3 Ways To Reset An Xbox 360 - WikiHow

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Terms of Use wikiHow is where trusted research and expert knowledge come together. Learn why people trust wikiHow How to Factory Reset an Xbox 360 PDF download Download Article Restore an Xbox 360 to factory settings in just a few easy steps Co-authored by Bryzz Tortello

Last Updated: August 11, 2025 Fact Checked

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  • Resetting to Factory Settings
    • |
  • Removing the Parental Controls
    • |
  • Clearing Your Cache
    • |
  • Q&A
    • |
  • Tips
    • |
  • Warnings
|Show more |Show less X

This article was co-authored by Bryzz Tortello. Bryzz Tortello is a Device Repair Specialist and the Owner & CEO of Tortello Repair Services. With over ten years of experience, she specializes in iPhone and iPad ranging from screen and battery replacements to microsoldering and data recovery. Bryzz attended The College of the Canyons. This article has been fact-checked, ensuring the accuracy of any cited facts and confirming the authority of its sources. This article has been viewed 1,812,646 times.

Resetting your Xbox 360 will wipe it clean and help fix software problems, and it's really easy to do! This article will walk you through the reset process step-by-step. Plus, we'll show you how to remove parental controls on your Xbox (since resetting it won't actually get rid of those) and clear your cache.

Steps

Method 1 Method 1 of 3:

Resetting to Factory Settings

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  1. Step 1 Reset your Xbox 360 to factory settings if you're selling it or experiencing major issues. 1 Reset your Xbox 360 to factory settings if you're selling it or experiencing major issues. This will delete everything on the Xbox 360, but it will not remove parental restrictions. To remove parental restrictions, you'll need to prove to Microsoft that you are authorized to remove them. See the next section for details.[1]
  2. Step 2 Back up anything you want to save. 2 Back up anything you want to save. Resetting your Xbox 360 to factory settings will delete everything on it. Before proceeding, make sure you back up anything you want to keep.[2]
    • Connect an external USB hard drive to your Xbox 360 so that it appears as a storage device.
    • Press the Guide button on your controller and select the "Settings" tab.
    • Choose "System Settings," select "Storage," and then select your Xbox 360 hard drive.
    • Select "Transfer Content" and then select your external hard drive.
    • Select what you want to transfer and then click "Start." You may have to wait a while for the transfer to complete.
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  3. Step 3 Press the Guide button on your Xbox controller. 3 Press the Guide button on your Xbox controller. This is the center button that has the Xbox logo.[3]
  4. Step 4 Select "Settings" and then choose "System Settings." 4 Select "Settings" and then choose "System Settings." This will display the different categories of system settings.
  5. Step 5 Select "Console Settings" and then "System Info." 5 Select "Console Settings" and then "System Info." This will display a new window with various information about your console.
  6. Step 6 Write down your "Console Serial Number." 6 Write down your "Console Serial Number." This is the serial number for your Xbox 360, and you may need it when resetting the system.
    • You can also find your serial number next to the USB ports on the front of your Xbox 360, or on the back on the console above the A/V port.
  7. Step 7 Return to "System Settings" and select the "Storage" option. 7 Return to "System Settings" and select the "Storage" option. This will display all of the storage devices connected to your Xbox 360.[4]
  8. Step 8 Highlight your Xbox 360 hard drive and press Y button. 8 Highlight your Xbox 360 hard drive and press Y button. This will open the Device Options menu for the hard drive.
  9. Step 9 Select "Format" from the Device Options menu. 9 Select "Format" from the Device Options menu. You'll be prompted to confirm that you want to erase everything on the hard drive. If you're sure that you've backed everything important up, you can proceed.
  10. Step 10 Enter your serial number if prompted. 10 Enter your serial number if prompted. You may be asked to enter your console serial number before you can begin the format. This is a safeguard to help prevent accidental formats. Enter in the serial number you wrote down earlier.
    • This will not remove any parental controls that have been set. See the next section for details on removing parental controls.
  11. Step 11 Delete your user. 11 Delete your user. After the format, you'll be taken back to the Home menu. You'll be logged out of Xbox Live, and all of your games will be gone. Go to Settings, System, Storage, then the location of your user, and delete it.
  12. Step 12 Start the Initial Setup. 12 Start the Initial Setup. Go to Settings, System, and press "Initial Setup." Select "Yes" to confirm.
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Method 2 Method 2 of 3:

