Xbox One black screen after update - How to fix start up issue


xbox one black screen after update an xbox one console

Are you getting Xbox One black screen after update? If you are wondering how to fix start up issues after an update, then this guide will help you get the issue sorted out.

If you've recently turned on your Xbox One and been presented with the infamous Black Screen of Death, don't panic. There are ways that you can recover your Xbox One from this frustrating situation.

We'll cover everything you need to do to get out of this quickly and enjoy FIFA 22 or Halo Infinite or whatever your favourite game is. Here's what you need to know about the Xbox One black screen after update issue.

How to fix the black screen on startup on your Xbox One

There is a raft of different potential fixes that you can try to fix the black screen after the startup problem. Which one works, will depend on what exactly the cause of the issue is. But our top tips are as follows:

First, start by making sure it isn't an issue with the connection between your television and your console. This may seem silly, but it's worth running through the following steps, as recommended by Microsoft:

  • Confirm that both your TV and console are turned on
  • Check that your TV is set to the correct input signal (HDMI). Also, check that the HDMI cable connections to your console and to your TV are secure
  • Check that the HDMI cable is connected to the "out to TV" port on the console 
  • Try plugging the HDMI cable into a different HDMI port on your TV
  • Also, try using a different HDMI cable to connect your console to your TV
  • Try connecting your console to a different TV
  • Power cycle your console: Press and hold the Xbox button for 10 seconds to turn off the console, and then turn it on again

If this didn't fix your Xbox One black screen issue, then what else is worth exploring?

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Hard Reset Your Xbox One

It is the case that sometimes the startup process can take longer than you might expect - up to ten minutes in some cases. But if, after ten minutes, you are still not getting anywhere, the next thing to consider is a console reset, as described by the following steps:

  • Unplug the network cable if you're using a wired network connection.
  • Power off your console, and then unplug the power cord to ensure that the console is completely powered off.
  • Wait 30 seconds, and then plug the power cord back in.
  • Press and hold the BIND button (located on the left side of the console) and the EJECT button (located on the front of the console), and then press the Xbox button on the console. 
  • Continue holding the BIND and EJECT buttons for 10-15 seconds. 
  • Listen for two “power-up” tones a couple of seconds apart. You can release the BIND and EJECT buttons after the second power-up tone.
  • If you have an Xbox One S All-Digital Edition, you’ll need to press and hold the Xbox button and the Bind button instead, as your console does not have an Eject button.

Hopefully, this will allow your Xbox to restart in a low-resolution mode (640x480). You can then reset this via the following steps:

  • System > Settings > Display & sound > Video output

Usually, these steps will solve the black screen issue on your Xbox One. But if not, the next step is to get in touch with Xbox support for further assistance.

Read More:How To Download Xbox Games In Sleep Mode While Xbox Is Turned Off

Why does the Xbox One black screen happen?

The issues that you have experienced are probably related to the following problems. The first, and arguably most common, is that someone hasn't got their television set up correctly, and it is simply user error, rather than something more sinister. But there are other reasons as well.

For some who are members of the Xbox insider program, they have suffered from this when they've downloaded a new software update that hasn't been fully tested, plunging them into darkness. For others, a glitch in the loading of the Xbox dashboard is to blame. There are also suggestions that it might be linked to Xbox Live outages. What's for certain, is that there doesn't seem to be a definitive reason.

Whatever the cause is for your specific situation, the steps above are your best bet for fixing it. Ensure you haven't forgotten to switch on the telly. Perform a hard reset of the console. And hope for the best.

Xbox One black screen remap xbox one controller buttons
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That's everything you need to know about problems getting your Microsoft console started up again after the update.

For more articles like this, take a look at our How To and Xbox page.