Why Does My Xbox Keep Turning Off?

Your Xbox shutting off abruptly while you are in the middle of an online game can be quite infuriating. Especially if you are competing. It is also annoying if you are just playing for recreational purposes.

Keep reading to learn how to troubleshoot and fix this issue.

Why does my Xbox console keep turning off?

Here are the most common causes why your Xbox One shuts off all by itself, either in the middle of a game or shortly after powering it on, and potential solutions.

Incorrect settings

If your Xbox turns off unexpectedly after a period of inactivity, the “Turn off” setting may be enabled on the console. This setting essentially allows the console to automatically turn itself off after a period of inactivity. This helps to preserve power and the console itself. You need to adjust the settings so that it does not turn off automatically:

Press the Xbox button on the top part of the controller.
Tap Profile & System from the last tab on the right side.
Choose Settings > General.
Select Power mode and startup.
Click on the Turn off after option and ensure that the Don’t turn off automatically option is checked.

Note: If you want to test if the issue is resolved, leave the console on for an extended period of time to see if it shuts down again. You can select your preferred period of inactivity before the console automatically powers down.

To modify other settings;

If Xbox One keeps turning off after a period of inactivity, you can try adjusting the settings using the following steps to fix the issue.

Turn on the Xbox console and press the Xbox button on the controller to enter the Home screen.
Click on the Settings option.
Choose Power to continue. This option varies on different Xbox consoles.
Choose Turn off or restart and then configure the time that you want the console to be shut down.

Bad ventilation

If your Xbox still turns off unexpectedly, then it may be improperly ventilated, which can lead to overheating. If you find your console turning off by itself and feel that it is overheating, then turn it off and let it cool down. This can also indicate that the console is not properly ventilated.

Consider relocating the console somewhere else with better ventilation or get a device that helps with the ventilation. If you receive a message saying that the console is getting improper ventilation, then you should:

Turn off the console and unplug it.
Wait at least 1 hour for it to cool down completely before plugging it back in.
Turn the console back on.
Restart the console.
You should also move the console to a well-ventilated location.

A well-ventilated location is one with no objects on, under, or right next to the console. Please ensure that all the vents are clear and have good airflow. Your Xbox console could be in an optimal location but not adequately ventilated due to dust. Over time, dust and debris build up on the fan and air vents, significantly reducing the cooling system’s efficiency.

As a result, the inner components start overheating, which can cause the device to shut off. Cleaning the built-up dust can help properly ventilate your console, fixing the issue.

How to clean the fan and air vents

Start by wiping the console down with a soft cloth.
You can also use a soft brush to agitate the dust stuck on the vents, but avoid sticking the bristles inside the console.

Note: Do not open up the Xbox in an attempt to clean dust-off inside components as it can void the warranty or even lead to further damages to the console. Also avoid using a a vacuum cleaner, blow dryer, or compressed air to dislodge the dust from the fan. You may end up damaging internal components.

Below are other fixes to prevent your Xbox from overheating;

Clean the Xbox console regularly so that the fan can blow off warm air outside efficiently.
If you use the Xbox console in summer, turn on your AC to let the cool air pass through the console.
Don’t put other electronic devices on tops of, underneath, or against the sides of your console.
Keep the Xbox console away from heat-generating and high-vibrating sources like low-frequency speakers, subwoofers, etc.
Use the console with intervals while playing high fps games.
Replace the thermal paste after a couple of years or after removing the cooling system.

Note: If you still have trouble with ventilation, make sure the vents are clean. In some cases, you may need to clean or replace the fan.

Bad power outlet

If your console turns off unexpectedly during use or inactivity, the power outlet may be bad or the power cord could be plugged in incorrectly. Try plugging the supply directly into a different outlet (note: not through a surge protector), and check that the cord is properly plugged into the outlet and the console.

If the outlet is working but the console is still persisting with the problem then the power supply could potentially be the issue. To make sure of this, check the lights on the power supply. If the light on the power supply is a solid white light or orange light, then it indicates it is working just fine. However, if there are no lights that are emitting from the power supply, then that would indicate something is wrong.

