Overview
- Messages from iFixit posted Wednesday showed customers being told LCD Steam Deck batteries were out of stock and that Valve was "starting to sunset" replacement parts.
- Hours later, Valve told The Verge it had arranged OEM batteries through its partners and that iFixit should have stock again within about a week.
- iFixit’s CEO said the company initially believed Valve would stop supplying parts but that a supplier was found and that iFixit is also preparing to source aftermarket replacements if needed.
- Owners face a practical repair challenge because Valve stopped selling the LCD model in December 2025 and the Deck’s battery is glued in, which raises safety and quality concerns for third-party swaps.
- The short-term restock eases immediate worry, but the shift to the OLED model, component planning errors, and new EU battery rules set for February 2027 mean long-term OEM availability remains uncertain and worth watching.