Fix: Xbox One “Something went wrong” Error [Expert Guide]

Your Xbox One allows you to access all sorts of content online, but sometimes certain errors can occur. Users reported Something went wrong error on their Xbox One, and today we’re going to explain to you how to fix this error.

Xbox One error “Something went wrong”, how to fix it?

1. Redeem your code at a later time

Many users tend to use prepaid codes on their Xbox One to purchase online content, but sometimes certain errors can occur while doing so. If that happens, it means that there’s a temporary issue with the Xbox service, and in order to fix this problem, you should wait for an hour or two and try to redeem the code again.

In order to redeem a prepaid code Xbox Live services need to be running, but if one service isn’t running you’ll encounter this problem. To check the status of Xbox Live services, simply visit the Xbox website. If there’s a problem with Xbox Live services, you can only wait until Microsoft resolves the issue.

In addition, you need to be positive that you’re trying to redeem a prepaid code for an Xbox game or app. If you’re trying to redeem a code for a Windows game or app, you won’t be able to complete the process on your Xbox One.

2. Check your region settings

According to users, Something went wrong error message can appear while redeeming prepaid codes if your region isn’t properly set. To fix this problem, you might have to change your region settings on Xbox One by following these steps:

1. Make sure that you’re signed in to Xbox One.
2. Scroll left on the Home screen to open the Guide.
3. Choose Settings > All Settings.
4. Now choose System.
5. Select Language & location.
6. Select a new location and choose Restart now.

Changing the region on Xbox One is simple, but there are a few limitations that you should know about. Firstly, you can change your region once every three months, so keep that in mind. In addition, you won’t be able to change your region if your account is suspended or if you have a balance due on your Xbox subscription.

Keep in mind that certain services might not be available if you change your region, so choose your new region carefully. In addition, the money on your Microsoft account won’t be moved when you change the region, so be sure to spend it before you decide to change your region.

3. Check your billing information

If you’re getting Something went wrong error message it might be because your billing information isn’t correct. This can occur if your credit card is expired or if you moved recently, so be sure to check the billing information by following these steps:

1. On the Home screen scroll left to open the Guide.
2. Select Settings > All Settings.
3. In the Account section select Payment & billing.
4. Select Change billing address.
5. Review and edit your billing information. If you need to skip certain information, press B on the controller and choose Next.
6. Once you’re done, select Save info to save changes.

You can also change your billing information from your browser. This is a faster solution for some users, and in order to do it you need to follow these steps:

1. Log in to your Microsoft account with any web browser.
2. Go to Payment & billing section and choose Billing info.
3. Select Edit profile and follow the instructions on the screen.

After reviewing and updating the billing information, try to redeem the code again.

4. Redeem the code on the Xbox website

Something went wrong error message can appear when you try to redeem a code on your Xbox One, but a few users reported that they managed to redeem their code simply by using Xbox website.

There’s an option to redeem codes on the Xbox website, so if you can’t redeem the code on your console due to this error, be sure to try redeeming it on the Xbox website.

5. Disable the Instant-on feature

You can fix this error on your Xbox One simply by disabling the Instant-on feature. This feature works as a sleep mode for your Xbox and allows you to put your Xbox One in standby mode quickly.

This is a great feature, but it has its flaws, and sometimes, this feature can lead to certain errors. To fix Something went wrong error you need to disable Instant-on feature by following these steps:

1. Go to Settings and navigate to Power & startup.
2. In Power Option section select Power mode and press the A button on the controller.
3. Select Energy-saving option.

After selecting the Energy-saving option, your Xbox One will turn off completely when you press the power button. This means that it will use less power when it’s turned off, but it will also start a bit slower when you turn it on. After disabling Instant-on feature, check if the error is resolved.

6. Sign out and sign back into your account

According to users, you might be able to fix Something went wrong error message simply by signing out of your account and signing back in. To do that, follow these steps:

1. Press the Xbox button on your controller to go back to Home screen.
2. Highlight your account picture in the top left corner.
3. Select your account, press the A button on the controller, and choose the Sign Out option.

After signing out you just need to log back in again and check if the problem is resolved.

Xbox One “Something went wrong” when trying to play a game

1. Restart the router

According to users, you might be able to fix this error message simply by restarting your router / modem. To do that, you need to follow these steps:

1. Press the power button on your modem to turn it off.
2. After the modem turns off wait for 30 seconds or more.
3. Press the power button again to turn it on.
4. Wait until the modem starts completely and check if the problem is resolved.

If you use both modem and wireless router, you’ll have to restart both devices in order to fix this problem.

2. Reinstall the game

Sometimes Something went wrong error message can appear if your installation is corrupted, and one way to fix the problem is to reinstall the problematic game. To do that, follow these steps:

1. Go to the My Games & Apps section.
2. Highlight the game that you want to remove and press the Menu button on the controller.
3. Select Manage Game option from the menu.
4. You should now see relevant game information such as the storage space that it takes and its saved games.
5. Choose the Uninstall option and wait until the game is removed from your system.

After the game is deleted, you need to install it again by doing the following:

1. Open Games & Apps section.
2. Scroll all the way right and you’ll see Ready to install list. This list consists of games that you own but you don’t have currently installed on your console.
3. To install a game, simply select it and wait for it to install. Keep in mind that installation process can take a while depending on your Internet connection.

Some users are recommending to disable your Internet connection before reinstalling the game from a disc. According to them, an update might be downloading during the installation process and that can cause problems with installation, therefore it’s advised that you go offline and install the game from the disc. To go offline, follow these steps:

1. Scroll left on the Home screen to open the Guide.
2. Select Settings > All Settings.
3. Choose Network > Network settings.
4. Now select Go offline.

