How to factory reset a Steam Deck – easy to follow guide
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Every now and again, there will come a time when you just want a fresh start, a clean slate – and the Steam Deck is no different. Every device has the option for a factory reset, as it puts the device in mint condition – from a software perspective. All the custom settings, user data, games, and applications will be deleted, giving you a fresh device that isn’t bogged down by clutter.
This can also be done with a Steam Deck, and this feature comes in handy if you're planning on selling it or maybe you've encountered a bug that isn't easily resolved, so the last solution is to factory reset the device.
In this guide, we'll take you through easy-to-follow methods to reset your Steam Deck, but we also recommend backing up your games so that you can keep your game data and progression saved.
Quick Answer
To factory reset your Steam Deck, follow these steps:
Press the Steam button > Settings > System > Factory Reset.
It is pretty straightforward process and you should be able to reset your Steam Deck in no time. For a step-by-step explanation, check out the methods below.
Factory reset with settings
The first method to factory reset your Steam Deck is if you can load into it and access the settings. Here are the steps:
Step
Load into the Steam Deck
Power up the Steam Deck and press the “Steam” button.
Step
Navigate to settings
From the settings menu, locate the “System” option and click on it. This should open another menu, and if you scroll down, you should see the “Factory Reset” option.
Step
Factory reset the Steam Deck
Click on the Factory Reset button, and it should start the process of wiping the data and reverting it to its original state. This might take a couple of minutes and if the OS has been modified, it'll download the original version to complete the reset but that'll require and active internet connection.
Factory reset without loading in
If you can't load into the Steam Deck and want to reset to resolve any issues, here is how you can do so.
Step
Power down the Steam Deck
Press and hold down the power button for 10 seconds, but it is recommended that you keep the device plugged in.
Step
Turn on the device
Locate the “…” button on the device and hold it down. After that, press the power button to turn the Deck on. Don't let go of the “…” button till you see the “SteamOS” menu.
Step
Erase the data
Once you see the SteamOS menu, navigate to the bottom, and you should see an “Erase user data from Steam Deck” option. Select it, and all your user data will be deleted.
FAQs
How long does a factory reset take on a Steam Deck?
A factory reset on a Steam Deck can take approximately 10 minutes, but it can take more or less depending on how much data there is to delete. So, some patience is required.
Does a factory reset delete all games on the Steam Deck?
Yes, if you factory reset your Steam Deck, all the games and the locally stored game data will be deleted. So, it is recommended that you back up the game data on a microSD card to save the progression.
Conclusion
Hopefully, by following this guide, you were able to easily factory reset your Steam Deck, whether you wanted to sell it or to resolve any issues. If there are other issues, we recommend contacting Steam support. We've also covered other topics such as how to enable Desktop Mode on Steam Deck, so check them out if you're interested.
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