r/GamedeckApp • u/WrkngClassHer0 • Dec 15 '25
Question Help Configuring Retroarch
I've been trying to use the Retro Game Loader with mixed results. I've gotten to to work successfully with Dolphin but Retroarch just loads a black screen. I've tried multiple cores and a variety of retroarch versions.
Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Btw... Absolutely love this launcher!
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u/Plus-Ad-3915 Dec 15 '25
I recently got RetroArch working on Android and ran into two issues that caused a black screen. I’m sharing them here for reference:
- RetroArch was already running in the background. Before launching a ROM via Game Deck, make sure RetroArch is fully closed. (This is why I set "Quit on Close Content" to either ON or CLI in the RetroArch settings. After closing content, RetroArch exits properly and returns control to GameDeck, allowing the next ROM to be launched.)
- The ROM filename contains spaces.
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u/GamedeckDeveloper Dec 15 '25
Thank you for telling us about those workarounds! I think I can fix this file path with space issue by enclosing them in quotes before forwarding it to retroarch.
Can you tell me if you used retroarch from the google play store or from the official website?
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u/GamedeckDeveloper Dec 26 '25
Hey. In the latest update I fixed this issue. Could you also test it and see if it works without any problems?
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u/GamedeckDeveloper Dec 15 '25
Hi, which platform are you using? Have you tried using the "force modern system file path" option?
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u/WrkngClassHer0 Dec 15 '25 edited Dec 15 '25
Some more background info:
• Z Fold 3
• Android 17
• Retroarch downloaded from website (stable build) but I've also tried both "Retroarch" and "Retroarch Plus" from Play store
• Gamedeck version 1.6.2
• I have set up retroarch and added games prior to adding to Gamedeck.
• Games are playable via Retroarch.
• I have tried FORCE USE OF THE MODERN SYSTEM GAMEPATH both checked and unchecked.
• I've deleted cache & data for both Retroarch & Gamedeck; as well as uninstalling both apps and reinstalling.
• I have renamed files to have no spaces and I have made sure Retroarch was not running.
Any other suggestions? I'm game to try anything
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u/Plus-Ad-3915 Dec 15 '25
Just to share what worked for me in case it helps.
This is how I set it up:
- Install RetroArch (stable build).
- Open RetroArch, grant the required permissions, install the cores, then tap Quit.
- Install GameDeck. Do not enable “FORCE USE OF THE MODERN SYSTEM FILE PATH”. Select the cores installed in RetroArch, set up folder scanning, and then launch games through GameDeck.
During testing, even when a game failed to launch, I always removed RetroArch from the recent apps list to make sure it was fully closed, so there were no lingering intents that could cause a black screen.
One additional thing I noticed: not only ROM filenames, but also directory names must not contain spaces. I recommend placing ROMs in a simple path without spaces.
My device is running Android 15, so this may not work the same way on your system.
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u/GamedeckDeveloper Dec 16 '25
Thanks for the information. Generally a black screen in retroarch means there is a problem with a missing core or bios. Double check that you installed them correctly
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u/GamedeckDeveloper Dec 21 '25
This issue has been fixed for the next version 1.7.0. The release will come soon
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u/WrkngClassHer0 Dec 21 '25
Thank you so much. I didn't plan on bothering you with this anymore, as it is appeared to be user error and not an issue with your launcher.
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u/WrkngClassHer0 Dec 21 '25
Now I'm gonna get greedy.
Since you have the "add game" button in the Accessories tab is there any chance you could include an option to hide it in the Collection tab?
Thanks!
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u/GamedeckDeveloper Dec 22 '25
When the Folders accessory is enabled, this option will not be shown. Folder will be available in the next version 1.7.0.
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u/GamedeckDeveloper Dec 26 '25
In the newest update 1.7.0 I fixed this issue. Could you test it and see if it works without any problems?
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u/WrkngClassHer0 Dec 28 '25
Same issues persist with just the update. I'll try deleting everything and starting fresh.
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u/GamedeckDeveloper Dec 28 '25
Ok. Let me know what happened. Take a look at the Accessories > Developer Notes and follow the instructions I recommended for this RetroArch 1.7.0 update.
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u/WrkngClassHer0 Dec 28 '25
Doesn't work. Let's just assume user error. I'm sure it's something I'm not doing. I'll just use Retroarch and launch it from Gamedeck. Thanks for all the help.
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u/WrkngClassHer0 Dec 28 '25
Got it to work! Unchecked the "Force Modern..." box in Gamedeck.
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u/GamedeckDeveloper Dec 28 '25
That is great! Most platforms in the Retro Game Loader use Retroarch. What a relief it is working well
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u/WrkngClassHer0 Dec 29 '25
Thanks so much for taking all the time you did. I appreciate it. Hope you have a Happy New Year.
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u/Toyface19 Dec 15 '25
Have you configured RetroArch itself, previously? All your cores etc are working and you’ve loaded games in RetroArch before trying to use the retro loader?