After the game is reinstalled, try to start it again and check if the problem is resolved.

3. Clear the cache

Xbox One stores all sorts of temporary files in its cache, but sometimes those files can get corrupted and cause this and many other errors to occur. The simplest way to deal with corrupted cache is to clear it by following these steps:

1. Press and hold the power button on your console to turn it off.
2. After the console turns off, unplug the power cable.
3. While the power cable is unplugged keep pressing the power button to drain the battery completely.
4. Now reconnect the power cable and wait until the light on power brick changes from white to orange.
5. Press the power button again to turn on your console.

After the console turns on the cache will be cleared and the problem will hopefully be resolved. Some users are also suggesting to start your game without signing in to your Xbox account. After the game starts, you’ll be asked to sign in to your Xbox account, so be sure to do that.

Clearing the cache can also help you avoid similar issues like Something went wrong error while playing a game; read this guide to learn more.

4. Restore your Xbox to factory settings

If you’re getting Something went wrong error message when you try to play a game on your Xbox One, you might be able to fix the problem by performing a factory reset. Sometimes certain game files can get corrupted, and the only way to fix the problem is to perform a factory reset. Keep in mind that factory reset might delete all your installed games and apps, therefore be sure to back them up. To restore your Xbox One to factory settings, follow these steps:

1. Scroll left on the Home screen to open the Guide.
2. Select Settings > All Settings.
3. Now choose System.
4. Navigate to Console info & updates and choose Reset console option.
5. You’ll see two options available, Reset and remove everything and Reset and keep my games and apps. Select the latter option to keep your downloaded games and apps. If this option doesn’t work you’ll have to use Reset and remove everything option. This option will delete all your installed games so you’ll have to download them again.

Since the download process can take a while, we strongly suggest that you move all your installed games to external hard drive before performing the factory reset.

5. Check the status of your subscriptions

Certain games require subscriptions in order to work properly, and if your subscription is expired you’ll need to renew it. To do that, follow these steps:

1. Log in to your Microsoft account with any web browser.
2. Navigate to Services & subscriptions section.
3. Find the subscription that is expired and select the Renew option. If this option isn’t available, you’ll have to buy the subscription again.

After your subscription is renewed, the error should be completely resolved.

6. Try restarting the game

Few users reported that they managed to fix this problem simply by restarting the game. To do that you need to follow these steps:

1. Press the Xbox button on your controller to return to the Home screen.
2. Highlight the game title and press the Menu button on the controller.
3. Select Quit from the menu.
4. Wait for 10 seconds or more and then try to launch the game again.

Fix – Xbox One “Something went wrong” update

1. Install the update using a USB flash drive

Sometimes there might be an issue with online update that prevents you from installing certain updates. When that happens you’ll see Something went wrong error message on the screen. To fix this error you can try installing the update offline by following these steps:

1. Connect NTFS USB flash drive to your PC. Keep in mind that USB flash drive needs to be empty in order to install offline update.
2. Download the offline system update.
3. The file will be stored in a zip archive so be sure to extract it.
4. Locate $SystemUpdate file that you extracted and move it to the root directory of the USB flash drive.

After moving the update file to the USB flash drive you need to install it by following these steps:

1. If possible, disconnect the network cable from your console. Alternatively, you can turn off your modem.
2. Turn off your console by holding the power button on the front.
3. Unplug the power cable and reconnect it after 30 seconds.
4. Press and hold the Bind button on the left side and the Eject button, and press the Xbox button on the console.
5. Hold Bind and Eject buttons for 15 seconds.
6. If you performed the process properly, you’ll hear two power-up sounds. Release the Bind and Eject buttons.
7. Connect the USB flash drive to your console.
8. Select Offline system update option from the menu and press the A button to start the process.
9. Wait until the update process is complete.

After the update is installed, the problem should be completely resolved.

2. Select the Turn off Xbox option

If you’re getting Something went wrong error message after trying to install the update, be sure to try using the Turn off Xbox option. After that, simply turn on your console, and the issue should be resolved. Few users reported that this method worked for them, so be sure to try it out.

3. Go offline and back online

If you receive this error message after installing a new update, you might be able to fix it by going offline and back online. A few users reported that this method helped them fix the problem, so be sure to try it.

Fix – Xbox One “Something went wrong” startup

1. Reset your console to factory defaults

Users reported that this error occurs when they start their console, and if you have the same issue, you might want to reset your console to factory defaults. Resetting your Xbox One to factory defaults will delete all your files from your console so you’ll have to download them again. Your saved games will remain if they are synced with Xbox Live. To reset Xbox One, do the following:

1. On the Troubleshoot screen choose the Reset this Xbox option and press the A button.
2. Choose Keep games and apps option.
3. This option will restore your Xbox to factory defaults without affecting your games and apps. Unfortunately, this option doesn’t always work, so sometimes you might have to use Remove everything option and remove all downloaded apps and games from your system.

After resetting your Xbox One to factory defaults, this error should be completely resolved.

Fix – Xbox One error “Something went wrong” party chat

1. Make sure that your NAT is set to Open

To use party chat on Xbox One your NAT needs to be set to Open. There are many ways to do that, but it’s usually achieved by forwarding your ports or by using DMZ or UPnP feature. We already explained in detail how to do that in “Your network is behind a port-restricted NAT” article, so be sure to check it out.

Something went wrong Xbox One error can create many problems for you, but we hope that you managed to fix it after using one of our solutions.