PC0108 Installation Tutorial

Replacing the cover is a difficult and time-consuming job, estimated to take 3 to 5 hours. We strongly recommend that you seek the help of a professional repairer. Regarding the change of the whole machine maintenance policy caused by the disassembly, please refer to the information officially released by VALVE.

As an extra precaution, Valve recommends entering the BIOS to put the Steam Deck in battery storage mode before starting internal repairs. If you have installed a Micro SD card, please remove it before disassembly.

Before starting the disassembly, make sure the Steam Deck battery has dropped below 25%, is fully powered off, and disconnected all connected cables. Please follow the anti-static safety regulations during operation, and keep the removed original accessories properly. Be aware that accidentally damaging a live Lithium-ion battery can result in serious hazards.

During repairs, please manage the screws properly to ensure they are correctly replaced to avoid damage to the Steam Deck. During the installation process, please note that the "L" logo should be on your right and the "R" logo should be on your left to prevent installation errors.

Note that the order of the video tutorials and this document may be slightly different, they provide two possible disassembly sequences, both of which will ensure proper removal and installation of the device. You can choose a reference according to your actual situation.

Please make sure that all disassembly tools are ready, the package includes:

        screwdriver

        spare screw

        stick

        Adhesive Cutting Sheet

        sucker

        Screen Adhesive

        Storage Box

        Tweezers

        Anti-static gloves

The following are not included in the package and need to be prepared by yourself:

        Hair dryer (or other heating products, mainly used to remove the screen)

If you have made the above preparations, please wear anti-static finger cots or anti-static gloves, and start the following replacement steps.

About the screwdriver:

The screwdriver has an extra replaceable bit, it's inside the screwdriver, you need to pull off the cap on the top of the screwdriver and pour the other bit out of it.

 In the subsequent disassembly and installation steps, all the screws marked with red circles use 1# bit, and the screws marked with green circle use 2# bit.

The screws removed from the machine can be placed in the screw box we donated. Each box in the screw box has a sticker marking the size of the screw, and each box is placed with a screw of the same specification as a gift from us for spare.

    Screw specification parameters introduction:

    For example: 3.4mm CM1.6 * 3.0-D3.0 * 0.5mm

    "3.4mm" : refers to the overall height of the screw.

    "CB": flat self-tapping thread.

    "1.6" : is the thread diameter.

    "3.0" : is the thread length.

    "D3.0" : is the nut diameter.

    "0.5" : is the nut thickness.

If you accidentally lose all your screws, you can purchase replacements by referring to the screw specifications used in this tutorial.

During the installation process of the gaming console, each screw in every position only needs to be gently tightened into place, ensuring that the components are securely fastened. Avoid using excessive force when turning the screws. The gaming console's outer shell is made of plastic material, making it very fragile when dealing with screws. In addition, the gaming console's PCB circuit board is also very delicate. Over-tightening can cause damage to them.

About blister trays:

There is a blister tray and parts location map on the lower layer . The parts removed during the disassembly process can be placed in the corresponding position in the tray to avoid loss during the disassembly process or during installation.

Use a 1# head screwdriver to remove the 8 screws on the back cover, put the 4 shorter ones in the 5.8mm screw box, and put the longer 4 screws in the 9.5mm screw box, use the disassembly crowbar to open and remove the game console the back cover.

Uncover the sticker covering the protective plate, use a 1# head screwdriver to remove the 3 screws on the protective plate, one of which is 3.4mm, and the other two are 3.7mm, and then take off the protective plate.

Disconnect all the cables on the left and right MCB in the figure below.

During the operation, you need to open the lock of the ZIF cable first, and then pull the plastic piece on the cable to pull out the plug.

When prying the cable of the touchpad vibration motor, be sure to use the tip of the prying rod to lift the cable itself, not its casing.

Pinch the fan cable and pull out the plug to completely disconnect the fan cable.

Open the lock on the ZIF interface, and then pull the plastic sheet on the cable to pull out the plug of the display cable.

Use the flat end of a spudger to open the white lock of the ZIF seat of the display cable, then gently lift the plastic sheet of the microphone cable, and pull out the plug.

Use a 1# head screwdriver to remove the 3 screws that fix the motherboard, they are 3.7mm.

Uncover the heat sink sticker.

Flip the main board and radiator 180° around the lower right corner of the main board to expose the display cable at the bottom of the main board.

When turning it over, pay attention that the speaker and FPC linked in the lower right corner of the main board are still connected, do not pull it too far to prevent damage.

