Is your Xbox Series X acting a little sluggish lately, especially when you’re trying out new games? That could be an issue with your cache filling up, a problem Xbox users tend to run into over time.
Contents
- Does Xbox Series X have a cache? Can it get full?
- How to clear the game cache on an Xbox Series X
- Power-cycle your Xbox Series X
- Why is my Xbox Series X still running slow?
Here’s how the Xbox Series X cache works and how to clear it with menus and a power cycle!
Does Xbox Series X have a cache? Can it get full?
Like other computers, the Xbox Series X does use a cache, a limited reserve of quick-access memory to save important and frequently accessed parts of your games, apps, and discs. But that cache is limited. If it gets full through consistent use and exploring lots of new games, then your Xbox Series X won’t be able to put any new information in the cache, and retrieving information may be more difficult. That leads to slowdowns, which ruins one of the biggest advantages that the Series X has.
How to clear the game cache on an Xbox Series X
Boot up your Xbox Series X and get ready for some cache-clearing work.
Step 1: First, let’s clear your Blu-ray cache. This is especially useful if you have a large Blu-ray collection and watch plenty of your movies or shows using your Series X. Each disc will take up a little cache space of its own. To clear it, press the Xbox button on your controller, navigate right to your Profile, and choose Settings.
Step 2: Choose Devices and connections. Select Blu-Ray to continue.
Step 3: Choose Persistent storage, and select Clear to delete the cache.
Step 4: With discs taken care of, now it’s time to do a system reset to clear the rest of your cache. Head by to Settings, and this time choose System.
Step 5: Go to Console info.
Step 6: Choose Reset console.
Step 7: Pick the option to Reset and keep my games and apps. Otherwise, you’ll have to download everything again.
Step 8: Wait for the Xbox Series X to reset. This may take some time, up to half an hour, depending on the circumstances, so be prepared to be patient.
Power-cycle your Xbox Series X
The other option to clear your cache avoids menus altogether, but you’ll have to get down among your cable and do some hardware stuff. Here’s how it works.
Step 1: Shut down your Xbox Series X entirely.
Step 2: Unplug your Xbox Series X from the power strip or outlet.
Step 3: Wait for a few minutes. While you’re waiting, press down the Power button on the Series X and hold it a while, around 5 to 10 seconds. Repeat this a few times while you’re waiting.
Step 4: Plug your Series X back in and turn it on again.
Why is my Xbox Series X still running slow?
If your games are primarily online, it’s always a good idea to check and reset your internet connection and use a cable connection rather than Wi-Fi if possible. The Xbox Series X may not play well with any attached storage except for the Seagate expansion card in its dedicated slot. Try removing any other connected hard drives and accessories, and see if this improves your performance.
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What is a cache, and why should you clear it? Essentially, it’s data that your console’s SSD stores over time to load app or game processes quickly. But when this data keeps building up indefinitely, it can seriously slow down your operating system. If you’re finding your Xbox is running sluggish, it’s probably time for a clean-up. Here’s how to clear the cache on an Xbox Series X or S.
Read more: How to clear the cache on any browser on any platform
QUICK ANSWER
To clear the cache on your Xbox console, navigate to the Settings menu, select System--> Console info--> Reset Console--> and choose to Keep my Games & Apps.
How to clear the cache on an Xbox Series X or Series S
While it is possible to clear the cache on one of Microsofts Xbox consoles, the process is not intuitive as the option is nested within several sub-menus. Perhaps a future update will provide a more direct method, but for now, you can follow these steps to clear the cache and data.
If you have an Xbox Series X, you can clear the cache of the disc drive. Note that you will need your Xbox account log-in details after resetting the console. To do so, navigate to the Settings menu by pressing the Xbox button on the center of your controller.
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Select Devices and Connections and choose Blu-Ray.
Adam Birney / Android Authority
Lastly, select Persistent Storage and choose Clear Persistent Storage.
Adam Birney / Android Authority
You can clear the cache by resetting the console if you have an Xbox Series S. To do so, navigate to the Settings menu by pressing the Xbox button on the center of your controller.
Adam Birney / Android Authority
Select System, then choose Console Info.
Adam Birney / Android Authority
Lastly, select Reset Console and make sure to choose to Keep my Games and Apps. Otherwise, everything you have downloaded on your Xbox will be uninstalled.
Adam Birney / Android Authority
FAQs
You can follow the same steps in this guide to clear the cache on an Xbox One. To reiterate, go to Settings–> System–> Console info–> Reset Console and select Reset and Keep my Games & Apps.
No, clearing the cache on your Xbox is good maintenance when your console is running slow or if you’ve used many Blu-Rays.