How to clean your Xbox Series S

Here’s how to clean your Xbox Series S

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Quick steps

Quick steps

Tools and Requirements

Tools and Requirements

How to clean your Xbox Series S

If your Xbox Series S has been louder than normal lately, it might be in need of a clean. An accumulation of dust can lead to your console’s fans kicking up faster than usual, resulting in increased noise and the risk of overheating. Worse case scenario, you could end up with a hardware failure.

If you’d rather not risk that, make sure you clean your Xbox Series S at regular intervals, particularly if you own pets or smoke.Microsoftdoesn’t recommend an internal clean, theofficial guidanceis external only, but thankfully it’s not difficult to take your console apart, and assuming you don’t break anything while doing so, this won’t void your warranty, either. Of course, if you’re not comfortable doing this, stick with an external clean only.

If you’re looking for a detailed breakdown on how to clean your Xbox Series S, then, follow the steps below.

Steps

What about externally cleaning my Xbox Series S?

A standard brush works for cleaning out the holes and ports on your Xbox Series S, as does a low-powered vacuum cleaner.

For general cleaning, Microsoft recommends using premoistened disinfectant wipes, or a microfiber cloth that’s been “dampened with a little bit of mild soap and water.” Like any electrical device, disconnect your Series S from the power source first before starting. Microsoft has universal advice that covers the whole Xbox One and Xbox Series family, advising you to wipe down the external surface using an “isopropyl alcohol (IPA) solution.”

How often should I clean my Xbox Series S?

Microsoft suggests cleaning your console every three to six months but in practice, personal circumstances means this’ll differ. Everyone has a different home setup, and most consoles don’t usually require much more than a standard dusting.

That said, if you’ve got pets or carpeted floors, dust and hair can accumulate quickly. If your Xbox Series S fan sounds like an airplane, that’s a good sign that you need to clean your console. Fans will increase in speed to cool your console more effectively, but overdoing this can lead your Xbox Series S to overheat.

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Final thoughts

Prevention is certainly better than the cure, and it’s hard to disagree when it comes to hardware maintenance. Air purifiers go a long way in combating dust build-up, so if you don’t fancy cleaning your Xbox Series S regularly, remember to replace the filters. Like any console, frequent cleaning is sensible advice, just avoid leaving it on the floor. Wherever you place it, ensure these surfaces are also frequently cleaned.Want to keep your other consoles clean? Here’show to clean your Xbox Series Xandhow to clean your PS5. Got a Switch? No problem. Here’show to clean your Nintendo Switch.

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Henry is a freelance writer based in Bournemouth, United Kingdom. When he’s not wandering in VR or burning through his RPG backlog, he’s probably planning his next D&D session.

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