How to fix an Xbox One that keeps restarting

This might sound familiar: You sit down to play a game and turn on your Xbox®, then it immediately turns off. Before you can even get up to see what's going on, it turns on again. If your Xbox One® or Xbox Series X™ keeps restarting on its own, it can be frustrating, especially if you don't know why it's happening. Luckily, we have answers.

Here at Asurion, we have the know-how to fix tech when it breaks—whether your Xbox is lagging or your laptop battery won't charge. We'll walk you through a few simple do-it-yourself fixes for an Xbox that turns on and off on its own so you can get back to slaying monsters and saving princesses. This guide covers four known issues that can cause your console to boot incorrectly—and solutions to get it working again.

Test the power outlet and cable

It's important for your console to get proper power for it to start correctly. Asurion recommends that you first take a look at the power cable going from your Xbox to the outlet. Does it have any rips or tears, possibly from an overly curious furry friend? If so, try replacing the cable to see if that solves the problem. If that wasn't the issue, check the cord's connections to the Xbox and to your outlet to make sure both are fit snug.

Another possible issue could be the power outlet itself. Try plugging a different device into the outlet—if it doesn't turn on, you know the source of the problem is likely the outlet. If it does turn on, it's time to start checking the Xbox itself for issues.

Reset the power supply

If the power supply for your Xbox is starting to go bad, that could also be the cause of your woes. To check it, try a power supply reset:

1. Turn off your Xbox.
2. Unplug the power cord from the back of the console, from the power brick, and from the power outlet.
3. Wait 10–15 seconds to give the power supply time to reset.
4. Plug the cord back into the wall and into the power brick, but do not plug it back into the console yet.

If the power supply is working properly, either a solid white or solid orange light should appear on the front of the power brick. If there's no light or the light is blinking, it's likely that the power supply has an issue and needs to be replaced.

Check for poor ventilation

A very common cause for an Xbox not starting properly is bad ventilation. If you've received an error message onscreen saying that your Xbox has improper ventilation or if the console is hot to the touch, the best place to start is by turning it off. Then move it to a well-ventilated area, preferably somewhere off the floor and in the open—not on a rug or inside a cabinet. Once moved, give the console about an hour to cool down before trying to turn it on again. This would be a great time to check for dust and debris, which can also affect ventilation—check out our guide on how to clean your Xbox One.

Update your settings

Your settings could be another reason your Xbox keeps turning itself off and on. Within the Power mode & startup section of your Xbox's settings, you can choose to have your console turn itself off after a specific period of inactivity, as well as set up or turn off instant-on mode. Here's how:

1. Press the Xbox button to open the guide.
2. Select Profile & system > Settings > General > Power mode & startup.
3. From the Power mode menu, choose the setting you'd like to adjust.

Perform a hard reset

A hard reset can resolve software glitches and refresh your Xbox system without erasing your games and apps. Here’s how to do it:

1. First, press and hold the Power button on the front of your Xbox for 10 seconds. This will force the console to shut off completely.
2. Once the system powers down, unplug the power cable from the back of the console and wait for at least 30 seconds.
3. Next, plug the power cable back into the console and press the Power button again to turn it on. This process clears the cache and can resolve many issues causing your Xbox to restart or perform poorly.

If the problem persists after the hard reset, it may be time to look into system updates or other troubleshooting steps.

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FAQ

Why does my Xbox turn off and on by itself?

This can happen due to a power supply issue, overheating, a corrupted system update, or faulty internal hardware. Try unplugging the console for a few minutes, cleaning vents to prevent overheating, or checking for any pending system updates.

Can a faulty power strip cause my Xbox to keep restarting?

Yes. Using a low-quality or overloaded power strip can lead to inconsistent power delivery, which may cause your Xbox to shut down or reboot randomly. Try plugging the console directly into a wall outlet.

How do I know if my Xbox is overheating?

Signs of overheating include a hot console casing, loud fan noise, and abrupt shutdowns or restarts. Make sure the console is in a well-ventilated area and clean any dust buildup from vents and fans. Read our guide on how to cool down an overheating Xbox for more tips.

Will a factory reset fix my Xbox if it keeps restarting?

A factory reset can fix software-related issues that might be causing the problem. Just remember it will erase your settings and games unless you choose the option to keep your games and apps during the reset process. If you need help, read our guides on how to factory reset your Xbox One and Xbox S|X.

How many times can I factory reset my Xbox?

There’s no official limit, but frequent resets may point to a larger hardware or software issue that needs attention from an Xbox expert. If your console continues restarting after a reset, it’s worth getting it checked out.