Official LCD Steam Deck batteries may soon disappear from sale
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Valve is beginning to phase out official replacement batteries for the original LCD Steam Deck, meaning owners of ageing units may soon have to rely on third-party aftermarket parts to fix worn-out batteries. This matters because the LCD model, Valve's first handheld PC, has been on the market since 2022 and many units are now old enough that their batteries are degrading, so losing access to genuine replacements could push owners towards less reliable or unofficial repair options.
The change was flagged after official battery stock for the LCD Steam Deck started becoming harder to find through Valve's usual repair channels, with commentators noting that Valve appears to be winding down support for these components as it focuses on newer hardware, including the OLED Steam Deck. Aftermarket suppliers already offer compatible batteries, but these typically lack the same warranty backing and quality assurance as Valve's own parts, raising concerns for the right-to-repair community about long-term support for the original device.
- Valve may be discontinuing official LCD Steam Deck battery replacements.
- Aftermarket batteries could become the only repair option.
- Raises concerns over long-term support for the original Steam Deck.
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The Steam Deck is a handheld games computer made by Valve, the company behind the Steam online games store. The original version has an LCD screen and was released in 2022, while a newer model with an OLED screen has since been introduced.
Like other rechargeable devices, its battery gradually holds less charge as it ages. Replacing it can extend the useful life of the device, but this requires a suitable battery and some repair work.
Official replacement parts are made or approved by Valve and are usually sold through its repair partners. Third-party parts are made by other companies; they may be cheaper or easier to find, but can vary in quality and may not have the same warranty or support.
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Originally published by PC Gamer as “‘Unfortunately, Valve is just starting to sunset these parts’: Aftermarket battery replacements may soon be only option for LCD Steam Deck”.