How To Put Xbox In Rest Mode In 4 Steps, With Photos

Most video game consoles don’t power off like they once did. The earliest versions typically had power buttons somewhere on top to turn them off completely. Today things are much different. Putting your Xbox in rest mode instead of powering it off completely after gaming allows for more functionality but also uses more power.

Keeping your console in rest mode allows it to wake back up so you can start playing quickly. But even more importantly, it allows for remote features to function. This is because the console draws a small amount of power to perform basic functions. In this guide, we will explain how to set your Xbox to enter rest mode by default rather than shutdown.

Step 1: Power the Xbox on

Start by powering on the Xbox. This will ensure your console always uses sleep mode instead of completely shutting down.

Step 2: Press the Xbox Button

With the console powered on, press the Xbox button on your controller. This will bring up a menu where you can quickly navigate through some of the console’s key features. However, you need to scroll all the way to the right to get to “Profile & System.”

Step 3: Go to Power Options

Once at the Profile & System section, locate and select “Settings”. The Settings menu will then open, and you can choose “Power Options.” You can modify and get more information on the console’s power usage.

Step 4: Select “Sleep”

Finally, you need to change the default setting from “Shutdown” to “Sleep.” As the console notes, this will use more energy. However, it may be worth it if you game frequently and want faster load times. Also, keep in mind that older Xbox consoles like the Xbox One and Xbox 360 have a rest or sleep mode. However, they work a little differently.

Turning Off Your Xbox Console

One surprising thing with the Xbox series S/X is that Microsoft did get many of the same features by shutting down as the console would in sleep mode. Previous generations required the console to be in sleep mode to update automatically. But today, updates can continue even when the Xbox is shut down.

Many users still find it quite annoying to have to wait for their console to boot up. However, it’s crucial to know that keeping the console in rest mode draws more power. Additionally, it is critical to shut down the console manually before unplugging it. Disconnecting the power in rest mode could damage the console.

Play on Your Phone

Streaming games from your Xbox console is one of the main reasons to turn on rest mode rather than shutting the console down. When streaming games from your phone, you need to be able to turn the Xbox on remotely. This “Instant On” feature is only available when the console is in sleep mode. With game streaming, you can game while using your phone as a handheld console.

Protecting Your Xbox

As an avid gamer, it is crucial to protect your Xbox console. Keeping it powered off is not enough to save it from a power surge. One misconception people have is that as long as a device is turned off, it’s not susceptible to damage. Unfortunately, this is not true and a great example of why you should either unplug the console during a lightning storm or use a high-quality surge protector.