It can be frustrating when your Xbox One console suddenly won’t turn on. There are a few common reasons why your Xbox One may not be powering up:
The console may not be plugged into a working power outlet or surge protector. Make sure that the power brick is firmly connected to both the wall and the back of the Xbox. Try plugging the Xbox into another outlet to see if that fixes the issue.
The power supply or power brick may have failed. If the brick’s light doesn’t turn on when connected to power, this is likely the problem. You may need to replace the power supply.
There could be an issue with the HDMI connection between the console and TV/monitor. Reseat these connections or try a different HDMI cable to rule this out.
The internal power supply may have failed and needs service. If you’ve tried other troubleshooting steps with no luck, this may indicate an internal hardware problem.
With some basic checks and troubleshooting, you can often get your Xbox One working again. We’ll go through the steps to diagnose and fix an Xbox One that won’t turn on.
Check the Power Supply
The first step when troubleshooting an Xbox One that won’t turn on is to check the power supply. Make sure that the power brick light is on. If the light is off, try plugging the power supply into a different power outlet. Sometimes, the issue may just be with the particular outlet you’re using.
Also inspect the power cable and connections. Make sure the cable is firmly plugged into both the console and power brick. Check for any frays, cuts, or damage to the cable. If the cable seems damaged in any way, try substituting a different power cable to see if that resolves the issue.
If the power brick light remains off even after trying different outlets and cables, the power supply itself may need to be replaced. Contact Xbox Support about obtaining a replacement power supply, or purchase one from an electronics retailer.
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Power Cycle the Console
One of the simplest solutions that can get an unresponsive Xbox One working again is to power cycle the console. This involves unplugging the power supply from both the outlet and Xbox One console to give the system a hard reset.
Follow these steps to power cycle your Xbox One:
- Unplug the power cord from the back of the Xbox One console.
- Unplug the power cord from the wall outlet or power strip.
- Wait at least 30 seconds to allow the console to fully power down.
- Plug the power cord back into the wall outlet or power strip.
- Plug the power cord back into the Xbox One console.
- Press the Xbox button on your controller to turn the console back on.
Power cycling clears any cached data and resets the console’s power supply. This simple 30 second reset can often fix an unresponsive Xbox One system. If the console still does not turn on after power cycling, you may need to try other troubleshooting steps.
Check Video Connection
One of the most common reasons an Xbox One won’t display video is because of a loose HDMI cable connection. Make sure both ends of the HDMI cable are securely inserted into the Xbox One and TV ports.
Gently remove and reinsert the HDMI cable on both ends to ensure a snug fit. Check for any bent or damaged pins on the HDMI cable connectors. Try using a different HDMI port on the TV if possible.
If using an HDMI splitter or switcher, try bypassing it and connecting the Xbox directly to the TV. Also try swapping the HDMI cable with a different certified high-speed HDMI cable known to be working properly.
Check the Controller
If your Xbox One console is not turning on and your controller won’t connect, the issue may be with the controller itself. There are a few things to check:
- Try pressing the Xbox button on a wired controller. If you have a wired controller handy, plug it into your Xbox and see if it powers on the console. Wired controllers don’t rely on battery power or wireless connectivity, so this is a good way to rule out issues with your wireless controller.
- Check the controller batteries. Make sure your wireless controller has fresh batteries installed. If the batteries are dead, the controller won’t be able to turn on and sync with the Xbox. Replacing them with new batteries could resolve connection problems.
- Sync the controller. Try manually syncing your wireless controller with the console by holding down the Xbox button while powering on the console. This will force the controller to re-sync and may fix any connectivity issues.
If a wired controller is able to turn on your Xbox One, then the problem likely lies with your wireless controller’s battery or sync connection. Replacing batteries and re-syncing the controller may get it functioning again. If the wired controller also does not work, then the issue is with the console itself rather than the controllers.[1]
Reset Display Settings
Sometimes display issues such as a blank screen can be fixed by resetting the display settings on your Xbox One to their default values. To do this according to Xbox Support:
- First, boot your Xbox One into low resolution mode by holding down the power button for 10 seconds until the console fully shuts down.
