There are multiple reasons for an Xbox One to not power on. This guide will help you identify and resolve any issues preventing your Xbox from turning on.
If your Xbox One isn’t turning on, it’s possible that the power supply is malfunctioning. Attempt to reset the power brick by unplugging and replugging it into a working wall socket. If you have access to another power outlet, try using that one instead.
There are a number of reasons why your Xbox One might not be powering on, including physical damage to the console, power cables, and power source. The best way to determine the exact cause is to systematically isolate each potential issue.
Xbox One Won’t Turn ON – Troubleshoot And Diagnosis
There are a number of reasons why an Xbox One might not turn on.
You may have a problem with your power outlet or adapter. Plugging in and pulling out the cables, changing the outlet, or changing the adapter may fix the issue.
Great, the power outlet isn’t the problem. Your Xbox One can have a white or orange light, but that just means it’s working properly. If not, though, there could be two other problems to check. Maybe you need to replace it or let it cool down for 20 minutes.
Power spike: Inevitably, electrical surges affect your Xbox. But don’t worry! The built-in power surge protector will protect your console from shutting down. If you’re using an external power surge protector, the console may not get enough power to start up.
It could be that a light on the front of the console is off. It could also be a problem with your HDMI cable or HDMI ports. You can try checking those items for any issues.
The Xbox One may be overheated. If the issue began a few months ago, it’s possible that the components inside were damaged by the heat.
Motherboard: If the console continues to overheat even after troubleshooting, the motherboard may be the one and only problem. There is no other solution, but to send the console in for service. Moisture on the motherboard could be a possible cause, specifically if the Xbox is prone to overheating when in a cold room.
Last up, less common Xbox Live issues might cause a black screen the moment you turn on your console. A power cycle should fix the issue.
1. Do A Soft Reset
If your Xbox One is crashing, freezing, or not turning on, a soft reset can fix it. Restarting your console will allow you to keep playing.
A soft reset will release the power built up in the console’s internal components and can resolve startup issues in almost all scenarios.
To fix your Xbox One:
Unplug the power cord from the outlet. Wait 15 seconds and press the power button a couple of times to drain any extra electricity in the console’s capacitors.
Plug the power cord back in, then turn it on and see if your issue has vanished.
2. Power Cycle Xbox One
So, your Xbox One’s soft reset didn’t work? Next, try a power cycle. That should do the trick. It won’t affect your games or other apps.
Many people find it frustrating when their Xbox One console doesn’t function properly. If your Xbox One console is unresponsive to commands, won’t power on, or is turning off by itself, you might need to cycle the power.
A power cycle will reset the console and clear out any glitches that are causing these issues.
Follow the below steps to power cycle Xbox One:
Press the power button on your Xbox while it is off and hold it for 10 seconds. Wait for the light on the power brick to start blinking orange and you’ll see the white light turn on for a few seconds. Once that happens, your Xbox has entered standby mode. Press the power button again to wake the system up.
Power cycling an Xbox One is a quick troubleshooting method that can fix many issues. It brings your console out of sleep mode and should allow you to access games or apps that were not available before. If your console is still experiencing problems after a power cycle, please contact Xbox Support.
Didn’t work? There are a few more ways to reset your Xbox One console. Pressing various combinations of buttons on the console can cause it to reboot, so try these next.
Pressing certain buttons will help get your Xbox One working again. Sounds like you’re stuck in a software loop and need to break free, which you can do with just the press of a button. Interestingly enough, this loop is created by the console’s internal software and was designed to keep the console alive.
3. Triple Button Hold
When you’re experiencing undesired behavior in your Xbox One, it can be almost anything. Usually we only need to restart the console to fix the problem, but if you’re experiencing a glitch or a continuous loop, there are three buttons on the controller that will help fix the issue.
If you press these buttons together and it doesn’t work, try again a few more times and then perform a system reset. You may also want to try this solution if your console glitches constantly but does not require an immediate reset.
This is a tricky one, usually used to break a continuous loop in the internal software, but it can also be used often if you run into issues. And don’t worry, this won’t affect your saved games or apps.
Press and hold the Power, Eject, and Sync buttons on your Xbox One console for 10 seconds. Make sure to release the Eject button after 10 seconds. After 15 more seconds have elapsed, release the Power and Sync buttons. Now, press and hold the Power and Sync buttons until it powers up, starts syncing with your Xbox and displays the Xbox One home screen.
4. Tap The Eject Button
Some gamers have noticed that Xbox One consoles running into trouble with app glitches, freezes, and other errors often have the same solution.
They say that this fix has worked for many on various forums, so it might be worth giving it a shot if you’re having issues with your Xbox One.
