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How to Factory Reset Xbox 360 – Tutorial

There are a few good reasons in order to reset an Xbox 360 to factory settings. Resetting an Xbox 360 can take care of some strange problems that may crop up after many years of use. And it’s also a good idea to clean all of your data before you trade your old console in or give it away. In this article, we are going to talk about How to Factory Reset Xbox 360 – Tutorial. Let’s begin!

Resetting an Xbox 360 is a really easy process, however, it’s a serious step that can’t be undone. When you reset your console, you lose any games, save data, themes, and also avatars you have not backed up. In most of the cases, clearing the cache on your Xbox 360 may be the better option actually.

Try to clear your Xbox 360 Cache

You can also fix a lot of common problems with your Xbox 360 by simply clearing the cache. This deletes temporary files and data stored in the system cache during normal use. Since clearing your cache is fast and easy, and corrupted temporary files can cause a whole lot of issues as well. It’s a good idea to try this before you attempt a full factory reset actually.

  • Click the Guide button to open the Xbox Guide.
  • Then navigate to the Settings tab.
  • Choose System Settings.
  • With the System Settings menu open, you have to select Storage.
  • Then choose Hard Drive.
  • Click the Y button to open the Device Options
  • Choose Clear System Cache
  • Then choose Yes to confirm the operation, then wait for the process to finish
  • Restart your Xbox 360, and then see if your problems persist

If you still experience problems after resetting the system cache, or you also want to prepare your system for sale or to give it away. Then it’s time to factory reset the Xbox 360. Before that, though, you will need to back up your data and also format the hard drive as well.

Prepare to Factory Reset Xbox 360

Resetting an Xbox 360 to factory settings is not difficult, however, it’s a serious process that can’t be undone. In order to reset your Xbox 360, you’ll first need to back up your games, profile, themes, and all other data to an external drive. Then format the Xbox 360’s hard drive as well.

Locate Your Xbox 360 Serial Number Before Resetting it

Before you reset your Xbox 360, first, locate the serial number of your console, and then write it down. When you attempt to format the hard drive, then you are mostly unable to proceed without this number.

You can also find the serial number of your Xbox 360 on the back of the console. However, if the number has been scratched off or obscured, you can also find it in the system settings menu as well:

  • Click the Guide button in order to open the Xbox Guide.
  • Then navigate to the Settings tab.
  • Choose System Settings.
  • With the System Settings menu open, you need to select Console Settings
  • Scroll down to choose System Info

how to factory reset xbox 360

  • The System Info screen has a lot of information about your Xbox 360 console, however, what you need is the Console Serial Number.
  • Locate the Console Serial Number, write it down, then click the B button on your controller. unless you have returned to the main System Settings menu.

Further

When you reset your Xbox 360, then all of the information that’s stored on the hard drive will be removed. This includes all of the games that you have downloaded, save data, your profile, and everything else stored on the hard drive as well. If you want to preserve any of this data, then you need to back it up as well.

When you back up data on an Xbox 360, you can choose to transfer everything all at once, or one item at a time. If you want to move everything all at once, then follow these steps:

  • Connect a USB hard drive or also thumb drive to your Xbox 360
  • From the System Settings menu, you need to select Storage.
  • Then choose Hard Drive
  • Click the Y button to bring up the Device Options
  • Now select Transfer Content
  • Choose your USB Storage Device
  • Then select Start

Then

If you prefer to manually select items you want to back up, then you can do that as well.

  • First, connect a USB hard drive or thumb drive to your Xbox 360
  • From the System Settings menu, you have to select Storage
  • Choose Hard Drive

how to factory reset xbox 360

  • Then choose Games and Apps
  • Then select a game that you want to back up
  • Press the A button, then click the A button again
  • Choose Move
  • Press the A button in order to delete the original copy and then move it to your external media
  • Choose your USB Storage Device
  • Click the A button
  • Now wait for the Xbox 360 to finish backing up your data
  • Click the B button
  • Select another item, and then repeat this process as many times as necessary
  • When you do that, then press the B button unless you return to the System Settings menu

How to Reset Xbox 360

When you have written down your Console Serial Number and backed-up all of your files, you are ready to reset your Xbox 360. This involves formatting the hard drive, that can’t be undone. When you finish, then your Xbox 360 will be returned to its original factory state.

  • From the System Settings menu, you need to select Storage
  • Choose Hard Drive
  • Tap on the Y button to open the Device Options
  • Choose Format
  • Select Yes in order to confirm your choice

how to factory reset xbox 360

  • Now enter your Console Serial Number
  • Select Done, then wait for the formatting process in order to complete

When you have finished resetting your Xbox 360, turn it on to confirm your data is gone or not. If the process was successful, then you’ll be prompted to set up your Xbox 360 just like you did when it was brand new. The console is now ready for you to sell or give away, or you can also log back in with your Xbox Live account if you performed the reset in order to fix a persistent problem.

Conclusion

Also See: How to Remove Xbox Game Speech Window

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Windy Moore

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