How to System Update Steam Deck

It’s always a good idea to keep up with Steam OS software updates because they usually include new features such as improve game compatibility, bug fixes for audio driver bug or graphics driver crash, and enhancements. You should prioritize downloading new software updates whenever they are available.

The Steam Deck is a portable gaming hardware developed by Valve Corporation. With the ability to be played handheld or by connecting to a monitor, the now-available Steam Deck will function similarly to the Nintendo Switch. Every game in the Steam library, including Windows PC games, may be played on this x86-64-v3 system’s built-in gaming inputs. This is possible because of the Linux-based Proton compatibility layer. The system is an open platform, thus users can install suitable software such as additional games or operating systems.

Steam Deck Technical Specifications:

Processor:

AMD APU
CPU: Zen 2 4c/8t, 2.4-3.5GHz (up to 448 GFlops FP32)
GPU: 8 RDNA 2 CUs, 1.0-1.6GHz (up to 1.6 TFlops FP32)
APU power: 4-15W

RAM: 16 GB LPDDR5 on-board RAM (5500 MT/s quad 32-bit channels)

Storage:

64 GB eMMC (PCIe Gen 2 x1)
256 GB NVMe SSD (PCIe Gen 3 x4 or PCIe Gen 3 x2*)
512 GB high-speed NVMe SSD (PCIe Gen 3 x4 or PCIe Gen 3 x2*)

Resolution: 1280 x 800px (16:10 aspect ratio)

Display size: 7″ diagonal

Brightness: 400 nits typical

Refresh rate: 60Hz

Touch enabled: Yes

Sensors: Ambient light sensor

Bluetooth: Bluetooth 5.0 (support for controllers, accessories and audio)

Wi-Fi: Dual-band Wi-Fi radio, 2.4GHz and 5GHz, 2 x 2 MIMO, IEEE 802.11a/b/g/n/ac

Channels: Stereo with embedded DSP for an immersive listening experience

Microphones: Dual microphone array

Headphone / mic jack: 3.5mm stereo headphone / headset jack

Digital: Multichannel audio via DisplayPort over USB-C, standard USB-C, or Bluetooth 5.0

Input: 45W USB Type-C PD3.0 power supply

Battery: 40Whr battery. 2 – 8 hours of gameplay

microSD: UHS-I supports SD, SDXC and SDHC

External connectivity for controllers & displays: USB-C with DisplayPort 1.4 Alt-mode support; up to 8K @60Hz or 4K @120Hz, USB 3.2 Gen 2

Steam Deck System Update

As we have noted, it’s crucial to make sure your Steam Deck is running the most recent software update because doing so will improve performance.

Getting the most recent watch software update has the following benefits, among others:

• Software update resolves certain bugs you might be experiencing.
• New update will most likely come with several additional features.
• Software updates improves the security patch level of your Steam Deck software and update improves system performance.

Make sure the Steam Deck is in Game Mode not Desktop mode before to updating it. If you are in Desktop Mode you need Game Mode re enabled. After doing that, follow these instructions to update SteamOS:

Updating Steam Deck

Step 1: On your Steam Deck, press the Steam Button.

Step 2: Go to Settings.

Step 3: Go to System.

Step 4: Check for any Software Update.

Step 5: Restart Steam Deck.

The Steam Deck has three channels for updates:

Stable: For updates that are advised for daily functionality.

Beta: The update includes test features that can have errors.

Preview: The update includes experimental features that are in early access and may have a number of problems.

Owners of Steam Decks can change update channel as needed to meet their needs, and those who want to check out beta or preview builds should follow these steps:

Switching to Beta or Preview Channel

Step 1: Click the Steam button.

Step 2: Setup is chosen.

Step 3: Select the System Update Channel option under the System tab.

Step 4: Beta or Preview can be chosen.

Step 5: Restart the Steam Deck again once the update is finished.

Fix for Issue Encounter with Update Channel or After Updating

If you encounter an issue when updating, the steps in this guide will let you recover, fix, or reimage your Steam Deck. If you are unable to boot, have another OS loaded and want to return to normal Deck SteamOS, or are having other breaking issues, you might need to do this.

Steam Deck Recovery Instructions

Step 1: Download the recovery image on Steam.

Step 2: Prepare a USB key (8GB minimum) for recovery image:

• On Windows use the Rufus utility. Select the recovery file and write it to your USB drive.
• On MacOS you can use Balena Etcher to write the recovery file to your USB drive.
• On Linux you can also use Balena Etcher to write the recovery file to your USB drive – or from the command line:
  bzcat steamdeck-recovery-4.img.bz2 | dd if=/dev/stdin of=/dev/sdX oflag=sync status=progress bs=128M(set /dev/sdX to the USB device you inserted)

Step 3: Use a USB-C adapter or hub to plug the boot disk in.

Step 4: If it isn’t turned off already, turn off your Steam Deck. In order to enter the Boot Manager, hold down the Volume Down button while pressing the Power button. When the chime sounds, release the Volume Down button.

Step 5: In the Boot Manager, boot from the ‘EFI USB Device’.

Step 6: Once the Steam booted you can choose recovery options for Steam deck.

Re-image Steam Deck – Performs factory reset

Clear local user data – Reformats the home partitions

Reinstall Steam OS – This will reinstall SteamOS

Recovery tools – Make changes to the Steam Deck boot partition.