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E105 is an Xbox startup failure. It appears when the console cannot load its operating system normally, often because of corrupted system files, an interrupted update, or a storage problem. Start with a power cycle, then use the model-appropriate Xbox Startup Troubleshooter. Choose Reset this Xbox → Keep games & apps before attempting a full wipe. If E105 remains after a reset and a correctly performed Offline System Update, storage or other hardware failure becomes more likely and service is the sensible next step.
What Xbox error E105 means
E105 does not identify one guaranteed failed component. Microsoft describes it as a startup error; the same code can result from several underlying conditions. See Microsoft’s E105 support page.
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- System software corruption: files needed to start the dashboard may be damaged.
- An incomplete or failed update: a power loss or interrupted update can leave the operating system unable to finish booting.
- Internal storage errors: the console may be unable to read system data reliably.
- Power interruption: an outage or forced shutdown during startup can create a temporary or persistent boot problem.
- Other hardware failure: less commonly, a broader board or power fault is involved.
The code alone cannot distinguish software corruption from a failing drive. The order below is designed to test the least destructive possibilities first.
Before troubleshooting
Identify your Xbox model
Button combinations differ. Xbox One, One S and One X models generally use Pair plus Eject when an optical drive is present. Xbox One S All-Digital Edition and Xbox Series S have no Eject button. Xbox Series X has an Eject button. If you are unsure, compare your console with Microsoft’s current Xbox startup-error instructions (a regional version is also available at Xbox Support Canada).
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Remove external devices
Turn the console off and disconnect external USB hard drives or SSDs, flash drives, wired headsets and other USB accessories. Remove the network cable temporarily if you are testing an offline boot. Leave only power and display connected. If the Xbox starts, reconnect devices one at a time; do not format an external drive until you know it is the cause.
Understand the data risk
A reset can remove settings and locally stored data. Cloud-synchronized saves normally download again after you sign in, but saves that never synchronized may not be recoverable. Make sure you know your Microsoft account email and password before selecting a reset.
Fix 1: Perform a complete power cycle
- Hold the physical Xbox power button for about 10 seconds, until the console shuts down.
- Unplug the power cable from the console.
- Wait at least 30 seconds.
- Reconnect the cable and turn the Xbox on.
This clears a temporary power or startup state and does not erase games, apps, profiles or saves. It cannot repair corrupted system files or defective storage. If E105 returns, continue rather than repeating power cycles indefinitely.
Fix 2: Open the Xbox Startup Troubleshooter
The troubleshooter provides access to reset and update tools. Use the physical buttons on the console, not controller buttons. The Xbox must be fully shut down, not merely in sleep mode.
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Models with an Eject button
- Turn the Xbox off and unplug it briefly.
- Press and hold Pair and Eject.
- While holding both buttons, press the Xbox power button.
- Keep holding Pair and Eject until you hear the second startup tone, then release them.
Xbox One S All-Digital Edition and Xbox Series S
- Turn the console fully off.
- Press and hold the physical Pair button.
- Press the Xbox power button.
- Continue holding Pair until the second startup tone, then release it.
Xbox Series X
Because Series X has an Eject button, use the Pair-plus-Eject method described in Microsoft’s current startup-error procedure. Button locations and timing can vary by generation. If the troubleshooter does not appear, repeat the sequence from a completely powered-off state and verify the model-specific instructions.
Fix 3: Reset the Xbox while keeping games and apps
In the Startup Troubleshooter, select Reset this Xbox, then choose Keep games & apps when that option is available. This refreshes or reinstalls the console system while attempting to retain installed games and applications.
Expect to sign in again, reconfigure settings and reconnect to the network. Some content may need to be resynchronized or reinstalled if the reset does not finish cleanly. The option is less destructive than a full wipe, but it is not a guarantee that local saves, profiles or settings survive. Microsoft documents both reset choices at Reset your console to factory defaults.
Fix 4: Try an Offline System Update
An Offline System Update (often called OSU) can repair certain damaged or incomplete system-update states when online recovery cannot complete. It cannot fix a physically defective storage device.
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What you need
- A Windows PC with internet access.
- A USB flash drive formatted as NTFS with sufficient free space.
