A Reddit user has gained attention after successfully repairing a broken Steam Deck for less than $100, using parts from an old Nintendo DS Lite. The creative fix highlights the growing trend of DIY electronics repairs and the importance of repairability in modern tech.
The Redditor, known as David, shared photos of his restored Steam Deck, explaining that he purchased the faulty device for around $80 after the previous owner failed to replace its buttons properly. The botched repair attempt had damaged about 70% of the button pads.
Despite the damage, David said the repair was manageable. He spent “many sleepless hours” repairing the circuit traces and used replacement buttons salvaged from an old Nintendo DS Lite. According to him, the DS Lite’s shoulder buttons fit almost perfectly after minor modifications.
A Mix of Parts, But Fully Functional
In addition to the buttons, David also had to replace the Steam Deck’s trackpad, which he sourced from a third-party website for around $30, including shipping. While the part took a few months to arrive, it worked perfectly once installed.
The final result looks like a standard Steam Deck, except for a translucent back panel—a design choice that has recently become popular again. According to David, the device now “works perfectly.”
Repair Process: Tricky but Possible
The most challenging part of the repair, David said, was fixing the broken traces on the motherboard. This required carefully scratching off the solder mask to reconnect the copper lines—an intimidating task for beginners, but manageable with patience and a steady hand.
David praised the Steam Deck’s design for being more repairable than most modern electronics, although he suggested improvements like making board diagrams public and selling more spare parts through sites like iFixit.
Growing Focus on Repairability
The repair highlights a broader conversation around the right to repair and making tech devices easier to fix. As the cost of handheld gaming devices continues to rise, stories like this show how creative solutions can keep older or broken hardware alive—sometimes for a fraction of the original price.
