How to Clear the Cache on Xbox Series X or S Consoles

What to Know:

Easiest: Unplug your console for more than 2 minutes. Doing this fixes most issues.
Xbox button > Profile & System > Settings > Devices & Connections > Blu-Ray > Persistent Storage > Clear Persistent Storage.
To clear cache and do a soft reset, go to Settings > System > Console info > Reset Console > Reset and Keep my Games & Apps.

This article explains three ways to clear the cache on the Xbox Series X and S. It also explains how to reset your console without losing your games and apps.

How to Clear the Cache on Xbox Series X or S via Unplugging the Console

With the Xbox Series X or S more like a PC than games console, sometimes the system can end up a little slow due to excessive use. This typically happens when your system has been running for a long time with no TLC. Clearing the cache frees up space and RAM so your console is a little fresher than before. Here's how to clear the cache on both Xbox Series X and Xbox Series S in the quickest manner.

Switch your Xbox Series X or S off via the controller or power off button on the console.
Unplug the power cable from its electricity source.
Wait at least two minutes.
Plug the cable back into your power source.
Turn the console back on.
The cache should be cleared.

How to Clear the Cache on Xbox Series X or S via a Software Method

If you'd prefer to clear the cache through an option within the Xbox Series X clear cache settings, it's fairly simple to do. Here's what to do.

Xbox Series S owners don't have a disc drive so this process won't help them clear the cache.

Press the glowing Xbox symbol in the middle of your controller.
Scroll to the right to Profile & System.
Select Settings with the A button.
Click Devices & Connections.
Click Blu-Ray.
Click Persistent Storage.
Select Clear Persistent Storage.

How to Clear the Cache of Your Xbox Series X or S by Resetting the Console

If you're still finding your Xbox Series X or S is running slower than it used to, you can try resetting the console. It's possible to do this without losing your downloaded games and apps. Here's how to do it.

You'll need to have your Xbox account log-in details available to use once you've reset the console.

Press the glowing Xbox symbol on the middle of your controller.
Scroll to the right to Profile & System.
Select Settings with the A button.
Scroll down to System.
Select Console info.
Click Reset Console.
Select Reset and Keep my Games & Apps.
The console will now reset while keeping your games and apps.

Reasons to Clear the Xbox Series X or S Cache

When your Xbox Series X or S is brand new, you won't need to reset or clear its cache but there are reasons why it's smart to do so further down the line. Here's why.

If your console is running slower than before. If you've noticed your Xbox Series X or S is slower than it used to be, it might be that the cache is clogged up. Try one of these options to narrow down the problem.
You've used many Blu-rays. You might not think using many Blu-rays will make a difference but they can download related content which can swamp your console over time. It's worth clearing it out every once in a while.
It's a good troubleshooting method. Is your console acting up? Clearing the cache is one way of narrowing down the issue. If you've got the time, resetting the console by removing everything and returning to factory settings is a good idea but it's more time-consuming than simply clearing the cache.