- Next, press and hold the power and eject buttons until you hear one beep. This will boot your Xbox One in low resolution mode.
- Finally, press and hold the power and eject buttons again until you hear two beeps. This will reset the display settings to their defaults.
Resetting the display can fix issues with blank screens or incorrect resolutions. Just be sure to try this step before factory resetting your console. As Stevivor notes, don’t just tap the power and eject buttons – you need to hold them down for the reset to work.
Factory Reset
A factory reset will erase all data and settings on your Xbox and restore it to its original out-of-the-box state. This should resolve most serious startup issues. There are two main ways to factory reset your Xbox One:
Reset from Settings Menu
You can factory reset your Xbox One through the Settings menu if your console is able to power on and display video. Here are the steps:
- Go to Settings > System > Console info
- Select “Reset console” and choose the “Reset and remove everything” option
- Confirm that you want to reset your console when prompted
This will initiate the factory reset process. Your Xbox will restart a few times during the reset before completing the process. This can take 15-30 minutes depending on your console model (source).
Reset Using USB Drive
If your Xbox One is not turning on at all, you can factory reset it using a USB drive. This involves downloading the Offline System Update file from Microsoft and using it to reset your console. Here is an overview of the steps (source):
- On a PC, visit Microsoft’s Offline System Update page and download the XBOXSU file
- Copy the file onto a USB flash drive
- Insert the USB into your Xbox One and turn it on
- The console will detect the update file and display the reset options
- Select the reset option to initiate the factory reset process
This offline method is useful when you can’t access the settings menu normally. It will completely reset your Xbox One to factory conditions.
Contact Xbox Support
If you have tried all of the troubleshooting steps and your Xbox One still will not turn on, it’s time to contact Xbox Support. There are a few options to get in touch with customer support:
- Call 1-800-4MY-XBOX to speak to a support agent. Be prepared with your Xbox One serial number.
- Initiate a live chat through the Xbox Support website. Wait times may vary.
- Send an email to [email protected] describing your issue. Responses may take 1-2 business days.
Before contacting Xbox Support, try power cycling your console and checking all cables/connections. Resetting your display settings can also help resolve startup issues. But if you’ve exhausted all self-troubleshooting, don’t hesitate to get in touch with the pros. Support agents can diagnose problems over the phone and may arrange for repair or replacement if needed.
Sending for Repair
If you are unable to resolve your Xbox One issues through troubleshooting, you may need to send your console in for professional repair or replacement. Microsoft offers repair and replacement services for Xbox One consoles that are within warranty or have extended warranty coverage.
To start the repair process, you can request a service order on the Xbox support site. You will need to provide your Xbox One serial number and describe the issues you are experiencing. Microsoft will provide a prepaid shipping label so you can send your console to their repair center.
The cost for Xbox One repair or replacement varies depending on your warranty status:
- Consoles under 1 year basic warranty: No cost for repair/replacement of defective consoles
- Consoles under extended warranty: No cost or minimal cost for repair/replacement
- Out of warranty consoles: Repair costs around $115 plus shipping for basic issues. More complex repairs can cost $230 or more.
- Replacement/exchange of a defective console out of warranty costs $250.
The complete repair/replacement process usually takes 1-2 weeks from Microsoft receiving your console to shipping it back to you. Sending your Xbox One to Microsoft’s authorized repair center is the best way to get your console working again if you are unable to fix issues on your own.
Summary
To recap, the most common fixes when troubleshooting an Xbox One that won’t turn on are checking the power supply and cables, power cycling the console, and performing a factory reset if necessary. Make sure the power brick light is on and the cable connections are secure. If the console still won’t start, unplug the power cord for 30 seconds before plugging it back in to reboot the system. If display issues arise, check that the HDMI cable is fully inserted and try a different TV input. As a last resort, resetting the console to factory settings often resolves stubborn power on problems. Follow the steps to reset display settings or choose the full factory restore option. If you still can’t get the Xbox One working after trying these troubleshooting tips, contact Xbox Support or consider sending the console in for repair.
