Troubleshooting Steam Deck: 12 Solutions If It Won’t Power On!

2024/10/26

The Valve Steam Deck stands out as an outstanding portable device for experiencing PC-quality gaming on the go. Not only does it come equipped with Steam OS, but you also have the freedom to install any operating system you prefer. However, it can be frustrating to encounter a situation where your Steam Deck fails to power on. Don’t worry; a variety of troubleshooting techniques can help you resolve this issue. Follow this guide to restore functionality to your Steam Deck.

Many solutions are straightforward, except if you need to reinstall SteamOS. We’ve included the necessary steps for that scenario as well. Let’s dive in!

Your Steam Deck may not turn on for various reasons, potentially relating to the battery, hardware, or even software. Below are troubleshooting methods you can try to revive your Steam Deck.

Symptoms of Steam Deck Issues

If your Steam Deck is not operational, you might observe one or more of the following symptoms:

Inability to turn on after an update installation
A blinking white light appears, yet the Steam Deck will not power on
The device emits beeping sounds but fails to start
It remains unresponsive unless plugged in
The fans spin, but the device still won’t switch on

How to Troubleshoot a Non-Responsive Steam Deck

If you find yourself with a Steam Deck that won’t power on and exhibits any of the mentioned issues, you’re in the right place. Let’s explore both basic and advanced troubleshooting techniques.

Force Start the Steam Deck

Should your Steam Deck be entirely drained for a long time, it may refuse to turn on right away. In that case, connect the power to the device before attempting to power it on. The approach differs slightly between the LCD and OLED models.

For the LCD model, plug in the power cable, wait for a few moments, then press and hold the power button. In contrast, for the OLED model, connect the charger and hold the power button for approximately 7 seconds. A few moments later, the Steam Deck should power on as intended, as prolonged inactivity can cause it to enter a deep battery-saving mode.

Perform a Hard Reboot

A hard reboot is one of the most effective solutions for fixing software glitches. This process helps eliminate any minor issues. For the LCD model, plug it in and press the power button for about 10 seconds. If you’re using the OLED version, hold down the power button for 16 seconds.

A forceful reboot of the Steam Deck should usually prompt it to turn on successfully.

Inspect Charging Cables and Adapters

Try a Different 45W Charger

If you observe that the charging indicator on your Steam Deck is flickering or not lighting up at all, consider switching to another power adapter. Ensure you are using a reputable 45W charger, as using underpowered chargers can lead to ineffective charging or no charging at all.

Another way to compel your Steam Deck to start is by booting it into the BIOS Menu. Follow the steps below to enter the BIOS:

Press and hold the Volume Up and Power buttons until you hear a brief audio alert.
Release both buttons after the alert sounds.
The BIOS Menu should now be displayed on your screen.
Under the EFI Boot Devices, find the SteamOS Boot option. Highlight it and select Continue.
This will help circumvent any issues during the SteamOS boot process.

Inspect for Stuck Power Button

Over time, dust and dirt can accumulate on electronic devices, including the Steam Deck. It’s essential to keep your device clean. If you suspect the power button is stuck, use a clean cloth to wipe away visible dirt. A small pin or SIM ejector tool can help dislodge debris around the button. After cleaning, try powering on the Steam Deck; it should work normally.

Detach from Docking Station

Several users have noted that their Steam Deck would fail to power on despite the power light being illuminated. If this is your case, disconnect the device from its Dock and hold the power button for exactly 15 seconds. After releasing the button, wait 5 seconds before pressing and holding it again for another 15 seconds, potentially prompting the Steam Deck to power on automatically.

Reseat the Steam Deck’s Battery

Occasionally, a software update may alter how the battery is detected. This is an unlikely occurrence, but in such cases, disassemble the Steam Deck to disconnect and then reconnect the battery. You can find comprehensive instructions for removing the battery from both LCD and OLED models on iFixit.

If your Steam Deck only powers on while connected to a charger, it may indicate a weak battery needing charging. Alternatively, it could result from swapping the SSD for a higher capacity one. Here’s how to enable battery storage:

Press the Volume Up and Power buttons to enter the BIOS Menu.
Select the Setup Utility option using the D-Pad.
Navigate to the Power Menu and select it.
Enable the Battery Storage Mode option.
Disconnect the device from power, wait a moment, then reconnect.
Now attempt to boot the Steam Deck without being plugged in.
If the battery has been fully drained, charge it for about 10 minutes before turning it on.

If your Steam Deck fails to turn on but can access the BIOS Menu, let it drain the battery while on that screen. After fully discharging the battery, connect it to a power source and try to power on the device normally.

Reformat or Reimage Your Steam Deck

If previous solutions have not resolved the issue, even if you can access the BIOS or hear sounds from your device, a factory reset might be your only remaining option. To create a bootable recovery for SteamOS, you will need a computer with Windows or Linux, a USB drive, and either Rufus or Balena Etcher.

Download your preferred USB recovery tool, such as Rufus or Balena Etcher, on your computer.
Go to the Steam Deck recovery page to acquire the recovery ISO file.
Connect your USB drive (at least 8GB) and utilize the recovery tool to create a bootable drive.
Insert the recovery drive into the Steam Deck using a USB Type-C adapter.
Press the Volume Up and Power buttons simultaneously.
When the Boot Menu appears, select the USB device.
Your Steam Deck will begin booting from the USB drive.
After a few moments, the Steam Desktop screen will show up.
Double-tap the Reimage Steam Deck icon to initiate the format and reinstallation process for SteamOS on your device.

Contact Valve for Repairs

If all else fails, your best recourse is to reach out to Valve for repair or replacement options for your Steam Deck.

Key Reminders

Keep your Steam Deck’s software updated.
Always use a 45W charging brick for optimal charging.
Maintain a 50% battery charge if the device will not be used for an extended period.
Charge your device periodically if it’s being stored for a long time.
Ensure that the charging port is clean and free from dust.
Back up your save files to avoid losing any progress during a reset.

Final Thoughts

If you’ve exhausted all options without success, turning to Valve Customer Support is your best chance for fixing your Steam Deck.

If you have additional tips or strategies that helped you power on your Steam Deck, please share your insights below.

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