Viewer Tries to Fix His Own Steam Deck - It Didn't Go Well

[@estrabetenovomultilaser1936]

Respect for you not mocking the guy who attempted fixing it, it's one of my pet peeves when KZbinrs mock the guy who tried fixing it

[@Tronicsfix]

I applaud anyone who gives it their best. I do mock people who call themselves "repair shops" and then do stuff like this without making it right with the customer.

[@VintageCR]

Same! what good will it do though, giving a bunch of pointers but explaining it in a negative way(mocking). it's not giving the previous person a good vibe. While on the topic, the previous guy did his absolute best before he decided to put down his soldering iron. He fought with honor and was SMART to stop before things could potentially get worse. and being smart always wins.

[@penguiin12]

yeah i see this a lot on car/powersports channels. they go meet some random person to buy some new project machine, tell the guy all their socials then really rip into them when they get the thing home. like, why would you do that? thats so rude when the person is probably gonna watch the video lol

[@elyzky1]

​@@TronicsfixPlease what's the name of the instrument that you use in your iPhone screen repair video to transfer old iPhone screen details to the new screen before installation?

[@lukedavis436]

Yeah I've been mocked for trying to become a repair tech, i may only fix E-waste devices, have crap tools and not much experience... But we all start somewhere right?

[@lbdjthethird1240]

I can appreciate one who tries to repair something themselves but knows when it is time to hand it over to the seasoned hand. This stuff is not easy to do even though you make it look like a walk in the park.

[@Tronicsfix]

Yep, you have to know your limits and when it's time to call it quits.

[@Ashismohapatra278]

Well I've been watching his channel for so long that I've noticed that he's got nice and steady hands and good equipment with longtime experience

[@lbdjthethird1240]

@@Ashismohapatra278 Yeah for sure he has developed that steady hand. I heard him recently say he used to be in the repair business but just does content creation for all of us now (which btw, THANK YOU FOR DOING). Dude both literally and figuratively has the hands of a surgeon, know what I mean.

[@Gatorade69]

Watching these videos and others they make it look so easy but you also have to realize they have TONS of experience to make it look that easy.

[@Gatorade69]

​@@lbdjthethird1240I mean technically this is electronic surgery. That's my problem is my hands aren't steady at all.

[@Bulk_eats]

I hope the original owner continues to practice and improve their repair skills. We all make mistakes, but correcting them is very satisfying!

[@donaldino4669]

Mister Porter, watching you trying to repair stuff, trial and error, making assumptions why it doesn't work, trying again and failling, keeping your cool, explaining what you think is the next step and continuing until resolution and sometimes a "yeah it works!" is one of the most relaxing stuff there is lately on youtube. Thanks for sharing those good vibes with us.

[@lenorkhide2873]

I really liked how you were describing some of the issues you were having and why you switched to different irons. I also really liked just the talking through of some of the technique to what you were doing. Seems like a subtle change to the normal format. I really like it

[@lenorkhide2873]

Same with the descriptions of chasing the grounding issue and what conformal coating is for

[@Tronicsfix]

Yes, I’m trying to do that a bit more

[@SiggyPony]

The original owner got so close to fixing it 😅😅 I hope they continue and get better :) its really important to be able to fix your own things I think.

[@Tronicsfix]

Yes! They almost had it

[@Dj1Crook]

which is where right to repair should be easily accessible for everything

[@CaptainPupu]

Absolutely, it's a must have skill in life. A man should be well versed in fixing things. Not necessarily deep stuff, but basic things. Cars, bikes, a chair etc. Important life skill for sure.

[@HardWhereHero]

@@Tronicsfix Dont they make the PCB with the button attached already? Could have swore I seen em on AE.

[@bowserpeach-eater8311]

@HardWhereHero I don't think so valve won't even sell them to ifixit, apparently the board must be configured at the factory according to them, there is definitely used ones out there but people are often asking 150$ for it, and also there is two different daughterboard model revisions and you have to get the right one for your steam deck

[@paladingeorge6098]

Its nice to know that even if you weren't able to fix the buttons, you can always replace the module itself with an OEM part. Im glad Valve made OEM parts available for sale.

[@senpailonestarr2787]

This part isn’t available at ifixit.

