How to Reset Your Xbox Series X or S
How to Reset Your Xbox Series X or S GA S REGULAR Menu Lifewire Tech for Humans Newsletter! Search Close GO Gaming > Consoles & PCs 26 26 people found this article helpful
Hard resetting an Xbox Series X or S is a little more involved, but it’s still very easy. This process doesn’t delete any of your information, so you can safely perform it without fear of losing any game data. Here’s how to hard reset your Xbox Series X or S: Shut down your console by pressing the power button. When the console shuts off, release the power button. Unplug the console from power. Wait at least 10 seconds. Plug the console back in. Turn the console on.
Unlike the other types of resets, a factory reset removes your personal data. While this type of reset can fix a lot of problems, it’s a last resort option as you will have to reinstall any relevant system updates and download your games again. Other personal information, like achievements and cloud saves, aren’t stored on your Xbox, so they won’t be affected. Anything that is stored on your Xbox, however, will be removed. Here’s how to factory reset your Xbox Series X or S: Press the Guide button, and navigate to Profile & settings > Settings. Navigate to System > Console info. Select Reset console. Select RESET AND REMOVE EVERYTHING for a full factory reset, or RESET AND KEEP MY GAMES & APPS to return the console to factory settings without deleting things you have downloaded. Your console will immediately reset itself as soon as you select one of these options. There is no confirmation, and there is no turning back. You may want to start with RESET AND KEEP MY GAMES & SAVES since it's less invasive, then try the other option later if your problem persists. Was this page helpful? Thanks for letting us know! Get the Latest Tech News Delivered Every Day Subscribe Tell us why! Other Not enough details Hard to understand Submit More from Lifewire How to Clear the Cache on Xbox One Consoles How to Add and Use an External Hard Drive with Xbox Series X or S How to Clear the Cache on Xbox Series X or S Consoles How to Speed Up Xbox Series X or S Downloads How to Reset an LG Phone Xbox Series S and X Backwards Compatibility How to Reset Nintendo Switch How to Fix It When a PS5 Controller Won't Sync How to Connect an Xbox to Google Home How to Get Your Xbox Series X or S Online When It Won't Sign In How to Fix It When Your PS4 Won't Turn On How to Factory Reset a Lenovo Laptop How to Reset a DualShock PS4 Controller How to Reset Your Xbox 360 How to Fix a Chromebook Touchscreen That's Not Working How to Reset Your PS5 Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up By clicking “Accept All Cookies”, you agree to the storing of cookies on your device to enhance site navigation, analyze site usage, and assist in our marketing efforts. Cookies Settings Accept All Cookies
How to Reset Your Xbox Series X or S
If your Xbox Series X or S is acting up, try a soft or factory reset
By Jeremy Laukkonen Jeremy Laukkonen Writer Shoreline Community College Jeremy Laukkonen is automotive and tech writer for numerous major trade publications. When not researching and testing computers, game consoles or smartphones, he stays up-to-date on the myriad complex systems that power battery electric vehicles . lifewire's editorial guidelines Updated on March 2, 2021 Reviewed by Ryan Perian Reviewed by Ryan Perian Western Governors University Ryan Perian is a certified IT specialist who holds numerous IT certifications and has 12+ years' experience working in the IT industry support and management positions. lifewire's editorial guidelines Tweet Share Email Tweet Share Email Consoles & PCs Xbox Buyer's Guide thisWhat to Know
To do a soft reset, turn the console off and back on again.To perform a hard reset turn off the console, disconnect the power, wait 5 minutes and then reconnect it and turn the console back on.To factory reset the console, press the Guide button > Profile & settings > Settings > System > Console info > Reset console. This article explains how to soft reset, hard reset, and factory reset an Xbox Series X or S.Resetting vs Hard Resetting vs Factory Resetting
Resetting an Xbox Series X or S can fix a lot of problems, including poor performance, long app load times, mic echo, and more, but there are different types of resets and reboots. Soft reset: When you shut your Xbox Series X or S off by pushing the power button or using the on-screen menu option, and subsequently turn it back on, that’s known as a soft reset or reboot. This is the least invasive, and it happens each time you turn your console off. Hard reset: This type of reset requires you to power your console all the way down before turning it back on. Since power is removed completely, this clears out more things and fixes more problems. Factory reset: This type of reset reverses all of the changes that were made to your console after it left the factory. Local data is removed, and you have to reinstall system updates, download your games again, etc. In many circumstances, hard reset and factory reset are used interchangeably. In the case of the Xbox Series X or S, and other consoles like the Xbox One that are never fully turned off during normal use, the term hard reset instead refers to removing power from the device.How to Soft Reset an Xbox Series X or S
If you leave your console on all the time, just allowing it to enter a low power mode between sessions, then a soft reset every once in a while can fix some problems. There are two ways to achieve a soft reset: Use the Power button on the console.Use the on-screen menu option. To use the first method, you simply press the Power button, release it, and check to make sure that the console powers down and that the video input to your television ceases. Once that has happened, you can push the button again to turn the console back on, and you have performed a soft reset. To use the on-screen menu option: Press the Guide button. Navigate to Profile & system > Power. Select Restart Console.How to Hard Reset an Xbox Series X or S
Hard resetting an Xbox Series X or S is a little more involved, but it’s still very easy. This process doesn’t delete any of your information, so you can safely perform it without fear of losing any game data. Here’s how to hard reset your Xbox Series X or S: Shut down your console by pressing the power button. When the console shuts off, release the power button. Unplug the console from power. Wait at least 10 seconds. Plug the console back in. Turn the console on.
How to Factory Reset an Xbox Series X or S
Unlike the other types of resets, a factory reset removes your personal data. While this type of reset can fix a lot of problems, it’s a last resort option as you will have to reinstall any relevant system updates and download your games again. Other personal information, like achievements and cloud saves, aren’t stored on your Xbox, so they won’t be affected. Anything that is stored on your Xbox, however, will be removed. Here’s how to factory reset your Xbox Series X or S: Press the Guide button, and navigate to Profile & settings > Settings. Navigate to System > Console info. Select Reset console. Select RESET AND REMOVE EVERYTHING for a full factory reset, or RESET AND KEEP MY GAMES & APPS to return the console to factory settings without deleting things you have downloaded. Your console will immediately reset itself as soon as you select one of these options. There is no confirmation, and there is no turning back. You may want to start with RESET AND KEEP MY GAMES & SAVES since it's less invasive, then try the other option later if your problem persists. Was this page helpful? Thanks for letting us know! Get the Latest Tech News Delivered Every Day Subscribe Tell us why! Other Not enough details Hard to understand Submit More from Lifewire How to Clear the Cache on Xbox One Consoles How to Add and Use an External Hard Drive with Xbox Series X or S How to Clear the Cache on Xbox Series X or S Consoles How to Speed Up Xbox Series X or S Downloads How to Reset an LG Phone Xbox Series S and X Backwards Compatibility How to Reset Nintendo Switch How to Fix It When a PS5 Controller Won't Sync How to Connect an Xbox to Google Home How to Get Your Xbox Series X or S Online When It Won't Sign In How to Fix It When Your PS4 Won't Turn On How to Factory Reset a Lenovo Laptop How to Reset a DualShock PS4 Controller How to Reset Your Xbox 360 How to Fix a Chromebook Touchscreen That's Not Working How to Reset Your PS5 Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up By clicking “Accept All Cookies”, you agree to the storing of cookies on your device to enhance site navigation, analyze site usage, and assist in our marketing efforts. Cookies Settings Accept All Cookies