If that happens, unplug the power supply and let it cool down for around 20–30 minutes. Plug it back in and test it out again. If the light is on, then it works. If however, it is still not on, then you may need to get a new power supply replacement.

Bad power supply

If the power outlet works but the console still turns off, the power supply may be the problem. Check the light on the power supply; if the light is solid white or orange, then the power supply is working properly. If there is no light, unplug the supply and let it cool for 20 minutes, then try plugging it back in. If it still does not light up, replace the power supply.

Ensure that your cables and power supplies are properly plugged in and not damaged in any way. Sometimes animals can chew through the cords without us knowing. This can lead to electrical issues that can be hazardous to you guys. Keep a lookout.

A common problem with the cables is that sometimes the power cords can be damaged or bent. This will lead to the Xbox consoles disconnecting intermittently. Ensure your power cord is in good shape and all the cables are securely plugged into the console and appropriate outlets.

If you do have a damaged cable or power cord, then you will have to get a new one to replace it before continuing.

Here are other reasons why your Xbox keeps shutting down;

Faulty Power Brick

A faulty power brick can 100% cause booting issues. Try replacing it and see if it fixes the issue.

Faulty PSU

The Xbox One requires a larger burst of power on the initial boot; a faulty PSU may not be able to do that; thus, the console turns off instantly.

Hardware failure

A crashing game can cause your Xbox to turn off by itself. But this is as a result of hardware failure on your Xbox console. Your Xbox might be shutting off due to motherboard problems. Do not attempt to fix your motherboard on your own. You can hire an expert to troubleshoot hardware issues or take your console to an authorized repair shop.

Liquid on Motherboard

If you have spilled liquid on your Xbox One, it may have reached the motherboard and has damaged it. This is not something you can fix on your own unless you are an expert. Contact Microsoft support or visit the nearest service center and get it fixed.

Troubleshooting Steps and General Solutions

If the solutions above do not work, try the solutions below;

Check the Power Supply’s Efficiency

Plug quality power cables into your system properly.
Check the LED indicator of the power brick.
Consider replacing the power supply if it blinks yellow or is not lit.

If the light is steady orange or steady white, contact a qualified technician to service your Xbox.

Check that the fan is working

Your Xbox One console needs an optimally functioning fan. This helps keep it cool, thus preventing overheating, which can damage the components. Therefore, your console constantly turns off, the fan and ventilation could be the issue.

The first step is to test if the fan is working. For this, power on your device and listen to what happens. If your Xbox One X or S produces a buzzing noise then turns off, then it means that the fan is working. If not, it is either faulty or not getting power. In this case, you need to take your device to an authorized service center for repair.

Power Cycle Xbox

If all else fails, there is always the option to power cycle your Xbox console. This essentially restarts the console which can sometimes fix a lot of the common problems. Draining the system of all its power and restarting the console can help with fixing certain issues. This process is known as a power cycle.

To perform a successful power cycle of your console, follow the steps below:

Turn off the console and remove any cables attached to it.
Press the Xbox button/Power button on your console for 10 seconds to drain any residual power from the device.
Wait for around 2-5 mins before plugging in the cables, and then turn on your console.
Wait for the device to boot up to the home screen before turning on your controller and proceeding to check if it works properly.

Reset the Internal Power Supply

You power supply plays a major role in your console turning on, that’s why we need to make sure it is working properly. It might as well be our culprit. If your internal power supply is on standby, you can fix the issue by following these steps:

Unplug your power cables from the system.
Wait for at least 10 seconds.
Plug the power back into the system except for the Xbox.
Check the LED indicator to confirm whether the power supply is delivering adequate voltage.
If the light is steady orange or steady white, plug the cable into the console.

Here is another easy thing you can do to troubleshoot your power supply:

Unplug your power supply from the wall.
Disconnect all the power cables leading to the power supply as well.
Disconnect the cable from your console as well.
Clean all the cables to make sure there is no dust.
Wait for about 30 seconds.
Turn your console back on or reset it.