[@MMuraseofSandvich]

Much respect, man. Even with a microscope I probably would have just begged Valve support for an exchange like I did when the power button on my Deck no longer aligned with the switch underneath. Those pads are part of a huge ground plane and without any thermal relief spokes, and I've learned the hard way that these are a huge pain to solder to.

[@TemptationS_LIVE]

I have NOTHING but the utmost respect and appreciation for you TronixFix! A TRUE modern day Tech Hero.... When companies don't want us to be able to fix our own devices and contribute to the "just buy a new one" mentality.... THANK YOU for uploading these videos and showing people (maybe if not always super in depth) how to repair or at least ATTEMPT to repair their devices

[@TheSkaldenmettrunk]

Nice fix. Shoutout to Kyle for trying! 17:19

[@Goldrush1988]

Ive started buying broken retro consoles thanks to watching you're videos. Its so much fun bringing them back to life. Now to bring myself to start selling them. They have entered my collection and its difficult to part ways with them now lol.

[@gokublack8342]

I've fixed some Xbox Ones a PS4 and a Wii (Ig Wii is the only really Retro one) but part of me always wanted to try to fix a gamecube(Such a fan of those) have you ever revived a Gamecube?

[@Goldrush1988]

@@gokublack8342 No I haven't but I did buy one recently so I will in the near future.

[@Ryan_DeWitt]

Steve makes it look so easy! I can micro solder too! Will take me 5 minutes. 2 hours later, "oh crap, I really F'ed this up." Maybe I should have practiced first on some electronics I don't care about.

[@Tronicsfix]

Lol, it takes some practice

[@capsel22]

kudos to anyone who tries to fix their own kit. I honestly thought that person did a pretty good job, better than I would have.

[@keithdavison2960]

Just a quick note I have been looking for a how to video for a console task and KZbin has some very dumb people trying to explain things they clearly don’t know, then I found you and your channel and a Video explaining exactly what I needed and you articulated how to as well as the pitfalls in less than 3 minutes, thank you so so so much you rock

[@captaincrunch1707]

I bought a cheap $10 case just because of your prior video on damaged(dropped) deck bumpers. The case has a raised edge that’s higher than the bumper so it will take the brunt of a fall instead of the delicate bumpers.

[@Tronicsfix]

That’s a great idea!

[@dadrunkcanadianlive440]

Watching soldering & stuff is super interesting. I love taking things apart & putting things back together. I only do minor cosmetic changes & it’s fun to do.

[@DeepThought420]

You're a true Superhero to all of us gamers! Thank you for another awesome video! 🎉🎉🎉

[@Tronicsfix]

My pleasure!

[@Saadi_Lyfe]

Loved the video and the diagnostics we get to learn from you... thanks 😊

[@isledon]

Thank you so much, this was me. Hopefully now I can fix my mistake and if not share this with someone who can 🤣

[@2dthoughts]

$300 for broken electronics seems crazy, even knowing 100% you can fix it

[@TheFallingFlamingo]

To be fair, it was only two buttons that were broken. Those account for a fraction of a fraction of the MSRP of a Steam Deck. The device was still totally usable, it was in good condition, and, very importantly, it was easily repairable by the *buyer.* Even if the buttons hadn't been fixed, one could still attach a Bluetooth controller, a keyboard/mouse, or remap the buttons in SteamOS software.

[@brucepreston3927]

He bought it for content, and will make back way more than he paid by making a video on it...Most people wouldn't pay that much if they were trying to flip it or something...

[@2dthoughts]

@@brucepreston3927 i understand why he bought, but not a reasonable ask in my opinion from the seller

[@Xelief]

@@2dthoughts Nothing wrong with Tronics giving him a bit of a break

[@mobrocket]

​@@TheFallingFlamingo I don't understand what you are saying The point is $300 for a broken steam deck is high, when a new one is $399 Granted he does it for content, so he will easily make that back and after the resell of it

[@AlterRaigo]

I'm not into fixing stuff, or even engineering, but I find your videos fascinating!

[@blutey]

You're very patient and methodical with your fixes. Good job on figuring that one out in the end!

[@glutentag5853]

It's crazy how well controlled your fingers are, I can't hold anything without shaking. Also it always shocks me when I see the size of your finger against the electronics

[@Tronicsfix]

I’m actually pretty shaky. It’s all about positioning and support

[@TimInertiatic]

@@Tronicsfix good to know. Next time I have a broken electronics thing I want to give it a go, but I have proper shaky hands 😁

[@CBarker151]

Great video as always. The microscope output really helps see what is going on, but hides the truse scale of what you are doing, until a finger comes into view!

