Black Screen of Death on Steam Deck: Causes and Solutions

· algiegray's blog

Key takeaways:

  1. The black screen of death issue affects both LCD and OLED Steam Decks, and occurs when the device is left in sleep mode for too long or the battery dies during gameplay.
  2. The issue can be resolved by hard resetting the Steam Deck, but if the battery has been completely drained, an RMA (Return Merchandise Authorization) from Valve is required.
  3. Valve's RMA process has changed, and there have been reports of issues with their new partner, United Radio.

Summary Objective: This summary aims to provide an informative overview of the black screen of death issue affecting Steam Decks, including its causes, solutions, and the potential challenges associated with Valve's RMA process.

# Black Screen of Death on Steam Deck

The black screen of death issue has been affecting Steam Deck users for a long time, impacting both LCD and OLED models. This issue occurs when the device is left in sleep mode for an extended period or if the battery dies during gameplay. The screen remains black, but the device still functions when connected to a monitor or TV.

# Causes and Solutions

The black screen of death issue is caused by the Steam Deck's screen brightness being reduced to zero, making it impossible to see the display. To resolve this issue, users can try the following steps:

  1. Hard Reset: Press and hold the power button until the device turns off, then turn it back on. This method has been successful for some users, including the video creator, who encountered this issue on their launch edition Steam Deck.
  2. Switching to Stable Version: Users experiencing this issue on beta updates can switch back to the stable version to potentially resolve the problem.

# Severe Versions of the Issue

If the Steam Deck's battery has been completely drained, users may face a more severe version of the issue. In these cases, the screen remains black, and the device cannot be fixed without an RMA from Valve.

# Valve's RMA Process

Valve's RMA process has changed over time. Initially, Valve handled all RMAs, but they now work with a new partner called United Radio. This change has resulted in various issues, such as users receiving the wrong Joy-Cons or consoles, consoles being returned in worse condition than when they were sent in, or the issue not being fixed at all.

The video creator had a negative experience with United Radio when they had to replace the bumper on their Steam Deck. Despite being confident that they did not cause the damage, United Radio charged them for the repair and held their device hostage until they paid the additional fee.

# Recommendations

To avoid the black screen of death issue, users should ensure their Steam Deck is always connected to a charger when not in use. Valve has implemented a feature that stops charging once the device reaches 100%, allowing the battery to drain down to around 90% before charging again, which preserves the battery life.

Additionally, users should be proactive about charging their Steam Deck once they receive the 10% battery warning, as the remaining battery percentage can drain quickly, especially during gameplay.

For those who have already experienced this issue and require an RMA, it is essential to be aware of the potential challenges associated with United Radio. Users should document their device's condition before sending it in and be prepared for potential additional charges or issues with the returned device.

Summary for: Black Screen of Death is RUINING Steam Decks!