As a side-note, this unusual fix has helped reset the console’s internal software and fix a number of problems for people in the past.
All you have to do is press the “Eject” button on the Xbox One console 10 times in a row. This will force the software to focus on ejecting the disc tray. You might want to try to put a new disc in, too. There might just be enough change this simple step could make to break the cycle and get the components working again.
If you don’t have a disc to pop in, this may not work. The console might just show the error message again or maybe it will freeze up.
5. Clean The Vents
You might be getting a beep and having trouble powering on your console, but it could be for various reasons. This is something that can happen if you leave your console on for a majority of the time or if it’s getting clogged with dust.
he Xbox has a built-in thermal protection feature which will stop your console from getting too hot, but this could also be caused by external factors like dust and pet hair.
If your console has been on all day, you should turn it off and let it rest for 30 minutes or longer to give the internal components and power brick time to cool down. It will lower the temperature of the unit and prevent future issues.
It’s also good to clean out the console before its storage — dust can get into the external or internal components and cause overheating, which can lead to serious problems.
If your Xbox One is overheating, you may need to clean the vents. Blocked vents can cause the console to overheat, so make sure they are clear of dust and debris. You can use a compressed air duster or a non-abrasive cloth to do this
You can ensure your system stays cool by keeping the vents clear. Keeping them unblocked will help prevent overheating or worse, your Xbox One not turning on. Microsoft recommends doing this periodically, especially during times when you’ll be using it heavily.
6. Turn Off Instant ON Option
If your Xbox One has no ventilation issues, you should make sure it’s not in sleep mode. The console may have been configured to behave this way.
Follow the below steps:
Log into your Xbox One console. Go to Settings, then to Power & Start-Up. Make sure the Instant-On feature is set to Energy-Save if it’s available and turn off Auto-Shutdown.
7. Power Cable Issues
If your Xbox One isn’t working, there are a few possible reasons.
The most common cause of non-working consoles is that the power supply unit (PSU) is not operating correctly. This can either be the cord itself or the power brick. Over time, the power draw of the console may be putting strain on an aging power brick, causing the console to turn on but not get enough power to fully function.
This isn’t an uncommon problem, but it is possible to fix with a replacement power supply.
8. Motherboard Issues
It’s not uncommon to see moisture or condensation inside a console. It may be due to temperature changes, improper ventilation, or liquid spills.
There are plenty of fixes for this issue. You could use a dehumidifier, or even open up your console and dry it out with rice. Always make sure that your console is on its side when you dry it off — the CPU and GPU are sensitive pieces of hardware!
The Xbox can get damaged when its internal parts are exposed to moisture — and that’s not something you want.
There are plenty of natural ways to prevent moisture damage. One of the best is to keep your electronic devices at room temperature. This is where a large storage space can come in handy — it will give you ample room to safely store and maintain your devices, and make sure they’re never in a place where they may come into contact with water or other hazards.
If your Xbox One is damaged by moisture, the result can be catastrophic. Severe damage has been known to cause the console to stop working altogether, while less severe damage may lead to an unbearably loud console that only sometimes powers on.
There are a few simple steps you can take to ensure your Xbox One functions properly after an unfortunate water spill. First, turn the console off immediately and remove any towels or clothing around the area. Second, let the console dry for at least one full day before plugging it back into an electrical outlet. Third, take out all the video game discs from their respective surfaces and wipe the disc inner rings and panels with a soft cloth.
Xbox One Has Power But Won’t Turn On
There’s a power button on the Xbox One console — if your console isn’t turning on, look for that button, first. If the console still won’t turn on after it’s been pressed for 30 seconds, try a few more attempts to restart the system by holding down the button, again. Be sure that you have all of the cables plugged into their outlets and that they’re firmly seated before continuing.
How do I fix my Xbox One? If the unit won’t turn on, then you can check several things. Ensure that the console is getting enough ventilation — remove any obstructions and ensure there are no gaps where heat could escape. Also, check for any system settings that may have been changed, as some of these can affect whether or not your console will turn on. Personalize it to your needs if you can.
Final Thoughts
If your Xbox One is experiencing difficulty starting up, here’s the list of troubleshooting steps you should try before moving to a more involved repair.
The easiest solution is simply holding the power button to turn the system on — there’s a good chance that this will resolve your issue. If this doesn’t work, there are additional steps you can take to reboot either the internal system or the external power brick.
Hi there! I’m Sam Hendricks, and I’m a repair technician and expert. I created this website to help people like you save money and time by fixing your own appliances.
Over the years, I’ve seen people spend a lot of money on unnecessary repairs or replacements. That’s why I decided to share my expertise and create easy-to-follow guides for fixing appliances on your own.