[@TouchGrassFr]

Another day fixing stuff Great work!

[@Tronicsfix]

Thanks 👍

[@thomastartu9597]

It looks like someone who has some basic skills had tried to fix this, but unfortunately was unsuccessful. And they were that close to getting the job done!

[@patterisepi]

Your workmanship is usually top notch so when the solder joints on this one are tiny bit crooked I noticed it immediately :)

[@furqanbangash]

This is very satisfying to watch.. keep them coming...

[@TheNeoMassacre]

Steve the Perfect Amount of Thermalpaste on that Steamdeck would make it even more Perfect.

[@Tronicsfix]

Lol, true

[@JimNichols]

Drank too much coffee this morning didn't you Steve? lol.... Great video bro! As usual the scripting, editing and videography is dead on the money.

[@ItsHyomoto]

Good lesson here: channels like this can give you confidence and advice, but Tronix also does it for a living as well as has dedicated tools for it. It definitely isn't as easy as he makes it look!

[@flyinryanfpv]

I'm jealous! That's a great deal!! Cheers Mate 🍻

[@ashhks]

Hey Steve, I'm a big fan of your channel and videos! Thank you very much for all your efforts. I think it would be fun to see you try to fix some steering wheels. Wish you all the best my friend 🙏

[@bryans8656]

I never tire of watching you troubleshoot and fix gadgets.

[@bigdawghoss9871]

Can confirm. I'm rather seasoned with electronics repair. And swapping out the buttons for the steam deck was tough. The screws are very delicate and tend to strip easily. And the power connectors for each control board module break so easily. I was so gentle with them and one cracked. Luckily half remained and i secured it with Kapton tape. But i definitely don't plan on cracking it open again unless absolutely necessary

[@sonogameplay]

i tought it wouldn't work, but you are the best! great job!

[@aerodigital]

Spills are a friggin nightmare for these things. You can fix them, they will work, but getting the button feels back to the original is very hard. Didn't know the Xbox switches would fit, going to order a handful of those! Of course going to use a heat station to repair so no ripped pads. Don't get junk in your touch pads, those are on the bottom and you have to remove everything including the screen to clean it thoroughly. Nice video!

[@virgildeklerk]

Very nice fix Steve, i know how hard this is, i've replaced a xbox one controller micro usb port with trace repair ones pfffff so difficult but i was succesful. Keep up the great videos

[@brucepreston3927]

I'm learning how to replace those small ports myself, and it has been much more difficult than I thought it would be...I don't have the best tools, but i've managed to successfully replace 10 or so of them...I really need to get a microscope though!

[@Tronicsfix]

Nice work!

[@Dragoncb456]

I think the problem you had with the first button repair was that the pad was grounded already on the board prior to you soldering the button back on I still saw solder connecting the far left and center pads. But that is just a theory. Though, good thinking on raising that pin and just routing around the pad. Love your videos, oddly satisfying to watch especially with the soldering.

[@ztechrepairs]

Dang glad the gent stopped when he did. That repair could have been a lot worse lol.

[@digitaldonovin1189]

I dropped mine within the first few months of owning my deck. My bumper would not reach the button. But instead of removing it and soldering it like 1 or 2 mm higher. I just got a tiny piece of paper and folding it to create a bridge between the bumper and button.

[@Tronicsfix]

Great idea! the bumpers get damaged a lot because of drops.

[@RubenVerster]

The surgeon of electronics

[@DCstar]

I think it’s nice that the person tried to fix this on their own but practice makes perfect.

[@mtshark7]

Nicely done Steve!

[@justinc9991]

Micro-soldering is not your best friend BUT u fixed and that’s a huge win! GL!

[@ColourWithChris]

Props to the original owner for giving it a go plenty of people would’ve just chucked it in the bin 🗑️

[@srbnat]

I hope those people will tell me their address

[@Tomazack]

No one's that stupid unless they're filthy rich. It usually ends up as a scam on eBay or sold for parts on eBay if the seller is honest.

[@ExperimentalCreat0r]

I love this channel so much, it made me learn abt consoles, how 2 fix, etc. And now i wish i had my ps1 back so i could open it

[@Hectic_Times]

I have never worked on electronics in my life besides replacing batteries in the remote, still completely entertained by this.

