There’s nothing like the speed of a brand-new gaming console or computer. But with time, that speed tends to drop off, and things can get a bit sluggish. This is the case for many users of the Xbox Series S, especially when they’re playing one of the latest high-end games. So, what can you do to restore that blazing-fast speed of a freshly unwrapped Xbox?
Your Xbox Series S may be running slowly due to a full cache, a glitch with the clock timing, or simply a bad internet connection. In order to fix it, clear the cache and the persistent storage. You can also perform a network test to see if the connection is the root of the problem.
For gamers, a speedy device is essential. So let’s take a closer look at why your Xbox Series S might be slowing down over time and what you can do to get it back up to top speed.
Why Is Your Xbox Series S Running So Slowly?
When it was unveiled, the Xbox Series S (on Amazon) ranked among the best consoles in terms of clock speed and performance. In fact, its next-generation experience competed well with the likes of high-end PCs.
So it’s certainly disheartening when a console like that starts to slow down. This issue can lower the console’s FPS (frames per second) and also peak performance level.
If you experience slow speeds, the following might be responsible:
The Cache
The Xbox Series S is an online multimedia device; therefore, it stores some information while running different programs on its platform. This inaccessible and volatile information is called cache.
Cache appears as volatile memory stored close to the CPU (central processing unit). If this memory becomes cumbersome, it could slow down your console.
The Clock Timing
Some findings suggest the Xbox Series S has strange glitches that prevent it from running new generation games at maximum performance. This glitch has been shown to slow down the running speed by 5% in a test that involved two Xbox Series S.
This bug was likely caused by the clock timing, which was found to be off on one of the consoles being tested. After a time reset was done on the two consoles simultaneously, there was a 2-second speed gap between the two consoles.
How Can You Make Your Xbox Series S Faster?
Since you now know why your Xbox Series S runs slowly, these are some useful tips that can help you get your console running smoothly:
Clear the Cache
This can be done in a few steps. Before engaging these steps, ensure you have your log-in details because you might need to re-enter them after resetting.
- Press the Xbox button on your controller, go to the ‘Profile & System’ panel, and select ‘Settings.’
- Scroll down, go to ‘System’ and select ‘Console info.’
- Click on ‘Reset Console’ and select ‘Reset and Keep My Games & App.’
Alternately, you can perform a hard reset, and it would take you back to Xbox Series S factory settings.
Clear Persistent Storage
While using a Blu-ray disc, the console downloads related content. You can clear this persistent storage with these steps:
- Press the Xbox knob on your controller, move to the right, click on ‘Profile & System’ and select ‘Settings.’
- Scroll down to ‘Devices & Connections’ then select ‘Blue-ray.’
- When prompted, select the ‘Persistent storage’ option and then ‘Clear Persistent Storage.’
Xbox Series S Slow Downloads
You might encounter slow downloads on your Xbox Series S. This is usually characterized by either your installation taking longer than usual or the download bar not progressing as fast enough. A quick fix to this problem is as follows:
- Check the download speed by going to the ‘Installing’ menu and checking the queue. If it goes below the expected band, troubleshoot your network connection.
- Close running games or applications.
- Restart your Series S.
- Check your console’s network connection.
Xbox Series S Lag
Xbox Series S encounters some lag, especially with WiFi. These lag problems can be caused by bad internet connection, the wireless setting, and interferences with the wireless network.
In order to determine if the connection is your issue, perform a network test on your Xbox. If the results aren’t good, you can try to adjust your connection settings, power cycle your console, or simply use a wired ethernet connection.