"When Xbox is off, turn off storage"

C L 0 V I 5 · Apr 9, 2015

What is considered "off" for the Xbox One console when on Instant-On? Since it's technically on stand by when on Instant On, does that consider it "off" (therefore not spinning the hard drive) when it's not downloading/installing system and game updates?
And when it does have an update, will it turn on the hard drive for storage use? I would like to know because I recently got an external hard drive for extra storage, but I don't want it spinning all day/night if I put it on Instant-On. I'm just confused whether
it turns off the external hard drive and keeps it that way regardless of updates or if it keeps it turned off until it needs to update then turn it off again. Right now I just keep it on energy saving mode to be safe. I apologize if this has been answered
before. I've done multiple google search and I haven't found the exact answer I'm looking for. I also don't usually go on forums. Thanks in advance.

:)

Muh Freedom · Apr 9, 2015

"When Xbox is off, turn off storage" not working.

Okay, I got it to switch off for the most part. But sometimes it still randomly turns on. Is this just a little bug like friend notifications being borked too?

Muh Freedom · Apr 9, 2015

"When Xbox is off, turn off storage" not working.

I hate to bump. But does anyone know a fix?

DENAz666 · Apr 9, 2015

haha what a confusing question (in a funny way)

Basically, instant on is like a sleep mode. Most hard drives also have a sleep mode, so when the console is 'asleep' then so is the hard drive (and therefor not spinning), or it is simply switched off.

When there is an update or install, then the console remains in sleep mode, however the hard drive will fire up to receive the data.

That being said, there have been some issue's with certain hard drives not turning off (older models I believe), which is currently being worked on by the support team.

Your hard drive should not remain on all day/night though, it should switch off and then turn on when it needs to receive data, like when there is an update or you are playing games

I hope that answers your questions,

Cheers

Denaz

C L 0 V I 5 · Apr 10, 2015

I'm sorry. I'm not good at wording questions lol I also failed to ask specifically, what would be the key differences with how the Xbox One uses the external hard drive when I select/deselect the option "When Xbox is off, turn off storage" under Instant
On?"

DENAz666 · Apr 12, 2015

From what I have read, when external HDD's were first introduced they would always stay on, so this option was for those hard drives that would remain on even while the xbox was off

HK Dark Soul · Oct 31, 2018

Hi I got the same question, sorry but your answer didn´t really tell me what i need to know, so when i select the option "When Xbox is off, turn off storage" will it still turn my external hdd on and download updates ? or will it remain off and i need to
do the updates for my games and apps manualy?

SigmaTheDJ

Does the external hard drive ever turn off when the Xbox is off?

The console has a setting to turn external storage off when the console is turned off. It's in the power settings. However, for some reason, some externals do not turn off when the console is turned off, even when the "When Xbox is off, turn off storage" setting is enabled.

The second thing that will cause most externals to go to sleep is inactivity. Usually there is a setting in the drive's own firmware that says "go to sleep after 30 minutes of inactivity" or whatever.

Here's what I would recommend: -

1. If it's not already enabled, enable the "When Xbox is off, turn off storage" setting in the console's power settings, then test to see if the drive turns off when the Xbox is turned off.

2. If option 1 is no help and the drive never turns off, disable that setting, then see if the external turns off after a period of inactivity once the Xbox has been turned off.

If you unplug the drive when the console is off, obviously, if you have the console set to automatically update your games/apps, it won't be able to update anything on the external while the Xbox is off as it's not connected. That is the primary downside of what you're currently doing.

C L 0 V I 5

I'm sorry. I'm not good at wording questions lol I also failed to ask specifically, what would be the key differences with how the Xbox One uses the external hard drive when I select/deselect the option "When Xbox is off, turn off storage" under Instant
On?"

DENAz666

haha what a confusing question (in a funny way)

Basically, instant on is like a sleep mode. Most hard drives also have a sleep mode, so when the console is 'asleep' then so is the hard drive (and therefor not spinning), or it is simply switched off.

When there is an update or install, then the console remains in sleep mode, however the hard drive will fire up to receive the data.

That being said, there have been some issue's with certain hard drives not turning off (older models I believe), which is currently being worked on by the support team.

Your hard drive should not remain on all day/night though, it should switch off and then turn on when it needs to receive data, like when there is an update or you are playing games

I hope that answers your questions,

Cheers

Denaz

DENAz666

From what I have read, when external HDD's were first introduced they would always stay on, so this option was for those hard drives that would remain on even while the xbox was off

HK Dark Soul

Hi I got the same question, sorry but your answer didn´t really tell me what i need to know, so when i select the option "When Xbox is off, turn off storage" will it still turn my external hdd on and download updates ? or will it remain off and i need to
do the updates for my games and apps manualy?

"When Xbox is off, turn off storage"