Will Xbox Series X Download Games While Off?
If you are a proud owner of an Xbox Series X, you might be wondering if you can download games while your console is off. This can be a convenient way to save time and bandwidth, especially if you have a large game library or a slow internet connection. But how do you do it, and what are the pros and cons of this feature? In this article, we will answer these questions and more.
Introduction
What is Xbox Series X?
Xbox Series X is the latest and most powerful gaming console from Microsoft. It was released in November 2020, along with its smaller sibling, the Xbox Series S. The Xbox Series X boasts impressive features such as 4K resolution, 120 FPS, ray tracing, quick resume, and backward compatibility. It also has a sleek design, a fast SSD, and a new controller.
will xbox series x download games while off
Why would you want to download games while off?
One of the challenges of owning an Xbox Series X is that the games are often very large in size. For example, Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War takes up about 136 GB of storage space on the console. This means that downloading games can take a long time, depending on your internet speed. Moreover, downloading games can consume a lot of bandwidth, which can affect your other online activities or even incur extra charges from your ISP.
That's why some gamers prefer to download games while their console is off. This way, they can avoid waiting for hours or days for their games to finish downloading. They can also schedule their downloads to run at night or when they are not using their internet for other purposes. And they can enjoy their games as soon as they turn on their console.
How to download games while off on Xbox Series X
Sleep mode vs. Shut-down mode
The first thing you need to know is that there are two power and startup modes on the Xbox Series X: Sleep mode and Shut-down mode. Sleep mode puts the console into a low-power state and allows it to perform some tasks in the background, such as downloading games and updates. Shut-down mode turns off the console completely and stops all background activities.
By default, the Xbox Series X is set to Sleep mode when you press the power button on the console or the controller. You can also access Sleep mode by holding the Xbox button on the controller and selecting "Sleep" from the menu. To use Shut-down mode, you need to go to Settings > General > Power options > Full shutdown.
How to enable Sleep mode
To download games while your console is off, you need to enable Sleep mode and make sure that some settings are configured correctly. Here are the steps:
Press the Xbox button on your controller to open the guide.
Select Profile & system > Settings > System > Updates.
Under Updates, select "Keep my console up to date" to update your console automatically and "Keep my games & apps up to date" to update games and apps automatically.
Select Profile & system > Settings > General > Power options > Power mode & startup.
Under Power mode & startup, select "Sleep" as your power mode.
Make sure that "When Xbox is off, turn off storage" is unchecked. This will prevent your external hard drive from turning off when your console is off.
Make sure that "Wake up Xbox by saying 'Hey Cortana' or 'Xbox on'" is checked if you want to use voice commands to turn on your console.
How to check download progress and resume downloads
Once you have enabled Sleep mode and started downloading a game, you can check the download progress and resume downloads if they are paused or interrupted. Here are the steps:
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Press the Xbox button on your controller to open the guide.
Select My games & apps > Manage > Queue.
You will see a list of games and apps that are downloading, updating, or ready to install.
Select the game or app that you want to check or resume.
You will see the download status, such as the percentage, speed, and time remaining.
If the download is paused or stopped, select "Resume installation" to continue downloading.
Benefits and drawbacks of downloading games while off
Benefits: Save time, bandwidth, and energy
Downloading games while your console is off has several benefits. The most obvious one is that you can save time and bandwidth by downloading games when you are not using your console or your internet. This way, you can avoid long waits and interruptions when you want to play a game. You can also schedule your downloads to run at off-peak hours when the internet traffic is lower and the speed is faster.
Another benefit is that you can save energy by using Sleep mode instead of keeping your console on. Sleep mode reduces the power consumption of your console by up to 90%, according to Microsoft. This means that you can save money on your electricity bill and reduce your environmental impact.
Drawbacks: Higher power consumption, potential errors, and security risks
However, downloading games while your console is off also has some drawbacks. The first one is that Sleep mode still consumes more power than Shut-down mode. According to Microsoft, Sleep mode uses about 10-15 watts of power, while Shut-down mode uses less than 1 watt. This means that if you leave your console in Sleep mode for a long time, you will still use more energy than if you turn it off completely.
Another drawback is that downloading games while off can cause potential errors or glitches. For example, if there is a power outage or a network disruption, your download might be corrupted or incomplete. You might also encounter issues with game updates or compatibility if you download games while off. To avoid these problems, you should always check your downloads before playing them and make sure that they are installed correctly.
A final drawback is that downloading games while off can pose some security risks. For example, if someone accesses your console while it is in Sleep mode, they might be able to access your games and data without your permission. You might also be vulnerable to cyberattacks or hacking if you leave your console connected to the internet while it is off. To prevent these risks, you should always lock your console with a password or a PIN and use a secure network connection.
Conclusion
Summary of main points
In conclusion, downloading games while your console is off is a useful feature that can help you save time and bandwidth, especially if you have an Xbox Series X with a large game library. However, you need to enable Sleep mode and configure some settings to make it work properly. You also need to be aware of the drawbacks of this feature, such as higher power consumption, potential errors, and security risks.
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If you want to learn more about the Xbox Series X and its features, check out our other articles on our website. You can also subscribe to our newsletter to get the latest news and tips on gaming. And if you have any questions or feedback, feel free to leave a comment below or contact us through our social media channels. We would love to hear from you!
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I download games while off on Xbox Series S?
Yes, you can download games while off on Xbox Series S as well. The process is the same as for Xbox Series X.
Can I download games while off on Xbox One?
Yes, you can download games while off on Xbox One as well. However, you need to enable Instant-on mode instead of Sleep mode. You can do this by going to Settings > Power & startup > Power mode & startup > Power mode > Instant-on.
How long does it take to download a game on Xbox Series X?
The download time depends on several factors, such as the size of the game, the speed of your internet connection, and the traffic on the network. As a general rule of thumb, you can estimate the download time by dividing the size of the game by the speed of your internet connection in megabits per second (Mbps). For example, if the game is 100 GB and your internet speed is 50 Mbps, the download time would be about 100 x 8 / 50 = 16 hours.
How can I speed up the download time on Xbox Series X?
There are some tips that can help you speed up the download time on Xbox Series X, such as:
Use a wired connection instead of a wireless one.
Pause or cancel any other downloads or updates on your console or other devices.
Close any games or apps that are running in the background.
Restart your console, router, and modem.
Download games during off-peak hours, such as late at night or early in the morning.
How can I delete games that I don't play anymore on Xbox Series X?
If you want to free up some storage space on your console, you can delete games that you don't play anymore on Xbox Series X. Here are the steps:
Press the Xbox button on your controller to open the guide.
Select My games & apps > Manage > Storage devices.
Select the storage device where the game is installed, such as Internal or External.
Select Games and apps > See all.
Select the game that you want to delete and press the Menu button on your controller.
Select Uninstall and confirm your choice.
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