Removing the Parental Controls

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  1. Step 1 Press the Guide button on your Xbox controller. 1 Press the Guide button on your Xbox controller. This button is in the center and looks like the Xbox logo. This will open the Guide menu.
    • If you are trying to bypass parental controls set by your parents, you won't be able to. Microsoft will require proof that you're authorized to change the parental control password.
  2. Step 2 Open the Settings menu and select "Family." 2 Open the Settings menu and select "Family." This will open the parental controls section.
  3. Step 3 Select "Content Controls." 3 Select "Content Controls." You'll be prompted to enter the current passcode.
  4. Step 4 Enter the wrong passcode to force a reset. 4 Enter the wrong passcode to force a reset. Since you don't know the passcode to access the Family menu, enter the wrong one so that you are prompted to reset the passcode.
  5. Step 5 Select "Reset Pass Code" when prompted. 5 Select "Reset Pass Code" when prompted. This will display the security question to reset the passcode.
  6. Step 6 Answer the question if you can. 6 Answer the question if you can. If you were the one that set up the passcode, answer your security question and you'll be able to create a new passcode. If you don't remember the answer to the passcode or a previous owner enabled parental controls, read on.
  7. Step 7 Contact Xbox Support if you can't answer the security question. 7 Contact Xbox Support if you can't answer the security question. If the previous owner had a passcode enabled and didn't remove it before selling it, or you don't remember the answer to your security question, you'll need to call Xbox Support to get a master reset passcode.
    • You can contact support at support.xbox.com, via online chat or telephone. You'll be asked some questions to verify that you are allowed to disable parental controls (Xbox Support won't disable parental controls if it was your parents that enabled them).[5]
  8. Step 8 Enter the passcode provided by Xbox Support. 8 Enter the passcode provided by Xbox Support. If Xbox Support approves your request to reset the parental controls, you'll be given a pass code you can use to bypass the current code. You can then disable parental controls or create a new pass code.
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Method 3 Method 3 of 3:

Clearing Your Cache

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  1. Step 1 Clear your cache if you have troubles with your Xbox 360. 1 Clear your cache if you have troubles with your Xbox 360. If you're experiencing worse-than-normal performance in games, or the system is sluggish when moving between menus, clearing the system cache may help. This will be most effective with older Xbox 360 games. Clearing the system cache will not delete any of your games, save files, or media. It will delete any installed game updates, so these will need to be downloaded again when you play the game next.
  2. Step 2 Press the Guide button on your Xbox controller. 2 Press the Guide button on your Xbox controller. This will open the Guide menu.
  3. Step 3 Select "Settings" and then "System Settings." 3 Select "Settings" and then "System Settings." You'll see various settings categories.
  4. Step 4 Select "Storage." 4 Select "Storage." You'll see all of your connected storage devices.
  5. Step 5 Highlight any storage device and press the Y button. 5 Highlight any storage device and press the Y button. This will open the "Device Options" menu. It doesn't matter which storage device you select, as you'll be clearing the entire system's cache.
  6. Step 6 Select "Clear System Cache" and then confirm. 6 Select "Clear System Cache" and then confirm. The cache will be deleted, which should only take a few moments.
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Community Q&A

Search Add New Question
  • Question How can I get rid of the family setting code so that I can clear the Xbox? Community Answer 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 177 Helpful 240
  • Question Where can I find the console's serial number? Community Answer 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 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 41
See more answers Ask a Question 200 characters left Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered. Submit Advertisement