Tear off the sticker covering the cable, pick the lock on the ZIF seat, and remove the display cable.

Flip the main board back to its original position, use a 1# blade screwdriver to install the 3 screws that fix the main board, they are 3.7mm.

Use the flat end of a crowbar to reach the buckle on the inner side of the trigger button, pick the inner buckle, carefully move the buckle on the outer side of the trigger button, and loosen the buckles on both sides to remove the trigger button.

Take off the trigger key, be careful not to remove the spring attached to the trigger key, be careful not to lose the spring.

Use the same method to remove the triggers on the left and right sides in turn.

Use a 1# head screwdriver to unscrew the 3 screws that fix the trigger bracket, they are 5.2mm, and remove the trigger bracket.

Use the same method to remove the trigger brackets on the left and right sides in turn.

 

Use a 1# head screwdriver to remove the 3 screws on the rocker plate, they are 5.2mm, and take off the rocker.

Use the same method to remove the left and right joysticks in turn.

Use a 1# head screwdriver to remove the 4 screws on the button MCB, including 3 screws of 5.2mm and 1 screw of 3.9mm, and remove the button MCB.

Use the same method to remove the left and right button MCB in sequence.

Use a 1# head screwdriver to remove the 4 screws that fix the touchpad MCB, they are 4.7mm, and remove the touchpad MCB.

Remove the conductive glue and buttons of the Steam button and the quick access button insequence.

Note: The edge of the shoulder key assembly is just stuck under the buckle of the cover. When removing it , you can lift it from the top first, and then slowly remove the shoulder key assembly.

Use a hair dryer or other heating device to heat the surrounding area of the screen.

Note: According to our experience, if you use a hair dryer with a power of 1 KW and move it around the screen 2-3 cm away from the screen, it will take about 50-80 seconds to heat up.

Fix the suction cup on the upper left corner of the screen, as close as possible to the edge of the screen, and press down to generate suction.

Use a strong and steady force to slowly pull the suction cup upwards, pay attention not to be too large, until there is a gap between the display and the frame, then insert the adhesive backed cutting sheet, the depth should not exceed 3mm. 

Cut the back glue along the screen circle, after the back glue is cut, carefully grab the left edge of the screen and lift up the screen until the screen is completely free from the frame.

When removing the suction cup from the screen, you can slightly pry the edge of the suction cup, as long as there is a small gap, you can easily remove the suction cup, avoid using brute force to pull the suction cup and the screen.

Use glue remover or alcohol (>90%) to remove any remaining residue. wipe in one direction with a lint-free cloth or coffee filter until all adhesive residue is gone.

Be careful not to use any sharp objects to scrape the residual adhesive on the screen, such operations will damage the screen coating.

This step may take a considerable amount of time, so please be patient while performing it.

Although alcohols are generally safe for use in electronics, they can dissolve some foam adhesives. Pay attention to controlling the amount used when cleaning, and do not use too much.

Allow any remaining alcohol to evaporate completely before reassembling the device.

Insert the flat end of the crowbar between the speaker and the frame, and use the crowbar

to pry up the speaker. If the adhesive is very tight, you can use a hair dryer to heat and soften the adhesive before taking out the speaker.

Use the same method to take out the speakers on the left and right sides in turn.

Use a 2# head screwdriver to remove the 6 screws on the front of the middle frame, they are 2.3mm.

Take out the touchpad vertically, be careful not to bend the spring around the touchpad, and make sure it can be placed in the corresponding positioning hole when reinstalling the touchpad.

Use adhesive remover or alcohol (>90%) to remove any remaining residue. wipe in one direction with a lint-free cloth or coffee filter until all adhesive residue is gone.

You can clean it using the same method as cleaning the screen adhesive, or you can use sharper objects to increase the cleaning speed. The middle frame is stronger compared to the screen.

Insert the flat end of a spudger under the microphone flex cable and pry up to separate it from the front panel.

The microphone cable has three places where adhesive is applied and needs to be separated sequentially. If necessary, equipment can be used for heating.

At this point the front panel has been completely separated from other components.

Make sure before installation

The light guide column is not missing

Three dust-proof nets are not missing

Before installation, you can try to place the button in the corresponding button hole to test whether there is interference. The button in a suitable hole can fall freely to the bottom without pressing hard.

If it is confirmed that there is interference in the buttonhole, it may affect the function of the button and the normal use of the machine, please contact our after-sales personnel to replace it for you for free.

