To factory reset a Steam Deck, press the Steam button, open Settings > System, scroll to Factory Reset, and select the Factory Reset button. This clears local data, including installed games, so back up anything you want to keep first.
The short version
- Use Factory Reset in settings when Steam opens normally.
- Use ERASE USER DATA FROM DECK when you can reach the SteamOS selection menu.
- Use USB recovery to wipe the device and install stock SteamOS.
- Choose rollback instead if you want to recover the previous SteamOS version while keeping your data.
| Method | What it does | Time | Use it when |
|---|---|---|---|
| Settings reset | Clears local data | Estimated under a minute to start | Steam opens normally |
| Boot menu erase | Erases local user data | Estimated about a minute to start | Gaming Mode will not open |
| USB recovery | Wipes and installs SteamOS | About a minute for recovery startup | You need a full reinstall |
| Rollback | Restores the previous OS and keeps data | Estimated about a minute to start | You want to undo an OS problem |
The estimated times cover reaching or starting an option, rather than completing a wipe or installation. The USB time covers the dark screen during recovery startup, for which Valve says to allow a minute; downloading and preparing the drive come first.
Back up your data before resetting
Copy game installs and any other files you want to keep to a microSD card or another external storage device before erasing the Deck. A reset is a poor choice if you still need files stored only on the device.
Do not assume every save is already in Steam Cloud. Some games do not use it for saves, and supported games can still have synchronization errors. Check the game's store page for Steam Cloud support and resolve any sync error before you erase local data. If Steam reports that it cannot sync, follow the fixes for when Steam is unable to sync first.
Steam Cloud support does not guarantee that every save is uploaded. Check the game's developer instructions for local save locations and copy any unsynced saves to external storage before resetting.
Factory reset from SteamOS settings
Use this method when the Deck can boot into Steam normally. Press the Steam button, open Settings, and choose System.
Scroll down to Factory Reset and select the Factory Reset button. Treat this as a local wipe, including installed games, rather than a repair that keeps your content.
The reset screen also has a Re-install SteamOS option, which may need an active internet connection. If your goal is to reinstall the operating system as well as erase data, check that option before starting.
Erase user data when Gaming Mode will not open
Use the SteamOS selection menu when you cannot load Gaming Mode but can still reach that menu. Its erase option clears local user data without requiring you to open the settings reset screen.
Hold the Power button for 10 seconds to shut the Deck down fully. Then hold the Quick Access button, marked with three dots, and press Power to turn it on. Keep holding Quick Access until the menu labeled SteamOS appears.
Choose ERASE USER DATA FROM DECK to erase the local user data. If you need to replace the operating system too, use the USB recovery steps below instead of treating this erase as a full re-image.
Make the official SteamOS recovery USB
Open Valve's SteamOS image download page and review the license agreement. If you accept it, select the agreement checkbox and choose Download SteamOS Image.
Prepare a USB drive with at least 8GB of space. On Windows, use Rufus to select the downloaded recovery file and write it to the USB drive. This formats the USB drive, so keep anything you need from it elsewhere first. The general steps to create a bootable USB drive explain the same tools in more detail.
When Rufus finishes, select Close and eject the drive. On macOS or Linux, you can use Balena Etcher to write the recovery file instead.
Linux also supports writing the image with dd from the command line. If you prefer that route, use the command and USB device instructions on Valve's SteamOS installation and repair page. Check the destination carefully before running a command that writes to a drive.
Boot the Steam Deck from the recovery drive
Shut the Steam Deck down completely and connect the recovery USB drive to an available USB port. Hold Volume Up and press Power, then release Volume Up when you hear the chime.
Use the directional pad and A button to select Boot Manager. Choose EFI USB Device, which is the recovery USB, rather than booting the installed operating system.
The screen goes dark during startup, so give it about a minute to load. Once the recovery desktop appears, you can navigate with the Deck's trackpad and trigger or use the touchscreen. Choose the wipe option only after that desktop has loaded.
Wipe the device and reinstall SteamOS
On the recovery desktop, select Wipe Device & Install SteamOS. This fully wipes the device and installs stock SteamOS. When installation finishes, reboot to reach the SteamOS welcome experience.
The recovery environment also documents Re-image Device as a full factory reset. It removes user information, installed games, applications, and operating systems, then replaces them with stock SteamOS. Use that option when you want a full re-image, including returning from another operating system.
When the reset asks for internet
Re-install SteamOS may need an active internet connection to restore modified system files. If you cannot or do not want to connect, return to the reset screen and disable Re-install SteamOS before using Factory Reset.
If your goal is to undo an operating system problem while keeping your data, choose rollback instead. That is a recovery choice with a different purpose from clearing the Deck before handing it to someone else.
Recover the previous SteamOS version without erasing data
Rollback restores a previous known good operating system version while retaining user data, including games and saves. Consider it if a recent OS change caused trouble and you want to keep your content.
Hold Power for 10 seconds to shut down, then hold Quick Access while pressing Power. Continue holding Quick Access until the SteamOS selection menu appears. Choose the second option from the top, labeled Previous B, rather than the erase option.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does factory resetting a Steam Deck delete installed games?
Yes, the settings reset clears local data, including installed games. Back up anything you want to keep before selecting it.
Is ERASE USER DATA FROM DECK the same as re-imaging?
No, that selection erases local user data from the SteamOS menu. A re-image also replaces the operating system with stock SteamOS.
Which USB recovery option is the full factory reset?
Re-image Device performs a full factory reset, removing user information, games, applications, and operating systems. Wipe Device & Install SteamOS also fully wipes the device and installs stock SteamOS.
What size USB drive do I need for Steam Deck recovery?
Use a USB drive with at least 8GB of space. Writing the recovery image formats the drive, so copy off any files you need first.
Can I reset my Steam Deck without internet?
You can disable Re-install SteamOS if you cannot or do not want to connect during the settings reset. If you want to recover an earlier OS version and keep your data, use rollback instead.
Will Steam Cloud protect all my saved games?
No, some games do not store saves in Steam Cloud, and developers choose which files are uploaded in supported games. Check for sync errors and copy any unsynced local saves to external storage before erasing the Deck.