Some Xbox Series X consoles are experiencing crashes when trying to load games (update)

By Sean Endicott
last updated

Some gamers can't load games on their new Xbox Series X.

Xbox Series X
Xbox Series X (Image credit: Matt Brown | Windows Central)

What you need to know

  • Some Xbox Series X consoles are crashing when trying to load games.
  • The issue occurs with specific games more than others for some users.

The Xbox Series X recently launched, but some unlucky gamers aren't able to enjoy their new console. Several people have seen an issue that causes the Xbox Series X to crash when trying to load games.

At this point, it's difficult to determine how widespread the issue is, but there is a growing Microsoft forum thread (opens in new tab) and a Reddit thread of people that see the issue. We've also received a number of reports across our own social media pages.

Where to buy Xbox Series X/S: Find in-stock consoles

Update 1 (November 11) — Quick Resume temporarily disabled for some titles

Jason Ronald from Team Xbox stated that some optimized titles may experience issues with Quick Resume. As a result, Microsoft has temporarily disabled Quick Resume for some titles and is working on a fix. It's not confirmed if the crashing is related to Quick Resume.

Some people who experienced this issue, including NoGuyTest, fixed the problem by taking their console off of the Xbox Alpha Insider ring. While some instances of the issue appear related to being on the Alpha Insider Ring, some people seem to have the issue without being on the Alpha Insider Ring.

"My Xbox Series X keeps shutting down 5-10 seconds into a game loading up. I've tried reinstalling the games and a full reset of the console but nothing's working," says the original poster of the thread, "Able Chimp." Others have echoed running into the same issue.

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One gamer, known as NoGuyTest, spoke with us about his new Xbox Series X. His console crashes when launching certain games, "especially COD Warzone," according to NoGuyTest. When the crash occurs, the front light of the console flickers, and the Xbox Series X turns off. The crash turns his console off but leaves the controller on, requiring him to take out the batteries of the controller to reset it.

The Xbox Series X has some other known issues and bugs. Like this newly found crashing issue, it's difficult to know how widespread the problems are at this time, but they're are at least affecting a noticeable number of gamers.

Are you being affected by similar problems? Let us know in the comments.

Leading 4K

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Xbox Series X

The full next-generation experience.

Xbox Series X is Microsoft's new flagship, as its most powerful console with over 12TF GPU performance and a custom SSD. It boasts up to 4K resolution and 120 FPS, full backward compatibility across four generations, and ray-tracing support.

Next-gen in HD

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Xbox Series S

Experience next-gen gaming for less.

Microsoft serves the next-generation for less with its budget-friendly Xbox Series S. The console packs the same high-performance CPU and SSD technology as Xbox Series X, while scaling back the GPU and removing the disc drive.

Sean Endicott
Sean Endicott
News Writer and apps editor

Sean Endicott brings nearly a decade of experience covering Microsoft and Windows news to Windows Central. He joined our team in 2017 as an app reviewer and now heads up our day-to-day news coverage. If you have a news tip or an app to review, hit him up at sean.endicott@futurenet.com (opens in new tab).

10 Comments
  • I had that but what I did and fixed my situation was, taking the disc out when it starts trying to load before it crashes, then put it back in. Start the game up again and I could load without problems. This is an old Xbox 360 trick. Also my weird Ferrari sound totally dissappeared when putting a disc in 😂 I'm kinda sad about that tho, it sounded good.
  • I had the same issue with a different game, the Dirt 5 for XSX. It happened during races, not same track, at random: it froze the screen and at the same time had a buzzing sound from TV; then after about a couple seconds, the XSX turned off, while the controller rumble motors kept vibrating strongly, had to remove batteries. After several occurrences, I realized I had installed the latest Insider Alpha Skip-Ahead System upon receiving my XSX. I have then opted out of the Insider program for the console. After system reinstallation (the already downloaded games were not affected) I confirm that this issue was fully solved. Hope this helps someone with the same crashing issue.
  • I've not had any game crashing but today, went to play Planet Coaster which loaded as a quick resume game. After about 10 second the screen kept flashing. Had to quit the game and then relaunch and it worked fine. Maybe couple of teething issues there to.
  • Ori Will of the Wisps will flash for about 5-10 seconds lose signal then be fine.
  • That sounds like HDR kicking in and your TV refreshing the panel.
  • I had Forza Horizon 4 crash on me just after loading the world. Crashed to a black screen. This was originally installed on the One-X via an external, got updated and installed on the Series-X SSD. So, I just uninstalled, downloaded and installed it again and it worked fine from there on. I guess it was trying to load an FMV or something. Probably just a bad update.
  • nope mine stopped powering on, already back in the box.
  • I hope this gets fixed up by the December 10th when I get my console because it'll be really annoying otherwise.
  • found this article today after the update for halo collection - I am also in the alpha ring - I wanted the new dynamic backgrounds - but can confirm same behavior.
  • Anyone else getting the controller desync issue?