Xbox Series X or S Won't Turn on? How to Fix It

Power back up and get in the game

When your Xbox Series X or S won’t turn on, you might see signs of life like a light, or hear a beep, or there might be nothing at all. This problem can be caused by a few different root issues, many of which you can diagnose and fix yourself at home.

These instructions are valid for both the Xbox Series X and Xbox Series S consoles that won’t turn on. Differences are noted where applicable.

Why Won’t My Xbox Series X or S Turn on?

When an Xbox Series X or Xbox Series S won’t turn on, there is usually a problem with the hardware, corrupt software or firmware, or a power issue. Hardware problems can be related to the power supply, power button, and other internal electronics that are best left to the professionals. Most other issues, including power, software, and firmware, have potential fixes that you can do yourself.

Power issues are usually external to your Xbox console, and can often be fixed by switching outlets or power strips. Software and firmware issues can be more complicated, but they are usually caused by an incomplete update or corrupt files.

How to Fix it When an Xbox Series X or S Won’t Turn on

To troubleshoot your Xbox Series X or S, and potentially fix it, perform each of the following steps in order:

  1. Remove power from your Xbox Series X or S. First hold down the power button to make sure it’s actually off, then unplug the power cable. Leave the cable unplugged for about 30 seconds to a minute, then plug it back in. Check to see if the Xbox will turn on.

  2. Power cycle your Xbox Series X or S. This is similar to the first step, but it goes a bit further. Push and hold the power to make sure the console is off. Then unplug the console from power and leave it alone for about 20 to 30 minutes. Finally, plug it back in and turn the power back on to see if it works.

  3. Check the power outlet. Try plugging a lamp or any other working electronic device into the outlet you use for your Xbox console. If it doesn’t turn on, your outlet may be bad. Try plugging your console into a different outlet. If you’re using a power strip, try plugging your console directly into the wall, or switch to a different power strip.

  4. Try a different power cable. Both the Xbox Series X and Xbox Series S have internal power supplies that you plug a power cable into. If you have an identical power cable from another electronic device, try swapping the Xbox power cable for another identical one. If the console powers up, you have a bad power cable.

    The Xbox Series X and Xbox Series S both use a standard IEC C7 power cable. This is the same cable used by the Xbox One S/X, PlayStation 4 Pro, and a variety of other electronics.

  5. Clean the dust from inside your console. Using canned air or an electronic blower, try blowing the dust out of your console. Start by blowing into the USB and other ports, then try blowing into the vent.

    If you have an exceptional amount of dust, you may not be able to remove it without taking apart the console. However, taking apart your console may void your warranty.

  6. Press the guide button on a synced controller. If you have a working synced controller, try turning your console on by pressing and holding the guide button. If the console turns on, then it probably has a bad power button. Check to see if your warranty is still good, and if Microsoft will cover the fix.

What If the Xbox Series X or S Still Won't Turn on?

If your console still won't turn on after following all of the above tips, then you probably have some type of hardware fault. Contact Xbox support for further assistance. If your console is still under warranty, you may be able to obtain a repair for free, and support will be able to point you in the right direction if your warranty is expired.

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