How to clear the cache on your Xbox One quickly and easily

The Xbox One cache is a temporary storage space for often-used data linked to applications and games. This data is usually saved in the RAM so the processor can access it quickly and without searching through the hard drive. Typically, the cache helps the console with task processing and overall performance, enhancing loading times and a smooth gaming experience.

However, the cache can get full, and when it does, it fails to efficiently retrieve stored data and slows down the console functions. The accumulation of the cache may also lead to Xbox’s freezing episodes and accidental shutdowns while gaming. The easiest solution to restore your Xbox to full capacity is simply clearing the cache. Though normally consoles are capable of managing their cache themselves, sometimes the system needs to be manually cleared. In fact, when the cache gets too full, and your Xbox’s system cannot cope with it anymore, it may urge you to clear it.

If you have any concerns about the important data disappearing after clearing the cache, keep in mind that the cache contains only temporarily stored information used by games and apps for faster loading. The cache doesn’t concern your game data, achievements, and progress, which will stay saved after the clearing.

Clearing the cache on your Xbox One is pretty straightforward and very similar to resetting the console. However, there are a few extra steps to note and follow.

Before shutting down your console, make sure that you have saved all your gaming progress and properly shut down all games and applications. Afterward, press and hold the power button until the console turns off.

Unplug your console from the power cord, or unplug the cord from the power outlet. It doesn’t matter which one you choose as long as your console is disconnected from power.

Wait at least a minute after unplugging the console and press its power button. This action will help to get rid of any surplus power left in your console and is necessary to fully clear the cache.

You can now plug the power cable back into the console or the power socket. You should also consider connecting your Xbox to a surge protection device to prevent the console from voltage spikes which could cause severe damage.

To complete the clearing of the cache, simply press and hold the power button to turn the console on. Note that if you’re using an original version of Xbox One, you should wait for the white light to turn on the console’s power brick and for it change to orange before turning your Xbox on.

Even though there’s no way to check if the cache has been cleared, you should notice an improved performance of your Xbox if everything went smoothly.

If you also like gaming on your PC and are facing similar issues with your Steam account, check out our blog post on how to clear your cache on Steam.

Even if you’ve cleared your Xbox One cache, its video and audio may still stutter or be unresponsive. It’s because the secondary cache, otherwise known as persistent storage, might need to be cleared, too. Persistent storage is where DVD and Blu-ray disc playback data is stored on your console. Similarly to the cache, Xbox can manage persistent storage itself, but sometimes it may need manual clearing to resolve issues caused by data corruption or conflicts.

You can follow the steps below to clear persistent storage on your Xbox One:

1. While the console is on, click the Xbox button on the controller and select “Settings” from the Xbox Guide menu.
2. Open the “System” tab, select “Devices and connections,” and click on the “Blu-ray” option.
3. Select “Persistent storage” from the menu.
4. Click on the “Clear persistent storage” button.

If you’ve cleared both the cache and persistent storage from your Xbox One and it still keeps lagging, you may need to initiate a soft factory reset. Unlike a hard factory reset, a soft reset fully clears all types of cache while leaving downloaded apps and games on the console. However, keep in mind that this type of reset removes your Xbox network account from the console, together with saved game data, videos, and screenshots. So make sure to back up all your game data on the cloud storage before starting the soft reset.

Here’s how you can initiate the soft factory reset on your Xbox One:

1. With the Xbox console on, click the Xbox button on the controller and open the “Settings” app.
2. Choose “System” from the left side menu and click on the “Console info.”
3. Select “Reset console” from the left side menu.
4. Select the “Reset and keep my games and apps” option.
5. Once your Xbox One is reset, you’ll need to log back into your account.

To enjoy a flawless gaming experience and keep your Xbox One in a pristine state, you should constantly pay attention to changes in the console’s performance. Although Xbox One can usually manage its cache and persistent storage itself, a manual clearing when the console’s performance is impaired may be the best solution.

Additionally, we recommend you regularly check if your Xbox is not overheating because it can reduce processor performance and slow down game load times. You should also periodically remove unused data, apps, or games to declutter your Xbox One system. Slow internet speeds may also contribute to your Xbox failing to work properly, so make sure to check if your internet connection is not dropping. We also recommend looking through our guide on what is the best internet speed for gaming.

Whenever your console is not functioning properly, it may also be a sign that your hard drive is faltering or your disk drive is starting to wear out. So always make sure to check on those, and don’t hesitate to bring the console to technicians for a check-up if needed.