The Xbox Series X/S, known for its exceptional power and performance, can sometimes face overheating problems. When an Xbox Series X/S overheats, its performance can decline, resulting in poor gameplay or even system crashes.
If you’re encountering this issue, worry not! This guide aims to show you the basic tips on how to stop Xbox from overheating. So, let’s give in!
How the Xbox Series X/S Stays Cool
To understand why your console may overheat, it’s important to know how it maintains its temperature. The Xbox Series X/S uses various mechanisms to prevent overheating. At the top of the console, a mesh layer allows hot air to escape, aided by a large fan underneath it.
Inside the console, there is a heatsink that absorbs heat from the motherboard, along with a vapor chamber that distributes the CPU heat evenly throughout the system. This prevents any specific area from becoming excessively hot and damaging internal components.
Despite these cooling measures, extended gaming sessions can still lead to overheating if the cooling mechanisms are unable to function effectively.
Signs of Xbox Series X/S Overheating
There are several indicators that your Xbox Series X/S is overheating. Performance drops are a common sign, with frame rate drops, longer loading times, and graphical glitches such as green or pink flashes.
Another noticeable sign is an unusually loud console. If your Xbox sounds like a helicopter about to take off, it indicates that the fan is working hard to expel excess hot air from within the console.
In severe cases, the console may completely crash as a safety measure. Prolonged exposure to excessive heat can cause irreversible damage to the system’s components. In such situations, the console will shut down to prevent further harm. This can be particularly inconvenient if you’re in the middle of an online game or haven’t saved your progress recently.
How to Stop Xbox Series X/S From Overheating
If you observe any of the aforementioned issues, it is likely that your console is overheating. The first step is to stop gaming and turn off your console. Allow it to cool down by placing it with the vents facing upwards for a few hours.
Ensure that your console is in a cool and well-ventilated area. If it is exposed to high ambient temperatures, efficient cooling becomes challenging. Additionally, poor ventilation can trap hot air around the console, impeding its dissipation.
While your console cools down, take the opportunity to inspect the vents. Dust accumulation is a major cause of overheating. If the vents are clogged with dust or debris, the hot air will be trapped inside the console, leading to overheating. Use a microfiber cloth to wipe away any dust around the vents. Make sure the console is completely cool before reconnecting it and resuming gameplay. Often, this simple maintenance step can restore your console’s normal functionality.
Resolving Xbox Series X/S Overheating Due to Software Issues
If the previous troubleshooting steps haven’t resolved the overheating issue, it might be related to a software problem. In such cases, clearing the cache or performing a hard reset can be beneficial.
For Xbox Series S owners, simply unplugging the console and letting it cool down effectively clears the cache. But for Xbox Series X, you have to clear the cache within the system settings by following the steps below:
- Scroll to Profile & Systems on the Xbox home page.
- Head to Settings.
- Navigate to Devices and Connections.
- Scroll to Blu-ray.
- Go to Persistent Storage.
- Select Clear Persistent Storage.
If clearing the cache doesn’t resolve the overheating problem, performing a full reset to restore the console to its factory default settings may help. Follow these instructions:
- Navigate to Settings.
- Next, go to System.
- Select Console Info.
- Choose Reset Console.
- You will be presented with two options:
- Reset and Keep My Games and Apps: Recommended for initial troubleshooting attempts.
- Reset and Remove Everything: Recommended as a last resort, as it erases all settings.
Final Words
There you have it on how to stop Xbox from overheating. With the troubleshooting steps above, your console should be functioning properly again. Meanwhile, if the issue persists, it is advisable to contact your local game provider or Microsoft for further assistance.
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