5 Common Issues With The Steam Machine, According To Users

Officially announced in November 2025, the Steam Machine is Valve’s way of blending a console and PC together to create a mini-machine capable of supporting SteamOS and TV connections. Gamers not only get access to the entire Steam Machine library, folks can even pay a little more for a controller that at one point was flying off the shelves. For fans of Steam or PC gaming on a big screen, the machine certainly has its perks. However, there’s also several common issues that may sour experiences.

Along with a price that leaves many wanting more, certain performance issues alongside a promised metric being changed at the last minute has left several questioning their purchase, as had certain issues with the device sleeping and waking. Though it can be repaired and components can be swapped, some are learning that this comes with its own set of challenges. There’s also a little issue about determining the right storage option for your gaming library. Fortunately, we have ideas for solutions when applicable, though some may not like that this can involve considering other hardware options.

It’s worth mentioning that some of these problems are out of Valve’s control, and we’re not here to knock the capabilities of the Steam Machine (even if there are cheaper, more powerful gaming systems). The Steam Machine can certainly make for a solid system, it’s just that users should fully understand what they’re investing in before dropping their hard-earned cash. If you’ve been on the fence about purchasing one, here’s what to know.

Laptop owners may already have experience with this, but one choice users seem to get stuck on with the Steam Machine is picking between the 512GB or the 2TB NVMe SSD models. This may not seem like a big decision at first, but once you begin factoring in the large file sizes of certain AAA gaming titles, the storage size you choose can be a major issue down the road. Something like “Stardew Valley” only takes 500MB of space, but something like “Baldur’s Gate 3” can take upwards of 150GB.

There’s workarounds for storage problems, of course. The Steam Machine does support microSD cards to expand your library, whereas plenty of users also rely on external storage. However, running a big game through an SD card can cause loading or gameplay issues, and external drives can increase load times. Those used to juggling these issues may not mind too much, but new Steam Machine users should certainly consider their storage options (among other things they may need to know about it).

Looking at what users on Reddit have to say, some view storage limitations as a way of consolidating their libraries to keep solely the games they’re playing. Fortunately, Steam allows you to re-download your games as needed, but some users may find this a hassle (especially when going back to large AAA titles or if they have slow internet). If you’re still shopping, consider your digital gaming collection before hitting Add to Cart.

For hardware, having the option to put something to sleep can be a great alternative to shutting it off completely. It can often help reduce energy costs, and it’s a speedier way to get back to something without waiting for a system to boot back up fully. Those with a PC can also consider if putting a machine to sleep is better than shutting it down. Naturally the Steam Machine has its own sleep/wake functions, though users may notice its hiccups.

Along with the device waking up moments after it was put to sleep, one user also reported the device not recognizing its HDMI cable upon wakeup, causing complete audio loss. This same user also reported that certain games simply won’t load at all upon wakeup. Even Steam admitted that some users can experience CPU reductions once their device has been put to sleep. Within the Steam Community, users say just restarting the machine or shutting it down can help, but there are better solutions now.

Fortunately, Valve has released an update that addresses the immediate wakeup and CPU issues. The Firmware 108 update even fixes some HDMI issues. If you need an update for your Steam Machine, navigate to Settings > System > Hardware Updates to see if anything is available. Some users also report the HDMI CEC functions on their TVs failing to work properly with the Steam Machine. CEC, or Consumer Electronics Control is essentially what helps electronic devices talk to each other, though you’ll need to look at your TV’s manual for more info.

A cool thing about the Steam Machine is that the developers behind it do seem to have an interest in making sure gamers can actually repair and upgrade their device. Valve has already shown users how to make their own Steam Machine, but it’s also working with repair gurus iFixit to provide repair guides. In fact, iFixit even has plans to stock Steam Deck parts so that consumers can more easily work on them. It can be great for repair enthusiasts, but there can still be hurdles for some.

If you’re looking to repair or replace something on a Steam Deck, iFixit may give you the guide to do it, but some of the instructions are far from the skillset of a novice. For example, iFixit does provide guides on details for things like replacing the fan or even upgrading the motherboard, but doing certain things like replacing the system RAM can have up to 49 different steps. Bear in mind this is before a user even puts the machine back together.

Those with experience or a passion for tinkering may find themselves salivating at a build, but those with less knowledge may find projects daunting. The process can require steps such as heating up glue with a hair dryer or heat pad to detach two antennas while also carefully removing the system’s fan (which also poses challenges). If someone doesn’t know what they’re doing, the potential for breaking something can be high. Repair options are available, but some may find it a bumpy road.

When the Steam Machine was originally announced, it was intended to be an affordable option for gamers. Or, at the very least, it certainly wasn’t meant to cost what it did upon release (more on that later). Valve ended up confirming our worst fears regarding price in February 2026, and to be fair, RAM shortages have been causing issues for many companies (and consumers). Be that as it may, the machine was never truly built for performance, but it’s still leaving gamers feeling rather underwhelmed.

Looking at what users on Reddit have to say, many of them take issue with the device only coming with 8GB of GDDR6 VRAM, with many arguing that 12GB would have been better for PC gaming performance. Considering VRAM helps store temporary data when cranking a game’s settings, this can be an issue — especially when trying to hit the promised 4K at 60 FPS that Valve has claimed (and then changed to “up to 4K at 60FPS”). For comparison, the Xbox Series X and the PS5 Pro have 10GB and 16GB of GDDR6 VRAM, respectively.

In a review for PC World, writer Michael Crider notes that a game relying on Unreal Engine 5 didn’t perform well in 4K, hitting numbers as low as 30FPS. Across Reddit, users also note frame drops with certain games, though several do find the performance of the Steam Machine to still be rather impressive. Essentially, don’t be surprised if you’re lowering your performance settings on the device or relying on upscaling to hit higher FPS numbers.

The 512GB Steam Machine goes for $1,049, whereas adding the Steam Controller brings it up to $1,128. For the 2TB model, users will be dropping $1,349 or $1,428 with the controller. We’ve already explored the fact that rising component costs have done little to mitigate the issue, but the fact remains that it’s not hard finding gamers who have problems with these numbers (and to be fair, even we sometimes feel this way).

It’s a price that can have others looking elsewhere, as plenty of other options are available. Checking suggestions on Reddit, at least one user notes that finding a used gaming laptop that connects to a TV may be a better value, though some also recommend simply building your own gaming rig and installing Steam OS on it. Of course, some also suggest that investing in one of Microsoft or Sony’s consoles may be better bang for the buck.

Considering the problem with components right now, picking up anything new is pretty likely to have your wallet feeling the sting, but there are options available. For another example, a Beelink SER5 MAX has a Ryzen 7 7735HS CPU (compared to Steam Machine’s “semi-custom” 6-core AMD Zen 4), 24GB of RAM, and a Radeon 680M GPU (compared to Steam Machine’s AMD RDNA3 GPU) for often about half the cost of a 512GB Steam Machine. BGR has not reviewed or tested this device, rather, this is just an example of how one’s dollar may stretch further elsewhere.