Understanding Xbox Series S Sleep mode and startup

Md. Abu Sakib · Sep 13, 2022

So at long last, I got my Xbox Series S today—the newest generation console (which is also the most affordable imo). Damn I'm so happy and excited.

Before Xbox I played PS4 very casually, and for a very little time. There it had Rest mode, where updates and installs could continue while the device remained "kinda on" in a low-power state.

For Xbox I see two Sleep mode options—Energy saver and Standby. And there are options called Turn off after. But I'm having trouble to understand what mode I need to select in order for my updates and installs to be completed, while the Xbox stays in a low-powered state. The UI really should mention this.

And by Turn off after, does the Xbox go into whatever Sleep mode is selected?

I searched around the internet, and even the Xbox Support docs, but it's not clear to me.

I also see a notice When Xbox is off, turn off storage option for Standby mode. Also not getting this.

Any help would be appreciated. I'm pretty much new to consoles, and the most unfamiliar with Xbox.

Thanks in advance.

Regards,

Sakib

:)

Giugio17

But, anyway, why my Xbox series s using this energy saver sleep mode, startup even using my controller?

Md. Abu Sakib

Thanks for your quick response!

Ah so it means external storage; I stupidly assumed it meant the Xbox internal storage and unmarked it since that'd mean that no installs/updates would occur when Xbox turns off after 1 hour.

So if I'm expecting my games/apps to install while I'm AFK, I want Standby, and mostly for all other cases, Energy saver, right?

Md. Abu Sakib

I left my Xbox in Energy saver mode last night and set it to download Forza Horizon 5. To my disappointment, the download was halted as I found out in the next morning.

Maybe the recent policy hasn't been propagated to all devices?

Md. Abu Sakib

Thanks a lot for clearing those things up!

Now, system and game updates can be downloaded during Energy Saver mode, further saving energy.

This is great!

SigmaTheDJ

To have updates download while the console is off, you used to have to use instant on mode, but now it works in either mode. MS updated the energy saving mode earlier this year: -

https://news.xbox.com/en-us/2022/03/10/an-update-on-xbox-sustainability-efforts/

So, the only advantages of instant on mode now are: -

You can wake the console up with your voice, if you use a voice assistant
The console will start up faster, although a cold boot on a Series X/S only takes a few seconds anyway
You can have the Xbox turn on other devices when the console is turned on, such as your TV or receiver

Obviously the main disadvantage is the extra power consumption.

Actually, I'm not sure if remote installs require you to use instant on mode. For example, you can go to the Xbox.com website while you're away from home and buy a game, then choose to install it on your console at home and it will start to install. I do not know if that works when using energy saving mode.

The "Turn off after" setting allows you to set how long the period of inactivity is before the console shuts off. It will respect whichever power mode you have selected.

The "When Xbox is off, turn off storage" option is for if you're using a USB external drive with your console. With that option enabled, when you turn the console off, it will send a signal to the external drive to put it to sleep. Some makes/models of external drive don't work well with this setting for whatever reason, so you can disable it, then the drive's own firmware settings will dictate if/when it goes to sleep.

Understanding Xbox Series S Sleep mode and startup