Skip to main content
  1. Home
  2. Gaming
  3. Guides

How to reset an Xbox Series X

By

The Xbox Series X is here, and like the PlayStation 5 and any new console, it has a few minor problems. It doesn’t matter if you’re getting your console ready for sale or trying to solve a bug in the OS — knowing how to reset an Xbox Series X is important, and in this guide, we’re going to show you how to do it.

We’ve laid out our instructions in two parts. The first section provides step-by-step instructions for quickly resetting your Xbox Series X. Use these instructions if you want to factory reset your console and remove all games, apps, accounts, saves, and settings. The second section has in-depth instructions, covering reset options and backups. We recommend reading our in-depth instructions if you’re performing a reset for any reason other than selling or trading in your console.

Recommended Videos

More on Xbox Series X/S

How to factory reset an Xbox Series X step-by-step

xbox series x guide
Image used with permission by copyright holder

Resetting your Xbox Series X or Series S is simple, though there are a few steps you should take in backing up your data before performing the reset. If you just want to know how to factory reset an Xbox Series X, follow these steps:

  1. Press the Xbox button on your controller to open the guide.
  2. Use the D-pad to move over to the Profile & system tab.
  3. Scroll down and select Settings.
  4. Scroll down to System, and select Console info.
  5. Select Reset console.
  6. Choose one of the reset options.

There are two reset options on the Xbox Series X and Series S, one of which keeps your games and apps, and another that removes everything. We’ll talk more about those in the in-depth guide below, as well as the steps you should take to back up your settings, games, and saves.

How to factory reset an Xbox Series X in-depth

Step 1: Get to the settings screen

xbox series x apps menu
Image used with permission by copyright holder

The Xbox Series X UI is interconnected, so there are multiple ways to track down most options. For the Settings screen, the easiest way to get there is to press the Xbox button on your controller, then move to Profile & system — the option with your profile icon — and select Settings. Alternatively, you can select My games & apps from the home screen, scroll down to the Apps tab, and select Settings instead.

Step 2: Back up or transfer your data (and check your saves)

xbox series x backup settings
Image used with permission by copyright holder

Xbox Live members — as well as Game Pass subscribers — have access to cloud saves, but it’s a good idea to back up your data regardless. In the Settings menu, follow System > Backup & transfer to open the backup settings. There are two steps to perform here. The first is to select Back up my settings. This option backs up most of your system settings and preferences to external storage, including everything from your accessibility options to your theme settings. Performing this step will allow you to jump back in immediately after resetting your Xbox Series X.

If you plan on deleting your games and apps, go back to the Backup & transfer screen and select Hard drive transfer. You’ll need a fast external hard drive, but you can move your games and apps over to external storage so they don’t get lost during the reset. As long as you back up your settings and have your saves synced, you can freely delete games and apps and redownload them. If you don’t want to stress your internet connection, however, moving them from external storage is still an option.

Finally, you have to deal with your saves. You don’t need to do anything special as long as you’re signed up for Xbox Live. Note that you just need Xbox Live free, not Xbox Live Gold, to access cloud saves. Make sure to close any games you have running while you have an active internet connection (that’s when the Xbox Series X performs save syncing).

Step 3: Choose your reset option

xbox series x reset settings
Image used with permission by copyright holder

With your settings, games, apps, and saves in order, it’s time for a reset. In the Settings menu, follow System > Console info > Reset. There are two reset options: Reset and remove everything and Reset and keep my games & apps. If you’re resetting your Xbox Series X to sell or trade in, select the first option. If you’re troubleshooting or anything else, select the second option.

Although Reset and keep my games & apps will, indeed, keep your games and apps, that’s all the option will keep. Your settings, local saves, and accounts will be removed from your Xbox Series X. That’s why it’s important to back up your settings, accounts, and saves beforehand.

As long as you backed up your settings to external storage, restoring them is simple. Once the reset is finished, plug in your external hard drive before powering on your Xbox Series X. The console will read the data and automatically import all of your backed up settings.

How to perform a soft reset on Xbox Series X

xbox series x full shutdown setting
Image used with permission by copyright holder

If you’re encountering freezing, stuttering, or other hiccups with your Xbox Series X or Series S, you may not need to perform a full factory reset. By default, the Turn Xbox off option that comes up when holding down the Xbox button doesn’t actually turn off your console. Like the PS5 and Microsoft’s last-gen machines, this option puts your Xbox into a “rest” mode.

First, on this same menu, select Restart console. This option completely restarts the system, including a full power down. In the majority of cases, performing a restart is enough to resolve most issues.

