Tuesday, July 14th 2026
Valve Silently Discontinues Steam Deck LCD Spares at iFixit
When Valve launched the Steam Deck back in 2022, it generated a lot of positive publicity by partnering with iFixit to sell OEM replacement parts, but it seems as though that may be coming to an end, at least for the Steam Deck LCD. A recent Reddit post in r/SteamDeck showed a support email from iFixit explaining that the company would no longer stock the OEM replacement batteries for Valve's gaming handheld. The email states that the Steam Deck LCD batteries are out of stock and that "it is looking less likely that we will continue receiving OEM Steam Deck LCD batteries."
An iFixit representative later explained in a comment in the Reddit thread that "it's not that we're choosing to not stock these anymore. Unfortunately, Valve is just starting to sunset these parts." iFixit has, in both the original email and in the Reddit comment, confirmed that it is looking for alternatives to the OEM Steam Deck LCD battery. It seems as though the OLED Steam Deck model has not been impacted by Valve's decision, and the decision follows the recent discontinuation of the Steam Deck LCD in favor the OLED versions. Currently, there are alternatives on sites like Amazon, so it's likely a matter of time before iFixit is able to find an alternative.
As with most decisions like this, it has resulted in sizeable backlash online, with redditors accusing Valve of forced obsolescence, of abandoning its own product, and betraying much of the pro-repair messaging that surrounded the Steam Deck in its early days. Many also emphasized that the battery is a wear item that will inevitably need to be replaced, and that the LCD Steam Deck is at an age where batteries will need to start being replaced more frequently.
Source:
u/Zok-Felswyn on Reddit
An iFixit representative later explained in a comment in the Reddit thread that "it's not that we're choosing to not stock these anymore. Unfortunately, Valve is just starting to sunset these parts." iFixit has, in both the original email and in the Reddit comment, confirmed that it is looking for alternatives to the OEM Steam Deck LCD battery. It seems as though the OLED Steam Deck model has not been impacted by Valve's decision, and the decision follows the recent discontinuation of the Steam Deck LCD in favor the OLED versions. Currently, there are alternatives on sites like Amazon, so it's likely a matter of time before iFixit is able to find an alternative.
23 Comments on Valve Silently Discontinues Steam Deck LCD Spares at iFixit
i had to decline many smartphone repairs because of overpriced samsung / xiamoi parts.
4 years is not impressive. I had older boxes where i bought spare parts in the past.
I conclude avoid VALVE related hardware. no spare parts. when you advertise with ifixit, than you have to deal with it for a long time period, e.g 30 years or more.
i see it differently for 8€ computer mice etc, but this valve hardware costs more than 8€
one of my purchase factors are how available are spare parts, how much are those and how easy can they be obtained. or how modular are hardware to exchange certain parts when they are failing.
If the Steam Machine wasn't already a bad joke at its current price, this would make me even more hesitant to buy one.
Off to external power packs once the battery dies, I guess. :(
no one forbid valve to reuse their battery size and specification. there is no limitation for it.
what i hate the most, all those mobile crap, e.g. samsung do not reuse existing stuff like batteries, etc.
stupidty on samsung side as an example where i had more insight in repairs
For the injection molding parts we have now 3d printers. Did VALVE relesae all 3d drawing files in an open source format, wiht the software and all the 3d print files in common 3d printer files? A copyright still applies, still they could release those files for repairs.When you get similar effects as i had on the replacment lenovo laptop where both the internal and the second user replacement battery drain itself, very quick in less than 15 minutes, you wont can go around by using an external battery pack. lenovo had shit electronics inside.
the bosch battery back of my hoover which uses the bosch green series accu packs died quite fast in less than 3 years because of the high power draw. i am just saying some accu back die faster because of very high power draw. if it is a hoover, garden tool, a sander, driller etc,
I just realized, those are the "early adopter" problems. maybe some companies will establish themselves in that new market with proper software, hardware and spare part support.
I don't get the battery thing though, that shouldn't have been discontinued, or maybe that is just a rumor or something, but, batteries are trivial these days, even if those are more expensive as well
Planned obsolescence.
Because on the extreme end of this, I should be able to demand Sega a Z80 for my Genesis or Master System.
Bad for third party repair? Potentially, but so long as we know what cells the system expects and there is no DRM there is nothing stopping anyone from replicating the part. The custom sizes have not stopped anyone so far.How exactly do you plan to enforce copyright if you freely give the files out?
Also, 3d printing is not injection molding. There are limitations to printing and injection, just because you take the shape and make it a STL file does not mean you can successfully print the shape and have it function properly.Funny, our Lenovos at work dont drain themselves in 15 minutes. No laptop does, unless it has a bad battery cell.
high power draw wont kill a battery, so long as the battery is designed properly. There are many things that can kill a battery, like being stored at 100% capacity (which is why lithium iron phosphates are superior to lithium ion for tools) or being exposed to extreme temperatures.
My DeWalt shop vacuum has been successfully used with its 12 amp battery without issue for several years. My Greenworks mower and trimmer are going on year 9 with their batteries. Guess they just make a better product.
Sorry for being grim. I'm just fed up. The only solution I see is taking as little responsibility at work as possible, and to look for offline, and less technologically dependent hobbies.
Some sort of right of repair, warranty of one year for a repair and 10 year reasonable prices for spare parts may be the key points. Some statement claims the start line of those periods are the last time a product was made or sold.
I wait until the law is really in effect.
Some stuff was not worth repairing although i have the skills. I checked my lenovo notebook the serial numbers and the spare parts compared from 10 years ago are 250% inflated. When you repair stuff you know prices, waht is the common base price for a common component, regardless of the brand.
We have now 3€ extra parcel fees and in austria we get another 2.40€ parcel fee which makes around 6€ for parcels outside the european unition sold to austria and 2.40€ for parcels sold from the european unition to austria. The hole parcel fee kills for myself all the repairs economically. I had gains of 10€ per television set which is in the area of the shipping costs. Smartphones are also in teh same low money earned with lots of time and money involved.
I collect for over 30 years tools. When you factor in those special tools and skills i gained, hardly any repair is worth it when you start from scratch.
note: the eu future law about repairs, the periods etc, may be worth a news piece with locked comments on the home tab here.