The iFixit Steam Deck fan and battery replacement kits are now available.
This could solve the annoying fan whine some people have issues with.
The last time iFixit tried to provide replacement kits to Steam Deck aficionados, they sold out so rapidly that most users didn’t even get a chance to put one in a basket. In June, iFixit held a “drop” of 100 fan repair kits. They’ve returned, and it appears they’ll be staying. Even better, iFixit now provides a solution for changing the battery in your Steam Deck.
The Steam Deck is a maker’s paradise. A powerful PC in a small package that can be opened reasonably easily to switch out parts. I replaced the stupidly sluggish 64GB eMMC disk with a 512GB SSD I bought on eBay two days after my Steam Deck arrived.
But I’m also the type of nerd who has a kit on hand to open up devices whenever the mood strikes. Most individuals don’t have the tiny screwdrivers and plastic spudgers required to pry open a Steam Deck without damaging it. And if you’re experiencing problems with the fans on your Steam Deck (some of them have a louder “whine” than others, which may be bothersome), you’ve been forced to buy the tools from iFixit and then source the fans elsewhere.
Replacing the battery was considerably more difficult. It’s not a particularly common form, and iFixit didn’t have it when it first made other components accessible in May. Instead, iFixit CEO Kyle Wiens told The Verge that it will be available “soon.”
Both are now available in kits that include all of the tools you’ll need to replace them. However, if you need to repair your fans or stock up on batteries, you should act quickly. Supplies may be limited.