How To Clean Xbox & Controller [One & Series X/S]

An environment with polluted air always ends up with dust covering everything inside your house. This also includes your Xbox. Learning how to clean Xbox is essential to prevent pollution from causing any damage.

Key Takeaways

• It is essential to clean your Xbox console every 2-3 months.
• You can clean your Xbox One, Xbox One S, Xbox Series X, and Xbox Series S using compressed air can, a small brush, and a microfiber cloth.
• Cleaning the Xbox controller is as important as cleaning the Xbox console
• For aftercare of the Xbox, keeping it safe from grease, liquids, sunlight, polluted air, and animal fur is important.

Why Should I Clean My Xbox?

Cleaning your gaming console is an essential task you must carry out every 2-3 months. It should be done even more if you live in a dusty environment. There are many reasons why you should be cleaning your Xbox often; some of them are stated below.

• The dust gets in between components like fan bearings and lower their lifespan.
• The dust does not let components radiate heat. Hence, overheating.
• Dust in the disc drive can scratch your CDs, which will prevent them from being read.
• Your Xbox setup becomes unpleasant to look at.
• A greasy controller makes it hard to have a firm grip on.
• Dust in between controller buttons prevents them from giving proper commands.

Also Read: How To Turn Off Xbox Controller On PC [Answered]

How To Clean Xbox (All Models)

Here is how to clean all Xbox models. 

Xbox One 

I’ll start the cleaning guide with Xbox One. This model is the oldest model among the Xboxes, of which I’ll provide a cleaning guide to you.

You will need: 

• Torx 8 and 10 screwdrivers.
• A Spudger
• A small brush.
• A microfiber cloth.
• Compressed air can.

Here’s how you can clean your Xbox One:

1. Power off your Xbox and take unplug any connected cables.
2. Make sure to place your Xbox One on a clean and smooth surface. 
3. Use a spudger to pull out the casing with air vents on the side.

   

4. Slide out the slightly pointy piece on the corner beneath the USB port.

   

5. If you have the warranty sticker, you must cut it to remove the casing.

   

6. Use a spudger to unclip the clips above the Xbox One ports.

   

7. Take off the case.
8. Once the case is off, take out the black cable on the side. 
9. Now you will have to remove the Wi-Fi card by unscrewing the 2 screws on it using Torx 8 screwdriver and removing the black cable.

   

10. Once the Wi-Fi card is removed, unscrew the 8 screws using Torx 10 screwdriver.

    

11. Remove the metal casing by unplugging the black connector underneath.
12. Remove the connectors of the hard drive as well.

    

13. Now you can blow the dust off using compressed air can.

    

14. Use a brush to clean the blades of the fan.

    

15. Make sure you clean the case of the Xbox, too, using a slightly damp microfiber cloth.
16. Once you are done cleaning, reattach all the connector pins, the Wi-Fi card, the cables, and the casing of the Xbox One.

Also Read: How To Reset Xbox? [360, One & Series X]

Xbox One S

The way to clean Xbox One S is different from Xbox One. I will guide you on how you can clean this version of Xbox One as well.

You’ll need:

• A Supdger.
• Torx 10 screwdriver.
• A small brush.
• Compressed air can.
• Microfiber cloth.

Here’s how you can clean your Xbox One S:

1. Make sure to power off your Xbox One S, unplug its cables, and place it on a smooth, clean surface.
2. Start pushing off the casing using a spudger from where there’s a small warranty sticker.

   

3. Keep pushing the casing until you’re able to take it off.

   

4. You can use a brush to clean the outer casing.
5. Once the casing comes off, you’ll notice another silver metal casing.
6. Use your Torx 10 screwdrivers to remove the screws on that casing.

   

7. You will be able to take off the white casing on the other side and the metal casing with fan vents beneath it.

   

8. Once the silver metal casing is off, clean it with a slightly damp microfiber cloth.

   

9. Proceed back to the Xbox One S, and use the small brush to clean the fan blades.

   

10. Using compressed air can blow the dust off the Xbox.

    

11. Once you are sure it’s clean, reattach all of the casings. 

Also Read: How To Clear Cache On Xbox? [All Methods]

Xbox Series X

This is the latest higher-end series of Xbox One. The cleaning method of this series is also very different from the ones above.

