Xbox System Error Code Troubleshooting Help
- June 6, 2024
- XBOX
Table of Contents
Troubleshoot startup errors on Xbox
If you’re seeing the Something went wrong screen with an “E” error code when your Xbox console restarts after a system update, use the three digits that follow the “E” to find the correct troubleshooting steps below.
Note This solution covers “E” startup codes like the one shown above. If you are not seeing a Something went wrong screen that looks like the one above, or if you are getting a startup error that is not listed below, go to:
E100, E200, E204, or E207
Step 1: Restart your console
Use the D-pad and A button on your controller to select Restart this Xbox on the Something went wrong screen.
If this works, you should be returned to the Home screen after the console restarts. Your console should function correctly now.
If you’re not returned to the Home screen, continue to the next step.
Step 2: Reset your console
You can reset your console from the Xbox Startup Troubleshooter. From the Something went wrong screen, use the D-pad and A button on your controller to select Troubleshoot to open the Xbox Startup Troubleshooter.
If you need to manually bring up the Xbox Startup Troubleshooter, follow these steps:
- Power off your console, and then unplug the power cord to ensure that the console is completely powered off.
- Wait 30 seconds, and then plug the power cord back in.
- Press and hold the Pair button and the Eject button on the console, and then press the Xbox button on the console.
Note The Xbox Series S and the Xbox One S All-Digital Edition do not have Eject buttons. You can bring up the Xbox Startup Troubleshooter on this console by holding only the Pair button (steps 3 and 4) and then pressing the Xbox button .
- Continue holding the Pair and Eject buttons for 10-15 seconds.
- Listen for two “power-up” tones a couple of seconds apart. You can release the Pair and Eject buttons after the second power-up tone.
- The console should power up and take you directly to the Xbox Startup Troubleshooter.
To reset your console from the Xbox Startup Troubleshooter, select Reset this Xbox. When prompted, select Keep games and apps. This option will reset the OS and delete all potentially corrupted data without deleting your games or apps.
If this works, you should be returned to the Home screen after the console resets. Your console should function correctly now.
If you’re not returned to the Home screen, continue to the next step.
Step 3: Download the Offline System Update file (OSU1)
You need to perform an offline system update. To do this, you’ll need:
- A Windows-based PC with an internet connection and a USB port
- A USB flash drive with a minimum 6 GB of space formatted as NTFS
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. Back up or transfer any files on your flash drive before you format the drive. For information about how to format a USB flash drive to NTFS using a PC, see:
How to format a USB flash drive or external storage device to NTFS on Windows
- Plug your USB flash drive into a USB port on your computer.
- Open the Offline System Update file OSU1.
- Click Save to save the console update .zip file to your computer.
- Unzip the file by right-clicking on the file and selecting Extract all from the pop-up menu.
- Copy the $SystemUpdate file from the .zip file to your flash drive. The files should be copied to the root directory, and there shouldn’t be any other files on the flash drive.
- Unplug the USB flash drive from your computer.
- Continue to the next step to complete the update on your console.
Step 4: Update your system
You can update your console using the Xbox Startup Troubleshooter. To bring up the Xbox Startup Troubleshooter, follow these steps:
- Power off your console, and then unplug the power cord to ensure that the console is completely powered off.
- Wait 30 seconds, and then plug the power cord back in.
- Press and hold the Pair button (located below the Xbox button on the console) and the Eject button (located on the front of the console), and then press the Xbox button on the console.
Note The Xbox Series S and the Xbox One S All-Digital Edition do not have Eject buttons. You can bring up the Xbox Startup Troubleshooter on this console by holding only the Pair button (steps 3 and 4) and then pressing the Xbox button .
-
Continue holding the Pair and Eject buttons for 10-15 seconds.
-
Listen for two “power-up” tones a couple of seconds apart. You can release the Pair and Eject buttons after the second power-up tone.
-
The console should power up and take you directly to the Xbox Startup Troubleshooter.
Plug the USB flash drive with the Offline System Update files into a USB port on your Xbox console. When the flash drive is inserted, the Offline System Update option on the Xbox Startup Troubleshooter becomes active. Use the D-pad and A button on your controller to select Offline System Update to initiate the update using the files saved on your flash drive.
Note The console restart may take several minutes. If you were 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 your system setup process.
When the update is complete, the console will restart, and you should be returned to the Home screen. If this happens, your console should function correctly now. You can remove the USB drive from your console.
