Steam Deck repair centers are now open but users can still opt for a DIY fix

Valve announced the opening of repair centers for Steam Deck a few months after the first batch of handheld gaming PCs was shipped last February. Now, users will have an option to have their devices looked at by Valve’s repair staff if the issue is beyond their DIY skills.

“If you encounter an issue and need to send your Steam Deck for repair or replacement, devices will now go to one of our repair centers,” Valve said in the announcement post. “Once there, our team will diagnose the device, repair if needed, then ship the fixed unit back to you.”

As with most products, if Steam Deck issues are deemed to be covered by warranty, customers will not have to pay for the repair service. However, if Valve determines that the issue is not covered by the warranty, the owner will be contacted by the repair team to confirm if they want to have their unit fixed “for a fee.”

In most regions, product warranties are typically in place for a year from the date of purchase. The same goes for Steam Deck units sold in the United States.

Aside from the warranty period, there are other factors that determine if an issue is covered by the warranty. For example, Valve said, a Steam Deck that developed an intermittent button issue could be fixed in Valve's repair centers for free. But if the unit is damaged because the owner’s “dog gnaws on your thumbstick and breaks it,” they will have to pay a fee to have it fixed at one of the repair centers.

Valve reiterated that out-of-warranty fixes through their repair centers are optional. If the Steam Deck owner does not want to proceed with this option, Valve will send the unit back to the customer.

One of the things that Valve customers appreciate is the company’s support for self-repairs. While Valve has already established Steam Deck repair centers, the company has also put up comprehensive DIY repair guides through iFixit. Each guide contains the step-by-step repair process, the tools needed, and links where replacement parts can be purchased.