[@MahmoudYahyaoui]

Small mistake not testing continuity on the button before assembly :p great video as always

[@RGInquisitor]

I did a similar "repair" on my own Steam Deck. The right bumper came from factory with no "clickyness" to it. It still worked fine, however I hated how the left bumper was all nice and clicky and the right one was all mushy. After watching a previous video of yours, I bought some Nintendo DS Lite microswitches and swapped out the right bumper myself. It went great! However, now I have a different issue.... the left bumper is not as clicky as the replacement!

[@nhand42]

I reckon that middle "pad" was actually the ground plane. It was far too close to the neighbouring pads to be from-factory. The previous owner probably scraped through the original middle pad and exposed the ground plane.

[@sarabihyena]

$300 for a damaged min spec steam deck? It feels like people are getting very greedy with the prices of broken tech nowdays.

[@thiago4santos]

Guys this skill isn't like screwing some screws, it seems easy because he is a professional. You will break your electronics if you try to do this without experience.

[@marceloabreu669]

Seu trabalho é espetacular.. parabéns...

[@1998LeonSKennedy]

At the moment I saw the almost inexistent pin I thought "Why don't you just cover the whole pad and use the wire directly into the button?" Guess that was really the perfect solution XDXD Amazing to see and guess on these repairs.

[@vadnegru]

Valve actually made a good job making this much test pads. If there are schematic freely available it would make any repairs easy.

[@LightPhoenix7000]

On that left trigger button, maybe it didn't show as well on camera but it looked like the left leg's pad had excess solder over the mask. I wonder if that was causing a bridge there rather than any issues with your wire soldering.

[@Tronicsfix]

That's possible.

[@effingandjeffing8270]

Yeah look at 8:25 it's joined the the corner of the next pad.

[@12345.......]

I respect the effort by Kyle. Worst case scenario, it still needs to be fixed.

[@Tronicsfix]

Yep. He was so close!

[@SApcProSergijAleksovski]

Wow, such a hard job. Congrats!

[@Tronicsfix]

Thanks!

[@deanhayashi5299]

I’ve been binging your videos…and I don’t know why. I used to sell electronics at Sears. So I have some basic knowledge. Also in trying to sell protection agreements I’m glad to know when mother boards go bad they can be expensive to replace. Because that was part of my sales pitch 😅

[@gabe2252]

I love the steamdeck repairs the most.

[@matemagyar9446]

I tend to forget how small these things are.. I was wondering why did you bother/struggle with the mask, then you put your finger there , and I realized how small place was there.. maybe it’s just me , but it’d be wonderful if you sometimes zoom out to “real life” so we can see how precise you have to be. Keep up the good work, love your vids and your mentality!

[@gsuberland]

Looks like the initial repair attempt cut the soldermask off the top layer and found a buried ground via under the pad, and assumed that was the connection point. Not entirely surprising on HDI boards.

[@OperationDecoded]

I suspected a short first but then when I thought you fixed it (and so did you) it turned out it didn't need to be connected the way it did but how did you know that in the first place? It was not just guessing I assume?

[@M1H1yt]

People try fail but tronicsfix never fails at tech

[@DanielMcGeary]

Such a dope channel.

[@JhustineProvido]

loved this video!

[@mongo6167]

I never think that the stuff your soldering is that small until I see a finger come into the screen and it’s massive!🤣

[@isaaccervantes5955]

We have right to fix , sometimes w just get it wrong . Glad you could help him out

[@truthhurts3524]

I’d like to think I could fix it myself, but know I’d just mess it up even more. After saving up $$ to buy one, I’m super careful with my deck, fingers crossed it stays just like new. 🤞🏽

[@GrenPara]

I have watched up to 12:41 of the video and have not yet seen if it is fixed. But I am wondering if you tested the button to make sure it works using multimeter? That would have been first thing I did before soldering it onto the board. Even totally new items I received for repairs get a quick test to make sure it works before it is even attempted to install.

[@smiddy0000]

Skipping the video to the end is not that difficult, way faster than typing a reaction ;)

[@robertpage2023]

I could see that the pin area on the left had solder still spread into the middle pin area. Get a grinding pen and grind a trench between those two pins. That solder mask only coated the touching solder. Once you get that trench ground out, THEN add the solder mask. OR solder mask all under the middle pin to insulate that middle terminal from the left side.