If you’re not returned to the Home screen, continue to the next step.
Step 5: Restore your console to factory defaults
If resetting the console does not return you to the Home screen, you can use the Xbox Startup Troubleshooter to completely restore your console to its factory settings.
Warning Resetting your console to its factory defaults erases all accounts, saved games, settings, and home Xbox associations. Anything not synchronized with the Xbox network will be lost. You should only use this option as a last resort.
To bring up the Xbox Startup Troubleshooter, follow these steps:
-
1. Power off your console, and then unplug the power cord to ensure that the console is completely powered off. - Wait 30 seconds, and then plug the power cord back in.
Press and hold the Pair button and the Eject button on the console, and then press the Xbox button on the console.
Note The Xbox Series S and the Xbox One S All-Digital Edition do not have Eject buttons. You can bring up the Xbox Startup Troubleshooter on this console by holding only the Pair button (steps 3 and 4) and then pressing the Xbox button .
- Continue holding the Pair and Eject buttons for 10-15 seconds.
- Listen for two “power-up” tones a couple of seconds apart. You can release the Pair and Eject buttons after the second power-up tone.
- The console should power up and take you directly to the Xbox Startup Troubleshooter.
To restore your console from the Xbox Startup Troubleshooter, select Reset this Xbox. When prompted, select Remove everything. This will delete all user data, and all games and apps.
If you are returned to the Home screen after the console restores and restarts, your console should function correctly now.
Note If the console restore is successful, you will be prompted to repeat some general console setup steps before you are returned to the Home screen. You will also need to re-download your games and apps.
If you’re not returned to the Home screen, continue to the next step.
Step 6: Your console needs to be repaired
Unfortunately, if none of the previous troubleshooting steps resolved your startup error, you’ll need to submit a request to have your console repaired. To submit a repair request, visit:
E101
Step 1: Download the Offline System Update file (OSU1)
You need to perform an offline system update. To do this, you’ll need:
- A Windows-based PC with an internet connection and a USB port
- A USB flash drive with a minimum 6 GB of space formatted as NTFS
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. Back up or transfer any files on your flash drive before you format the drive. For information about how to format a USB flash drive to NTFS using a PC, see:
How to format a USB flash drive or external storage device to NTFS on Windows
- Plug your USB flash drive into a USB port on your computer.
- Open the Offline System Update file OSU1.
- Click Save to save the console update .zip file to your computer.
- Unzip the file by right-clicking on the file and selecting Extract all from the pop-up menu.
- Copy the $SystemUpdate file from the .zip file to your flash drive. The files should be copied to the root directory, and there shouldn’t be any other files on the flash drive.
- Unplug the USB flash drive from your computer.
- Continue to the next step to complete the update on your console.
Step 2: Update your system
You can update your console using the Xbox Startup Troubleshooter. From the Something went wrong screen, use the D-pad and A button on your controller to select to open the Xbox Startup Troubleshooter.
If you need to manually bring up the Xbox Startup Troubleshooter, follow these steps:
- Power off your console, and then unplug the power cord to ensure that the console is completely powered off.
- Wait 30 seconds, and then plug the power cord back in.
- Press and hold the Pair button (located below the Xbox button on the console) and the Eject button (located on the front of the console), and then press the Xbox button on the console.
Note The Xbox Series S and the Xbox One S All-Digital Edition do not have Eject buttons. You can bring up the Xbox Startup Troubleshooter on this console by holding only the Pair button (steps 3 and 4) and then pressing the Xbox button .
- Continue holding the Pair and Eject buttons for 10-15 seconds.
- Listen for two “power-up” tones a couple of seconds apart. You can release the Pair and Eject buttons after the second power-up tone.
- The console should power up and take you directly to the Xbox Startup Troubleshooter.
Plug the USB flash drive with the Offline System Update files into a USB port on your Xbox console. When the flash drive is inserted, the Offline System Update option on the Xbox Startup Troubleshooter becomes active. Use the D-pad and A button on your controller to select Offline System Update to initiate the update using the files saved on your flash drive.
Note The console restart may take several minutes. If you were 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 your system setup process.
When the update is complete, the console will restart, and you should be returned to the Home screen. If this happens, your console should function correctly now. You can remove the USB drive from your console.
If you’re not returned to the Home screen, continue to the next step.
