It’s Becoming Impossible To Buy A Steam Deck

Why It Matters

The stockout signals a tightening PC‑component supply chain that could inflate prices and delay hardware launches, affecting gamers and the broader handheld market. It also highlights how AI‑driven demand is reshaping traditional gaming hardware economics.

Key Takeaways

• Steam Deck OLED sold out on Valve store
• LCD model discontinued, no restock expected
• Shortages linked to AI hyperscaler component demand
• Potential price hikes as parts become scarce
• Upcoming Steam Machine delayed due to component shortage

Pulse Analysis

The current Steam Deck shortage underscores a broader supply‑chain crunch that began accelerating in 2024 when AI‑focused data centers surged demand for high‑performance memory and GPUs. Hyperscale providers have outbid consumer electronics manufacturers for the same silicon, while lingering trade tensions have added tariffs and logistical bottlenecks. As a result, Valve’s flagship handheld, which relies on custom‑tuned AMD chips and high‑capacity SSDs, is unable to replenish inventory, leaving the official store empty and secondary markets inflated.

Valve’s response has been cautious: it halted production of the legacy LCD model, delayed the upcoming Steam Machine, and refrained from announcing new pricing. Consumers, already wary of rising costs, are turning to resale platforms where the Deck fetches premiums of $100‑$150 above MSRP. This dynamic pressures Valve to either secure more reliable component contracts or absorb higher costs, a dilemma that could reshape its hardware pricing strategy and affect brand loyalty among core gamers.

The Steam Deck’s scarcity is a bellwether for the entire handheld and mini‑PC segment. Competitors such as ASUS, ROG, and GPD face similar component constraints, prompting many to explore alternative supply routes or redesigns that use less‑scarce parts. Industry observers suggest that manufacturers may increasingly adopt modular designs or diversify component sourcing to mitigate future disruptions. For buyers, the advice is clear: act quickly or risk paying premium prices as the market adjusts to an AI‑driven component landscape.

It’s Becoming Impossible To Buy A Steam Deck

By Zack Zwiezen · Published February 11, 2026

If you woke up this morning thinking, “Hey, I’m going to finally buy a new Steam Deck!” you likely ran into a problem. The console‑like handheld PC from Valve is sold out on the company’s official store, and people are nervous that it may be a grim omen of things to come rather than a momentary hiccup.

Late last night on February 10, people noticed that the OLED versions of Valve’s Steam Deck were sold out. Now, over 12 hours later, the Steam Deck is still sold out on Valve’s official store page for the device. The older LCD version is also sold out, though that’s to be expected since Valve previously announced in 2025 that it had stopped producing that model. The OLED versions, which come in two flavors (512 GB or 1 TB), are supposed to be available for the foreseeable future. Over in Japan, the Steam Deck is also reportedly sold out, but the store page claims a restock in late February.

Kotaku has contacted Valve for more information.

This whole situation has players and analysts scared that this is a sign of what to expect for the foreseeable future as PC parts and memory components used to make consoles and gaming devices become harder to find and more expensive to buy due to ongoing shortages caused by AI hyperscalers. President Donald Trump’s trade wars with half the globe aren’t helping either. On social media, people shared memes joking about how this marks the dawn of a new, terrible, and expensive era for video‑game hardware.

“I was literally about to buy one today, I was even prepared to get the 1 TB model too, but that is gone as well,” posted one user in a Reddit thread dedicated to tracking the Steam Deck shortage.

Another user claimed the Deck was available online at Newegg a few hours ago, but it was $100 more than the market price. Even that now appears to be gone.

Some are worried that when the Steam Deck is made available to buy again in the future, it will come with an increased price tag as Valve struggles to secure the parts needed to produce the handheld PC. It was just last week that Valve announced it was delaying plans to release its upcoming Steam Machine and other hardware due to the ongoing PC parts shortage. Valve also had to delay revealing the price on these upcoming devices, which is not a good sign at all if you were hoping the upcoming Steam Machine would cost less than $1,000.

If you’ve been holding off on buying a Steam Deck, console, or other gaming‑related piece of tech—like a GPU or new PC—I would do so ASAP, because you might not be able to in a few weeks due to shortages or high prices. Good luck out there, y’all. Things are going to get rough.

Image: Steam Deck displays Homer Simpson in shock on a red background

© Valve / Disney / Kotaku