Outdated Drivers Are Slowing You Down
One free scan finds every outdated or missing driver and matches the right update for your exact hardware.Free scan · exact hardware matchWindows Errors? Fix Them Before They Spread
Repair common Windows errors and clear accumulated junk for a smoother, more stable PC - no reinstall needed.Free scan · no reinstallTo use the lowest-power setting, select Shutdown (energy saving) on Xbox Series X|S or Energy Saving on Xbox One. The console uses far less electricity while off, can still install supported overnight updates when configured correctly, but starts more slowly and cannot be woken remotely while shut down.
Turn on energy-saving mode
Xbox Series X|S
- Open Settings.
- Select General.
- Open Power options.
- Choose Shutdown (energy saving).
This is Microsoft’s current Series X|S label for the lowest-power off state.
Xbox One
- From Home, open Settings.
- Select Power & Startup.
- Open Power Mode.
- Select Energy Saving instead of Instant On.
ENERGY STAR says this Xbox One setting can reduce standby power by 98% compared with the listening/network-ready configuration described in its guidance.
Make the console shut down sooner when idle
- Open Settings > General > Power options.
- Select Customize power options.
- Choose a shorter inactivity shutoff period.
Microsoft described one hour as the default inactivity period in its January 2023 guidance. Your available choices can vary with console software.
Recommended Free Tools
#1 Best Overall
- FASTEST, MOST POWERFUL XBOX — Experience next-generation performance with 12 teraflops of processing power, delivering smoother gameplay, richer worlds, and faster responsiveness than any previous XBOX.
- TRUE 4K GAMING UP TO 120 FPS — Enjoy breathtaking visuals with true 4K resolution, HDR, and frame rates up to 120 FPS, plus hardware-accelerated ray tracing for a heightened level of realism.
- 1TB CUSTOM SSD AND XBOX VELOCITY ARCHITECTURE — Reduce load times dramatically with the custom 1TB NVMe SSD and XBOX Velocity Architecture, enabling lightning-fast performance and seamless world streaming.
- QUICK RESUME — Seamlessly switch between multiple games and resume exactly where you left off. No more waiting through title screens and loading bars.
- FOUR GENERATIONS OF GAMES — Play thousands of games from XBOX Series X|S, XBOX One, XBOX 360, and Original XBOX, with many titles enhanced for better visuals and performance on XBOX Series X.
What Shutdown (energy saving) changes
- Lower off-state power: Microsoft said on January 13, 2023 that Shutdown (energy saving) cuts power use by up to 20 times when the console is off compared with Sleep. Microsoft’s Xbox Series X eco-profile, last updated October 2023, reports 95% less off-state power than Sleep. These are published comparisons; actual consumption varies by console, network state and other conditions.
- Performance: Microsoft says the setting does not reduce game or system performance while the console is running.
- Startup: Shutdown requires a full boot, so it takes longer to resume than Sleep. Microsoft specifically notes slower booting for Xbox One in Energy Saving mode.
- Remote wake: A console that is fully shut down cannot be turned on remotely. Sleep is the appropriate choice if remote wake is important.
Sleep versus Shutdown (energy saving)
| Feature | Sleep | Shutdown (energy saving) |
|---|---|---|
| Power while off | Higher; Microsoft’s January 2023 example describes about 10–15 W while active and 0.5 W outside configured active hours when the console can fully shut down. | Lowest off-state consumption; Microsoft cites up to 20× lower use than Sleep, while its Series X eco-profile cites 95% less. |
| Startup | Fast resume | Longer full boot; Xbox One may be noticeably slower |
| Remote wake | Available when the console is in Sleep; Active hours can keep it quickly available during selected times | Unavailable while fully shut down |
| Overnight updates | Supported | Supported for documented system, game and app updates when automatic updates are enabled |
| Best for | Fast startup, remote play or remote wake | Minimum electricity use when the console is not needed |
Active hours let a Sleep-configured console remain quickly available for remote wake during selected times. Outside those hours, it can fully shut down instead of remaining in its higher-power ready state.
Will games and apps update in energy-saving mode?
Yes, supported overnight system, game and app updates can install while the console is in Shutdown (energy saving), provided automatic updates are configured. The console must be plugged in and online; update behavior can also vary by console generation and software version.
Rank #2
- What's in the box: Xbox Series X console, 1 Xbox Wireless Controller - Carbon Black, Ultra High Speed HDMI cable, Power cord.