Step 3: Your console needs to be repaired
Unfortunately, if none of the previous troubleshooting steps resolved your startup error, you’ll need to submit a request to have your console repaired. To submit a repair request, visit:
E102
Step 1: Can you bring up the Xbox Startup Troubleshooter?
Check to see if you can bring up the Xbox Startup Troubleshooter:
-
Power off your console, and then unplug the power cord to ensure that the console is completely powered off.
-
Wait 30 seconds, and then plug the power cord back in.
-
Press and hold the Pair button and the Eject button on the console, and then press the Xbox button on the console.
Note The Xbox Series S and the Xbox One S All-Digital Edition do not have Eject buttons. You can bring up the Xbox Startup Troubleshooter on this console by holding only the Pair button (steps 3 and 4) and then pressing the Xbox button .
- Continue holding the Pair and Eject buttons for 10-15 seconds.
- Listen for two “power-up” tones a couple of seconds apart. You can release the Pair and Eject buttons after the second power-up tone.
- The console should power up and take you directly to the Xbox Startup Troubleshooter.
If you’re able to bring up the screen shown above, continue to:
Step 2: Restore your console to factory defaults
If not, skip to:
Step 3: Try an offline factory reset
Step 2: Restore your console to factory defaults
You can use the Xbox Startup Troubleshooter to completely restore your console to its factory settings.
Warning Resetting your console to its factory defaults erases all accounts, saved games, settings, and home Xbox associations. Anything not synchronized with the Xbox network will be lost. You should only use this option as a last resort.
To restore your console from the Xbox Startup Troubleshooter, select Reset this Xbox. When prompted, select Remove everything. This will delete all user data, and all games and apps.
If you are returned to the Home screen after the console restores and restarts, your console should function correctly now.
Note If the console restore is successful, you will be prompted to repeat some general console setup steps before you are returned to the Home screen. You will also need to re-download your games and apps.
If you’re not returned to the Home screen, continue to the next step.
Step 3: Try an offline factory reset
If you’re unable to successfully restore your console from the Xbox Startup Troubleshooter, there is an offline method you can use. Follow the steps in the section “Reset using a USB flash drive” in:
How to reset your Xbox console to factory defaults
Warning Resetting your console to its factory defaults erases all accounts, saved games, settings, and home Xbox associations. Anything not synchronized with the Xbox network will be lost. You should only use this option as a last resort.
If you are returned to the Home screen after the console restores and restarts, your console should function correctly now.
Note If the console restore is successful, you will be prompted to repeat some general console setup steps before you are returned to the Home screen. You will also need to re-download your games and apps.
If you’re not returned to the Home screen, continue to the next step.
Step 4: Your console needs to be repaired
Unfortunately, if none of the previous troubleshooting steps resolved your startup error, you’ll need to submit a request to have your console repaired. To submit a repair request, visit:
E105
Step 1: Restore your console to factory defaults
You can use the Xbox Startup Troubleshooter to completely restore your console to its factory settings.
Warning Resetting your console to its factory defaults erases all accounts, saved games, settings, and home Xbox associations. Anything not synchronized with the Xbox network will be lost. You should only use this option as a last resort.
From the Something went wrong screen, use the D-pad and A button on your controller to select Troubleshoot to open the Xbox Startup Troubleshooter.
If you need to manually bring up the Xbox Startup Troubleshooter, follow these steps:
- Power off your console, and then unplug the power cord to ensure that the console is completely powered off.
- Wait 30 seconds, and then plug the power cord back in.
- Press and hold the Pair button and the Eject button on the console, and then press the Xbox button on the console.
Note The Xbox Series S and the Xbox One S All-Digital Edition do not have Eject buttons. You can bring up the Xbox Startup Troubleshooter on this console by holding only the Pair button (steps 3 and 4) and then pressing the Xbox button .
- Continue holding the Pair and Eject buttons for 10-15 seconds.
- Listen for two “power-up” tones a couple of seconds apart. You can release the Pair and Eject buttons after the second power-up tone.
- The console should power up and take you directly to the Xbox Startup Troubleshooter.
To restore your console from the Xbox Startup Troubleshooter, select Reset this Xbox. When prompted, select Remove everything. This will delete all user data, and all games and apps.
If you are returned to the Home screen after the console restores and restarts, your console should function correctly now.
Note If the console restore is successful, you will be prompted to repeat some general console setup steps before you are returned to the Home screen. You will also need to re-download your games and apps.
If you’re not returned to the Home screen, continue to the next step.
