How to Open and Clean an Xbox Series X: Step-by-Step Guide

Duration: 45 minutes

Steps: 14 Steps

Get ready to give your Xbox Series X a little TLC! This guide will help you pop it open and clear out any pesky dust and debris from the fan, grilles, or vents. If your console is sounding like a jet engine, running hot, or just not performing like it used to, it might be time for a clean-up. When your Xbox is standing tall, that big top fan is hard at work, pulling in cool air from the bottom and pushing it out through the top vent. If your Xbox is cozy in a TV cabinet with limited airflow, consider cracking the door open while you game or moving it to a more open space. And if it’s sitting on the floor, it might be gobbling up extra dust, dirt, or hair, which can really cramp its cooling style. If you need help, you can always schedule a repair.

Step 1

Before you dive in, make sure to completely power down and unplug all the cables from your console. Safety first, right?

– Grab a trusty pair of tweezers and gently peel away the sticker that’s keeping the first screw on the back panel under wraps, right near the base. Let’s get that cover off!

Tools Used

Tweezers

Step 2

To make sticker removal a breeze, grab an iOpener or a hair dryer to warm it up a bit.

Just peel back the sticker enough to uncover the hidden screw—no need to take it off completely.

These are technically tamper-evident stickers, but no worries! Microsoft can’t void your warranty as long as you keep everything intact. Enjoy the process!

– Grab a pair of blunt tweezers, peel back that big ol’ sticker on the back panel, and uncover the hidden screw. If you need help, you can always schedule a repair.

Tools Used

Tweezers

Step 3

During this repair, keep tabs on each screw and make sure it goes back exactly where it came from to avoid wrecking your console.

– Grab your trusty T8 Torx screwdriver and dive into the action by removing those two 7.4mm screws holding the back panel. If you need help, you can always schedule a repair.

Step 4

– Gently slide the flat end of your trusty spudger into the little gap between the back panel and the shell, just a smidgen to the left side of the base.

– With a little finesse, lift the back panel up to pop it free from those pesky locking clips.

Tools Used

Spudger

Step 5

– Slide the flat end of a spudger into the opening between the back panel and the casing, around the right side of the base.

– Gently pop up the back panel to free it from the clasps holding it in.

Tools Used

Spudger

Step 6

– Grab the back panel at the opening you just made and gently pull it up and away from the shell to release those long edges.

– When putting it all back together, give a little press along the edges of the back panel to snap it back into place.

Step 7

Slide the back panel into the groove at the top of the shell. If you need help, you can always schedule a repair at Salvation Repair.

– Gently lift the back panel upwards and ease it away from the top edge of the shell to pop it free from the groove.

– Now, go ahead and take off the back panel.

Step 8

– Grab a T8 Torx driver to get those three screws out and release the fan from the center chassis:

– One 10.5 mm pancake screw

– Two 8.8 mm screws

Step 9

Be sure to grab those cables by their connectors, not by the wires! It’s the best way to keep everything in tip-top shape.

– Gently grab the edges of the fan cable connector with your fingers or a pair of blunt tweezers, and give it a little tug upwards to disconnect it from the center chassis. Easy peasy!

– When you’re putting everything back together, make sure to tuck the fan cable under its tiny cable guide on the fan housing. This way, it won’t get in the way of the back panel. You’ve got this!

Tools Used

Tweezers

Step 10

If you’re swapping out the fan, keep in mind that a brand new one might not come with the plastic installation bracket. That bracket is usually attached to the fan using four T10 Torx screws. Just a heads up, it’s not shown in this guide. If you need help, you can always schedule a repair

– Gently slide the fan out from its cozy spot to set it free.

– When it’s time to put the fan back in, remember it has a special way to fit—just make sure Master Chief is looking right at you!

Step 11

As time goes by, dust loves to make itself at home inside your fan and on those fan blades.

Give the fan blades a little support with your finger—it’ll make cleaning them a breeze!

– Grab a trusty pair of tweezers and gently pluck away those pesky loose hairs and dust bunnies from the fan.

– Give the fan a little love tap with a small dust blower or a gentle puff of compressed air to whisk away any remaining dust.

– If the fan blades are looking a bit grimy, take a damp rag with some soapy water or an isopropyl alcohol wipe and give them a good clean.

Tools Used

Step 12

– Grab a clean rag or a microfiber cloth and give both sides of that back panel a good wipe-down. Let’s make it shine!

Step 13

Your Xbox Series X breathes in air through those hefty heatsink fins, but over time, they might get jammed up with dust and debris. If you need help, you can always schedule a repair

– Grab a dust blower and give those heatsink fins a gentle puff to clear out any pesky dust bunnies hiding on both sides.

– If you’re feeling adventurous and want to give the heatsink a thorough clean, check out this guide.

Tools Used

Dust Blower

Step 14

If your console is in need of some TLC, grab a soft bristle brush to whisk away the dust and grime. Need help? You can always schedule a repair.

– Grab an anti-static brush or a fresh toothbrush and gently sweep away dust from those tricky spots.

– Tip: While you’re at it, take the chance to spritz up any other grimy internal surfaces before sealing up your console. Enjoy your gaming!

– After you’ve knocked most of the dust loose, take a dust blower and give your console a little puff to clear it out.