I’ve noticed that my Xbox Series X, which is only about 3 or 4 years old, starts heating up a lot when I play larger games like Call of Duty or Destiny 2. The fan cranks up, and it even shuts off sometimes, especially with Madden 25. This problem seems new because it didn’t use to happen before and only seems to occur with heavier games. I’m not running low on storage either—I only have 5 games installed and still have plenty of free space. What could be causing this?
3 Answers
It sounds like your console might just need a good cleaning! Dust can build up inside and restrict airflow, especially around the fans. If you’re comfortable doing it, you can partially disassemble your Xbox and blow out the dust with some canned air. Also, make sure that the console has good ventilation—try to keep at least 6 inches of space around it. Putting it in an enclosed entertainment center can cause heating issues too.
Also, just be careful with how you clean it—make sure not to spray too close to avoid any damage.
For what it’s worth, the size of the game doesn’t impact how hot the console runs, but some games demand more from the hardware. Cleaning it out regularly can definitely help with performance overall. I usually clean mine once a year—there are great guides online that show how to do it!
Yeah, my Series S was running hotter until I cleaned it out too.
Totally agree! Regular maintenance goes a long way.
You might also want to check if you’re in the Xbox Insiders program. Sometimes, that can lead to overclocking which can raise temperatures. And if you’re encountering this mainly with heavier games, it could be faulty code or just the game pushing the system harder. Either way, a cleaning should help, and consider borrowing a power cord or trying a different outlet just to see if it makes a difference!
Check your surge protector as well; too many devices plugged in can cause issues.
Good call! I once had problems with my power setup too.
Yeah, airflow is super important! I keep mine in a ventilated spot and it works wonders.