Steam Deck Faces Intermittent Stock Issues Amidst RAM Shortage
Valve’s Steam Deck is experiencing intermittent stock shortages in some regions due to ongoing memory and storage chip shortages, a situation exacerbated by high demand from the artificial intelligence (AI) industry. The shortages are impacting all configurations of the Steam Deck, including the OLED models, and have led to the discontinuation of the 256GB LCD version.
RAM Shortages Disrupt Hardware Availability
The current supply chain issues, which began escalating in late 2025, are not unique to Valve. The company previously announced delays for the Steam Machine desktop and Steam Frame VR headset due to the same constraints. According to Valve, the Steam Deck OLED may be intermittently out of stock due to these shortages .
LCD Model Discontinued, Prices Rise
Valve discontinued production of the 256GB LCD Steam Deck in December 2025, and it is no longer available for purchase. This effectively raises the starting price of a Steam Deck from $399 to $549 for the 512GB OLED model . While Valve has not officially increased prices, third-party sellers are listing models at significantly inflated prices, with some exceeding $1,000 .
AI Industry Drives Demand
The primary driver of the memory and storage shortages is the surging demand from the AI industry, particularly companies like Nvidia and Google, who require substantial quantities of these components for their AI chips . This demand is expected to persist throughout 2026 and beyond, continuing to impact the availability of consumer electronics.
Steam Machine and Steam Frame Also Affected
The memory shortages are also delaying the launch of Valve’s Steam Machine and Steam Frame. Valve has not yet announced pricing for the Steam Machine, but concerns exist that the ongoing RAM troubles may push the price above $1,000 .
Steam Deck Remains Competitive
Despite being four years old, the Steam Deck continues to offer compelling performance and value, especially when in stock. While newer handhelds with faster hardware have emerged, many are considerably more expensive than the OLED Deck’s $549 starting price .
Valve has acknowledged the supply issues and is working to mitigate the impact on customers. However, the duration of the shortages remains uncertain.