Summary
The originalXbox Oneconsole may have launched all the way back in 2013, but it’s still in use by a large portion of gamers to this day. However, it appears that those gamers may be out of luck when it comes to using their console due to an issue when it comes to updating the system’s firmware.
As first spotted by Digital Foundry,users on NeoGAF began reporting that their launch model Xbox One consoles could not install system software updates. The issue does not impact every launch day console, though it is seemingly affecting a portion of ownership, regardless of whether the console is brand-new or used.
Microsoft has been informed by Digital Foundry, and the tech website is confident that things will be remedied.
Don’t Reset Your Console Just Yet
Per Digital Foundry, until an update is dropped, users should avoid resetting their console, or purchasing one that has been reset. That’s because a factory reset essentially wipes the system clean, and a day-one update is required to get games running. However, because the system seemingly can’t update as is, then a factory reset console is basically a brick.
Users who have older firmware who cannot initialize an update can still use the console in the interim, per Digital Foundry’s findings. The dashboard and disc-based games all work, though, anything that involves the internet is nigh impossible. That means Xbox Live is a no-go, as are potentially digital purchases that require an online check. Of note, attempting to install the update via a USB drive is useless.
Apparently, the issues stem from consoles that have circa 2017-18 firmware. Either way, it raises an interesting question when it comes to consoles and game preservation. Because while the battle between physical games and digital games is still ongoing, it appears that console futility could soon join that conversation.
As it stands, anyone who owns a GameCube, PS2 or really any non-internet-based console can simply plug it in and begin playing, even after support for these consoles has since ended. They all turn on, and simply work. However, with internet-based consoles requiring regular firmware and stability updates, if a console fails to accept the update on account of being too old, then it’s essentially useless.
Of course, if Microsoft manages to resolve the issue, then things will go back to how they were. But it is an intriguing issue that will no doubt pop up down the line.
