The Xbox Series X is the ninth-generation console in Microsoft’s console lineup. Especially after a lengthy gaming session, you may have noticed that the Xbox Series X fan is still running after shutdown. So why does it seem like the Xbox Series X fan is always on?
Your Xbox Series X fan is always on when the console is on, in low power mode, and during standby. Having the fan constantly active regulates the overall temperature of the console. An always-on fan prevents the Series X from overheating, which can damage the internal components.
Below, I share details on why the fan inside the Xbox Series X stays on all the time. This article also highlights how the Series X regulates temperature and offers tips on managing the console’s fan if you need to.
Understanding the Xbox Series X Fan
The Xbox Series X has a fan that stays on if the console is connected to a power source and processes are running. Components like the solid-state drive (SSD) and the central processing unit (CPU) generate heat when games and updates occur, even when the system is idle.
How To Turn Off the Fan in the Xbox Series X
You can turn the fan in the Series X off using two ways. The first is to disconnect the box from its power supply. Unplug the console from the power supply, and the fan will stop spinning.
The second method involves tweaking some software settings. To turn the fan off using the Xbox’s operating system, you will need to follow these steps:
- Open up the settings menu in the Xbox Dashboard.
- Access the General option, then head to Power Mode & Start-Up.
- Change the Instant-On setting to Energy-Saving.
Turning off Instant-On mode will shut the system down when you hit the power button.
Instant-On lets you jump right back into where you left off after you shut the console down, so the system is still running in the background. Instant-On also lets the system download updates when the console is on standby. By switching the mode off, you are entirely shutting the system down, and the fans will also stop spinning.
How the Xbox Series X Regulates Temperature
The Xbox Series X will generate heat when you’re using it. The metal chassis will not be stone-cold to touch, but it won’t burn your fingers off either. The Series X runs at a lower temperature than its predecessor, the Xbox One X, when running high-performance games.
With such powerful inner components, it’s a wonder how the Series X manages not to overheat while you are gaming.
According to Will Tuttle, the editor for Xbox Wired, the Series X has an axial fan that directs air through the whole system. The design team achieved this by splitting the motherboard in half and bolting it to each side of the chassis, creating a tunnel of air that cools the components from the inside.
If you can feel warm air exiting the ventilation panel of the Xbox, it’s a sign that the Xbox’s cooling system is working normally. The fan in the Series X pulls cool air through the bottom of the console, up through the hot components inside, and finally pushes it out through the vents at the top.
So while the Series X can feel warm while gaming, rest assured that a bit of heat is perfectly normal.
Is the Xbox Series X Fan Loud?
Sometimes, you may hear air movement from the console’s vents. But how loud should your Xbox fan be before it becomes a concern?
The fan in the Xbox Series X is designed to be whisper-quiet and should not be loud when you are using it. However, if the fan is audible or louder than usual, the console is working too hard to cool itself down or is faulty.
If your Series X fan is too loud, it could be due to these reasons:
- The fan’s internal power cable is loose.
- The console is not getting enough ventilation.
- Dust is collecting on the fan.
Loose Internal Power Cable
The fan’s power cable connection could be loose, causing the fan to malfunction. To diagnose this issue, you can take the console back to the shop to have it fixed by an official supplier. Alternatively, you may choose to fix the problem yourself at home.
To do it yourself, you will need to remove the back panel of the console box to get to the internals. Check out this video by Modded Warfare to find out how you can disassemble the Xbox:
After removing the panel, unplug and plug in the fan’s cable again. The fan should run quietly again after that.
Insufficient Ventilation
Do you confine your Xbox in a small cabinet or shelf space? Not having enough room for ventilation can cause the fan to be louder than usual.
Xbox Support recommends users leave at least 4 – 6 inches (10 – 15.24 cm) of space on all sides of the Series X. You should also refrain from placing items on top of the metal chassis. Having proper ventilation for the console will ensure that the fan is routing enough air through the system to keep temperatures at an optimal level.
Dust
If you see a layer of dust on the fan’s blades when you peek into the vents, it could be that the dust particles are producing friction, causing some noise. You will need to clear the dust off the fan to get it running silently again.
There are two common ways to clear dust from the fans:
- Remove the back panel and clean the fan’s blades.
- Use a can of compressed air and blow the dust out by inserting the nozzle through the air vents.
Related Content: Will Dust Damage Your Xbox Series X?
Conclusion
The Xbox Series X is always on because it is designed to prevent the console from overheating during gaming and when there are background processes. The fan is also on during standby because components heat up as the system updates itself while idle.
You can stop the fan from continuously spinning by unplugging the Series X from its power source or switching the console to Energy-Saving mode. Otherwise, having the fan always on is perfectly normal and keeps the internal components cool.