Skip to main content

Steam Deck will now warn you if it gets too hot or cold

Valve has updated the Steam Deck to warn owners when the system gets too hot or cold to run.

The temperature warnings feature is part of the Version 3.3 update for the Steam Deck OS. This comes after Valve recently issued a warning to players not to use the handheld PC during the heatwave in parts of the world, as high temperatures could negatively impact the system’s performance. Basically, if excessive heat or cold is affecting the unit, it runs the risk of running very slowly or shutting down.

Recommended Videos

The normal temperature range for the Steam Deck to run is 0 to 35 degrees Celcius (32 to 95 F). If the temperature of the Steam Deck increases to 100 degrees C (212 F), the Steam Deck’s internal AMD APU chip will throttle performance to protect itself. At 105 degrees C  (221 F) or more, it will switch off. On the opposite end of the thermometer, it’s a little bit different. Steam Deck designer Lawrence Yang explained to PC Gamer that playing the Steam Deck at sub-zero temperatures will have a negative impact on the battery.

Please enable Javascript to view this content

“Just like any battery-powered device, [the] Steam Deck’s battery can’t sustain peak power draw at temperatures below 0°C (similar to the way cars have a tougher time starting in freezing weather),” Yang said. “If temperatures do get this low, we’ll start to throttle the system to maintain battery longevity.”

In essence, the performance of the Steam Deck will be throttled regardless of the temperature of the environment you’re playing it in. So, if you’re playing the Steam Deck in your backyard and see a temperature warning flashing on the screen, take it back inside the house immediately to cool it down — and don’t play it outside again. Check out the Steam Deck OS Version 3.3 patch notes to see what else Valve did with this new Steam Deck update.

Cristina Alexander
Cristina Alexander is a gaming and mobile writer at Digital Trends. She blends fair coverage of games industry topics that…
Valve’s Fremont could be the successor to the Steam Machine
Valve Steam Machine Controller hands on in use

When the original Steam Machine was announced in 2015, it promised a massive change from traditional gaming experiences. The console-slash-PC gained a lot of attention, but a variety of factors stopped it from being a success. Poor performance sent many players back to standard PC gaming, while the high price meant Valve sold less than 500,000 units. Despite its failure, though, the Steam Machine had a lot of fans — many of whom have waited years for a follow-up. And now it might actually be on the way.

A Reddit user named u/coolbho3k spotted a reference to the Fremont project in the Steam Deck kernel. The code doesn't make it clear exactly what sort of device Fremont will be, but it references a platform called AMD Lilac. Users have also found references to the same platform on Geekbench, where it scores significantly higher than the Steam Deck. Were it another handheld, this platform would leave the Steam Deck in its wake — and that makes it all the more likely to be a TV box or set-top box of sorts, according to Tom's Hardware.

Read more
Steam Deck is on sale for its lowest price yet during the Steam Autumn Sale
A Steam Deck sitting on top of a PC.

2024's Steam Autumn Sale has begun. While there are plenty of fantastic deals on video games, the best deal might be that versions of the Steam Deck are available at their lowest price yet.

During this Steam Autumn Sale, the 64GB LCD Steam Deck is discounted by 15% to just $297; meanwhile, the 512GB LCD Steam Deck is discounted by 25% and now only costs $337. For just a little less or a little more than a Nintendo Switch, you can get this PC gaming handheld that will let you experience most of your Steam library on the go.

Read more
Leaker says Valve is working on a Steam Controller 2
A Steam Controller from Valve on a surface. You can see two track pads on top with four buttons in the middle.

Valve is working on a follow-up to its Steam Controller, its Steam Machine accessory first introduced almost a decade ago, according to a prominent leaker.

Brad "SadlyItsBradley" Lynch wrote on X that Valve's second Steam Controller is known internally as "Ibex" and is in mass production.

Read more