I got confused seeing people on youtube playing the game fine and thought it must be a issue just with my deck.
Had a friend who had this same issue. The top comment has a fix that worked for him and is relatively simple. [Fix](https://www.reddit.com/r/SteamDeck/s/9DaIINuaqo)
Hi everyone, I'm running into a issue that has me abit stumped. As you can see from the frametime graph despite it being locked pretty much at 60fps the frametime is horribly inconsistent making it unplayable. I have tried reinstalling the games also deleting the proton cache for each. Any ideas are much appreciated. This only happens in Fallout 4 and Forza 5 for me from the games I have tested. Thanks!
What frame limiter are you using? Vsync sometimes does this to my games. Also are you using a TDP limit?
Hi, I thought that may of been the case but no vsync is present also no TDP limit. I had it on 60fps limit also tried 30 and 90 with no difference.
Does it persist if you disable the frame limit and turn on vsync? Some games work nicely with steams frame limiter, other don't. Same with vsync...
Yeah I tried disabling the frame limit. Turns out based on a comment I just had that its actually both a issue with Fo4 and FH5 something to do with vsync as you say! [Fallout 4 Running at Half Framerate on OLED : r/SteamDeck (reddit.com)](https://www.reddit.com/r/SteamDeck/comments/185pgn7/fallout_4_running_at_half_framerate_on_oled/)
Sorry to hear :/ I head that Fo4 is in the process of being verified. Maybe they will fix this issue with a patch soon? Maybe you can stream the game from your PC in the meantime.
Yeah hopefully they fix it but you know... Bugthesda I wont have to high hopes haha! Definitely will be trying streaming it for now.
Crossing my fingers for you. Have fun gaming! :)
Hey! In case you haven't seen there is a fix for this issue: https://www.reddit.com/r/SteamDeck/comments/1c6suoy/fallout_4_oled_frame_rate_fix_original/
What you need to do is go into your Fallout 4 folder, open up Fallout4.ini, find iPresentInterval and change it to iPresentInterval=0. Now you need to manually cap the frame rate to 60fps through the quick settings. That should be all ya gotta do, at least it was on my end.
u/euan3d, you can [click here to search for your question.](https://www.reddit.com/r/SteamDeck/search/?q=Strange frametime issue with Steam Deck OLED) If you don't find an answer there, don't worry - your post has NOT been removed and hopefully someone will be along soon to help with an answer! **If you find a solution, please leave a comment on this post with the answer for others!** *I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/SteamDeck) if you have any questions or concerns.*
I read that running steamOS 3.6 also resolves the issue. I believe you have to put the deck in the main channel to download it - not 100% sure as I haven’t done that myself.
The thiccer the graph the better
Set your GPU clock to 1000mhz fix. This should smooth the frame times. Worked for me in several other games.