Tips

  • Reset your Xbox 360 prior to selling or giving away your console to prevent others from accessing any of your personal information. Thanks Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0
  • Make sure that parental code is off. Thanks Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0

Tips from our Readers

The advice in this section is based on the lived experiences of wikiHow readers like you. If you have a helpful tip you’d like to share on wikiHow, please submit it in the field below.
  • When my Xbox started overheating in less than 5 minutes and shutting off on its own, I restarted the game from my last save. It worked.
  • If you think you've been hacked, a factory reset can help you get some privacy back.
  • Remember that some games cannot be save to a flash drive, like GTA V.
Submit a Tip All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published Name Please provide your name and last initial Submit Thanks for submitting a tip for review! Advertisement

Warnings

  • Resetting your Xbox 360 to factory settings will not remove the parental restrictions. To remove these restrictions when you don't know the passcode or security question, you'll need to contact Microsoft and prove that you're authorized to remove the restrictions. Thanks Helpful 20 Not Helpful 9
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References

  1. ↑ https://tech4gamers.com/how-to-reset-xbox
  2. ↑ https://support.xbox.com/en-US/xbox-360/games/manage-games-data
  3. ↑ https://tech4gamers.com/how-to-reset-xbox
  4. ↑ https://tech4gamers.com/how-to-reset-xbox
  5. ↑ https://support.xbox.com/en-RS/help/xbox-360/security/forgotten-parental-controls-pass-code

About This Article

Bryzz Tortello Co-authored by: Bryzz Tortello Device Repair Specialist This article was co-authored by Bryzz Tortello. Bryzz Tortello is a Device Repair Specialist and the Owner & CEO of Tortello Repair Services. With over ten years of experience, she specializes in iPhone and iPad ranging from screen and battery replacements to microsoldering and data recovery. Bryzz attended The College of the Canyons. This article has been viewed 1,812,646 times. 40 votes - 50% Co-authors: 17 Updated: August 11, 2025 Views: 1,812,646 Categories: Xbox 360 Article SummaryX

Before you reset your Xbox 360 to its factory settings, back up anything you want saved on a USB hard drive, since the reset will delete everything. Then, press the center button with the Xbox logo on your controller, select “Settings,” and choose “System Settings.” Next, select “Storage,” then find and highlight your Xbox hard drive and press the “Y” button to get into the “Device Options” menu. There, select “Format” and confirm that you want to erase everything. Finally, delete your user, then start the initial setup to complete your reset. To learn how to reset your Xbox to remove the parental controls, keep reading! Did this summary help you?YesNo

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Reader Success Stories

  • Gen Lee

    Gen Lee

    May 1, 2017

    "Really easy guide through a seemingly more-complex-than-needed way to reset the factory default. Thanks for this,..." more
More reader stories Hide reader stories Share your story

Did this article help you?

Yes No Advertisement Cookies make wikiHow better. By continuing to use our site, you agree to our cookie policy. Bryzz Tortello Co-authored by: Bryzz Tortello Device Repair Specialist 40 votes - 50% Click a star to vote 50% of people told us that this article helped them. Co-authors: 17 Updated: August 11, 2025 Views: 1,812,646 Gen Lee

Gen Lee

May 1, 2017

"Really easy guide through a seemingly more-complex-than-needed way to reset the factory default. Thanks for this,..." more Sherry Cashin

Sherry Cashin

Feb 25, 2018

"All of it was very helpful to me. I didn't even turn this system on before, it was giving to me. Thank you." Anonymous

Anonymous

Mar 10, 2018

"It helped me the most by letting me set my Xbox back to its factory settings, so I'm able to sell it now." Isaac Foster

Isaac Foster

Nov 16, 2016

"These all worked perfectly. I have reset everything on my Xbox, and it's working way better than before." James Corbett

James Corbett

Jun 21, 2017

"Quick, easy-to-follow instructions. Clear and concise. Back up and running in no time. Thanks." Share yours! More success stories Hide success stories

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