Step 2: Your console needs to be repaired
Unfortunately, if none of the previous troubleshooting steps resolved your startup error, you’ll need to submit a request to have your console repaired. To submit a repair request, visit:
E106, E203, E208, or E305
Step 1: Reset your console
You can reset your console from the Xbox Startup Troubleshooter. From the Something went wrong screen, use the D-pad and A button on your controller to select Troubleshoot to open the Xbox Startup Troubleshooter.
If you need to manually bring up the Xbox Startup Troubleshooter, follow these steps:
- Power off your console, and then unplug the power cord to ensure that the console is completely powered off.
- Wait 30 seconds, and then plug the power cord back in.
- Press and hold the Pair button and the Eject button on the console, and then press the Xbox button on the console.
Note The Xbox Series S and the Xbox One S All-Digital Edition do not have Eject buttons. You can bring up the Xbox Startup Troubleshooter on this console by holding only the Pair button (steps 3 and 4) and then pressing the Xbox button .
- Continue holding the Pair and Eject buttons for 10-15 seconds.
- Listen for two “power-up” tones a couple of seconds apart. You can release the Pair and Eject buttons after the second power-up tone.
- The console should power up and take you directly to the Xbox Startup Troubleshooter.
To reset your console from the Xbox Startup Troubleshooter, select Reset this Xbox. When prompted, select Keep games and apps. This option will reset the OS and delete all potentially corrupted data without deleting your games or apps.
If this works, you should be returned to the Home screen after the console resets. Your console should function correctly now.
If you’re not returned to the Home screen, continue to the next step.
Step 2: Download the Offline System Update file (OSU1)
You need to perform an offline system update. To do this, you’ll need:
- A Windows-based PC with an internet connection and a USB port
- A USB flash drive with a minimum 6 GB of space formatted as NTFS
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. Back up or transfer any files on your flash drive before you format the drive. For information about how to format a USB flash drive to NTFS using a PC, see:
How to format a USB flash drive or external storage device to NTFS on Windows
- Plug your USB flash drive into a USB port on your computer.
- Open the Offline System Update file OSU1.
- Click Save to save the console update .zip file to your computer.
- Unzip the file by right-clicking on the file and selecting Extract all from the pop-up menu.
- Copy the $SystemUpdate file from the .zip file to your flash drive. The files should be copied to the root directory, and there shouldn’t be any other files on the flash drive.
- Unplug the USB flash drive from your computer.
- Continue to the next step to complete the update on your console.
Step 3: Update your system
You can update your console using the Xbox Startup Troubleshooter. To bring up the Xbox Startup Troubleshooter, follow these steps:
- Power off your console, and then unplug the power cord to ensure that the console is completely powered off.
- Wait 30 seconds, and then plug the power cord back in.
- Press and hold the Pair button (located below the Xbox button on the console) and the Eject button (located on the front of the console), and then press the Xbox button on the console.
Note The Xbox Series S and the Xbox One S All-Digital Edition do not have Eject buttons. You can bring up the Xbox Startup Troubleshooter on this console by holding only the Pair button (steps 3 and 4) and then pressing the Xbox button .
- Continue holding the Pair and Eject buttons for 10-15 seconds.
- Listen for two “power-up” tones a couple of seconds apart. You can release the Pair and Eject buttons after the second power-up tone.
- The console should power up and take you directly to the Xbox Startup Troubleshooter.
Plug the USB flash drive with the Offline System Update files into a USB port on your Xbox console. When the flash drive is inserted, the Offline System Update option on the Xbox Startup Troubleshooter becomes active. Use the D-pad and A button on your controller to select Offline System Update to initiate the update using the files saved on your flash drive.
Note The console restart may take several minutes. If you were 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 your system setup process.
When the update is complete, the console will restart, and you should be returned to the Home screen. If this happens, your console should function correctly now. You can remove the USB drive from your console.
If you’re not returned to the Home screen, continue to the next step.
Step 4: Restore your console to factory defaults
If resetting the console does not return you to the Home screen, you can use the Xbox Startup Troubleshooter to completely restore your console to its factory settings.
Warning Resetting your console to its factory defaults erases all accounts, saved games, settings, and home Xbox associations. Anything not synchronized with the Xbox network will be lost. You should only use this option as a last resort.
To bring up the Xbox Startup Troubleshooter, follow these steps:
- Power off your console, and then unplug the power cord to ensure that the console is completely powered off.