Clear Persistent Storage

Sometimes, clearing up some space could help lessen the burden that your console has. Your console might be running out of storage and shutting down subsequently because of it. Try to clear out the persistent storage. To do so, follow the instructions below:

Press the Xbox button on the controller and enter the Guide.
Navigate to Systems > Settings.
Hit Devices and Streaming > Blu-Ray > Persistent Storage.
Clear persistent storage on xbox
Click Clear.

Remove the USB Devices

USB devices are the most common cause of Xbox One connectivity issues. Remove all the USB devices before turning on the Xbox One; if you are facing this boot issue after a software update, this method should fix it. This can include issues with wired controllers and headsets, as well as wireless devices like keyboards and mice.

The easiest way to fix this is to remove all USB devices from your Xbox One and make sure that they are not interfering with the console. Plug any USB-enabled devices into another USB port on the console to ensure that they aren’t causing problems. This can fix xbox one turns on then off. Xbox One S turns on then off instantly, Xbox One turns on then off instantly fix, xbox one won’t stay on, Xbox One X powers on the

Once the console boots normally, you can connect the USB devices and start playing. You can also unplug the external HDD and see if this helps.

Reset the System

If you are still having problems even after all the solutions above then it might be time to do a reset on your Xbox console. Resetting the system will restore it to the factory default settings. This could potentially solve the problems if it has any corrupted files or software issues. To perform a reset of the system, follow the steps below:

Press down Xbox button to launch the Guide.
Go to Profile & System > Settings > System > Console information.
Choose Reset Console (You will be presented with 3 options: Reset and remove everything, Reset and Keep Games and Apps, Cancel)
- Reset and remove everything: It resets the console to factory settings. All the user data including accounts, saved games, settings, home Xbox associations, and all games and apps will be deleted after executing this option.
- Reset and keep my games & apps: It resets the OS and deletes all potentially corrupted data without deleting your games or apps. This option is recommended while troubleshooting.
- Cancel: You can safely exit from this screen by clicking this option.
Click on the either first option or the second option.

Note: ensure you have backed up your games, app and relevant files onto an external hard drive or the cloud. Once you have selected the option, the console will begin erasing the selected contents and data and restart itself.

Install the Latest Update

your system may not be updated properly. This doesn’t generally cause your system to turn off, but it may in some instances.

You can update your device to the latest version via the internet or through an offline update.

Offline Update

Before you perform an offline update, you will need to take care of the following:

Ensure the PC or laptop is connected to the internet.
Have a flash drive with at least 8GB of space. (NTFS Format)
Download the OSU1 file that is required for update and transfer it to your flash drive.

Once the update.zip file is downloaded, extract the files and transfer the $SystemUpdate file to your flash drive. During this process, make sure there are no additional files present on the flash drive. Then proceed to update your Xbox.

First, open the Xbox Startup Troubleshooter. To do this:
Turn off your console and unplug the cable for 30 seconds.
Now plug the cable back in and press and hold the ‘Pair’ button on your controller along with the ‘Eject’ button on your console for about 15 seconds.
You should hear two tones similar to the powerup sound. Release the buttons after the second tone.
The Xbox Start-up Trouble-shooter should open and you will find an option to perform an ‘Offline System Update’.
Plug in your USB drive and run the update file. After a few minutes, the update should be installed successfully on your Xbox One.

Online Update

To perform an online update;

Turn on your console, and from the home, menu press the Xbox button.
From the ‘Profile & System’ screen, select ‘Settings’.
Navigate to ‘System’, click on ‘Updates & Downloads and select ‘Update Console’.
Your device should automatically start downloading the latest updates provided your console is connected to the internet.
Before leaving, go back to ‘Updates & Downloads’ and select ‘Keep my console up to date’ to automatically update your console when updates are available.

Update steps for Xbox One

Press the Xbox button on the controller to get the main menu.
Choose Settings > All Settings.
Click on System > Updates.
Select the Keep my console up to date option for the Console section.
Select Keep my games & apps up to date option for the games & apps section.
Then follow the on-screen instructions to finish the process.

Update steps for Xbox Series X

Press the Xbox button to open the main menu.
Choose Profile & System > Settings > System.
Tap Updates to download and install the latest available update.

Note: Before starting the process, ensure that the console is connected to the Internet.

