A Guide to Reinstalling SteamOS on Your Steam Deck
Are you planning to reinstall SteamOS on your Steam Deck but feeling a bit lost? Fear not; this comprehensive guide will simplify the process for you. We’ll take you through the steps needed to restore your Steam Deck to its factory settings with a fresh installation of SteamOS.
How to Download the SteamOS Recovery Image
If your Steam Deck has an alternate operating system installed and you wish to revert back to SteamOS, the first step is to obtain the official recovery image from Valve. Fortunately, accessing this download is quite straightforward.
To secure the SteamOS recovery image, visit the Steam Deck Recovery Instructions page on the Steam website. There, look for the option that says, “Download the recovery image here (click),” and click on it to start the download process.
Once you click the download link, a pop-up will display the Steam End User License Agreement. Take a moment to review the terms. After familiarizing yourself with the agreement, check the box indicating your acceptance, and then click the green button labeled “Download SteamOS Deck Image” to begin downloading the recovery image. Be patient; the download time can vary.
Creating a Bootable USB Drive or SD Card for SteamOS Recovery
While the Steam Deck primarily functions as a portable gaming console, it is essentially a computer at its core. To reinstall SteamOS, you will need to create a bootable USB drive or SD card. Here’s how to do it.
Start by heading over to Etcher.io and download the Etcher application, which is compatible with Windows, MacOS, and Linux. Once the download is complete, install and open Etcher. Insert a USB flash drive (make sure it fits the USB-C port on the Steam Deck) or an SD card into your computer.
Important Note: If your USB drive is not USB-C compatible, ensure you have a USB dock to connect it to the Steam Deck.
After inserting your media, follow these steps within Etcher:
- Select "Flash from file": This will open a window. Locate and select the downloaded SteamOS Bz2 archive file.
- Select your target: Click “Select target” and choose your USB drive or SD card from the menu.
- Start the flashing process: Hit “Flash!” to initiate the creation of your recovery media. This process may take a bit of time, so be prepared to wait.
Once Etcher finishes, safely eject the USB or SD card from your computer. Now, connect it to your Steam Deck and turn off the device. Hold down the Power and “-” buttons at the same time until you hear a tone. Release the Power button while still holding the “-” button until the Steam Deck bootloader appears.
In the bootloader menu, select the boot manager to choose your USB drive or SD card as the boot medium.
Steps to Reinstall SteamOS
To reinstall SteamOS on your Steam Deck, follow these steps:
- Navigate to the SteamOS desktop and find the ‘Re-image Steam Deck’ icon. Click on it to begin the reinstallation.
- Be cautious: Selecting this option will erase all data on your device, including game files and user information. Choose this option if you seek a fresh start.
- Once you select “Re-image Steam Deck,” a terminal window will pop up, and the reinstallation will commence. This process may take some time, so patience is key.
After the installation is complete, remove the installation media and then restart your Steam Deck. Upon rebooting, you will have a freshly installed version of SteamOS.
How to Reinstall SteamOS Without Losing Your Data
If you want to refresh your Steam Deck without completely wiping it, follow these steps:
- Go to the installer desktop and locate the ‘Reinstall SteamOS’ option.
- Select ‘Reinstall SteamOS.’ This process attempts to reinstall the OS while retaining as much user data as possible.
Once the installation completes, remove the media and restart your Steam Deck. Log back in, and you will find your device revitalized with your data intact.
With these simple steps, you can easily reinstall SteamOS and enjoy your Steam Deck to the fullest once again. Happy gaming!