I have a problem with my deck, will I get a new one?

[Rei]

I've had my deck for about 2 months now.
Since I had it the left stick always made a sort of "click" or sticky sound when moved to the far right and let go of.
At first I thought it'd get resolved, simply by me using the deck for an extended time.

Now, two months later, still the same clicking sound and it gets really irritating.

The thing is, in those two months I've set my deck up with Emulators and a ton of roms, custom controls, folders and so on.
If I were to send the deck to steam to get the left stick fixed, will I get a completely new deck, or will they actually just repair this problem?
From what I've read, there's just a cable that's stuck around the stick, which causes this sticky feeling, so I'm not sure whether I should risk to maybe open it up myself, following a tutorial and just placing the cable correctly.

[Rei]

https://www.reddit.com/r/SteamDeck/comments/t7s8fi/crunchy_joystick_cause/
This would be the type of problem I'm having.
Apparently the one who posted that problem on Reddit was sent a completely new Deck. However I don't understand why they don't just replace the one stick. Wouldn't that be super simple and safe to do in the hands of a professional at valve?

[Man's Best Friend]

Originally posted by Rei:

https://www.reddit.com/r/SteamDeck/comments/t7s8fi/crunchy_joystick_cause/
This would be the type of problem I'm having.
Apparently the one who posted that problem on Reddit was sent a completely new Deck. However I don't understand why they don't just replace the one stick. Wouldn't that be super simple and safe to do in the hands of a professional at valve?

Turnaround time. It's faster (and easier) to just send out new decks for now, but in the future they'll be repairing the returned decks and probably sending them out as refurbished units to people who are further into their warranty period.

[Rei]

Originally posted by HTTP Error 418: I'm a teapot:

Originally posted by Rei:

https://www.reddit.com/r/SteamDeck/comments/t7s8fi/crunchy_joystick_cause/
This would be the type of problem I'm having.
Apparently the one who posted that problem on Reddit was sent a completely new Deck. However I don't understand why they don't just replace the one stick. Wouldn't that be super simple and safe to do in the hands of a professional at valve?

Turnaround time. It's faster (and easier) to just send out new decks for now, but in the future they'll be repairing the returned decks and probably sending them out as refurbished units to people who are further into their warranty period.

I can see that being the reason.
But for cases like mine it would be super easy to just replace the parts. And considering that so many people are waiting for their decks, wouldn't it be better to just use up a spare replacement stick for me, and a new deck for someone who ordered a new one?

I just wish I could somehow keep all the files and how they are set up if I were to get a new device.

[....]

This actually is an interresting topic. This could also be an issue with software Problems etc.

Is there an easy way to Backup your complete steamdeck?

[Rei]

Originally posted by ....:

This actually is an interresting topic. This could also be an issue with software Problems etc.

Is there an easy way to Backup your complete steamdeck?

Not as far as I'm aware of...
Since typing out this thread, I've remembered that I do have my Emulator stuff all on my SD Card, so it should be mostly saved, at least when it comes to my Roms and saves.
But I don't think a full backup of sorts is possible.

I'd wish that Valve would at least transfer all of my decks files onto the new one if they already decide to send a new one instead of swapping 1 stick.

[darrenphillips666]

And do you move the joystick to the left and let go for any other reason than to hear the click? Or is that how you game? 😂

[PopinFRESH]

Originally posted by ....:

This actually is an interresting topic. This could also be an issue with software Problems etc.

Is there an easy way to Backup your complete steamdeck?

That depends on your definition of "easy".

Yes, there are several linux tools that you can "easily" backup all of the user data from your deck to another storage device (dd, rsync, cp, etc.). However, if you aren't familiar with linux at all then it might not be what you consider "easy".

Also, you don't need a "complete" backup, the system files can/will get reimmaged and you can then put all your user files back in the same locations they were and you'll be fine.

@OP, from what I've seen as well as that link you've provided it seems the issue may be with the cap sense lead (for the capacitive touch on the thumbtacks). If that is all that the issue is you don't need to disconnect anything and it is fairly simple to fix.

