Steam Deck - Ultra Battery

As an extra precaution, Valve recommends putting your Steam Deck into battery storage mode within the BIOS before starting any internal repairs. Read how to do that here.

During your repair, it can be helpful at times to lay the Steam Deck face-down into its case to protect the thumbsticks and prevent wobble.

Despite the standards, Phillips screwdrivers can vary in size and shape—two drivers labeled as the same size may fit differently in the same screw. Use the size that fits the snuggest into the screw head.

Throughout this repair, keep track of each screw and make sure it goes back exactly where it came from to avoid damaging your Steam Deck.

If you're having trouble inserting your pick at the grip seam, try starting at either the top or bottom long edges first, then slide the pick towards the grip.

Once the clips are disconnected from one edge, the rest disconnect easily.

If you have a refreshed Steam Deck version with the black motherboard cover, skip this step.

If possible, try not to rip or tear this tape so it can be reused. If necessary, you can fashion a replacement by cutting a piece of aluminum foil tape to fit.

Only the two 3.7 mm screws along the left edge are present in refreshed Steam Decks.

Depending on the age of your Steam Deck, this shield may stick to the thermal pads underneath.

Alternatively, use the flat end of a spudger or a clean fingernail to gently push the connector out of its socket, then disconnect it completely by hand.

With the SSD screw removed, the SSD will pop up at a shallow angle.

The SSD is wrapped in ESD shielding that will need to be transferred to the replacement SSD. Alternatively, replacement shielding can be found here.

The Steam Deck uses a single-sided M.2 2230.

Note: The Steam Deck's buttons, thumbsticks, and touchpads may not register inputs at first after re-imaging the SSD. Use the touchscreen to follow initial SteamOS setup, allowing the device to download updates. Functionality should return once the Steam Deck restarts.

The Steam Deck should power up, booting into the BIOS menu.

Within the BIOS, use the D-Pad to navigate and the A button to select.

Your Steam Deck should now power down into storage mode.

If you have a refreshed Steam Deck version with the black motherboard cover, skip this step.

If possible, try not to rip or tear this tape so it can be reused. If necessary, you can fashion a replacement by cutting a piece of aluminum foil tape to fit.

Only the two 3.7 mm screws along the left edge are present in refreshed Steam Decks.

Depending on the age of your Steam Deck, this shield may stick to the thermal pads underneath.

Alternatively, use the flat end of a spudger or a clean fingernail to gently push the connector out of its socket, then disconnect it completely by hand.

The right trigger will be on your left-hand side when working on the Steam Deck, as it's laying upside down.

The Steam Deck's triggers clip into place on two pegs on the trigger bracket, which doubles as the hinge.

Check to make sure that the trigger spring is properly aligned. Test the trigger action before continuing reassembly.

Take care to not lose the trigger spring. It press-fits onto a peg on the trigger's underside.

Grip the cable by the blue pull tab, not by the cable itself.

During reassembly, you may need to hold the Steam Deck off of the work surface so it isn't resting on the new thumbstick while you tighten down the screws.

Grip the cable by the blue pull tab, not by the cable itself.

Grip the cable by the blue pull tab, not by the cable itself.

Alternatively, you can leave the haptics connected to the button board and flip the board up and over the edge of the shell and out of the way.

Keep track of the quick access button and its membrane, as once the right button board is removed, they're no longer secured in place.

The bumper button clips into its bracket with plastic tabs.

Take care to not lose the button spring.