Buzz
Use this simple guide to reset your Xbox and bring it back to its original settings.
If you're looking to factory reset your Xbox One but aren't sure where to begin, this article is just what you need. Whether you're preparing to sell or give away your Xbox, or you’re troubleshooting an issue, performing a reset is straightforward. This guide will show you how to reset your Xbox One using either the console's settings or a USB drive, all without needing to sign in.
Quick Instructions
- Open the settings menu on your Xbox.
- Navigate to System > Console info.
- Click on Reset console.
- Choose your preferred reset option.
- Allow the console to complete the reset process.
Detailed Steps
Resetting Through Console Settings
Go to the Xbox settings. Press the Xbox button on your controller, scroll to the right, and select Profile & system > Settings to begin.
Navigate to System > Console info. In this section, you will find an option to initiate the reset process for your Xbox.
Click on Reset console. You will be prompted with a screen labeled "Reset your console?" where you can choose between two reset options or Cancel.
- Reset and remove everything: This option will restore your Xbox to factory settings, wiping all data from the console. Use this if you are giving away or selling your Xbox.
- Reset and keep my games & apps: This resets the console’s operating system while preserving your installed games and apps. If the reset does not resolve your issues, you may want to select Reset and remove everything to eliminate any issues caused by a corrupt game or app.
Select your preferred reset option and wait for the Xbox to finish. After making your selection, the console will begin the reset process. Be patient, as it may take a while for the process to complete. Do not turn off or restart the console until the reset is fully finished.
Performing a Reset Using a USB Drive
Ensure you have the correct flash drive. To proceed with this method, you'll need a flash drive that has at least 4 GB of available space, formatted in NTFS, with no other files on it.
- This method allows you to reset your Xbox One without needing to sign in.
Insert the flash drive into a Windows PC. Make sure the PC is connected to the internet.
Download the factory reset zip file. Head to Xbox's official website to download the necessary file.
Extract the contents of the zip file. Right-click the file and select Extract all… to begin the extraction process.
Transfer the $SystemUpdate file to the USB drive. Ensure the $SystemUpdate file is placed directly in the root directory of the drive, not inside any folders.
- After transferring the file, safely eject the USB drive from your computer.
Power off your Xbox. Once the console is off, disconnect the power and Ethernet cables (if you're using a wired internet connection). Wait for 30 seconds before proceeding.
Reconnect the Xbox power. However, do not turn it on just yet.
Insert the flash drive into one of the USB ports on your Xbox. You can use either the front or back USB ports on the console.
Force the console to detect the reset file on the USB drive. This process differs depending on whether your console has an eject button or not:
- With an eject button: Hold down the Pair button (three curved lines) and the Eject button (an up-facing triangle with a line beneath it), then press the power button on the console.
- No eject button: Press and hold the Pair button (three curved lines), then press the power button on the console.
Press and hold the Pair and Eject buttons for 10 to 15 seconds. After holding for 10-15 seconds, you will hear two power-up sounds. Once you hear them, release the buttons.
- If your console lacks an Eject button, just hold the Pair button.
- If you don't hear the power-up sounds, begin again from step 9.
Initiate the console reset. After hearing the two power-up sounds, the console will restart. Once it restarts, follow the on-screen prompts to complete the reset process. Make sure the console finishes resetting before turning it off or unplugging it.