- Wait 30 seconds, and then plug the power cord back in.
- Press and hold the Pair button (located below the Xbox button on the console) and the Eject button (located on the front of the console), and then press the Xbox button on the console.
Note The Xbox Series S and the Xbox One S All-Digital Edition do not have Eject buttons. You can bring up the Xbox Startup Troubleshooter on this console by holding only the Pair button (steps 3 and 4) and then pressing the Xbox button .
- Continue holding the Pair and Eject buttons for 10-15 seconds.
- Listen for two “power-up” tones a couple of seconds apart. You can release the Pair and Eject buttons after the second power-up tone.
- The console should power up and take you directly to the Xbox Startup Troubleshooter.
To restore your console from the Xbox Startup Troubleshooter, select Reset this Xbox. When prompted, select Remove everything. This will delete all user data, and all games and apps.
If you are returned to the Home screen after the console restores and restarts, your console should function correctly now.
Step 5: Your console needs to be repaired
Unfortunately, if none of the previous troubleshooting steps resolved your startup error, you’ll need to submit a request to have your console repaired. To submit a repair request, visit:
E206
Step 1: Restart your console
Use the D-pad and A button on your controller to select Restart this Xbox on the Something went wrong screen.
If this works, you should be returned to the Home screen after the console restarts. Your console should function correctly now.
If you’re not returned to the Home screen, continue to the next step.
Step 2: Reset your console
You can reset your console from the Xbox Startup Troubleshooter. From the Something went wrong screen, use the D-pad and A button on your controller to select Troubleshoot to open the Xbox Startup Troubleshooter.
If you need to manually bring up the Xbox Startup Troubleshooter, follow these steps:
- Power off your console, and then unplug the power cord to ensure that the console is completely powered off.
- Wait 30 seconds, and then plug the power cord back in.
- Press and hold the Pair button and the Eject button on the console, and then press the Xbox button on the console.
Note The Xbox Series S and the Xbox One S All-Digital Edition do not have Eject buttons. You can bring up the Xbox Startup Troubleshooter on this console by holding only the Pair button (steps 3 and 4) and then pressing the Xbox button .
- Continue holding the Pair and Eject buttons for 10-15 seconds.
- Listen for two “power-up” tones a couple of seconds apart. You can release the Pair and Eject buttons after the second power-up tone.
- The console should power up and take you directly to the Xbox Startup Troubleshooter.
To reset your console from the Xbox Startup Troubleshooter, select Reset this Xbox. When prompted, select Keep games and apps. This option will reset the OS and delete all potentially corrupted data without deleting your games or apps.
If this works, you should be returned to the Home screen after the console resets. Your console should function correctly now.
If you’re not returned to the Home screen, continue to the next step.
Step 3: Restore your console to factory defaults
If resetting the console does not return you to the Home screen, you can use the Xbox Startup Troubleshooter to completely restore your console to its factory settings.
Warning Resetting your console to its factory defaults erases all accounts, saved games, settings, and home Xbox associations. Anything not synchronized with the Xbox network will be lost. You should only use this option as a last resort.
To bring up the Xbox Startup Troubleshooter, follow these steps:
- Power off your console, and then unplug the power cord to ensure that the console is completely powered off.
- Wait 30 seconds, and then plug the power cord back in.
- Press and hold the Pair button (located below the Xbox button on the console) and the Eject button (located on the front of the console), and then press the Xbox button on the console.
Note The Xbox One S All-Digital Edition and the Xbox Series S do not have Eject buttons. You can bring up the Xbox Startup Troubleshooter on this console by holding only the Pair button (steps 3 and 4) and then pressing the Xbox button .
- Continue holding the Pair and Eject buttons for 10-15 seconds.
- Listen for two “power-up” tones a couple of seconds apart. You can release the Pair and Eject buttons after the second power-up tone.
- The console should power up and take you directly to the Xbox Startup Troubleshooter.
To restore your console from the Xbox Startup Troubleshooter, select Reset this Xbox. When prompted, select Remove everything. This will delete all user data, and all games and apps.
If you are returned to the Home screen after the console restores and restarts, your console should function correctly now.
Step 4: Your console needs to be repaired
Unfortunately, if none of the previous troubleshooting steps resolved your startup error, you’ll need to submit a request to have your console repaired. To submit a repair request, visit:
Read User Manual Online (PDF format)
Read User Manual Online (PDF format) >>