[@fireteamomega2343]

That would work on a non layered board but with that you risk grinding into the next layer and hitting a trace. Some boards are twenty layers deep.

[@richardbriansmith8562]

Awesome video Tronicsfix Awesome steam Deck Fix Tronicsfix.

[@djust270]

This is exactly what happened to my deck. I put it in the case, and picked up the case without it being zipped up without thinking. Fell hard on the right shoulder button. Valve fixed it for free.

[@jimmymyers]

Would love to see you try to fix a broken microsd slot on a ROG Ally. Mine fried itself and i had to return it.

[@Tronicsfix]

I’d love to! I’m watching for broken ones

[@mangakey]

Damn this channel really blew up I remember joining back when it had less than 100k subs...

[@Xmifi_]

Would you do a video on all the tools you use like the magnifying camera and share some tips?

[@Tronicsfix]

Great idea! Might have to do that sometime

[@somethingfunnyyt]

Because of how separated the mother boards are in the steam deck, wouldn’t it just be easier to replace the shoulder button boards?

[@timathypotato8034]

Really surprised those shoulder buttons aren't through hole, figured they would be since all the nintendo handhelds and controllers that use that type of button for the shoulder button are through hole

[@jdplumber007]

Great content. I want to see an episode where you buy 5 broken Tesla's and try to fix them lol

[@duramirez]

Imagine having a robot arm that can move smooth and precise at that level of magnitude, for repairs like these? would be awesome ^^

[@outfield1988]

I like low melt solder when desoldering. I am addicted to it

[@MoRatzzz]

Where do i find the Soilder Wire? 8:36 Or what is it called?

[@coolduder1001]

Why did they scrape the pads?

[@grantrule6593]

Amazing Video Steve

[@Tronicsfix]

Thanks!

[@matthewhardwick8208]

Maybe now I can understand why Valve did their own teardown video and said in all caps DO NOT TRY THIS AT HOME.

[@NimerHassan]

You are the best ❤️

[@isaak3267]

My fav KZbin channel

[@lucasjacobsen3321]

Hey man I have a Xbox series x halo edition and the repair shop failed to repair the hdmi port and cost a lot of money. Think I could send it in to you to see if you can do some black magic to get it working again

[@Tronicsfix]

Contact me on my website: www.TronicsFix.com

[@reasonallame]

Steve, off topic quick. Have you figured out the no working touch pad fault on the PS5 controllers?

[@Tronicsfix]

No. Didn’t know that was a thing. I’ll have to look into that

[@reasonallame]

@Tronicsfix yes, the touch pad stops working. Can't find a solution on the web. I have bout 4 controllers with the issue and rather fix them instead of spending $35 to replace. Maybe a video for you're channel about them?

[@venti13]

do you sell the electronics that are repaired in your videos?

[@mikaeldalc]

Nobody with the name Kyle should be anywhere near anything so sophisticated. Get your life together Kyle 😂

[@krzbrew]

I imagine how hard it is filming in these tight places...

[@XSpImmaLion]

Oooh, tricky. Seems like you have a ground pad sandwiched into the PCB extending all the way under the button, but you also had the trigger pad over on the surface of the PCB... I can see how busting out a button or scratching to reach something ends up in a short circuit there. Good to know these things. Guess this is also the cost of miniaturization.

[@fireteamomega2343]

Most compact electronics are layered PCBs today so they are essentially circuits sandwiched into one board

[@mavowar72]

Hope your health is getting better Steve

[@mykalimba]

14:00 There is no way that the center pin is NOT supposed to be connected to the pad and then to that trace. Why would there be a trace and pad if so? Why would the manufacturer choose a switch with that center leg if so? Occam's Razor says tells us that leg, pin and trace are supposed to be connected, and in that case, that means there's a short to ground somewhere else that causing it to read as such.

[@MikeGervasi]

Is the red conformal you put on not UV activated? Or did you pull a fast one and use red nail polish?

[@SolidSonicTH]

How do we get in touch with you to offer possible fixables?

[@Binary_Deviant]

I understand the need to repair this steam deck. I enjoy the videos, however did the previous owner not know that he could have bought a replacement part from Valve and didn't have to sell it?

[@schrodingerscat8621]

When you tested those button pads with the multimeter and all of them were grounded, I just figured that was a fluke😳