Your Xbox turns on with the Xbox button on the console or a paired controller. When that does not work, the problem is power, pairing, power mode, or a remote wake feature that was not set up before the console went to sleep. Start with the fastest fixes, then use the app, voice, or TV wake options that match your setup.
Press the Xbox Button on the Console
Check power first. Microsoft’s own troubleshooting for a console that will not turn on starts with the power supply and its connections, then with pressing the Xbox button on the front of the console.
Make sure the console is plugged in.
Press the Xbox button on the front of the console.
This works on Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One X, Xbox One S, and Xbox One consoles. Microsoft power troubleshooting also covers Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One X, and Xbox One S models with internal power supplies.
Use a Paired Xbox Controller
A paired Xbox Wireless Controller can start an Xbox One or Xbox Series X|S. Press the Xbox button in the middle of the controller and give the console a moment to wake.
This works only when the controller is already paired with that console. If the console is in Shutdown (energy saving), start it with the Xbox button on the console or controller.
If this method fails, press the Xbox button on the front of the console and check that the power cable is connected.
Choose the Right Power Mode
Press the Xbox button on the controller to open the guide.
Go to Profile & system, then open Settings.
Select General, then choose Power options.
Pick Shutdown (energy saving) when you want the console to shut down and start later from the console or controller Xbox button.
Pick Sleep when you want fast startup and remote wake features, including supported Remote Play and voice wake options.
Use Sleep before relying on app, browser, voice, or HDMI wake methods.
Turn It On With Xbox Remote Play
Remote Play wakes your Xbox after remote features are enabled and Sleep is selected.
On the Xbox, press the Xbox button and go to Profile & system, then Settings.
Open Devices & connections, then choose Remote features.
Select Enable remote features.
Under Power options, select Sleep.
On another device, open a supported browser, go to xbox.com/remoteplay, select your console, then choose Remote play on this device.
Wake It From the Xbox App
Remote features and Sleep are hard prerequisites here. Xbox Support states that if your console’s power mode is not set to Sleep, remote play will not work, so set both on the console before you reach for the app.
On the console, press the Xbox button, then go to Profile & system, Settings, Devices & connections, and Remote features.
Select Enable remote features.
Return to Power options and choose Sleep.
On Windows, open the Xbox app for PC, click your profile picture, choose View profile, and under Where I play, select Add a console.
Follow the steps shown in the app.
On mobile, open the Xbox app, use the Home tab and the Console icon, or go to My Library, select your console, and choose Open remote control.
The Xbox mobile app supports iOS 15.1 or higher and Android 8.0 or higher. The Xbox PC app lists Windows 10 or 11 version 22H2 or higher.
Use Google Assistant or Alexa
Voice wake works after the console is set to Sleep and digital assistants are enabled.
On Xbox, press the Xbox button and go to Profile & system, then Settings.
Open General, then Power options, and select Sleep.
Go to Devices & connections, then Digital assistants, and select Enable digital assistants.
For Google Assistant, open the Google Home app. Google’s own current steps are the Home tab, then Add, Device, Link apps or services. Xbox Support still documents the older layout, Devices, Add +, Works with Google. Use whichever route your version of the app shows. Then search for Xbox, select it, link your accounts, assign the console to a room, and say Hey Google, turn on Xbox.
Check your console against both lists first. Xbox Support says the Xbox Action for Google Assistant controls Xbox Series X|S and Xbox One consoles, while Google’s supported-devices list names only Xbox One, Xbox One S and S All-Digital Edition, and Xbox One X. On an Xbox One family console it is documented by both. On an Xbox Series X|S it is documented by Microsoft but not listed by Google, so use Alexa instead if Google Assistant will not add your console.
For Alexa, open the Amazon Alexa app, choose Add Device, Game Console, then Xbox, and say Alexa, turn device name on or Alexa, tell Xbox to turn on.
Let Your TV Turn On the Xbox
Press the Xbox button and open the guide.
Go to Profile & system, then Settings.
Open General, then choose TV & display options.
Select TV & A/V power options. Xbox Support names this screen TV & A/V power options, and current Microsoft console-settings documentation lists the same HDMI-CEC controls under Device control on that menu, so open whichever entry your dashboard shows.
Check HDMI-CEC, then check Other devices can turn console on.
Turn on the TV or A/V receiver, or switch the TV to the Xbox HDMI input.
Your TV or A/V receiver also needs HDMI-CEC enabled in its own settings, and Microsoft documents this HDMI-CEC feature for Xbox Series X|S consoles.
Skip Older Xbox Power Methods
Older instructions point to the Xbox One Media Remote, Kinect voice commands, or Cortana. The Xbox One Media Remote works only with Xbox One, Kinect voice commands do not work with Xbox Series X|S, and Cortana is no longer available on Xbox consoles.
If one of those older methods fails, use the console button, a paired controller, Sleep with remote features, Google Assistant, Alexa, or HDMI-CEC instead.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I turn on an Xbox without a controller?
Yes. Press the Xbox button on the front of the console. You can also use Remote Play, the Xbox app, supported voice assistants, or HDMI-CEC after those options are set up and the console is in Sleep mode.
Why will my Xbox controller not turn on the console?
The controller needs to be paired with the console. If it still does not work, press the Xbox button on the console and make sure the console is plugged in.
Can Remote Play turn on an Xbox from full shutdown?
Use Sleep mode for Remote Play wake. Shutdown energy saving mode starts from the Xbox button on the console or controller.
Does Cortana still turn on Xbox consoles?
No. Cortana is no longer available on Xbox consoles, so Cortana headset or Kinect commands cannot be used to turn on an Xbox.