Steam Deck owners are sniffing its exhaust vent and Valve can’t get them to stop

Steam Deck Oled D6c0 5733680 — The Steam Deck supposedly smells like nostalgia (Picture: Valve)

Valve is trying to shut down one of the weirdest trends in gaming: sniffing the exhaust of a Steam Deck portable.

The Steam Deck handheld gaming device has been a massive hit ever since it was released in 2022, with an excellent screen, surprisingly good controls, and a huge number of compatible games.

An unexpected perk though is… the smell of the ventilation exhaust on the top of the device, which has become a big meme on Reddit.

One user, seemingly worried about their own consumption, asked Valve if it’s safe or not to inhale what’s coming out of the device’s ventilation system.

‘Is it safe to inhale the exhaust fumes from the top vent of the Steam Deck? It’s somewhat of a meme to enjoy the fumes but I think I kinda… like it?’ the user asked Valve customer support.

A few days later Valve replied, recognising the meme but urging everyone to avoid sniffing the fumes:

‘As with all electronics, it’s generally not recommended you inhale the exhaust fumes on your device. While there are no safety concerns with general usage, directly inhaling the device’s vent fumes should be avoided.

We understand that it may be a meme, but please refrain from this behaviour for the safety of your health,’ it replied.

Naturally, the user posted this on Reddit, where almost 5,000 people upvoted it, but some commentors don’t seem willing to stop.

‘I’m afraid it’s already too late for 80% in the sub. See you all on the other side,’ says Andrei-Balan.

‘And I’ll do it again’! says tannerd1010, apparently quoting The Simpsons.

Posts about the smell of the Steam Deck exhaust are commonplace on the subreddit, where one poster said it makes them feel nostalgia, as the smell is similar to the smell of older consoles.

The earliest post we could find is dated March 2022, only a month after the Steam Deck’s release, titled: ‘Does anyone else with a Steam Deck like to smell the hot air that blows out the top of it?’

It’s safe to say that many Steam Deck users like the smell of the device, but that huffing it isn’t the best idea. Especially as there’s still no clear explanation for what is actually in the exhaust.