Make sure to power off (don't just set it to sleep) the Deck. 8x screws on for the back cover, take off the back cover, 3x screws on the problem stick PCB, gently lift the PCB out and roll it over (alternatively you can disconnect the zif ribbon cable), gently pull the joystick cap straight up off the shaft and reposition the cap sense lead so it is not sticking or in the way of the stick movement. Place the cap back on the shaft (there is a detent so don't just cram it on there you need to find the correct orientation), then place the module back into the deck and fasten it back in.

At this juncture, I think you'll still get a replacement deck if you RMA yours because that is currently the most logistically feasible warranty process for Valve, regardless of what the actual issue is.

EDIT: Here is a video from The Phawx where he replaces the analog stick modules with 3rd party Hall effect based ones. The video covers all of the steps noted above and you can see the cap sense lead so you know what its supposed to look like.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vK2MjhWkpAM

[Rei]

Originally posted by darrenphillips666:

And do you move the joystick to the left and let go for any other reason than to hear the click? Or is that how you game? 😂

It's most easily to hear when I let go of it, but when moving it myself from right to center, it still makes that sound. As said, I dealt with this sound for 2 months, but it's getting really annoying.

[Rei]

Originally posted by PopinFRESH:

Originally posted by ....:

This actually is an interresting topic. This could also be an issue with software Problems etc.

Is there an easy way to Backup your complete steamdeck?

That depends on your definition of "easy".

Yes, there are several linux tools that you can "easily" backup all of the user data from your deck to another storage device (dd, rsync, cp, etc.). However, if you aren't familiar with linux at all then it might not be what you consider "easy".

Also, you don't need a "complete" backup, the system files can/will get reimmaged and you can then put all your user files back in the same locations they were and you'll be fine.

@OP, from what I've seen as well as that link you've provided it seems the issue may be with the cap sense lead (for the capacitive touch on the thumbtacks). If that is all that the issue is you don't need to disconnect anything and it is fairly simple to fix.

Make sure to power off (don't just set it to sleep) the Deck. 8x screws on for the back cover, take off the back cover, 3x screws on the problem stick PCB, gently lift the PCB out and roll it over (alternatively you can disconnect the ziff ribbon cable), gently pull the joystick cap straight up off the shaft and reposition the cap sense lead so it is not sticking or in the way of the stick movement. Place the cap back on the shaft (there is a detent so don't just cram it on there you need to find the correct orientation), then place the module back into the deck and fasten it back in.

At this juncture, I think you'll still get a replacement deck if you RMA yours because that is currently the most logistically feasible warranty process for Valve, regardless of what the actual issue is.

EDIT: Here is a video from The Phawx where he replaces the analog stick modules with 3rd party Hall effect based ones. The video covers all of the steps noted above and you can see the cap sense lead so you know what its supposed to look like.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vK2MjhWkpAM

Thanks for the comment and the video. I think the issue I have is the result of the placement of that red wire, but I couldn't say without opening up my deck.

I also have a protective glass on my decks screen from dBrand, so I assume I'd just lose that if I RMA by device...

[PopinFRESH]

Originally posted by Rei:

...I think the issue I have is the result of the placement of that red wire, but I couldn't say without opening up my deck.

I also have a protective glass on my decks screen from dBrand, so I assume I'd just lose that if I RMA by device...

Yeah that red wire is the capacitive touch sense lead. From what you're describing it seems like it is rubbing on the housing or it is incorrectly wrapped around the shaft and rubbing between the joy cap and the base of the joystick. Either way I'd be somewhat concerned that it will wear out the sleeving of the cable and eventually the capacitive touch will stop working on that stick (beyond the annoyance factor of the noise / stiffness). I would recommend either checking it out yourself if you're comfortable with what that video shows (other than the soldering since you don't need to do that), or I'd RMA it and expect Valve to replace the Deck.

Also AFAIK the dBrand tempered glass screen protectors come as a two pack so in theory you should have a second one to use if you do RMA your deck (unless you gave the 2nd one away). You can also remove it from your deck and try to place some protective film on it until you get your replacement and then reuse it, however, you're a lot more likely to have debris get under the glass and cause "bubbles".