Contact Support

As a last resort, if none of the methods above work, then you can get in touch with Xbox Support. They would be able to diagnose your issue better. And if there is any internal damage, they would be able to replace it under warranty.

If your warranty has expired, they would still be able to guide you to an authorized service centre to have it checked out and repaired.

Why does my Xbox controller keep turning off?

Below are some solutions for a controller that keeps turning off;

Replace your Xbox Controller’s Batteries

The most common issue would be dying batteries which can cause your controller to behave abruptly and even turn off. Use high-quality batteries, as low-quality ones will only last a few days. Also remember to stock up on replacement batteries for future use.

Disable Auto Sleep on your Xbox Controller

If your controller switches off after a period of inactivity, it might indicate that your controller’s auto sleep setting is turned on. You can do this very easily by holding the ‘Xbox’ button and the ‘Menu’ button for around three seconds.

This will turn off auto-sleep, and you can use the same button combination to turn it back on.

Note: leave it on during single-player games as you can save on charge when you’re away from the controller. Leave it turned off during online sessions so you don’t get booted from the game.

Disconnect your Xbox Controller and Pair It Again

If your batteries are fine and you don’t need to change or charge them, then you can try disconnecting your Xbox controller and pair it again.

You can do this by;

Pairing the Xbox controller with a friend’s or colleague’s Xbox. This will unpair the controller from your device.
Pairing your Xbox controller with your PC. If your PC runs Windows 10 and above, you can pair your controller seamlessly with your PC.

Once you’ve paired your controller through one of these methods, you can go back and run the same pairing process on your Xbox to connect again.

Connect your Xbox Controller to your Xbox Using a USB Cable

If your still having issues with the Xbox controller and you have no way of procuring replacement batteries, you can use a USB cable. Connect the USB cable from the Xbox to the controller and continue using it as a wired controller.

Note: if your batteries are completely dead, then the controller will switch off if it’s disconnected by mistake.

Get a Play and Charge Kit

If you play for long durations, invest in a play and charge kit. They are widely available online and at retail stores and picking one up definitely does away with having to spend on batteries every time it dies.

The charge and play kit also lets you charge the controller while playing, so when you get a low-battery indicator, simply plug it into your Xbox with the included USB-C cable and continue.

Ensure You’re Within the Xbox Controller’s Optimum Range

If you are playing on a large-format screen such as a projector, ensure your Xbox is in the visible range of your controllers and they aren’t too far apart. Objects such as tables, chairs, and other artifacts placed around the Xbox also interfere with the controller’s range.

Additionally, even though Microsoft claims the controller is supported from up to 40 feet away, it’s better to not go further than 30 unless it’s an open setting and the controllers are in perfect view of the console.

Update your Controller’s Firmware

Use one of the three methods discussed below.

USB update

Connect the controller to the console with the included USB-C cable. In most cases, if the controller isn’t up-to-date, you will automatically receive a prompt to update the controller.

If the prompt does not appear, then you can simply follow the same steps as updating over Wi-Fi. The only difference is the update will be installed via the USB cable.

PC update

You can only update your controller via PC on windows 10/11. If you have an older version of windows, either upgrade to the latest versions or use one of the other methods to update. You will first need to download the Xbox accessories app from the Microsoft store.

Once the app is installed, connect your controller to your PC via the included USB cable or an Xbox wireless adapter. As soon as the controller is connected, you will receive a prompt to install updates if there is one available. While your Xbox controller does support connection via Bluetooth on Windows 10 and 11, it cannot be used to install updates.

Wi-Fi update

To update via Wi-Fi;

Switch on the Xbox and connect the controller you want to update.
Click on the Xbox button on your controller to bring up the ‘Guide’.
Click on ‘Profile and System’.
Now click on ‘Settings’>> ‘Devices and Connections’>> ‘Accessories’.
Select the controller you wish to update from the list of accessories. On the controller screen, click the three dots to check the firmware version.
If you see an update icon, click on ‘Firmware Version’ and follow the on-screen prompts to update your controller.

Note: if you use a stereo headset adapter on your controller, make sure to connect it to the controller and then to your headphones so it can be updated as well. You can do this for any of the update methods.