Valve reversed a decision that would have left Steam Deck owners without a key replacement part. The company confirmed late Tuesday that iFixit will keep selling official batteries for the original LCD model after earlier reports indicated the part was being discontinued.
Valve and iFixit correct supply chain confusion
Earlier that day, iFixit CEO Kyle Wiens told reporters that Valve had stopped producing replacement batteries and screens for the Steam Deck LCD. The handheld gaming device launched in 2022 and was discontinued last December. Many owners were just starting to need repairs, making the timing especially frustrating.
By evening, Valve spokesperson Kaci Aitchison Boyle stated that iFixit would restock batteries by the following week. “iFixit will receive the same OEM parts sourced through Valve’s partners that they always have,” she said. Wiens later confirmed Valve had connected iFixit with a new supplier, resolving the shortage.
Wiens called Valve a “great partner” but noted the company may have underestimated demand. “If you misjudge the forecast, you either run out or spend too much on unused inventory,” he explained. The situation shows how difficult it is to predict repair needs for older hardware.
Had Valve discontinued the battery, iFixit planned to source aftermarket alternatives. “We will find a way to keep these parts available,” Wiens said. The company has used this approach for other devices, though third-party parts can differ in quality and compatibility.
Repair rules and technical hurdles
The Steam Deck LCD’s battery isn’t designed for easy user replacement. As iFixit’s 2022 teardown revealed, the battery is firmly glued into the frame, requiring careful removal to avoid damage or fire hazards. Valve’s designers had previously expressed dissatisfaction with the adhesive but cited design limitations at launch.
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Some speculated the battery’s potential discontinuation might relate to upcoming EU rules requiring user-replaceable batteries in new devices by 2027. Those regulations wouldn’t apply to the Steam Deck LCD since it’s no longer sold. Nintendo responded to similar rules by discontinuing the original Switch in Europe and releasing an updated version of the Switch 2 with a replaceable battery.
In the U.S., right-to-repair laws differ by state and typically exclude game consoles. Whether Valve could have classified the Steam Deck as a PC—subjecting it to different rules—remains unclear. The company hasn’t addressed the legal aspects of its repair policies.
The issue is now resolved. The episode highlights how quickly repair options can vanish, even for devices with strong community support. Wiens remains hopeful about future improvements, noting that electrically removable adhesives—currently too costly for mass production—could eventually make battery replacements safer and simpler. “By the time you need an aftermarket battery, it might even outperform the original,” he said.
The Steam Deck’s repair ecosystem stands out in an industry where manufacturers often limit part access. Valve’s quick reversal shows that user and advocate pressure can still influence outcomes, though the future of repairable devices remains uncertain.
Restocked batteries should appear on iFixit’s website within days.
