Xbox Series S is one of the most powerful and popular gaming consoles currently available. However, some users have recently experienced an issue with their console where it turns off randomly. So, if your Xbox Series S keeps shutting off for no apparent reason, what should you do?
If your Xbox Series S keeps turning off, start by cleaning the fans and moving to a well ventilated spot to prevent overheating. Install any updates and clear the cashe, the power-cycle it. Lastly, you can disable auto-shutdown and check the power supply. If the problem persists, do a factory reset.
Some of these solutions may seem obvious, but it’s always best to start with the basic troubleshooting steps before moving on to more complex ones. Hopefully, one of these solutions will fix the issue on your Xbox Series S. Let’s look at each of these fixes in detail.
Why Does Your Xbox Series S Keep Turning Off?
There could be several reasons why your Xbox Series S (on Amazon) keeps turning off. It might be an issue with the power supply, the console itself, or even the game you’re playing. If your Xbox Series S has been turning off randomly, check if any of the following problems apply to you.
- The power supply isn’t plugged in properly.
- The power supply is faulty.
- The console is overheating.
- You’re playing a game that’s too demanding for the Xbox Series S (not likely, since Xbox games are designed for Xboxes, but this is something that can cause intermittent overheating).
- Your console is set to turn off automatically.
- There’s a hardware or software issue with the console.
How Do You Fix an Xbox Series S That Keeps Turning Off?
Since there are several reasons why your Xbox Series S might be shutting down, there are also several solutions you can try. Here are some quick fixes that might do the trick:
Fix 1: Check if Your Xbox Series S Is Overheating
The optimum operating temperature for an Xbox Series S is between 4 and 95 degrees Fahrenheit (5-35 degrees Celcius). If your console is outside of this range, overheating is likely to be the cause of the shutdowns.
Xbox Series S has built-in safeguards like vents and cooling fans to prevent overheating, but sometimes they aren’t enough.
To fix an overheating Xbox Series S:
- Start by feeling the back and sides of the console. If it’s warm to the touch, that’s normal. But if it feels hot, turn it off immediately and let it cool down for at least half an hour.
- Use a can of compressed air (on Amazon) to blow away any dust or debris blocking the vents. Be careful not to put too much pressure, or you could damage the console.
- Place the console in a vertical position, and make sure there is plenty of airflow around the console. Microsoft recommends leaving at least 4 inches (10 cm) of space around the console for adequate airflow.
If you’re having problems with the location for your Xbox, if you simply don’t have many good options, you can consider a wall-mount like this one from TotalMount (on Amazon) to get the console off the floor, or even adding an aftermarket cooler like this one (on Amazon) to force more air and cooling through the console.
Fix 2: Optimize Your Power Settings
Your Xbox Series S has an automatic energy-saving mode that shuts the console down after a period of inactivity. This is a great feature if you want to save power, but if you’ve set the time too short, it might cause your console to turn off unexpectedly. To fix this:
- Press the Xbox button on your controller.
- Go to ‘Profile and System.’
- Select ‘Settings‘ and then ‘General.’
- Under the General tab, select ‘Power mode & startup.’
- Select ‘Turn off after‘ and then set the time to a longer period.
We recommend turning off the auto-shutdown feature entirely. Select ‘Don’t turn off automatically‘ to do this.
Fix 3: Check for Software Updates
Microsoft regularly releases system updates for the Xbox Series S to fix common problems. There’s a good chance that an update will solve your shutdown issue. To check for updates:
- Press the Xbox button on your controller.
- Go to ‘Profile and System.’
- Select ‘Settings‘ and then ‘System.’
- Go to ‘Updates,’ and you’ll see any available updates.
- Select ‘Install‘ to install the update.
Fix 4: Clear Persistent Storage
Xbox Series S has dedicated storage for user data and game data. Over time, this data can become corrupted and cause problems. One way to fix this is to clear the persistent storage on your Xbox Series S. To clear persistent storage:
- Press the Xbox button on your controller.
- Go to ‘Profile and System.’
- Select ‘Disc & Blu-ray.’
- Go to Persistent storage and select ‘Clear persistent storage.’
- After clearing the storage, turn off and unplug your console for at least 2 minutes, then restart.
This solution is especially helpful if you’ve been having shutdowns while playing a specific game. After the corrupted storage is gone, reinstall the game, and hopefully the issue will be fixed.
Fix 5: Correct Power and Voltage Settings
The Xbox Series S requires a power supply that outputs 12 volts and pulls out at least 10 amps. If your power supply doesn’t meet these requirements, it could be causing your console to turn off.
Remember that power outlets in different countries have different voltage ratings, so if you’re using your Xbox Series S abroad, you’ll need to check the output of your power supply with a multimeter.
The outlet you’re using might also be providing too much or too little power. Try plugging your Xbox into a different outlet and see if the issue persists.
Once you’ve verified that your power supply is working correctly, look for other potentially damaging electrical problems. Aftermarket power adapters, loose wires, and extension cords can cause issues. If you’re using any of these, try removing them and plugging the power cable directly into the outlet.
Here are a few more tips to help you avoid power-related issues:
- Use the included AC power adapter.
- Make sure the cords are properly plugged in and not loose.
- Avoid coiling the cables tightly, and don’t put them under any strain or stress.
- Keep the power cords away from any heat sources.
- If you must use an extension cord, use one that’s rated for the correct voltage and amperage.
- Only use outlets that are properly grounded and surge-protected.
- Do not use your console during a lightning storm.
Fix 6: Perform a Power Cycle
If your Xbox was the victim of a power surge or outage, it might have incurred damage. This may not be immediately apparent, but it can lead to console failure and eventually hardware issues over time. One way to fix this is to perform a power cycle, to do this:
- Unplug the power cord from the back of the Xbox Series S.
- Press and hold the Xbox button for a few seconds to turn off the console.
- Once the console is off, unplug the power cord from the outlet.
- Wait 3 minutes, and plug the power cord back into the Xbox Series S.
- Turn on the console and see if the issue has been fixed.
Fix 7: Perform a Hard Reset
If you’ve tried all of the other solutions and nothing has worked, the last resort is to perform a hard reset. When prompted, you can save some data by selecting ‘Keep my games & apps,’ but all other data will be lost. So be sure to back up any important data before proceeding.
To do this:
- Press the Xbox button on your controller to open the guide.
- Go to ‘Profile & System‘ and then ‘Settings‘.
- Select ‘System‘ and then ‘Console Info‘.
- Select ‘Reset console.’
- Choose ‘Reset and keep my games & apps‘ to keep your data, or choose ‘Reset and remove everything‘ to delete all data.
- Once the reset is finished, try using your console again and see if the issue has been fixed.
We hope you found this article helpful. If you’re still having issues, it’s time to contact Xbox Support for further assistance.