Q&A for How to Reset an Xbox 360

Return to Full Article

Coming soon

Add New Question

Question

How can I get rid of the family setting code so that I can clear the Xbox?

Community Answer

On the system Info Menu press these buttons in sequence to factory reset your Xbox 360: Family Settings 1. Left Trigger (LT Button) 2. Right Trigger (RT Button) 3. X Button 4. Y Button 5. Left Bumper (LB Button) 6. Right Bumper (RB Button) 7. X Button 8. X Button 9. Up 10. Down

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Yes No

Not Helpful 162 Helpful 226
Question

Where can I find the console's serial number?

Community Answer

In three places. (1.) Go to settings on the dashboard, go to System, then System Info, and it will be there. (2.) Look on the front of the console, behind the USB flap. (3.) Look on the back of the console, above the A/V port.

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Yes No

Not Helpful 10 Helpful 19
Question

How do I reset the pass code on an Xbox 360?

Community Answer

If you aren't the one that set the passcode, you'll need to contact Xbox Support to have it removed. You'll need to prove to Microsoft that you are authorized to remove the passcode. Microsoft will not remove the passcode if your parents set it.

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Yes No

Not Helpful 24 Helpful 37
Question

How can I get my games and movies back after a reset?

Community Answer

You'll need to have backed up your games and movies before resetting the Xbox 360. If you didn't back up your content, you'll need to redownload it after resetting your Xbox 360.

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Yes No

Not Helpful 25 Helpful 27
Question

Does this reset family settings too?

Community Answer

Resetting your Xbox 360 to factory settings does not reset the family settings. You'll still need to enter the passcode to access restricted content. The only way to bypass this is to successfully answer the security question, or to contact Xbox Support and prove you are authorized to remove the family settings.

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Yes No

Not Helpful 33 Helpful 31
Question

How do I know if it has been completely reset?

Community Answer

Look on the profile screen. If your profile is gone, the system has been successfully reset.

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Yes No

Not Helpful 6 Helpful 7
Question

If I reset my Xbox 360, will I lose all of my downloadable content?

Community Answer

Yes, you will lose them but you can always re-download them when you sign in again with your account and upload anything else saved with a USB stick.

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Yes No

Not Helpful 21 Helpful 17
Question

My console is loading painstakingly slow when I try to log in. What can I do?

The Encrypted Code

Community Answer

Try to format the console. The reason the console is so slow is probably because there is an excess of data cache and ram to dump. Unplug your Xbox and press the power button rapidly, then plug it back in. If that doesn't fix it, format the console. Move any important data to a USB and go from there.

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Yes No

Not Helpful 12 Helpful 8
Question

Will resetting delete my profile?

Community Answer

Yes, it will delete everything except for family settings.

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Yes No

Not Helpful 12 Helpful 8
Question

What do I do if my saved games on my Xbox 360 were deleted?

Community Answer

You can't really do anything as all data is lost or deleted. Even if you contact Microsoft support, it is still lost, but you get the detail to play the game again.

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Yes No

Not Helpful 8 Helpful 4
Question

How do I fix a frozen Xbox 360?

Community Answer

Unplug the cord connecting the Xbox and the power brick (rectangle with small green circle when on) and plug it back in.

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Yes No

Not Helpful 1 Helpful 1
Question

The Xbox 360 won't let me make a profile. What should I do?

Community Answer

Check your storage space and delete something if needed.

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Yes No

Not Helpful 1 Helpful 1
Question

What do I do if I forgot my password?

Community Answer

Look at step 7, as it shows how to reset it. You can also contact Xbox support for more information.

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Yes No

Not Helpful 1 Helpful 2
Question

How can I connect to Xbox Live without performing an update?

Community Answer

Just go to the social section and select the option that says "Join the fun." Then log in.

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Yes No

Not Helpful 1 Helpful 1
Question

How do I open the disk drive on the Xbox 360?

Community Answer

There is a button next to the power button on the Xbox 360 console to open the disk drive or tray.

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Yes No

Not Helpful 0 Helpful 0
Question

Why doesn't my Xbox 360 read any memory sticks that have movies on them?

Community Answer

Your Xbox may not support the memory stick's format. For example, the Xbox cannot read an exFAT formatted stick.

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Yes No

Not Helpful 0 Helpful 0
Question

Will all my avatars be removed if I reset the Xbox 360?

Community Answer

Yes, they will be.

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Yes No

Not Helpful 0 Helpful 0
Question

How do I enter a passcode with my controller?

Community Answer

Passcodes for parental lock use an "alphabet" of controller inputs, like a code or sequence rather than letters and numbers. However, when signing into accounts, you can use the left analog or D-pad to move around an onscreen keyboard while using the A button to pick out letters.

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Yes No

Not Helpful 0 Helpful 0
Question

How do I fix my internal storage? It's now saying no storage device found.

Community Answer

Chances are, the hard drive is dead. If you have the right skills, try taking it out and plugging it into your PC for testing, then back in. If it's the old Xbox hard drive, you can use the data transfer cable to connect it the PC, but it would be harder to find.

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Yes No

Not Helpful 0 Helpful 0
Question

What do I do if I can't see the hard drive after resetting my Xbox 360?

Community Answer

If the hard drive is removable, try taking it out and putting it back in. Usually the Xbox will scan for a hard drive when it is turned on, so turn it off before removing or inserting it.

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Yes No

Not Helpful 0 Helpful 0
Question

My Xbox is connecting to network but is not connecting at Xbox live. What can I do?

Community Answer

This usually means either the network does not have a real-time Wi-Fi connection, or you are not close enough to the router and the connection is weak. Try moving closer to the router.

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Yes No

Not Helpful 0 Helpful 0
Question

Will a factory reset erase my Microsoft account?

Community Answer

From the Xbox, yes. Depending on the method. You will have to re-add it, but it will not wipe the account from existence.

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Yes No

Not Helpful 0 Helpful 0
Question

I have an Xbox from my nephew. What is a WPA2 pass phrase?

Community Answer

This is the password for the WiFi network you're connecting to.

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Yes No

Not Helpful 0 Helpful 0
Question

How do I put in my new internet password into my Xbox?

Community Answer

Assuming you are referring to updating the WiFi password: Settings -> Network Setting. Find your network and hit Y for Forget Network. Lett it load and find your network again, then select it and enter the updated password.

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Yes No

Not Helpful 0 Helpful 0
Question

Should I do this on an original Xbox 360?

Community Answer

Yes. Every model works. The original works, the Slim works. the Elite works, and so does the E.

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Yes No

Not Helpful 0 Helpful 0