You’ll need:

• A Torx 8 screwdriver.
• A small brush.
• A spudger
• Pliers.
• Compressed air can.
• Microfiber cloth.

Here’s how you can clean your Xbox Series X:

1. Ensure you power off the Xbox, unplug all the cables, and place it on a smooth, clean surface.
2. Remove the 2 screws on the side where you see the ports of the Xbox. One of the screws will be beneath the sticker.

   

3. After removing the screws, use a spudger to pull out the case.

   

4. To remove the fan, first remove the 2 screws.

   

5. After removing the screws, use pliers to take out the pin connector.
6. Pull out the fan and use a brush to clean its blades.

   

7. First, remove the screws from the small plastic covering to remove the disc drive.
8. Once the covering is removed, take out the pin connectors.

   

9. After taking out the pin connectors, you can pull out the disc drive.
10. Use a slightly damp microfiber cloth to clean the disc drive.
11. First, pull out the ribbon cable connectors to pull out the remaining components and then pull the ribbon cable itself.

    

12. Now, rotate the plate for support beneath the Xbox and remove it.
13. Unscrew the 3 screws you find beneath the plate.

    

14. Now you will be able to pull out the remaining components of the Xbox.
15. Use a brush to loosen up the stubborn dust on the heat sink.

    

16. Using compressed air can blow away the rest of the dust.
17. Make sure to clean the case of the Xbox.
18. You can put all the components back in, reattach all those cables, and tighten the screws once you are done cleaning.

Xbox Series S

This is the latest low-end series of the Xbox. It looks very different from the high-end Xbox Series X and has a different cleaning method. 

You’ll need:

• Tweezers.
• A spudger.
• A Torx T8 and T10 screwdriver.
• A compressed air can.
• A microfiber cloth.
• A small brush.

Here’s how you can clean your Xbox Series S:

1.  Make sure to place the power of the console and place it on a clean and smooth surface.
2. Locate two stickers on the bottom left and right of the console. You’ll find these stickers on the side on which the ports of the console are located.

   

3. Pull off the white stickers using tweezers.
4. Once the stickers come off, you’ll see a screw below each of them.

   

5. Use a Torx T8 screwdriver to remove these screws.
6. After removing the screws, you’ll be able to pull off the white case of the Xbox series S console.
7. Use a slightly damp microfiber cloth to clean the case and free it from dust and debris.
8. Once the white case comes off, you’ll see another silver metal case. Remove the seven green screws using a Torx T10 screwdriver.

   

9. After removing the green screws, you can pull off the other side of the white casing. You will then see the fan vents.
10. You’ll see three boards on the corner of the sides of the console. Use a Torx T8 to remove the screws on the boards so that the boards can come off.

    

11. Pull the silver metal casing from the side where you face the fan vent.

    

12. You’ll now have access to the fan and the rest of the components of the console.

    

13. Use a brush to clean the fan blades and compressed air can to blow the rest of the dust off.
14. Once you’re done cleaning, reattach all of the parts back in.

Xbox Controller

The controller is a part of your Xbox, regardless of your model. It is essential to clean your Xbox controller as much as it is to clean your Xbox console. 

You’ll need:

1. A microfiber cloth.
2. Isopropyl Alcohol.
3. Compressed air can.

Here’s how you can clean your Xbox Controller:

1. Make sure to place your controller on a clean and smooth surface.
2. Compressed air can then be used to blow off the dust and debris covering your Xbox controller.
3. Use a microfiber cloth slightly dipped in isopropyl alcohol to remove any stubborn stains on your controller.
4. After you’ve successfully removed the stains, wipe your controller with a microfiber cloth slightly dampened by water.
5. Leave the controller to fully dry before using it again.

Things To Keep In Mind After Cleaning Xbox

You must remember the aftercare of an Xbox console once you have done cleaning it. It is essential to ensure its prolonged lifespan.

Here’s what you need to keep in mind after cleaning your Xbox:

• Keep it safe from grease substances. Grease can cause stubborn stains and attach dust and debris.
• Protect your Xbox from animal fur. If you have furry pets, avoiding them from entering the room where you’ve placed your console is best.
• Ensure your Xbox console does not sit in an open area exposed to sunlight or polluted air. Both of these things will cause your console to wear out quickly.
• Make sure not to bring any liquid substances close to your Xbox console. Any spill can be extremely dangerous and can cause irreparable damage to your Xbox.