How to factory reset your Xbox One

💡 Need to know

• Glitchy Xbox? Try Reset and keep my games & apps before wiping everything.
• Selling your console? Choose Reset and remove everything to erase your personal data.
• Cloud saves are your friend. Connect to the Xbox network before resetting so your progress can sync.
• Can't access Settings? You can still reset your Xbox using the Startup Troubleshooter and a USB drive.

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If you're looking to sell your Xbox One® or are having a serious issue with it, resetting your console to its factory settings may be your best option. But there is more than one way to do so, and you don't want to risk losing important data.

At Asurion, our experts help millions of customers get the most out of their tech and resolve their game console repair problems. Here's their guide on how to factory reset your Xbox One, as well as some other ways to reboot it.

What does it mean to factory reset your Xbox One?

A factory reset will restore your console to its original settings. You may be wondering, "If I reset my Xbox One, will I lose everything?" Well, Microsoft® offers two ways to factory reset your device, so the answer depends on which one you select.

1. A partial factory reset

A partial factory reset changes your settings back to the defaults, reinstalls the operating system, and removes files that might be causing issues. Microsoft recommends trying this option first because it keeps your installed games and apps intact.

Choose Reset and keep my games & apps if you're troubleshooting software problems, crashes, or performance issues.

2. A full factory reset

A full factory reset deletes all accounts, locally stored saved games, settings changes, and other personal data.

Choose Reset and remove everything if you're selling, trading in, recycling, or giving away your Xbox One.

If you're experiencing an issue with your system, there are a couple of options you can try before attempting a factory reset: a soft reset or a hard reset. Both are simple and won't compromise information saved on your console.

How to soft reset your Xbox One

1. Press the Xbox (power) button on your console to turn it off.
2. Wait a few seconds.
3. Press the Xbox button on your console to turn it back on.

How to hard reset your Xbox One

1. Press and hold the Xbox (power) button on your console for 10 seconds until it turns off.
2. Unplug the system and wait at least 10 seconds.
3. Plug it back in and press the Xbox button on your console to turn it on.

If neither of these Xbox reset methods nor other troubleshooting steps solve your console problems, a factory reset may be your next step.

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When should you factory reset your Xbox One?

A factory reset can be a good option if:

• Apps keep crashing or freezing.
• System updates repeatedly fail.
• Performance issues continue after other troubleshooting.
• You're selling or giving away the console.

If you're only having trouble with a single game, controller, or network connection, it's usually worth trying more targeted troubleshooting first.

How to factory reset your Xbox One console

You can factory reset your Xbox One two ways. The easiest method is directly from the console. But if your Xbox isn't displaying a picture or you can't access the Settings menu, you can also complete a factory reset using a USB flash drive.

This method requires a Windows® PC and a blank flash drive formatted as New Technology File System (NTFS) with at least 4GB of storage.

Before you reset

Before trying any reset method, connect your Xbox to the Xbox network and allow it to sync. This helps ensure your cloud saves and account information are backed up.

As a reminder, a full factory reset removes local accounts, locally stored saves, settings changes, and other data from the console.

Reset your Xbox One from the console

1. Turn the system on and press the Xbox button on the controller.
2. Select Profile & system > Settings > System > Console info.
3. Select Reset Console.
4. Choose the reset option you want:
   • Reset and keep my games & apps. This is Microsoft's recommended option for troubleshooting because it keeps your installed games and apps while reinstalling the operating system.
   • Reset and remove everything. This completely wipes the console and removes all data.

Reset your Xbox One using a USB flash drive

Here's how to format your flash drive as NTFS:

1. Insert your USB drive into your PC.
2. Open File Explorer.
3. Right-click your USB drive in the left-hand window and select Format.
4. In the File System menu, select NTFS.
5. Click Start. Do not remove the USB drive.

Keep your USB drive plugged in and follow these steps to get the reset file:

1. Download the reset file from Microsoft.
2. The file should download automatically. If not, select Save.
3. Right-click the downloaded file and select Extract All.
4. Open the extracted folder and copy the $SystemUpdate file.
5. Open the flash drive directory and paste the $SystemUpdate file into the root directory. There shouldn't be any other files on the drive.
6. Safely remove the USB drive from the PC.

Now you can transfer the reset file to your Xbox:

1. Disconnect the ethernet cable from your Xbox One if you're using a wired connection.
2. Turn off the console and unplug it from power.
3. Wait 30 seconds, then plug it back in.
4. Plug the flash drive into the USB port on the front of the Xbox.

Xbox One, Xbox One S, and Xbox One X

1. Press and hold both the Pair button and the Eject button.
2. While holding them, press the Xbox button on the console.
3. Continue holding the Pair and Eject buttons for 10–15 seconds.
4. Listen for two power-on tones a few seconds apart.
5. After you hear the second tone, release the buttons.

Xbox One S All-Digital Edition

Because this model doesn't have an Eject button:

1. Press and hold the Pair button.
2. Press the Xbox button on the console.
3. Continue holding the Pair button until you hear the startup tones.

Once the console restarts and the setup experience appears, remove the flash drive and follow the on-screen instructions to reset your Xbox One.

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FAQ

Will a factory reset delete my games?

Not if you choose Reset and keep my games & apps. Your installed games and apps stay on the console, but the operating system is reinstalled.

How long does an Xbox One factory reset take?

Most resets take anywhere from a few minutes to about an hour, depending on the reset option you choose and the condition of the console.

Should I factory reset my Xbox One before selling it?

Yes. Choose Reset and remove everything to remove your accounts, settings, and personal data before handing the console to someone else.

What happens if I factory reset my Xbox One without backing it up?

Any data stored only on the console could be lost. Before resetting, connect to the Xbox network and allow your saves to sync to the cloud.

What if my Xbox One won't open the Settings menu?

You can use the Startup Troubleshooter and a USB flash drive to reset the console even if it won't boot normally.