Steam Deck SSD Swap, what you need, replacement process, and post replacement battery issues

[Joseph Joestar]

I recently upgraded the SSD from my 64 GB to a 2 TB SSD and figured I would make a post here for anyone who doesn't know what tools they need to tackle this daunting task. And for anyone with the same weird battery issues as me post-SSD swap.

First, let's talk SSD purchase:
As far as which brand of SSDs to get, the Corsair and Sabrent SSDs are the fastest and best bang for your buck SSDs. If you want a comparison video, this one from Techesters is really good: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qeK2F0zmSRo&t=497s&ab_channel=Techtesters.
I personally opted for the Sabrent 2 TB SSD as it was on a huge sale when I bought it.


What you need:

Screw mat (There are 12 screws of varying sizes in total, so a mat to keep them separated is very helpful): https://www.amazon.com/Kaisi-Insulation-Maintenance-Electronics-Workbench/dp/B073RFB6BX/ref=sr_1_6?crid=1JR4XGILGX07C&keywords=screw%2Bmats%2Bfor%2Bscrews&qid=1691543767&sprefix=screw%2Bmats%2Bfor%2Bscrews%2Caps%2C139&sr=8-6&th=1

Copper SSD heatsink + screwdriver, pry tools, and EXTRA SCREWS!
Especially if you are going for a big SSD, I've seen lots of comments elsewhere talking about how the copper heatsink absorbs way more heat than the default aluminum one, which keeps the device running much cooler in the hands. I haven't tested the larger SSD with the default aluminum wrap, but you might as well make the swap.
I've also seen many comments (including my own deck) where Valve puts a screw in too tight on the case and strips it. Replacement screws like the ones in this kit is a must have. It also comes with a magnetic Phillips head screwdriver that fits all the screws and 2 pry tools to get the case off. For $10, this is a must have for a SSD replacement
https://www.amazon.com/Steam-Deck-SSD-Heatsink-Thermal/dp/B0C1BQVZW2/ref=sr_1_1_sspa?crid=2PUBE3Z1DV9S4&keywords=stream+deck+copper+heatsink&qid=1691543882&sprefix=steam+deck+copper%2Caps%2C153&sr=8-1-spons&sp_csd=d2lkZ2V0TmFtZT1zcF9hdGY&psc=1

For stripped screws, PLEASE use ones drill attachment ones like this one from Nuovoware. If your deck comes from Valve with a tight, stripped screw, this is the best tool. I bought those Moody "screw extractor" screwdrivers and none of them are sized for the Steam Deck leading to a waste of a lot of money. I believe my spouse used DR and EX # 9 to get it out (I got too frustrated), a tip they gave me was to put the drill in reverse and go HARD to pull the screw out. It ruins it but you have replacements from the copper heatsink kit I recommended above.
Nuovoware extractor bits kit link: https://www.amazon.com/Nuovoware-Extractor-Stripped-All-purpose-Extension/dp/B08XXP1SD9/ref=sr_1_2_sspa?crid=3PHNHTK8XKIB3&keywords=drill%2Bscrew%2Bextractor&qid=1691544550&sprefix=drill%2Bscrew%2Bextractor%2Caps%2C143&sr=8-2-spons&sp_csd=d2lkZ2V0TmFtZT1zcF9hdGY&th=1


Optional:
You can also use an electric screwdriver, I used the PH00 drill bit for all of the screws from my HOTO electric screwdriver: https://www.amazon.com/HOTO-Screwdriver-Precision-Rechargeable-Electronics/dp/B09MR5HFPB/ref=sr_1_7?crid=S4Y9TSI37G1R&keywords=hoto+magnetic+screwdriver&qid=1691544281&sprefix=hoto+magnetic+screwdriver%2Caps%2C152&sr=8-7

A pry Jimmy is super helpful if you prefer a nice pry tool with a grip. It's also necessary if you don't get the copper heatsink kit above. I love this one from iFixIt: https://www.amazon.com/iFixit-Jimmy-Electronics-Opening-Tool/dp/B00NCFIVH4/ref=sr_1_1_sspa?crid=1R0GO62C39TFK&keywords=ifixit+jimmy&qid=1691544401&sprefix=ifixit+j%2Caps%2C156&sr=8-1-spons&sp_csd=d2lkZ2V0TmFtZT1zcF9hdGY&psc=1


Some pre-swap requirements:
Make sure to remove your SD card if you have one to avoid snapping it in half when taking the case off. Also put your deck into battery storage mode as recommended, just to be safe. (To disable the battery storage mode, you just plug it into the charger or dock after the swap). To do this, please follow the official Valve guide from iFixIt here: https://www.ifixit.com/Guide/How+to+Enable+Battery+Storage+Mode/149962


Swap time! I mostly used this video from Sabrent for the physical swap: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OFlE4yAtEDo&t=111s&ab_channel=SABRENTUSAOfficial

Reimaging the SSD from scratch is what I opted to do. This video from Game Tech Planet was a lifesaver: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IK_5Rwtp9sQ&ab_channel=GameTechPlanet
If you're like me and don't have a flash drive lying around for 2:27 in the video, I used Rufus to put my image on an unused SD card which I put into a USB SD card reader and plugged into the dock to reimage my deck.
While I normally use BalenaEtcher for flashing firmware (from my Win11 PC), it sat at 0% for 45+ minutes. But when I got Rufus, it only took 15-20 minutes to flash the image onto my SD card.

For anyone wanting to put their current drive as an image onto your replacement SSD, this guide from Wuff Den is really great: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hOZ0jxg5xtc&t=373s&ab_channel=WULFFDEN

And now your SSD swap is complete! Now for the post-swap battery issue I ran into after my swap.
I had an issue after the reimage where my steam deck would just instantly shut off if I unplugged it from the dock or cable. The charging light was lit and it booted, so I knew it had power. I spent hours trying to figure out what the issue was. I ended up enabling the "Show battery percentage" radio button from the steam deck settings, but no battery icon ever showed up at the top no matter how many reboots I did or how long I kept it on the charger (I left it plugged in for ~20 hours), and STILL no difference.

I ended up coming to the conclusion that since I only had this issue after doing the swap that I must have reconnected the battery wrong. And sure enough, popping my deck back open revealed the battery cable was mostly pushed in, and with some wiggling and muscle, I was able to get the battery cable completely flush to the connector. I put the deck back together and booting the deck back up revealed the battery icon at 20% and charging!

I hope this guide helps anyone struggling with their SSD swap, or at least saves people money on tools that won't work on the Steam Deck. Thanks for reading!

[pnmorris513]

Oh god I hope that's all the issue is. I just swapped the drive and am experiencing the same issue. I thought I had it pushed it all the way in but hoping thats it. I can't really RMA it since I have also done the shell swap..

[Joseph Joestar]

Was that the solution to your problem? If not, what was it?