Resetting your Xbox to factory settings is a powerful solution for resolving technical issues, preparing the console for a new user, or simply starting fresh. This process restores your Xbox to its original state by deleting all accounts, saved games, apps, and personalized settings.

Whether you own an Xbox One, Xbox One S, Xbox One X, or the newer Xbox Series X and Series S, performing a factory reset can help fix persistent glitches or wipe your data before selling or gifting your console.

However, it’s important to understand that a factory reset will erase everything stored locally on your device, so backing up your data to the cloud or an external drive beforehand is essential.

Table of Contents
Step-by-Step Guide to factory reset Xbox
Back Up Your Data (Recommended)

1. Press the Xbox button on your controller to open the guide.

2. Navigate to Profile & system > Settings > System > Back up & transfer > Back up my settings.

3. Follow the on-screen instructions to back up your settings.

4. Ensure your console is connected to the internet so your saved games and data sync to Xbox Cloud storage. You can also back up games and apps to an external drive if desired

Factory Reset from the Console Menu
1. Press the Xbox button on your controller to open the guide.

2. Navigate to Profile & system > Settings >

3. On the left side, go down to System

4. On the right side select Console info.

5. Select Reset console.

6. You will see two options:

Reset and remove everything: This will erase all accounts, saved games, settings, apps, and games, restoring the console to factory defaults. Use this if you plan to sell or give away the console.
Reset and keep my games & apps: This resets the OS and deletes user data but keeps your installed games and apps, useful for troubleshooting without re-downloading games
Factory Reset Using the Startup Troubleshooter (if you can’t sign in or access settings)
1. Turn off your Xbox One completely.

2. Press and hold the Pair button (on the left side of the console) and the Eject button (on the front), then press and hold the Xbox button on the console.

3. Keep holding the Pair and Eject buttons for about 10-15 seconds until you hear two power-up beeps, then release.

4. The Xbox Startup Troubleshooter will appear.

5. Select Reset this Xbox and choose your preferred reset option (keep games or remove everything).

Factory Reset Using a USB Flash Drive (if the console is not displaying or accessible)
1. On a Windows PC, prepare a USB flash drive formatted as NTFS with at least 4GB of space.

2. Download the Xbox system update file from the official Xbox support site and copy it to the USB drive.

3. Turn off the Xbox, plug in the USB drive.

4. Press and hold the Pair and Eject buttons, then press the Xbox button.

5. Hold the buttons until you hear two power-up beeps, then release.

6.The console will boot from the USB and allow you to reset.

Important Notes
Before resetting, connect your Xbox One to the Xbox network to back up your data to the cloud, as a factory reset deletes all local data including accounts and saved games.
If you choose to keep your games and apps, your saved games will still be deleted locally but should be recoverable from the cloud if you have Xbox Live or Game Pass.
Conclusion
Performing a factory reset on your Xbox can be a straightforward and effective way to troubleshoot issues, clear personal data, or prepare your console for a new owner.

By carefully following the steps outlined in this guide and choosing the reset option that best suits your needs, you can ensure a smooth and secure reset process.

Remember to back up your important data and keep your account credentials handy to avoid any disruptions.