How to Open and Clean an Xbox Series X (Digital Edition)

Written By: Spencer Day

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How to Open and Clean an Xbox Series X (Digital Edition)

Difficulty

Moderate

Steps

Time Required

20 - 40 minutes

Introduction

Use this guide to open up and clean dust and debris out of the fan, grilles, or vents of an Xbox Series X (Digital Edition) gaming console.

If your console is loud, overheating, or underperforming, it may have built-up dust in the cooling fan, heatsink, or main vents.

In the Xbox Series X, when upright, the large top fan pulls air in from the bottom, which cools the console, then pushes the air out of the top vent. If your Xbox lives in a TV cabinet with limited airflow, consider opening the door while gaming or moving it out to open air. If your Xbox is on the ground, it may suck in extra dust, dirt, or hair and limit its ability to keep cool.

Before you begin, completely power down and unplug all cables from your console. Remember to follow general electrostatic discharge (ESD) safety procedures while repairing your console.

Tools

Step 1

Before you begin, completely power down and unplug all cables from your console.
Two stickers cover the back panel screws. You can remove the stickers without heating them, though it makes them much easier to remove cleanly.
Heat an iOpener and lay it on the smaller sticker near the bottom of the back panel for two minutes.
Alternatively, you can use a hair dryer to heat the sticker.

Step 2

Use a pair of angled tweezers to remove the sticker hiding the first screw on the back panel, near the base.

Step 3

Use an iOpener or hair dryer to heat the larger sticker near the center of the back panel.

Step 4

Use the flat end of a spudger to scrape up a corner of the larger sticker until you can grip it with a pair of blunt tweezers.
Use blunt tweezers to peel back the sticker to reveal the second screw.
You only need to peel this sticker to where you can access the hidden screw. You don't need to pull it completely off.
Technically, these are tamper-evident stickers, but don't worry—Microsoft can't legally void your warranty, as long as you don't damage anything. Have fun!

Step 5

Throughout this repair, keep track of each screw and make sure it goes back exactly where it came from to avoid damaging your console.
Use a T8 Torx driver to remove the two 7.4 mm‑long screws securing the back panel.

Step 6

Insert the flat end of a spudger into the gap between the back panel and the shell, near the left side of the base.
Pry up the back panel to release it from the locking clips.

Step 7

Insert the flat end of a spudger into the gap between the back panel and the shell, near the right side of the base.
Pry up the back panel to release it from the locking clips.

Step 8

Grip the back panel at the opening you just created and pull it up and away from the shell to unclip the long edges.
During reassembly, press along the edges of the back panel to snap it into place.

Step 9

The back panel slots into a gap at the top of the shell.
Tilt the back panel up and pull it away from the top edge of the shell to release it from the gap.
Remove the back panel.

Step 10

Use a T8 Torx driver to remove the three screws securing the fan to the center chassis:
One 10.3 mm‑long pancake screw
Two 9 mm‑long screws

Step 11

Use your fingernails or a pair of angled tweezers to firmly grip the edges of the fan cable connector.
Grip your tweezers close the connector to get a better grip.
Pull the connector straight out of the socket to disconnect it.
If you're having trouble, gently rock the connector side to side to loosen it.
Always pull cables by their connectors and not the wires themselves.
During reassembly, route the fan cable underneath its small cable guide on the fan housing so it doesn't interfere with the back panel.

Step 12

Slide the fan out of its slot to remove it.
During reassembly, note that the fan can only be installed one way—make sure Master Chief is facing you.

Step 13

Over time, dust will build up inside the fan and on the fan blades.
Use a pair of tweezers to grab loose hairs and dust clumps off of the fan.
Use a small dust blower or light compressed air to blow remaining dust off of the fan.
Use a finger to keep the fan blades steady—it makes them easier to clean.
If there's a layer of grime on the fan blades, use soapy water on a damp rag or an isopropyl alcohol wipe to clean it off.

Step 14

Use a clean rag or microfiber cloth to wipe both sides of the back panel clean.

Step 15

The Xbox Series X draws air up through the large heatsink fins, and they may clog with dust and debris over time.
Use a dust blower to blow out any trapped dust from both sides of the heatsink fins.
If you need to remove the heatsink for deeper cleaning, follow this guide up to the chassis removal step.

Step 16

Depending on how dirty the inside of your console is, you might need to use a soft bristle brush to dislodge more dust and grime.
Using an anti-static brush or a new toothbrush, clean any dust out of hard to reach areas.
Once most dust is dislodged, use a dust blower to blow it out of the console.
Remember: use this time to clean any other dirty internal surfaces before you seal your console back up. Happy gaming!

Conclusion

To reassemble your device, follow these instructions in reverse order.

Disassembly didn’t go as planned? Try some basic troubleshooting, or ask our Answers community for help.

Author

Spencer Day

Member since: 14/09/22

88286 Reputation

How to Open and Clean an Xbox Series X (Digital Edition)

Introduction

Tools

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