Config

Deadlock Launch Options: What They Do & Which to Use

How to set launch options, which ones actually help, and which to skip.

By !backz · updated 6/9/2026

Deadlock Launch Options

What are launch options?

Launch options are parameters passed to Deadlock when the game starts. They let you set the graphics API, enable the console, load a custom config, and more.

How to set them

1.Open Steam -> Library.

2.Right-click Deadlock -> Properties.

3.Go to the General tab -> Launch Options field.

4.Type your options there, separated by spaces, e.g.:


-console -vulkan +fps_max 240

5.Close the window and launch the game. Done.

The useful options

•-console -> Enables the developer console (open it with ~). Required if you want to use console commands.

•-vulkan -> Starts with the Vulkan API (default). Usually the best performance.

•-dx11 -> Starts with DirectX 11. Well-known fix for stuttering and crashes, especially on some AMD cards.

•-high -> Launches Deadlock with high CPU priority. Can slightly stabilize FPS on some systems.

•+fps_max <number> -> Caps the framerate, e.g. +fps_max 240. Tip: set it a bit above your monitor's Hz. (Also available in the video settings.)

•-exec autoexec -> Runs a custom autoexec.cfg at startup (see below).

•-fullscreen / -windowed (also -window) -> Forces fullscreen or windowed mode.

•-w <width> -h <height> -> Sets the resolution, e.g. -w 1920 -h 1080.

•-nojoy -> Disables controller/joystick support, frees a little RAM.

•-language english -> Forces a language (e.g. english, german).

•SteamDeck=0 %command% -> Forces normal PC mode on the Steam Deck instead of the Deck layout.

Loading your own commands automatically (autoexec)

If you want the same console commands to run every time you start:

1.Add this to your launch options:


-exec autoexec

2.In Steam: right-click Deadlock -> Manage -> Browse Local Files.

3.Go into the game -> citadel -> cfg folder.

4.Create a new file called autoexec.cfg.

5.Write your commands inside, e.g.:


fps_max 240
fps_max_ui 120
rate 1000000

6.Save. These commands now run automatically on every launch.

Watch out: options that do NOTHING in Deadlock

You'll often find huge launch-option strings copied from CS2 or Dota 2. A lot of it has no effect in Deadlock or is outdated:

•-tickrate 128 -> Tickrate is server-side; the launch option does nothing.

•+cl_interp 0, +cl_interp_ratio 1, +cl_updaterate, +cl_cmdrate -> Netcode is controlled server-side.

•-dxlevel 90, -d3d9ex / -nod3d9ex -> DX9-era stuff from old Source games, irrelevant for Source 2.

•-freq / -refresh -> Better handled by Windows / in-game settings.

•-threads <number> -> The engine distributes threads itself; setting it manually can even hurt.

Rule of thumb: Less is more. Only use options whose effect you actually understand.

Recommended starting point

A lean, sensible combo for most people:


-console -vulkan +fps_max 240

If you get stuttering or crashes, try DX11 instead:


-console -dx11 +fps_max 240

Community guide · always back up your config files before editing.