I usually don't have to do this at all, but this is my system for the rare hiccups, in order.
- ProtonDB
- Are they using an incompatible anticheat?
- Different proton (usually one a few versions behind esp if it's an old game, maybe GE, more than that isn't useful)
- Verify installed files through steam
- Make sure my mod load order isn't crap (if applicable)
.
- Check if the game launcher actually points to the correctly named file + rename / change the exe if not (usually this gives an error box saying the file is not present)
- Uninstall + reinstall (esp if previously worked)
- Broad internet search for game + linux distro
- Launch options I've used for other games (PROTON_USE_WINED3D11=1 often is my first tried)
.
- Protontricks, tell it to use a different version of windows
- Uninstall DLC, launch vanilla once, reinstall DLC (yes this has worked more than once for various weird issues, no i don't know why)
- Backup personal data files, + delete all installed files / workshop files + verify installed files again
- Wait for someone smarter than me to figure it out / a system update that addresses it / new proton and check in a few months
i went to a parade and it knocked me out for a week :(
(did not help i had random little kids bonking into my camping fabric chair the entire time on a touchy-no-good day)