Like any aging equipment, you’ll want to know exactly how long it lasts. Microsoft generally builds its consoles to be rugged, although the infamous Red Ring of Death scared the crap out of many gamers during the Xbox 360 era – but it became repairable if you knew what you were doing. The same can be said of Microsoft’s current generation consoles, the Xbox Series S and X, which can last between six and ten years, but it really depends on how owners treat their console. Microsoft designed these consoles to support many hours of gaming and intends to support the S|X series until at least 2028.
According to a few Xbox One S owners on Reddit, their consoles have lasted seven years and show no signs of slowing down, while others claim theirs have lasted nine or even ten years – and some have mentioned that their Xbox 360 is still alive after several decades. Additionally, you can continue to extend hardware depending on what fails and if you are comfortable with a few “DIY” fixes to reduce some repairability costs.
Luckily, Xbox consoles are essentially computers inside, so a few parts aren’t hard to source, meaning you can keep them running longer than their original death date. Microsoft also sells genuine parts for its dedicated consoles, so if you need new thermal paste or button boards, you’ll want to check the Microsoft Store before attempting repairs yourself (using unofficial parts in a DIY repair could void your coverage if damage from those parts is proven to be the cause).
How to extend your Xbox Series S and Xbox Series
Maybe you’re not quite ready to buy a new console anytime soon, either because you’re considering the expensive Steam Engine or because you’re waiting to see how Project Helix takes shape. You’ll want to get the most out of your aging console if you bought one at launch. First, make sure your warranty hasn’t expired before attempting any repairs: Microsoft typically offers a one-year limited warranty from the date you purchased your console (refurbished Xbox Series X and S are trickier). Then, if you choose to pay for a Microsoft Complete plan, you’ll get up to a three-year warranty. Consoles damaged during this period are eligible for a free repair.
Fortunately, if you are out of warranty and comfortable with self-repair, Microsoft has recommended tools and a video/guide you can follow to help you repair. Generally, if your fan, power supply, accessory board, or motherboard module needs to be replaced, you will want to follow the replacement process closely. If you simply replace the HDD/SSD and reapply thermal paste, you can follow some good YouTube demonstrations (check out the Electronics&Computers YouTube channel).
If you’re not comfortable performing these repairs yourself, Microsoft offers in-person services at uBreakiFix (authorized service provider) to service your Xbox with genuine parts. On the official UReakiFix website, you can choose to find a store or schedule a repair. It’s still considered a third-party repair service, so any internal warranty they offer will come from them and not Microsoft.
