Resetting your Xbox to factory defaults can fix stubborn problems with the console’s operating system. You don’t have to lose your installed games to do it: the Reset and keep my games & apps option resets the system and clears potentially corrupted data, but leaves your games and apps installed. Here’s how it works on Xbox Series X|S and Xbox One, and what you’ll lose either way.
Before you reset
Even when you keep your games, a factory reset erases all accounts, saved games, settings and home Xbox associations from the console. Anything not uploaded to the Xbox network is lost. Your console syncs whenever it’s online, so if you’ve been offline for a while, connect to the network first so your cloud saves are up to date.
Back up your settings first. With a USB storage device (USB 3.0 or faster, 128 GB or larger, formatted for Xbox games and apps), go to Profile & system > Settings > System > Back up & transfer > Back up my settings. Leave the drive connected when you reset, and your account and key system settings are applied again.
How to factory reset your Xbox and keep your games
- Press the Xbox button to open the guide.
- Go to Profile & system > Settings > System > Console info.
- Select Reset console.
- On the Reset your console? screen, select Reset and keep my games & apps.
Your console resets. When it restarts, sign back in and set it up again.
The three reset options explained
- Reset and keep my games & apps: resets the operating system and deletes potentially corrupted data without removing games or apps. Xbox recommends starting with this option when troubleshooting.
- Reset and remove everything: deletes all user data, including accounts, saved games, settings, home Xbox associations and all installed content. Use it when selling or giving away the console, or as a last resort. If a corrupt game file is causing the problem, you may need this option.
- Cancel: backs out safely without changing anything.
How to reset with a USB drive if you can’t reach Settings
If the console won’t get as far as Settings, you can reset it with a USB flash drive. The drive must have at least 4 GB of space, contain no other files and be formatted as NTFS. You’ll also need a Windows PC with an internet connection. This method doesn’t give you the option to keep your games.
- On your PC, download the Restore Factory Defaults file.
- Right-click the compressed file, select Extract all, and copy the $SystemUpdate file to the root of the USB drive. Then safely remove the drive.
- Turn off the console and unplug the mains lead. If you use a wired connection, unplug the Ethernet cable too.
- Wait 30 seconds, then plug the mains lead back in.
- Plug the USB drive into the console.
- Hold the Pair button and the Eject button, then press the Xbox button on the console. On a console without an Eject button, hold just the Pair button and press the Xbox button.
- Keep holding for 10–15 seconds until you hear two “power-up” tones a couple of seconds apart, then let go.
- The console restarts. When it has finished, remove the USB drive and follow the setup steps.
If you don’t hear two power-up tones within 15 seconds, or you hear two “power-down” sounds, it didn’t work. Start again from step 6.
FAQ
Will I lose my game saves?
Saves stored on the console are erased, but anything already synced to the Xbox network comes back when you sign in again. If you need an older version of a cloud save, see how to restore an older cloud save on Xbox.
Will I need to set my home Xbox again?
Yes. A reset removes home Xbox associations. Our game sharing guide shows how to set it.
My console is stuck on a black screen
See our guide to fixing an Xbox black screen on startup. For full details on resetting, see How to reset your Xbox console to factory defaults.
