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Why does my Xbox One keep turning off?

If your console keeps turning off, it’s time for some troubleshooting.

Xbox one and xbox controller on purple background
Image: KnowTechie

Quick Answer: Overheating may be the most common reason why your Xbox One keeps shutting itself off. However, other possible culprits exist. Check the power cord, and look for any dust build-up around your console.

If you’ve been playing your Xbox One over the years, you might have noticed it acting up occasionally. Specifically, your Xbox One turning off by itself.

Yup, one common issue that users may face is when their Xbox One turns off by itself.

Sometimes, it might switch off straight away when you turn it on. Sometimes it’ll let you play for a while before turning itself off again. And, some days, it’s completely random when it turns off.

You might think this is only something happening to older Xbox consoles. Surprisingly, it happens on newer consoles too.

Here’s what it looks like

So if you’re here looking for a solution to fix it, we have you covered. Now, you may need to get in touch with Xbox Support, but there are a few things you can try first.

If your Xbox One keeps turning off randomly, you’ll need to do some troubleshooting. We’ll walk you through the process here. 

So, why does my Xbox One keep turning off?

Short answer: It’s usually a heat-related problem

If your Xbox One shuts off immediately after turning it on, check the power cord.

Check the power cord

Is it plugged fully in? Does it have any visible damage?

If you find anything wrong with it, replace the cable and see if your problems should go away. If you use a power strip, try plugging the console into the wall.

Also, try using a different power socket. The metal springs inside sockets loosen in time, and this could be causing the issue.

Reset the power supply

You can also try resetting the power supply. Did you know it has a tiny computer inside? Resetting the power supply can fix any odd hiccups it is currently experiencing.

Xbox one s internal view diagram
Image: Microsoft

Other reasons your Xbox One randomly shuts off

Bad ventilation

If you notice your Xbox One is shutting off randomly, make sure that there’s enough of an air gap between the top of your console and whatever is above it.

That’s because that’s where the vents for hot air are situated.

An inch or more is a good amount of space. Move things around if something is sitting right on top of the console or if the shelf above is too close.

The vents for the fan inside your Xbox One are on the top of the console, so anything blocking this can lead to overheating.

READ MORE: Can you install games while your Xbox One is off?

If you get a message on your Xbox saying the console is getting improper ventilation, turn it off, wait one hour, move it to a well-ventilated area, and turn it on.

Dusty xbox one air vent making the xbox one keeps turning off
Image: u/6TF_ORB1T4L / Reddit

Dust build-up

Then look for any dust build-up around the vents on your Xbox One. You’ll have to clean it off or replace the fan if you see some.

Here’s a guide from iFixit on disassembling your Xbox One so you can clean the fan.

Energy saving enabled?

Another tip is to double-check you don’t have the option that enables your Xbox set to turn off automatically.

If all else fails, you may need to contact Xbox Support

A laptop computer displays a colorful design on its screenshot.
Image: KnowTechie

While overheating may be the most common reason your Xbox One keeps shutting itself off, other possible culprits exist.

There could be corrupted data, or your power supply might be on the way out. If that’s the case, check out the Xbox support page if none of these options fix your problem.

Finally, if your Xbox One keeps turning off at this stage, it’s time to talk to Xbox Support. They should be able to help, but they may ask you to send your console in for repairs. And we all know how that goes.

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Maker, meme-r, and unabashed geek with nearly half a decade of blogging experience. If it runs on electricity (or even if it doesn't), Joe probably has one around his office somewhere. His hobbies include photography, animation, and hoarding Reddit gold.

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