The Xbox One Dashboard features updatable software. This software includes the operating system as well as many system, game, and media apps for the Xbox One. During a system update, the software on your console is updated through a download-and-install process. The system software updates may sometimes update the systems firmware, but this is not common for most updates.

System updates help improve your experience with the addition of new features as well as improvement of existing features. The updates will be downloaded from the Xbox Live service directly to your Xbox One and subsequently installed.

There are two types of system updates youll see: available system updates and mandatory system updates.

Available system updates

Each night, when the console is in Instant-On mode, it will check to see whether any updates are available. By default, these updates will be downloaded and installed when the console isnt being used. This reduces the impact updates have on your Xbox One experience, and they wont block you from connecting to Xbox Live until they become mandatory. You can modify your consoles ability to download and install updates by changing its power mode. Heres how:

1. Go to Home screen.
2. Press the Menu button on the Xbox One Wireless Controller.

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3. Select Settings.

Note You can say "Xbox go to settings" from any screen, but you'll need a wireless controller to navigate when you're on the Settings screen.

Mandatory system updates

Mandatory updates are very similar to the update experience on Xbox 360.

You should only see this type of update if youve chosen to either put your console into an energy-saving power mode, or if youve disconnected your console from Xbox Live for a period of time. Most updates start as available system updates, but if you dont perform the update while its in the available state, youll be forced to do so when it switches to mandatory.

During the mandatory state, youll receive a notice that theres a system update available. Youll have only a few options from this screen:

• Start update
  
• Turn off Xbox
  
• Disconnect wireless

(This option will only be available if wireless connectivity is in use.)

Youll see this screen because mandatory updates require you to download and install the latest update in order to connect to Xbox Live.

If youre using a wired Internet connection and you dont want to perform the system update, you can select Turn off Xbox. Once the console has shut down, unplug your network cable and turn your console back on to resume your offline experience.

If youre using a wireless Internet connection, youll also see the option Disconnect wireless, which will cancel the update. This option does not require a reboot of the console.

Frequently asked questions

What does the update cost?

Nothing. The update is free from Microsoft, but you may incur data charges from your ISP depending on your service agreements.

How can I tell if my console software is up to date?

If your console is connected to Xbox Live, you should have the latest software. If you want to see the current OS version number, or what features were added or updated based on this system update, see System updates for the Xbox One operating system.

Do I have to install the update?

No. However, if you want to play or communicate on Xbox Live, you must have the latest console software. New games might also require the update before you play them.

Note Kinect games might not play properly if your console software is not up to date.

Can I go back to the old software version if I change my mind?

No. Once your console is updated, it will stay updated.

I cant connect to Xbox Live. What should I do?

If you cant connect to Xbox Live, see the Xbox One First-Time Connection Solution.

How system updates work

System updates vary depending on the power mode of your Xbox One console.

Instant-On mode

All countries outside of the European Union will default to Instant-On power mode. One of the features of Instant-On is the ability for your console to check for updates on a nightly basis. If an update is available, the system will download and install it while you sleep. After installation, the console will need to reboot, which will require full shut down from sleep mode.

The next morning, you may try to wake up Xbox by saying Xbox On, but nothing will happen. This is because your Xbox has shut down completely. Wake it by pressing the Xbox button on the front of your console or on your controller. This is the only way youll know that a system update has occurred, and itll be the only disruption to your experience.

Energy-saving mode

If youve put your console into energy-saving power mode or disconnected it from the Internet, you may miss a window for an available system update and be required to perform a mandatory system update. In that case, you will see the following screens.

When you reconnect your console to the Internet, or when an update goes from available to mandatory, youll see the Its time to update screen.

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After testing your network and getting the actual size of the update file, your console will display that information on the screen.

Note Streaming content on other devices or surfing the web while the update is downloading may affect how long this download will take and could extend the time beyond the initial estimate.

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When the test is complete, the Its time to update screen will list your options:

• Start update
  
• Turn off Xbox
  
• Disconnect wireless (This option is only available if wireless connectivity is in use.)

The new updating screen makes it very easy to track your progress. The slide bar and the percentage show you how far the update has progressed. The countdown of MB on the right side helps you identify if your update has stalled or if youre having connectivity or bandwidth issues.

As long as you see the number counting down on the right side of the slide bar, youre still downloading the update. A slow countdown is okay, as it just means you have low bandwidth on your network. If the countdown stops for an extended period, you may have a network issue that youll need to resolve to complete the update.

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