Use tweezers to hold the volume button, put the button down from the plastic buckle, and use a pointed crowbar to fix the button in place.

Use tweezers to hold the power button, and put the plastic strips on both sides of the power button from the plastic buckle.

The middle of the microphone cable , the lower left and the lower right respectively, the small holes on the cable correspond to the pillars on the cover, and press the back glue after alignment.

Use a 2# head screwdriver to fix the six 2.3mm screws on the front side of the middle frame.

Paste the attached new screen adhesive around the middle frame, starting from the top adhesive, and tear off the film on the adhesive after pasting.

Note: Confirm the location of the adhesive before installation, avoid folding the adhesive when pasting, and avoid the adhesive beyond the frame.

There are reserved screw holes and photosensitive components on the back glue, please pay attention to avoid pasting.

After fixing the position of the screen, you can press slightly along the periphery of the screen to make the adhesive fully fit.

If you find that the screen and the surface of the cover are obviously raised after pasting the screen, you need to remove the screen and re-paste it, and check whether the snap of the cover and the middle frame has lifted the screen, or if your screws are not tightened to the bottom. Of course, you can also take a photo and consult our customer service staff, they will provide you with professional advice.

Flip the machine over, use a 1# head screwdriver to remove the 3 screws that fix the main board, they are 3.7mm.

Expose the display cable interface at the bottom of the main board, install the display cable just removed on the interface, and paste the cable.

Flip the main board back to its original position, use a 1# blade screwdriver to install the 3 screws that fix the main board, they are 3.7mm.

 11. Install Action Keys and Cross Keys

Fix the shoulder key assembly on the corresponding position of the cover, and use a 1# head screwdriver to fix it with two 5.2mm screws.

Because the side of the shoulder key is under the buckle, start from the side when installing, put the side under the buckle, and then fix the space and pillars below.

Note: The fixed arm of the shoulder key assembly is very slender, and the wall of the screw hole at the end is also very small . Do not use too much force when tightening the screws to prevent the screw holes from being damaged.

Place the touchpad MCB on the touchpad, pay attention to the left and right distinctions on the MCB, and pay attention to the direction of the MCB when installing.

Place the button MCB in the corresponding position, and use a 1# head screwdriver to fix three 5.2mm screws and one 3.9mm screw.

Place the rocker on the corresponding position of the cover. Note that there is a distinction between left and right on the MCB. Since the installation process is reversed, the one marked "L" on the PCB should be on your right hand side, and the one marked "R" should be on the right hand side. On your left hand side, avoid putting it backwards when installing.

When connecting, use tweezers to clamp the plastic sheet of the cable, push the plug in from the direction parallel to the ZIF interface, and then press the lock on the ZIF interface. During the process, avoid the plug being crooked or not fully pushed in.

When installing the microphone cable, insert the cable downwards into the seat, and then use a tool to press the white seat plug tightly.

When installing the display cable, be sure to confirm that the cable is fully inserted into the seat and that the contact is good. If you find that the position of the cable is shifted during insertion, please do it again.

In order to avoid the need to disassemble the machine again if it is found that the machine cannot be turned on after the subsequent installation, you can connect the power cable and try to turn it on.

Press the power button to try to turn on the machine, and confirm whether the machine can be turned on normally and display the screen.

If the screen cannot be turned on normally, please disconnect the power cable and check whether the installation steps are missing.

If the screen still cannot be turned on after checking again, please stop trying and seek professional help.

If the screen can be turned on normally, please continue to follow the steps below after powering off.

Use a 1# head screwdriver to install the 3 screws on the protective plate, one of which is 3.4mm and the other two are 3.7mm.

When installing, pay attention to the heat dissipation silicone grease inside the protective cover, which is pasted on the inner wall of the protective cover for heat dissipation, and make sure that they are not falling off before installation.

Put the trigger bracket on the button MCB, use a 1# blade screwdriver and three 5.2mm screws to fix the trigger bracket.

When assembling, first fix the spring in the correct position, then assemble from the outer buckle, and then put on the inner buckle . If you hear a "click" when you put the buckle in, it proves that the buckle has been locked.

Put the back cover on, press the buckle firmly to make it close to the front cover, and fix the back cover with four 9.5mm screws and four 5.8mm screws.

Valve Corporation recommends performing this software calibration process after installing new triggers.

Note: Steam Deck stick and trigger calibration may not work properly as of Steam OS version 3.3. This functionality is expected to be restored in a future release.