Your Xbox Series X or Series S shows “E106” on the “Something went wrong” screen instead of starting. Microsoft says E106 can mean the latest console operating system update failed to install.
Fix #1: Restart the console once
Problem: E106 appeared during startup, and you haven’t restarted the console yet.
Symptoms: The console stays on the error screen or returns to it when turned on.
Cause: A restart is a quick check. Microsoft’s E106 recovery instructions begin with a reset from the Startup Troubleshooter.
- Turn off the console.
- Unplug its power cable for 30 seconds, then reconnect it.
- Turn on the console once.
Verify: If the Xbox reaches the Home screen, you’re done. If “E106” returns, continue below.
Quick Diagnosis: Open the Startup Troubleshooter
The Xbox Startup Troubleshooter has the recovery options you’ll use below. If the “Something went wrong” screen offers Troubleshoot, select it. If that choice is missing, use your console’s buttons.
Fix #2: Open the recovery screen with the console buttons
Problem: You can’t reach the Startup Troubleshooter from the E106 screen.
Symptoms: The error screen has no usable Troubleshoot choice, or the recovery screen doesn’t open on its own.
Cause: You may need to open the troubleshooter manually. Series S has no Eject button, so its button sequence differs.
- Turn off the console and unplug its power cable for 30 seconds.
- Reconnect the power cable.
- On Xbox Series X, hold Pair and Eject, then press the Xbox power button. On Xbox Series S, hold Pair, then press the Xbox power button.
- Keep holding Pair (and Eject on Series X) until the console finishes powering on, then release the buttons once you hear the startup sound play again.
These are Microsoft’s Startup Troubleshooter button instructions.
Verify: The Xbox Startup Troubleshooter appears. If it does, move to Reset this Xbox in Fix #3.
Common E106 Issues and Solutions
Fix #3: Reset Xbox while keeping games and apps
Problem: E106 returns after a restart, but the Startup Troubleshooter opens.
Symptoms: You can select recovery options, but the console won’t reach the Home screen.
Cause: Microsoft says E106 may follow a failed console update. Its E106 instructions put this reset before the offline update.
- In the Xbox Startup Troubleshooter, select Reset this Xbox.
- Select Keep games and apps.
- Read the on-screen data warning before confirming the reset.
- Let the console finish its recovery attempt.
What it deletes: Microsoft says this choice resets the operating system and removes data that may be corrupt. It does not delete installed games or apps. Check the warning on your console for details about accounts, settings, and local saves before confirming.
Verify: The Xbox reaches the Home screen. If E106 returns, prepare the OSU1 USB drive in Fix #4.
Fix #4: Prepare an OSU1 USB drive on Windows
Problem: Keep games and apps didn’t clear E106.
Symptoms: The Xbox still can’t start normally, and you need to reinstall the console update offline.
Cause: The reset didn’t restore startup. Microsoft’s next E106 step is an Offline System Update using OSU1.
You need an internet-connected Windows PC with a USB port and a USB flash drive with at least 6 GB of space. The drive must use the NTFS file format. An empty drive is the easiest choice.
- Copy any files you want to keep off the USB drive. Formatting erases its contents.
- Connect the drive to the Windows PC.
- In File Explorer, right-click the USB drive and select Format. Choose NTFS, then check that you selected the right drive before starting.
- Open Microsoft’s Offline System Update instructions and download the OSU1 ZIP file.
- Extract the ZIP file.
- Copy the extracted update files to the USB drive, placing them at the top level of the drive (its root) rather than inside another folder, following Microsoft’s current instructions for exact file placement.
- Safely eject the USB drive from Windows.
Put the extracted files directly on the USB drive, outside any other folder, following Microsoft’s instructions for exact placement. Don’t copy the unextracted ZIP file. Use the OSU1 instructions for Series X or Series S; the OSU2 and OSU3 paths are for certain original Xbox One consoles.
Verify: In File Explorer, confirm the extracted update files are placed at the top level of the drive, following Microsoft’s current OSU1 instructions. If formatting would erase files you need, back them up first.
Fix #5: Run the Offline System Update
Problem: The OSU1 drive is ready, but E106 still appears on the Xbox.
Symptoms: The console can’t reach the Home screen after the reset that keeps games and apps.
Cause: The console update may need to be installed from the USB drive.
- Open the Xbox Startup Troubleshooter using Fix #2 if it isn’t already on screen.
- Connect the prepared USB drive to the console.
- Follow the console steps in Microsoft’s current Offline System Update instructions. Choose the offline update option when it’s available, then follow the prompts on your console.
- Leave the console powered on while the update runs.
