To see how much space is free, open Steam > Settings > Storage in Gaming Mode. To inspect the internal SSD’s reported health data, use the SMART information in Desktop Mode; that route is community-reported and may vary by SteamOS version. Storage tells you how much room is available, while SMART exposes drive telemetry—neither is a guarantee that an SSD will or will not fail.
Check available storage in Gaming Mode
- Press the Steam button.
- Choose Settings, then Storage.
- Review the internal drive and any connected storage shown on the screen.
Valve documents this screen as the place to manage system and connected storage in its Steam Deck Basic Use & Troubleshooting Guide. If your labels differ, update SteamOS and check the current menu wording. The amount of free space depends on the installed operating system, updates, and your games and other data, so a drive’s advertised capacity does not establish how much usable space your particular Deck will show.
Inspect the SSD’s SMART information
Graphical route in Desktop Mode
- Switch to Desktop Mode.
- Open KDE Menu > System > Info Center.
- Under Devices, choose SMART Status, then Detailed Information.
This menu path was described in a Steam Community answer dated December 10, 2022; it is not documented as an official Valve troubleshooting route and may differ between software versions. The view can include drive-reported information such as power-on hours and read/write errors. Interpret the fields as telemetry from the SSD, not a countdown to failure or a Deck-specific replacement verdict.
Optional terminal route
A SteamOS issue report associated with SteamOS 3.6.20 (build 20241030.1) gives this example:
#1 Best Overall
- Capacity: 256GB / Interface: M.2 2230 PCIe NVME SSD
- Dimension: 22mm x 30mm x 2.38mm / Key Type: M Key
- Size: Fits 2230 as is / Compatibility: Laptop & Desktop Compatible
- Bulk Packaging - Only the Drive is included. Any screws, cables, or adapter needed are sold separately
- Warranty: 1-Year Oemgenuine Warranty
sudo smartctl -a /dev/nvme0
The same report describes a graphical route through Settings > About This System > Show More Information > Devices > SMART Status. These are user-reported examples tied to a specific build, not universal current Valve instructions. Device names can vary, so verify the target drive on your Deck before running a command; do not assume /dev/nvme0 is correct for every system. This read-only inspection is different from commands that write to, erase, or self-test a drive, which are not needed for a basic check.
What a SMART result can—and cannot—tell you
NVMe includes health/log monitoring and device self-test mechanisms, as described in the NVM Express Association’s NVMe 1.3 presentation. That general standard context does not establish a Steam Deck-specific failure threshold. A normal-looking status is not a promise of future reliability, and a single reported value should not be treated as remaining-life prediction.
Rank #2
- Top choice for STEAM Deck capacity upgrade. Top choice for capacity upgrade on lightweight devices
- Small-size and High Performance 22x30mm small form factor with sequential read/write speeds up to 5,000 / 3,500 MB/s
- Heat dissipating graphene label for enhanced heat dissipation and system operating stability.
- Gen4 read/write speed compatible with PCIe Gen3 interface
- Small-size solution offering TB-grade massive capacity.
If you see errors or have unusual drive behavior, protect important information first: back up saves and user data, then contact Steam Support or a qualified repair professional before attempting an invasive fix. The available guidance does not establish a numerical Deck-specific threshold at which an SSD must be replaced.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.If you need more room
The Steam Deck has a built-in microSD slot. Valve’s Steam Deck Tech Specs lists 512GB and 1TB NVMe SSD configurations and UHS-I support for SD, SDXC, and SDHC; Valve notes that specifications can change. Its troubleshooting guide says UHS-I class 3 or better cards are supported, while UHS-II and UHS-III transfer speeds are not supported. A compatible UHS-I microSD card can add storage, but it does not diagnose or repair the internal SSD.
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