Summary

  • Asus ROG Ally users are facing issues with the new Armory Crate update, which is causing endless loops and missing inputs.
  • Fix for ACSE 1.5 problems on ROG Ally: Reset Armory Crate SE settings in Windows 11 desktop mode.
  • Z1 Extreme version of ROG Ally experienced conflicts with ACSE 1.5 files, leading to issues like crashes and missing settings.

According to reports from multiple Asus ROG Ally users, the latest Armory Crate Special Edition 1.5 software update for the handheld gaming PC has been causing major issues. This revamped version of Asus' Armory Crate software was recently launched alongside the ROG Ally X, but it seems to have gone awry for owners of the original Asus ROG Ally.

Asus launched the ROG Ally X last year in response to Valve's highly popular Steam Deck handheld gaming PC. However, where the Steam Deck uses a specialized version of Linux as its operating system, the ROG Ally uses full-blown desktop Windows 11. Since it's not quite optimized for use in a handheld form, Asus provides ROG Ally users with its custom Armory Crate hub software which overlays onto Windows and makes the device much easier to use without a keyboard and mouse.

Everything You Need To Know About The ASUS ROG Ally X
Everything You Need To Know About The ASUS ROG Ally X

The ASUS ROG Ally X is the latest handheld to hit the gaming-on-the-go scene so here’s everything you need to know about it.

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To complement the recent launch of the refreshed ROG Ally X, Asus released an overhauled version of Armory Crate dubbed Special Edition 1.5. While reviews of the Asus ROG Ally X show that the ACSE 1.5 software works perfectly fine on the newer device, it appears that things are not going as smoothly for ROG Ally owners. Taking to the r/ROGAlly community on Reddit, users reported that installing the ACSE 1.5 firmware update on the ROG Ally results in endless install loops and missing inputs. Further investigation revealed that these issues have mostly been cropping up on the AMD Z1 Extreme versions of the ROG Ally.

How to Fix Armory Crate 1.5 Issues on Asus ROG Ally

  1. Locate the Armory Crate SE shortcut in the ROG Ally's Windows 11 desktop mode.
  2. Right-click on the logo.
  3. Click on "Settings" from the menu.
  4. Find the "Reset" prompt near the bottom of the menu and select it.
  5. Once complete, restart the device.

While owners of the cheaper Z1 variant of the Asus ROG Ally were largely unaffected, those that pointed out some other ancillary issues, such as AMD Radeon Super Resolution no longer working, TDP settings suddenly missing, constant crashes, and operating system modes being sluggish to switch around. The affected ROG Ally users surmised that these issues likely arose due to installation conflicts between ACSE 1.5 files and the previous Armory Core directory. Thankfully, a fairly straightforward fix was discovered and posted shortly after users started reporting the problems.

The ROG Ally's stronger Z1 Extreme chipset offers better performance than the Steam Deck in most cases, but the Asus handheld's reliance on Windows 11 does open up the possibility of users having to troubleshoot issues like these from time to time. Fortunately, the strong community behind the Asus ROG Ally banded together and figured out a solution rather quickly.

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ROG Ally
Asus ROG Ally
$473 $500 Save $27
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Dimensions
2 Speakers with Dolby Atmos
Playing Time
1.3-4+ hours
Brand
Asus
Weight
1.34 lbs
Chipset
AMD Ryzen Z1 / Z1 Extreme
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The Asus ROG Ally is the ultimate handheld system for PC gamers. Relying on the new AMD Ryzen Z1 series of processors, the ROG Ally can handle any game thrown at it. The 7-inch 1080p Full HD display with FreeSync Premium on the system provides gamers with a crystal clear and smooth gaming experience. The advantage of the ROG Ally is that it can run most Windows-compatible games and is compatible with Xbox Game Pass titles. It also comes with 3 months of Game Pass Ultimate. The ROG Ally also features an ergonomic design that makes gaming for long periods enjoyable.

Checkbox: control the expandable behavior of the extra info
RAM
16GB LPDDR5
Storage
512GB NVMe SSD (PCIe 4)
Wireless Connectivity
Wi-Fi, Bluetooth
Headset Compatibility
Wired, Wireless
Display
7-inch LED IPS
Output resolution
1080p
Graphics
2.8 GHz AMD RDNA 3
Ports
USB-C, Custom Asus PCIe Port
Battery
40Wh / 1.5 to 3 hours
$473 at Amazon $650 at Best Buy $650 at Asus