If you want to sell your Xbox 360 console or experience a serious system error that prevents you from playing games or connecting to Xbox Live, the Xbox 360 reset process can erase all content on the console and restore it to factory (default) settings. However, the parental control feature will not be reset as well. If you're locked out of parental controls, you can reset your passcode to disable the controls, but you'll need to prove to Microsoft that you have the right to remove those controls. If Xbox 360's performance is noticeably sluggish or the game is running at intermittent frame rates, clearing the console's cache can resolve the issue.
Step
Method 1 of 3: Restoring Console to Factory Settings
Step 1. Restore the Xbox 360 to factory settings if you want to sell the console or are having serious problems
This process will delete all Xbox 360 content, but will not lift any restrictions set by parental controls. In order to remove the limitation, you will need to prove to Microsoft that you have the right to remove it. Read the next segment to find out more.
Step 2. Back up the content you want to keep
The process of restoring the console to factory settings will delete all stored content. Before proceeding, make sure you have backed up all the content you want to keep.
- Connect a USB hard drive to the Xbox 360 so that the drive appears as a storage device.
- Press the “Guide” button on the controller and select the “Settings” tab.
- Select "System Settings", select "Storage", and select the Xbox 360 hard drive.
- Select " Transfer Content ", then select an external drive.
- Decide what you want to post, then click the "Start" button. You may need to wait a while for the transfer process to complete.
Step 3. Press the “Guide” button on the Xbox controller
This button is the button in the center of the controller and has the Xbox logo.
Step 4. Select "Settings", then select "System Settings"
Different categories of system settings will be displayed.
Step 5. Select "Console Settings", then click "System Info"
A new window with various information about your console will appear.
Step 6. Record the number in the "Console Serial Number" section
This is the serial number of the Xbox 360 console, and you may need it to reset the system. You can also find the serial number next to the USB port on the front of the console, or on the back of the console, above the A/V port.
Step 7. Go back to the "System Settings" menu and select the "Storage" option
All storage devices connected to the Xbox 360 will be displayed.
Step 8. Mark the Xbox 360 hard drive and press the yellow "Y" button
The “Device Options” menu for the hard drive will be displayed.
Step 9. Select “Format” from the “Device Options” menu
You will be asked to confirm deletion of all content on the hard drive. If you are sure that you have backed up all important content, proceed to the next step.
Step 10. Enter the serial number of the console if prompted
You may be asked to enter the serial number of the console before starting the format process. This is a security measure to prevent accidental formatting. Enter the serial number you noted down earlier.
This process will not lift any parental controls that have been set on the device. Read the next segment to find out more about how to remove parental controls on Xbox
Step 11. Delete the user
After formatting the console, you will be taken back to the “Home” menu. You will be signed out of your Xbox Live account, and all games will be deleted. Visit the “Settings”, “System”, “Storage” menu, and the user's location, then delete the user.
Step 12. Begin the initial setup process
Go to the “Settings” > “System” menu and press the “[Initial Setup]” button. After that, confirm your choice.
Method 2 of 3: Removing Parental Controls from the Console
Step 1. Press the “Guide” button on the Xbox controller
This button is in the center of the control device and looks like the Xbox logo. The “Guide” menu will be displayed.
You can't get past the parental controls that the parents have set. Microsoft will ask you to prove that you have the right to change the parental control password on the console
Step 2. Open the “Settings” menu and select “Family“
The parental control features segment will be displayed.
Step 3. Select "Content Controls"
You will be asked to enter your current passcode.
Step 4. Enter the wrong passcode to force reset the code
Since you do not know the passcode to access the “Family” menu, enter the wrong code so that you are prompted to reset the code.
Step 5. Select "Reset Pass Code" when prompted
A security question for resetting the passcode will be displayed.
Step 6. Answer the questions if you can
If you previously created and set a passcode yourself, answer the security questions so you can create a new passcode. If you don't remember the answer to the passcode or parental controls that the previous console owner enabled, read the next step.
Step 7. Contact Xbox support if you can't answer the security question
If the previous owner of the console enabled a passcode and didn't delete it before selling it, or you can't remember the answer to your security question, you'll need to contact Xbox support for a master reset passcode.
You can contact support at support.xbox.com, via online chat, or by phone. You will be asked to answer a few questions to ensure that you can disable the parental controls feature (Xbox support services will not disable the controls if the controls are enabled by your parents)
Step 8. Enter the passcode provided by the Xbox support service
If the support service approves the parental control reset request, you will receive a passcode that can be used to bypass the currently active code. After that, you can disable parental controls or create a new passcode.
Method 3 of 3: Clearing Cache
Step 1. Clear the cache if you are having problems with your Xbox 360 console
If the game is performing worse than usual, or the system is taking a long time to switch from one menu to another, clearing the cache can resolve these issues. This method is more effectively followed for older Xbox 360 games. Clearing the system cache will not delete games, saved files, or media. However, this process will remove any installed game updates so you will need to re-download them when you want to play the game.
Step 2. Press the “Guide” button on the Xbox controller
The “Guide” menu will be displayed.
Step 3. Select "Settings" and click "System Settings"
You will see several categories of settings after that.
Step 4. Select "Storage"
You can see all the storage devices connected to the console.
Step 5. Mark any storage device and press the yellow "Y" button
The "Device Options" menu will be opened. You can choose any storage device as you will end up emptying the entire system cache.
Step 6. Select "Clear System Cache" and confirm the selection
The system cache will be cleared. This process usually takes a few moments.
Tips
- Reset your Xbox 360 console before selling it or giving it away so that others can't access your personal information.
- Make sure the parental control code is disabled.
