Use this guide to replace or upgrade the SSD in your Steam Deck OLED. The Steam Deck OLED's SSD is a single-sided M.2 2230.
Remember to follow general [[ESD|electrostatic discharge (ESD) safety procedures|new_window=true]] while repairing your device.
These steps only describe how to physically remove and replace your SSD. You will need additional software tools and procedures to install an OS and get the replacement SSD to function as intended.
Follow Valve's [link|https://help.steampowered.com/en/faqs/view/1b71-edf2-eb6d-2bb3|Steam Deck recovery instructions] to recover, repair, or re-image your Steam Deck's SSD with SteamOS. For installing Windows, official resources can be found [link|https://help.steampowered.com/en/faqs/view/6121-ECCD-D643-BAA8|here].
Prepare your Steam Deck for disassembly
⚠️ Caution: Turn on your Steam Deck and allow the battery to discharge below 25% before starting your repairs, as a charged lithium-ion polymer battery can be dangerous if accidentally punctured.
💡 Note: As an extra precaution, Valve recommends putting your Steam Deck into battery storage mode within the BIOS before starting any internal repairs. [guide|149962|Read how to do that here|new_window=true].
Power down your Steam Deck and unplug any cables.
⚠️ Caution: If you have a microSD card installed, make sure to remove it before opening the Steam Deck. If you attempt to remove the back cover with it still installed, [post|744361|it could snap right in half|new_window=true].
💡 Note: During your repair, it can be helpful at times to lay the Steam Deck face-down in its case to protect the thumbsticks and prevent wobble.
Remove the back cover screws
Use a T6 Torx driver to remove the eight 5.8 mm‑long screws securing the back cover.
💡 Note: Throughout this repair, [product|IF145-491|keep track of each screw|new_window=true] and make sure it goes back exactly where it came from.
Unclip a handle
Insert an opening pick at an upward angle between the back cover and the front shell near one of the triggers.
💡 Note: If you can't insert your pick here, try along the top or bottom edges of the Steam Deck OLED before sliding it toward the handle.
Slide your pick along the edge of the handle to release the [link|https://guide-images.cdn.ifixit.com/igi/GIpbL5LPJJAZTqSR.huge|clips securing it to the front shell|new_window=true].
Unclip the top and bottom edges
Reinsert your pick and slide it along the top and bottom edges until the back cover feels loose.
Remove the back cover
Grip the unclipped handle and pull it away from the front shell to release the remaining clips.
Remove the back cover.
Disconnect the battery
Grip the battery cable pull tab, located to the left of the battery.
Firmly pull the battery cable straight away from the motherboard shield (toward the battery) to disconnect it.
💡 Note: This [guide|25629|bundled cable|stepid=64977|new_window=true] is fairly stiff. If you're having trouble, re-grip the pull tab close to the head of the connector and gently walk it side-to-side as you pull.
💡 Note: If the cable pull-tab feels fragile or rips during this process, [guide|169164|remove the motherboard shield|stepid=358628|new_window=true] and disconnect the cable using a spudger.
💡 Note: When the battery cable comes free, it might [link|https://guide-images.cdn.ifixit.com/igi/yrxfr1jnPBECKXAE.huge|push up on the motherboard shield|new_window=true]. Don't worry, as this won't damage anything.
Disconnect the right button board
Use a spudger to flip up the small white locking flap on the right button board interconnect cable [guide|25629|ZIF connector|stepid=64969|new_window=true].
Use [product|IF145-020|tweezers] or your fingers to grip the cable's pull tab and slide it straight out of its socket to disconnect it.
💡 Note: The pull tab may be labelled C‑R.
Separate the cable adhesive
💡 Note: The interconnect cable is adhered to the motherboard shield.
Insert an opening pick between the interconnect cable and the motherboard shield.
⚠️ Caution: Be careful not to crease or tear the cable.
💡 Note: If you're having trouble inserting a pick, lightly heat the cable using an [link|https://guide-images.cdn.ifixit.com/igi/vYwEmc1jZjEsgZEF.huge|iOpener|new_window=true] or a [link|https://guide-images.cdn.ifixit.com/igi/GYiIfpQtjJ3uskid.huge|hair dryer|new_window=true].
Slide your pick along the shield to separate the cable.
Move the interconnect cable
💡 Note: During the rest of the repair, it may be helpful to move the interconnect cable over the battery and out of the way of the motherboard shield.
⚠️ Caution: Be careful not to crease or strain the cable, as it's still adhered to the battery.
Tape the cable in place away from the motherboard shield.
Remove the motherboard shield screws
Use your T6 Torx driver to remove the two 3.8 mm‑long screws securing the top left and bottom left corners of the motherboard shield.
Remove the motherboard shield
If the speaker cable is taped to the bottom edge of the motherboard shield, gently peel it off.
Remove the motherboard shield.
Reassembly instructions
💡 Note: During reassembly, use the flat end of a spudger to slide the battery connector into its socket on the motherboard.
Remove the SSD screw
Use your T6 Torx driver to remove the 3.3 mm‑long screw securing the SSD.
💡 Note: The SSD will pop up to a slight angle as you remove the screw.
Remove the SSD
Grip the end of the SSD and pull it away from its M.2 board connector to remove it.
Remove the SSD.
💡 Note: During reassembly, insert the SSD at a slight angle into its socket and hold it against its screw post as you install its screw.
Remove the SSD shielding
💡 Note: The SSD is wrapped in ESD shielding. Take care to keep the shielding in good condition, as you'll need to transfer it to your replacement SSD.
Slide the shielding off the SSD.
If the shielding feels stuck, [link|https://guide-images.cdn.ifixit.com/igi/pKoGLGwMEZOhhhrF.huge|peel the shielding off and remove it|new_window=true]. Take care to keep it in the best condition possible if you want to reuse it.
Only the SSD remains.
💡 Note: The Steam Deck OLED uses a single-sided M.2 2230.
💡 Note: To recover, repair, or re-image your SSD, follow Valve's [link|https://help.steampowered.com/en/faqs/view/1b71-edf2-eb6d-2bb3|Steam Deck recovery instructions|new_window=true].
To reassemble your device, follow these instructions in reverse order.
To recover, repair, or re-image your Steam Deck OLED's SSD with SteamOS, follow Valve's [link|https://help.steampowered.com/en/faqs/view/1b71-edf2-eb6d-2bb3|Steam Deck recovery instructions].
Take your e-waste to an [[E-Waste|R2 or e-Stewards certified recycler|new_window=true]].
Repair didn’t go as planned? Try some [[Troubleshooting Problems After a Repair|basic troubleshooting]], or ask our [link|https://www.ifixit.com/Answers/Device/Steam%20Deck%20OLED|Steam Deck OLED answers community] for help.