Steam Deck not turning on due to full storage

[bpphilly1]

I was downloading some emulation on the deck desktop, and I didn't realize I didn't have enough storage. It froze the screen, and when I try to restart the deck, it flashes a black screen on and off. Help please!

[✖️⁧⁧ Nervenkitzler]

1. Flash a microsd/usb c drive with the deck recovery image https://help.steampowered.com/en/faqs/view/1b71-edf2-eb6d-2bb3
   
   
2. Boot into that recovery image by placing your microsd/usb c into your deck, turning the deck off (hold power for at least 5 seconds) turning it back on while holding "volume minus", and selecting the deck recovery option (EFI USB Device, EFI SD Device).
   
   
3. Once booted in, find some crud to delete. The reason why your deck was sent into this state was because you overloaded it with files. I suggest deleting stuff from your downloads folders, or deleting some roms. Don't forget to empty your trash bin when you're done.
   
   
4. Poweroff your steam deck (hold power for at least 5 seconds) and remove your microsd/usb c drive. Press the power button and watch your steam deck boot normally.

Source: 2 sec of google

[class101 [OLED deck]]

Try to power on with

POWER BUTTON + QAM pressed (the button with 3 dots)

in the menu, select the previous backup of the os (it should be the second entry if I remember correctly)

If it boots to desktop I can tell you next direction to mount the current system to make free space to be able to boot again on the current os

[Clone303]

dam how low did you get in storage? less then a 1 GB? or less

[bpphilly1]

Originally posted by class101 deck:

Try to power on with

POWER BUTTON + QAM pressed (the button with 3 dots)

in the menu, select the previous backup of the os (it should be the second entry if I remember correctly)

If it boots to desktop I can tell you next direction to mount the current system to make free space to be able to boot again on the current os

I used part of this but just reset my entire deck, it took a few attempts to get onto the menu without it crashing, then wiped the whole deck and started from scratch. However, it worked, thank you!

[bpphilly1]

Originally posted by Clone303:

dam how low did you get in storage? less then a 1 GB? or less

Dolphin said 0GB, the deck just didn't stop the file extraction until it was completely unable to.

[class101 [OLED deck]]

That's cool :) I wasn't sure indeed that the mount part was necessary as I don't think they are backing up the full /home storage. I had to use mount here to access a file in the system /etc that resulted in a failure to boot, for this mount was necessary because the copy of the backup wasn't the offending one causing the failure, but the one from the current backup

That's a great way to recover from a mistake, that's a pity the method is not really documented and they are suggesting to buy external boot devices, image download just to recover from something you know to fix quick ....

[Clone303]

Originally posted by bpphilly1:

Originally posted by Clone303:

dam how low did you get in storage? less then a 1 GB? or less

Dolphin said 0GB, the deck just didn't stop the file extraction until it was completely unable to.

so less then a 1GB X/ just good to know

[class101 [OLED deck]]

I think one setting to watchout is System Setting > Startup and Shutdown > Background services > Make sure "Free Space Notifier" is checked here.

I don't know why but a few days ago, this settings was unchecked, but Startup and shutdown was displaying a orange circle icon as the setting has been changed but i never unchecked the warning myself

I don't think this Free Space Notifier anyway will work in game mode because most desktop services are not loaded but at least this gives the common reminder we used to see on normal computers

the setting must be on by default but for unknown reason , something changed it to off

[SeeGeeArtist]

Originally posted by class101 deck:

Try to power on with

POWER BUTTON + QAM pressed (the button with 3 dots)

LIFESAVER! Thank you!

[Majora]

Originally posted by class101 deck:

That's cool :) I wasn't sure indeed that the mount part was necessary as I don't think they are backing up the full /home storage. I had to use mount here to access a file in the system /etc that resulted in a failure to boot, for this mount was necessary because the copy of the backup wasn't the offending one causing the failure, but the one from the current backup

That's a great way to recover from a mistake, that's a pity the method is not really documented and they are suggesting to buy external boot devices, image download just to recover from something you know to fix quick ....

How do I mount the working system image? My deck keeps using the old broke one after a reboot

[KnightExcalibur]

Originally posted by class101 deck:

Try to power on with

POWER BUTTON + QAM pressed (the button with 3 dots)

in the menu, select the previous backup of the os (it should be the second entry if I remember correctly)

If it boots to desktop I can tell you next direction to mount the current system to make free space to be able to boot again on the current os

This saved me from having to go through the mess of making a boot drive, mounting, and manually deleting files to make room for the update. Valve should really lock the update until enough space is freed up so this problem doesn't occur. Anyway, much appreciated!

[class101 [OLED deck]]

Originally posted by Majora:

Originally posted by class101 deck:

That's cool :) I wasn't sure indeed that the mount part was necessary as I don't think they are backing up the full /home storage. I had to use mount here to access a file in the system /etc that resulted in a failure to boot, for this mount was necessary because the copy of the backup wasn't the offending one causing the failure, but the one from the current backup

That's a great way to recover from a mistake, that's a pity the method is not really documented and they are suggesting to buy external boot devices, image download just to recover from something you know to fix quick ....

How do I mount the working system image? My deck keeps using the old broke one after a reboot

Sorry didn’t seen your reply, btw thank you guys for the award I got the ping back to this.

I posted the complete instructions here : http://redd.it/yf6rsf

In case the link is down, It is titled “Steam Deck Recovery Instructions, without image/external boot device”

Enjoy 😉

To note that it is a Steam Deck guide I’m forced to post @ Reddit because we can’t post Guides in the Guide section of the Steam Deck hub from the official Steam Deck author

Peoples are creating one line guides in every game hubs they want but Big Brother decides on the Steam Deck hub special rules applies ✊

It is obvious this devices requires Guides and there is no reason to lock the posting of Steam guides

[Mako]

I need help got the same problem and I don't know what to do

[Mahjik]

Originally posted by Mako:

I need help got the same problem and I don't know what to do

If the above suggestions don't work, then use the Recovery Image. It boots to a SteamOS desktop (it doesn't just automatically start re-imaging your Deck). From there, you can jump to your internal SSD to remove space.

[Mako]

Do I start the deck holding 3 buttons + the power one cause u tried that and when I change to boot up in desktop all I get is this https://imgur.com/a/SwjBfCb