- Equipped with AMD's Zen 2 and RDNA 2 architectures, DirectX ray tracing delivers true-to-life lighting, shadows and accurate reflections to create dynamic, living worlds.
- Memory: 16GB GDDR6 w/320 bit-wide bus; Memory Bandwidth: 10 GB @ 560 GB/s, 6 GB @ 336 GB/s; Internal Storage: 1TB Custom NVME SSD
- Gaming Resolution: True 4K; Performance Target: Up to 120 FPS; High Dynamic Range: Up to 8K HDR; Optical Drive: 4K UHD Blu-Ray; HDMI Features: Auto Low Latency Mode, HDMI Variable Refresh Rate, AMD FreeSync.
- Bundled with HDMI_Cable
Check the automatic-update options under Settings > System > Updates (the exact labels can vary) and leave the console connected to power and the internet. If an update is waiting, the console may need to complete its maintenance window before the installation is visible.
How carbon-aware update scheduling works
Xbox can schedule updates during its nightly maintenance window when regional carbon-intensity data is available and the console is online. The aim is to favor times when a larger share of electricity may come from lower-carbon sources. This requires automatic updates to be enabled, an internet connection and availability of carbon-intensity data for your region; it is not a guarantee that every update will run at a lower-carbon time.
Rank #3
- BEST VALUE IN GAMING — Experience next-gen speed and performance in the smallest XBOX ever. The XBOX Series S delivers powerful all-digital gameplay in a sleek, compact design.
- UP TO 120 FPS GAMEPLAY — Enjoy smooth, responsive gaming with frame rates up to 120 FPS, powered by XBOX Velocity Architecture, a custom NVMe SSD, and DirectX Raytracing for a heightened level of realism.
- 512GB CUSTOM SSD AND XBOX VELOCITY ARCHITECTURE — Reduce load times dramatically with the custom 512GB NVMe SSD and XBOX Velocity Architecture, enabling lightning-fast performance and seamless world streaming.
- QUICK RESUME — Seamlessly switch between multiple games and resume exactly where you left off. No more waiting through title screens and loading bars.
- FOUR GENERATIONS OF DIGITAL GAMES — Play thousands of digital games from XBOX Series X|S, XBOX One, XBOX 360, and Original XBOX with backward compatibility. Many titles are enhanced for better visuals and performance. Smart Delivery ensures you always get the best version for your console.
Can you wake an Xbox remotely in energy-saving mode?
No. When Series X|S is fully shut down in Shutdown (energy saving), or Xbox One is using Energy Saving, remote wake is not supported. Use Sleep if the Xbox app, remote play or another device must turn the console on. You can use Active hours to limit how long a Sleep-configured console remains in its ready state.
Quick Recap
Rank #4
- What's in the box: Xbox Series S 512GB console, 1 Wireless Controller, High Speed HDMI cable.
- CPU: 8X Cores @ 3.6 GHz (3.4 GHz w/SMT) Custom Zen 2 CPU; GPU: 4 TFLOPS, 20 CUs @1.565 GHz Custom RDNA 2 GPU; SOC Die Size: 197.05 mm2.
- Memory: 10GB GDDR6 128 bit-wide bus; Memory Bandwidth: 8GB @ 224 GB/s, 2GB @ 56 GB/s.; Internal Storage: 512GB Custom NVME SSD
- Gaming Resolution: 1440p; Performance Target: Up to 120 FPS; HDMI Features: Auto Low Latency Mode, HDMI Variable Refresh Rate, AMD FreeSync.
Which setting should you choose?
Choose Shutdown (energy saving) when
- The console is usually unused for long periods.
- Reducing standby electricity matters more than instant resume.
- You do not need to power it on remotely.
- You can leave it connected to power and the internet for scheduled updates.
Choose Sleep when
- You regularly resume games immediately.
- You use remote play or remote wake.
- The extra standby consumption is acceptable for convenience.
If updates or remote wake do not work
- Confirm the console is online and plugged in.
- Verify automatic updates are enabled.
- Remember that remote wake cannot work from a fully shut-down state; switch to Sleep for that function.
- Allow for a slower boot after changing from Sleep to Shutdown, especially on Xbox One.
- Check the current Power options labels after a system update, because Microsoft can change menu wording by console generation and software version.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
