A global memory shortage driven by AI data center construction has forced Valve to warn customers that its Steam Deck OLED handheld will face intermittent stock shortages across multiple regions. The company updated its official store page this week with a new disclaimer acknowledging supply constraints for the popular gaming device.
"Steam Deck OLED may be out-of-stock intermittently in some regions due to memory and storage shortages," Valve now states on its website, confirming speculation about the sudden disappearance of inventory in the United States, Canada, and parts of Asia. All three models of the handheld have shown as unavailable for purchase since at least Tuesday, including both OLED configurations and the discontinued 256GB LCD version.
The same component crisis already pushed back Valve's upcoming Steam Machine console-style PC and Steam Frame VR headset from their planned early 2026 launch window. In a blog post earlier this month, the company cited "limited availability and growing prices of these critical components" as reasons for revisiting shipping schedules and pricing for those products.
Memory prices have surged 80-90% in the first quarter of 2026 compared to the previous quarter, tracking DRAM, NAND, and HBM components. The rapid expansion of AI data centers has created unprecedented demand for memory chips, squeezing supply for consumer electronics manufacturers across multiple sectors.
Third-party retailers are already capitalizing on the scarcity. Newegg listings show the 1TB OLED Steam Deck selling for $1,099, a substantial markup from Valve's official $649 price point.
Similar price inflation has affected other handheld PC manufacturers like Ayaneo, which recently complained that memory shortages forced it to raise prices on new models.
While North American markets face complete stockouts, some European regions still show available inventory. Using a VPN to connect to Poland reveals both 512GB and 1TB OLED models remain purchasable through Valve's partner Komodo. The UK and Australia also maintain stock levels.
Valve discontinued production of the 256GB LCD Steam Deck late last year, but that model's store page hasn't been updated to reflect its permanent unavailability. Refurbished units through official channels show identical out-of-stock status across all configurations.
The memory crisis extends beyond gaming hardware manufacturers. Sony is reportedly considering pushing its PlayStation 6 launch as far as 2029 due to component constraints, while Nintendo faces pressure to increase Switch 2 pricing despite earlier assurances against immediate hikes.
Valve aims to launch its delayed Steam Machine hardware sometime in the first half of 2026 but acknowledges needing more time "to land on concrete pricing and launch dates that we can confidently announce." The company says it is working to finalize plans "as soon as possible."
