How to Factory Reset an Xbox Series X

A factory reset wipes the internal hard drive of your Xbox Series X (or Series S) completely clean. It deletes every downloaded game, erases your saved credit card information, unlinks your Microsoft account, and returns the console’s software to the exact state it was in when you first pulled it out of the cardboard box.

You must perform a factory reset before selling, trading in, or giving your console to a friend to ensure they cannot access your digital purchases or personal data. You might also use a factory reset as a last-resort troubleshooting step if the console is experiencing severe, unfixable software crashes.

Crucial Preparation: Save Your Game Data

Before you wipe the hard drive, you must ensure you don’t lose hundreds of hours of game progress.

Fortunately, Microsoft utilizes a highly robust cloud-save system. As long as your Xbox Series X has been connected to the internet recently, all of your game saves are automatically backed up to the Xbox Cloud for free. You do not need an active Xbox Game Pass subscription for this feature. When you buy a new console and log into your account, it will automatically download your saves the first time you boot up a game.

How to Factory Reset via the Settings Menu (The Standard Way)

If your console turns on normally and you can navigate the menus with your controller, this is the easiest method.

1. Turn on the Xbox and press the glowing Xbox button in the center of your controller to open the Guide menu.
2. Press the Right Bumper (RB) repeatedly to navigate to the far right tab (Profile & system).
3. Scroll down and select Settings.
4. In the Settings menu, navigate to System in the left-hand sidebar.
5. Select Console info in the right-hand panel.
6. Select Reset console.

A warning screen will pop up offering you two distinct choices. This is the most important step in the process:

• Reset and remove everything: (Choose this if selling/giving away). This is the “nuclear option.” It deletes all user data, accounts, and the massive 100GB game files you downloaded. It completely wipes the drive.
• Reset and keep my games & apps: (Choose this for troubleshooting). This resets the core Windows-based operating system to fix software bugs, but it leaves your heavy game files on the hard drive. You will have to log back in, but you won’t have to spend three days re-downloading Call of Duty.

Once you make your selection, the console will restart and begin the wiping process. Do not unplug the console during this time.

How to Factory Reset Using a USB Flash Drive (The Rescue Way)

If your Xbox is suffering from the “Black Screen of Death,” continuously crashes before the menu loads, or refuses to turn on properly, you cannot use the standard settings menu. You must physically reinstall the operating system using a PC and a USB thumb drive.

1. Obtain a USB flash drive (at least 4GB of space) and format it to NTFS on a Windows PC.
2. Go to the official Xbox Support website on your PC and search for “Offline System Update.” Download the OSU1.zip file provided by Microsoft.
3. Extract the ZIP file and copy the $SystemUpdate folder directly onto the root of the formatted USB drive.
4. Turn off the broken Xbox Series X completely and unplug the power cord for 30 seconds to ensure it is completely discharged. Plug it back in.
5. Plug the USB drive into a port on the front or back of the console.
6. Press and hold the Pair button (the small button used to sync controllers) and the Eject button simultaneously.
7. While holding both buttons, press the main Power button once to turn the console on.
8. Continue holding Pair and Eject for about 10-15 seconds until you hear a second power-up chime. Release the buttons.

The console will boot into the hidden “Xbox Startup Troubleshooter” menu. Use the controller to select Offline system update, and the Xbox will pull the fresh operating system directly from your USB drive, wiping the corrupted data in the process.