Released in 2001, Xbox is one of the most popular gaming consoles worldwide, developed by Microsoft. It’s known for its variety of supported games and powerful internal processing. It also supports various forms of media content such as TV shows, movies, and others.
However, some users have reported that their Xbox won’t turn on but beeps. It’s a glitch on Xbox consoles that has been around for a while. In this guide, we’ll show you how to fix your Xbox if it won’t turn on but makes noise. Read on to learn more.
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“Why Won’t My Xbox Turn On”—Common Reasons
There are various reasons why your Xbox does not turn on but is beeping. Mostly it can be due to hardware damage which you’ll need to address. At the worst, you’ll need to consult a technician which will cost you more.
Here are the most common reasons why your Xbox won’t turn on but makes sound:
- Overheating – Your Xbox can overheat if it’s not used often and if the ventilation is blocked with dust. If you’ve been using it for an extended period, turn it off for 30 minutes or longer to cool it down.
If the ventilation is blocked, you can use compressed air or a gentle brush to displace and remove dust build-up. It will prevent any overheating issues in the future.
- Power Brick Issue – The power brick on your Xbox one is critical for a stable and continuous power supply to the console. Over time, it can deteriorate and cause the console to beep but not get enough power to turn on.
Fortunately, you can replace it from an aftermarket tech store or buy it online. When changing the power brick, also try to check the console’s power cord. If it has tears and other kinds of damage, replace it with a new one.
- Moisture on Motherboard – Moisture on internal components is usually a big problem. If your Xbox has an internal cooling system, it can cause moisture build-up. Similarly, if your Xbox is stored in a cold room or a humid environment, chances are it will develop moisture due to condensation.
Regardless of the reason, moisture on the motherboard can cause power issues to your Xbox, such as beeping but not turning on. Moisture can also lead to short circuits and an unsafe console.
- Problems With Internal PSU – A fault in the PSU or Power Supply Unit can cause your Xbox to beep but not turn on. It’s widely responsible for supplying power to all internal components.
While it can be replaced by an Xbox technician, it will cost you more money. Most of the time, it will be more cost-effective to buy a new console instead—especially for older models of Xbox with PSU problems.
If you decide to get a new unit, you can use your XBox 360 controller with XBox One which will save you some money.
How to Fix Xbox One That Won’t Turn On But Makes Sound
Now that you know the reasons for this issue, here are the most common fixes that you can try:
Fix #1: Power Cycle Your Xbox
A power cycle is done to reset your console to a safe starting point. However, it will not delete any data such as games and other Xbox apps. To power cycle your Xbox, do the following:
- While your Xbox console is turned off, press and hold the Power button for 10 seconds.
- Wait for the indicator light on the power brick to flicker from Orange to White.
- Once the indicator light turns orange constantly, your Xbox will now enter Standby mode.
- Press the Power button to put your Xbox out of Standby mode and to turn it on.
- See if it solves the issue.
Fix #2: Soft Reset your Xbox
Similar to power cycling, you can try soft resetting your Xbox to drain stored power on its internal components. It also won’t delete or remove apps and games stored on your Xbox.
To soft reset your Xbox, follow these steps:
- Unplug the console’s power cord from its source and wait for 15 seconds.
- Press the Power button several times while the console is unplugged. It will drain any remaining power from the console’s capacitors and other internal components.
- Plug the console’s power cord back into the power source.
- Turn it on by pressing the Power button and see if the issue persists.
Fix #3: Tap the Eject Button of Your Xbox
Another nifty trick that you can do to help your Xbox turn on after it beeps is by pressing the Eject button several times—specifically, 10 times or more. Also, remember that you don’t need to insert a disk while doing this method.
It allows the console and its components to focus on a new task and break away from its software loop, which can be the reason for the issue.
Fix #4: Triple Button Hold
For this solution to work, you’ll need to press three console buttons altogether to reset your console from a continuous software loop.
To do this method, follow the steps below:
- Press and hold the Eject, Power, and Sync buttons simultaneously for ten seconds.
- Once ten seconds have passed, release the Eject button and continue holding onto the remaining buttons for another fifteen seconds.
- After fifteen seconds, release both the Power and Sync buttons.
- Turn on the console by pressing both the Power and Sync buttons together until it powers up and starts syncing data.
- See if the issue is resolved.
Fix #5: Use a Different Power Outlet
If you’re using an extension cord or a power strip, try connecting your console to one of the main wall outlets in your house and see if it solves the problem. An outlet that’s connected to several devices can fail to provide enough power to successfully turn on your Xbox console.
Fix #6: Remove USB devices and Other Removable External Drives
If there are external devices connected to your Xbox console, try removing them to let your Xbox focus on powering itself and avoid sharing power to other removable devices.
To remove USB drives and other external devices, do the following:
- Turn off your console and remove all USB devices and drives.
- Press the Power button and wait for a few seconds.
- Once it turns on and boots properly you can plug all removable devices back in.
Final Thoughts
If you’re looking for a powerful, yet versatile console, the Xbox line of consoles might be the ones for you. They provide a great number of features and have expandable storage for your favorite games and media content.
But it can be prone to power problems such as making a beeping sound but is unable to turn on. Hence, this guide will hopefully help you once you come across it in the future.