Verify: The update completes and the Xbox reaches the Home screen. If you can’t select the offline update, check the drive’s NTFS format and confirm the extracted files are placed correctly according to Microsoft’s instructions. If the update fails or E106 returns, continue to Fix #6.
Fix #6: Restore factory defaults if OSU1 fails
Problem: The offline update didn’t restore normal startup.
Symptoms: OSU1 fails, or the console returns to E106 after the update attempt.
Cause: Microsoft puts a factory-default restore after a failed offline update in its E106 recovery sequence. The failed update alone doesn’t reveal the cause.
- Open the Xbox Startup Troubleshooter.
- Select Reset this Xbox and review the factory-default restore choice.
- Read its on-screen deletion warning in full before you confirm. This choice differs from Keep games and apps.
- If you accept the data loss described on screen, confirm the restore.
What it deletes: This choice restores the console to factory defaults. Read the on-screen warning for what it will remove. Don’t assume it will keep installed content or local data.
Verify: The console starts and reaches setup or the Home screen. If the restore can’t finish or E106 returns, request repair instead of repeating the same steps.
Error Messages at a Glance
| Message or state | What it means here | Next action |
|---|---|---|
| “Something went wrong” with “E106” | Microsoft says there may be a problem installing the latest console OS update. | Open Troubleshoot and try Keep games and apps. |
| “E106” returns after the reset | The first recovery step didn’t restore startup. | Prepare and run OSU1 from USB. |
| Offline update can’t be selected | The console isn’t ready to start the USB update; the drive setup may need checking. | Check NTFS formatting and file placement against Microsoft’s current instructions. |
| “E106” returns after OSU1 and a factory restore | The documented software recovery steps have failed. | Request Xbox service or repair. |
Windows and Console Details to Check
The Windows PC prepares the USB drive; the Xbox Series X or Series S runs the update. Microsoft’s supplied OSU1 steps specify Windows and don’t provide a macOS preparation method.
Common USB setup mistakes include copying the ZIP file without extracting it or placing the extracted files inside another folder instead of at the drive’s top level. A format other than NTFS can also cause trouble. Check the drive in File Explorer before trying again. On the console, use Pair + Eject for Series X and Pair only for Series S to open the troubleshooter.
When to Request a Repair
Request service if Keep games and apps, OSU1, and the factory-default restore all fail, or if the console can’t finish those steps. A recurring E106 after that sequence can point to a deeper console fault, but E106 doesn’t prove that a particular hardware part has failed. Microsoft’s E106 support page directs owners toward repair when its recovery steps don’t work.
When contacting Xbox Support, note the full code shown, which steps finished, and what happened during the offline update. Microsoft’s E106 instructions don’t provide a console log location for this process.
Prevention Tips
Let console updates finish without turning off or unplugging the Xbox. If you need OSU1 again, use Microsoft’s current Offline System Update page for the download and steps. Keep personal files off a USB drive you plan to format for recovery.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does E106 mean?
Microsoft says E106 can appear when the Xbox has trouble installing the latest console operating system update. The code alone doesn’t identify a failed hardware part.
Will “Keep games and apps” delete installed games?
No. Microsoft says that reset keeps installed games and apps while resetting the operating system and removing data that may be corrupt. Read the console’s warning for details about other data before confirming.
What does formatting the USB drive delete?
Formatting erases files already on that USB drive. Copy anything you need to keep elsewhere before choosing Format in Windows.
Do I need a Windows PC for OSU1?
Microsoft’s OSU1 preparation steps call for an internet-connected Windows PC with a USB port. You also need an NTFS-formatted USB flash drive with at least 6 GB of space.
How do I open the troubleshooter on a Series S without an Eject button?
With the console off, hold Pair and press the Xbox power button. Keep holding Pair until the console finishes powering on, then release it once you hear the startup sound play again.
What if the offline update fails?
Recheck the USB drive against Microsoft’s instructions. If OSU1 still fails, Microsoft’s E106 steps move to a factory-default restore; read its deletion warning before confirming. If that also fails, request repair.
Wrapping Up
| Step | Action | Applies to |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Restart once | Initial E106 screen |
| 2 | Open the Startup Troubleshooter | Both Series X and Series S |
| 3 | Choose Keep games and apps | First reset attempt |
| 4–5 | Prepare and run OSU1 | E106 persists after reset |
| 6 | Review a factory-default restore | OSU1 fails |
| 7 | Request repair | Recovery steps fail |
Keep games and apps is the best first recovery choice because Microsoft confirms it keeps installed games and apps. If that and OSU1 fail, read the factory restore’s data warning. If the restore fails too, contact Xbox Support for repair.