My Son's Steam Deck Wouldn't Hibernate, But I Fixed It

My son noticed that his base model Steam Deck stopped hibernating.  I asked if I could take a look at it and he gave me permission.

I tried a few things:

I tested to determine if it wasn't hibernating - it wasn't.

I then put the Deck into Desktop Mode and tried to hibernate it - it hibernated.  This told me that it wasn't a hardware issue.

I then went back into Game Mode and then went into the system's settings to check which update channel he was using (for SteamOS).  He was using the Standard update channel.  I then configured his system to use the Beta update channel, which prompted a reboot.  After the system rebooted, I went back into the system stettings to force an OS update.  It applied the update.  I then switch the update channel back to Standard and rebooted.  After rebooting, I then forced an update.  I then checked to see if the system would hibernate in Game Mode and it would not.

Next, as I suspected that something was corrupted within his Steam Folders, I needed to actually delete some files.  I switched to Desktop Mode and exited the Steam app.  I then opened the file manager and visited /home/deck/.steam/.  That directory contains a folder named 'root'.  Instead of deleting it, I changed the name to 'root_original'.  I then reopened the Steam app, returned to Gaming Mode, and then checked to see if the Deck would hibernate - it DID!

I wanted to attempt the soltuions that didn't require file deletions first, as it wasn't my Deck - was trying to be repectful of my son.  In the end, it required files to be altered, but I didn't have to actually delete the files.  I suppose I can go back into the file manager and delete 'root_original', knowing I already repaired the 'root' firectory by having the Steam app rebuild that directory.

I wanted to share this info in case others run into a similar issue.