This site uses cookies for analytics, personalized content and ads. By continuing to browse this site, you agree to this use. Learn more
Skip to main content
Microsoft
Xbox
Xbox
  • Home
    • Xbox One consoles
    • Xbox One X
    • Xbox One S
    • Xbox for families
    • Shop consoles
    • Games home
    • Xbox One games
    • Xbox One X Enhanced games
    • Xbox Game Pass
    • Backward Compatible games
    • Xbox Play Anywhere games
    • Games with Gold
    • Deals with Gold
    • Sales & Specials
    • Xbox 360 games
    • Windows 10 games
    • EA Access
    • Redeem Code
    • Meet Xbox Live
    • Xbox Live Gold
    • Mixer
    • Xbox App
    • Shop accessories
    • Design your controller
    • Windows 10 Gaming
    • Xbox App on Windows 10
    • All support
    • Xbox One
    • Xbox 360
    • Xbox on Windows 10
    • Games
    • Billing
    • My Account
    • Mixer
    • Xbox Forums
    • Error & Status Code Search
    • Xbox Live Status
    • Home
    • Profile
    • Achievements
    • Friends
    • Messages
    • My games
    • Clubs
      • Office
      • Windows
      • Surface
      • Xbox
      • Deals
      • Support
      • Windows apps
      • OneDrive
      • Outlook
      • Skype
      • OneNote
      • PCs & tablets
      • Accessories
      • Xbox games
      • PC games
      • Windows digital games
      • Movies & TV
      • Microsoft Azure
      • Microsoft Dynamics 365
      • Microsoft 365
      • Enterprise solutions
      • Data platform
      • Microsoft Advertising
      • .NET
      • Visual Studio
      • Windows Server
      • Windows Dev Center
      • Docs
      • Microsoft Store
      • Microsoft Rewards
      • Free downloads & security
      • Education
      • Gift cards
    • View Sitemap
    0 Basket
    Sign in
    Share this page

    Xbox Support

    Xbox One
    Xbox & accessories Password & security Getting started 4k and HDR Apps Console Controllers Ease of Access Family Networking OneGuide and Live TV Social and Broadcast Microsoft Store Voice and digital assistants Warranty and service Xbox Insider
    Xbox 360
    Xbox on Windows 10
    Games
    Mixer
    Billing
    My account

    How to reset your Xbox One console to factory defaults using a USB flash drive

    Note If the console is experiencing an issue that requires you to Restore Factory Defaults, but you can’t access the Settings hub on your Xbox One console, use this process.

    Warning Using this method to restore your console to the factory default settings erases all accounts, apps, games, saved games, and settings. Anything not synchronized with Xbox Live will be lost. Your console syncs with Xbox Live automatically when it’s connected with the service.

    To use the USB flash drive to restore your console to factory defaults, you'll need:

    • A Windows-based PC with an Internet connection and a USB port.
    • A USB flash drive with a minimum 4 GB of space formatted as NTFS.

    For information about how to format a USB flash drive to NTFS using a PC, see How to format a flash drive to NTFS on Windows.

    Helpful hint Most USB flash drives come formatted as FAT32 and will have to be reformatted to NTFS. Note that formatting a USB flash drive for this procedure will erase all files on it.

    Topics

    On this page

    anchor
    Step 1: On your computer
    anchor
    Step 2: On your Xbox One console
    anchor
    About the buttons and beeps

    Step 1: On your computer

    1. Plug your USB flash drive into a USB port on your computer.
    2. Click the following link to download the reset file to your computer. This compressed file contains the files needed to reset your Xbox One console to factory defaults:

      Restore Factory Defaults

    3. Click Save to save the console update .zip file to your computer.
    4. To unzip the compressed file, right-click on the file and then select Extract all from the pop-up menu.
    5. Copy the $SystemUpdate file from the .zip file to your USB flash drive.
      Note The files should be copied to the root directory, and there shouldn't be any other files on the flash drive.
    6. Unplug the flash drive from your computer.

    Step 2: On your Xbox One console

    1. Unplug the network cable if you're using a wired network connection.
    2. Power off your console, and then unplug the power cord to ensure that the console is completely powered off.
    3. Wait 30 seconds.
    4. Plug the power cord back in.
    5. Plug the flash drive into a USB port on your console.
    6. Press and hold the BIND button (located on the left side of the console) and the EJECT button (located on the front of the console), and then press the Xbox button on the console.
    7. Continue holding the BIND and EJECT buttons for 10-15 seconds.
    8. Listen for two “power-up” tones a couple of seconds apart.
      Note If you don't hear two power-up tones after 15 seconds, it means this failed. Likewise, if you hear any “power-down” chirps, that also means this failed.
    9. You can release the BIND and EJECT buttons after the second power-up tone.
    10. When the console restarts, remove the flash drive.
    11. Once the console restarts, you should see the digital setup experience to guide you through resetting your console. For additional help, see Set up your Xbox One console.

    Note The console restart may take several minutes. If you’re using a wired connection, plug your network cable back into the console. If you have never connected your console to the Internet, you will need to connect at least once during the system setup process.

    About the buttons and beeps

    Pressing the BIND and EJECT buttons at the same time forces the console to look for the USB drive update, as the console will not look for a USB drive unless it needs it. This helps to decrease console start times for all startups when this step is not needed.

    The first power-up tone will occur approximately 10 seconds after powering up. This indicates that a USB update has been detected. The second power-up tone indicates that the update file has been copied and mounted. This is important, as it confirms you have successfully initiated the process.

    Related Issues

    How to reset your console to factory defaults on Xbox One
    How to format a flash drive to NTFS on Windows
    Set up your Xbox One console
    Back to top

    Was this article helpful?

    Yes
    No

    Thank you for your feedback

    Thanks for your feedback!

    We're sorry this article didn't solve your problem. We won't give up and neither should you. Try this community option, below.
    Get help from the community
    Ambassador chat image
    Ambassador chat
    Chat one on one with a fellow Xbox User who wants to help.
    Chat with an Ambassador

    Provide feedback for this topic

    255 characters remain.
    To protect your privacy, please do not include contact information in your feedback.
    Get help from the community
    Ambassador chat image
    Ambassador chat
    Chat one on one with a fellow Xbox User who wants to help.
    Chat with an Ambassador

    Support resources

    Error & Status Code Search
    Repair and service centre
    Manuals and warranty info
    Post on the Community Support Forums
    Contact us

    Contact Us

    Would you like to contact Support regarding the "How to reset your Xbox One console to factory defaults using a USB flash drive" issue you were reading about or a different issue?

    Share this page

    Xbox

    • Feedback
    • Support
    • Photosensitive Seizure Warning
    • Code of Conduct

    Fans

    • Xbox Wire
    • Jobs

    For Developers

    • Games
    • ID@Xbox
    • Windows 10
    English (United Kingdom)
    • Contact Microsoft
    • Privacy & cookies
    • Terms of use
    • Trademarks
    • About our ads
    • EU Compliance DoCs
    • Regulatory reporting
    • © Microsoft 2019