Steam Deck users now have another option to repair their handheld consoles.
Valve recently announced that its Steam Deck repair centers are now open to take repairs from Steam Deck users whose devices have been damaged or replace them if needed.
Steam Deck repair centers can repair Steam Decks for free if the device is still covered by its warranty or for a fee if it no longer is, though fixing it yourself is still a valid option if you choose, per The Verge.
Steam Deck Repair Center Opening Details
Valve mentioned in its announcement that its Steam Deck repair centers have recently been opened to help owners repair or replace their handheld consoles, regardless of whether the issue is technical or physical.
The popular digital game seller mentioned that once a faulty Steam Deck has arrived at the repair center, Valve's team will diagnose the device and repair it if needed. Afterward, the repair center will ship it back to its owner.
However, Valve didn't mention in its announcement if Steam Deck owners will cover the delivery cost from the repair center to get their device back.
Fortunately, repairs for issues covered by the device's warranty are free of charge, though issues outside of it require Steam Deck users to pay a fee if repairs are needed.
As a refresher, a Steam Deck's warranty will last one year from the date of shipment and only covers issues due to a defect in materials or workmanship, per Valve's Steam Support page.
As a result, Steam Deck owners with a device with an expired warranty will also be required to pay a fee for repairs.
Additionally, the warranty does not cover modified Steam Decks or devices that were repaired by anyone other than a Valve-designated service center.
Damages to the device due to misuse, improper maintenance, mishandling, or neglect will likewise not be covered by Valve's warranty.
One example that Valve gave about this section of the Steam Deck's warranty is when a dog chews on the device's thumbstick, breaking it. Accoring to Valve, the Steam Deck user in this scenario can contact Valve's support team and instruct them to ship their Steam Deck to its repair centers. In exchange for a fee, Valve will replace and calibrate the broken thumbstick, even when the device's warranty expires.
Valve will only consider users' Steam Decks for repair or replacement if users follow the return instructions Valve provided for obtaining warranty service.
How Much Is The Fee?
Valve didn't mention how much users should pay for reapirs on Steam Decks that had their warranty expired or if the issue is outside its coverage, though it is probably priced on a case-to-case basis.
Of couse, Steam Deck users can choose to repair their devices on their own, and they would be alright, according to Valve.
To make things easier for people choosing to reapir their devices by themselves, Valve has partnered with iFixit to sell nearly every part of the Steam, allowing them to repair any hardware issues apart from parts that iFixit doesn't have.
However, for those without the technical know-how to repair their Steam Deck on their own, the existence of a repair center gives them another option to continuously enjoy their handheld console.
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