- The current update package downloaded only from Microsoft’s Offline System Update page.
Package names, file sizes and requirements can change, so follow the current Microsoft page rather than an old video or third-party download.
General procedure
- Download the current offline-update package on the Windows PC.
- Extract it as Microsoft instructs.
- Copy the required update folder to the root of the NTFS-formatted USB drive.
- Power the Xbox off and open the Startup Troubleshooter.
- Insert the USB drive directly into the console, not through a hub.
- Select Offline system update and let the process finish without removing power or the USB drive.
The option may be unavailable or greyed out for some error states. A correctly prepared USB update that repeatedly fails is evidence against endlessly retrying the same procedure; storage or another hardware fault may be preventing the update from being written.
Fix 5: Use “Remove everything” only as a last software step
From Reset this Xbox, choose Remove everything only after the non-destructive reset and an available Offline System Update have failed, or when you accept a complete wipe. This removes accounts, settings, installed games, apps and locally stored data. You will need to sign in again and download your games and apps, which can take substantial time. Cloud saves may return after synchronization; unsynchronized local saves may be lost.
What each result tells you
| Result | Likely interpretation | Next action |
|---|---|---|
| Console boots after a power cycle | Temporary startup or power state | Reconnect accessories one at a time and monitor it. |
| Troubleshooter opens but normal boot fails | Operating-system or storage problem | Try Keep games & apps. |
| Keep games & apps reset fails | More serious system or storage issue | Try the Offline System Update if offered. |
| Offline update fails repeatedly | Damaged update path or likely storage fault | Stop repeated wipes and arrange service. |
| E105 returns after a successful reset | Underlying storage or hardware problem is more likely | Contact Xbox service or a qualified repair provider. |
| Troubleshooter will not appear | Incorrect model sequence, power issue, firmware problem or hardware failure | Verify the model procedure once, then seek service if it still fails. |
When internal-drive replacement makes sense
Replacing an Xbox One internal drive is not a simple plug-and-play repair. It can require opening the console, preparing partitions correctly, reinstalling the operating system and following model-specific procedures. Opening the unit can also affect service eligibility. Xbox Series X|S storage architecture and repair requirements differ, so Xbox One drive guides should not be applied to Series consoles.
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Persistent E105 after a reset and a correctly performed OSU is the point to request an official diagnosis or specialist repair estimate. For an older Xbox One, compare that cost with a replacement console; do not buy a drive or firmware file solely because an online guide declares that E105 always means “dead hard drive.”
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Avoid these common mistakes
- Do not use random button combinations or erase partitions based on unofficial posts.
- Do not download OSU files from firmware mirrors or “repair” software sites.
- Do not assume an external USB drive is harmless; test with all accessories disconnected.
- Do not promise yourself that a reset will preserve unsynchronized saves.
- Do not repeat factory resets after OSU failure when the same E105 immediately returns.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does E105 automatically delete my games?
No. A power cycle does not delete anything, and “Keep games & apps” is intended to retain installed games and applications. A reset can still remove settings or local data, while “Remove everything” deletes installed content.
Can E105 be fixed without losing saves?
Sometimes, particularly when a power cycle or software recovery succeeds. Cloud-synchronized saves are generally safer, but Microsoft does not guarantee recovery of saves that exist only on the console.
Can an external hard drive cause E105?
A faulty or incompatible USB device can complicate startup. Disconnect external storage and accessories for testing; reconnect them individually if the console boots.
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Does the Offline System Update work on every Xbox?
Its availability depends on the console model and error state. Use Microsoft’s current package and instructions, and do not assume a disabled Offline system update option can be forced.
Are Xbox One and Xbox Series X|S recovery steps identical?
No. The Startup Troubleshooter button sequence depends on whether the console has an Eject button, and Series storage and repair procedures differ from Xbox One procedures.
The Bottom Line
Work from least destructive to most destructive: power cycle, disconnect accessories, open the Startup Troubleshooter, choose Keep games & apps, then try Microsoft’s current Offline System Update. Reserve Remove everything for a final software attempt. If E105 survives those steps, repeated resets are unlikely to solve a physical storage or hardware fault—seek service instead.
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