If that doesn’t solve your problem, head into the Settings menu and follow General > Power mode & startup. There, select Full shutdown and wait for your Xbox to power off before removing the power cable. Plug the power cable back in after a few seconds, then boot your Xbox up.

This process will solve issues like games getting stuck on the splash screen and updates not finishing, among other problems. If you’re solely troubleshooting, we recommend performing this step before resorting to a proper reset. Although there is an option to keep your games and apps, restarting your console is faster and it can resolve the most common Xbox Series X problems.

Editors' Recommendations

Topics
Jacob Roach
Jacob Roach
Lead Reporter, PC Hardware
Jacob Roach is the lead reporter for PC hardware at Digital Trends. In addition to covering the latest PC components, from…
The best Xbox Series X controllers for 2024
Hands holding the Scuf Instinct Pro controller.

A gamer is only as good as their controller, and the Xbox Series X has plenty of options to choose from when it comes to ways to interact with the best exclusives. However, a recent update to the system has made all unnofficial controllers no longer compatible, leading to confusion about which controllers one should invest in. That's why we made your search easy by listing not only controllers guaranteed to work on the system, but the best ones across the board.

Read more
The best guns in XDefiant
XDefiant

XDefiant has a wide range of guns to pick from and customize, but they're not all created equally. That being said, here are our picks for the most well-rounded and lethal choices available right now.
Best assault rifle: ACR 6.8
The ACR 6.8 is a classic weapon seen in various other games, and it's almost always a standout. The same goes for this beloved firearm in XDefiant, offering top-tier damage for medium- to long-range shootouts. It also has minimal vertical recoil, making it easy to use during engagements that require perfect accuracy. And though it's not perfect for close range, it can hold its own against SMGs, so don't be terribly afraid of tight spaces.
Best SMG: MP7
If your primary goal is to run and gun, the MP7 is an absolute beast when you get right up on your opponents. Not only does it dish out some of the fastest damage in the entire game but it handles exceedingly well with very limited recoil at close-to-medium range. That being said, the damage falls off drastically at longer ranges, so we recommend staying in tighter spaces when possible to force your foes to face you up close and personal.
Best LMG: M60
LMGs are the kings of suppressive fire, making them awesome choices for sitting back and spraying at range in modes like Escort. The best you can choose for this is the M60, offering massive magazine size, shockingly mild recoil, and high damage. It's not going to win every close-range gunfight, but if you can find a place to set up, you'll be the bane of the other team's existence.

Best shotgun: M870
If you've played a few matches of XDefiant, you've no doubt been blasted in the face by someone using an M870. This insanely powerful shotgun can decimate foes at point-blank range, so moving around the map rapidly with it can turn you into a killing machine. As to be expected, however, you'll struggle once you get to medium- and long-range shootouts, so stick to interiors with plenty of cover and opportunities for surprise attacks.
Best marksman rifle: SVD
Marksman rifles are a good choice for players looking to excel in long-distance firefights without the considerably slower movement and aiming of a sniper. For this, go with the SVD's high-damage capability. Though it kicks a bit much, this downside is offset quite a lot by offering a consistent two-shot kill. This makes it extremely dangerous when popping enemies from afar while also working well enough in a pinch when you get caught in tighter spaces.
Best sniper: TAC-50
Sniping is the ultimate form of long-range engagement in XDefiant, and you'll want to go with the TAC-50 when you want to make sure your shots consistently lay someone flat. Though it's a bit slow, a body shot with the TAC-50 is a one-shot kill, so it rewards players with stable aim who find good hiding spots. Obviously, you'll be at a major disadvantage in hectic close-range gunfights, though, so pair this with a proximity mine to cover your flank.
Best sidearm: 686 Magnum
Sometimes you run out of ammo in a shootout and need to swap to your sidearm to secure a kill. That's where the 686 Magnum comes in. This hard-hitting secondary gun has a relatively slow rate of fire, but its incredible damage and ability to hit long-range targets make it a killer choice for finishing off opponents.

Read more
All XDefiant characters and how to unlock them
XDefiant

XDefiant is a free-to-play shooter from Ubisoft, which brings together multiple factions from the publisher's long list of franchises. Each of these factions have their own abilities and passives that make them suited for certain playstyles, so knowing which one works best for you should be an important part of your strategy. While individual characters within these factions share the same abilities, unlocking them all gives you access to more customization options via unique skins.

If you'd like to unlock every character in the game, you'll need to complete challenges that typically ask you to use one of their faction's two abilities on your foes or allies. These can take quite a while to finish, so an alternative method is to purchase a skin for that character in the shop, which will automatically unlock them for you to use. However, this costs real money, so we only recommend doing it if you already know you want the skin, too.

Read more