Microsoft addresses Day 1 bugs and fixes for Xbox Series X|S consoles

Despite Microsoft’s newest console coming fresh off the manufacturing line tomorrow, the company has issued a list of bugs and known issues owners should be aware of as they take the wraps off their new console.

According to a Microsoft Community forum post authored by Microsoft Agent and moderator Mister Rush, there are quite a few caveats for Day 1 One owners of Xbox Series X|S when starting up the consoles for the first time.

Fresh out of the box, owners will need to be aware of 4K/120hz issues that involve TVs with outputs of 4K @ 120Hz and support for VRR experiencing image corruption. Fortunately, there is are workarounds:

• Update to the latest firmware on your TV
• If using an LG TV – https://www.lg.com/us/support/software-firmware-drivers
• If using a Samsung TV – https://www.samsung.com/us/support/downloads/
• If using a Vizio TV – https://support.vizio.com/s/firmware-search
• If the issue still persists, also consider trying the following:
• Configure the console for 4K/60 with VRR by going to Setting> General> TV & display options> Video Modes> check the box for Allow variable refresh rate.
• Configure the console for 4k/120 with no VRR by going to Setting> General> TV & display options> Video Modes> uncheck the box for Allow variable refresh rate. The resolution and refresh rates are found under “Display” in TV & Display options.
• If you wish to experience 120hz and VRR, please configure for 1080p/120hz VRR or 1440p/120hz VRR by Setting> General> TV & display options> Video Modes> check the box for Allow variable refresh rate. The resolution and refresh rates are found under “Display” in TV & Display options.
• If you are experiencing a corrupted image, here are your workarounds to reverting back to a safe video mode:
• Restart your console and configure your video modes to one of the listed options above.
• If you’re still experiencing a corrupted image after a restart, disable VRR on the TV. Please consult your TV manufacturers on how to do this.
• If the issue still persists after steps 1 and 2, perform the video mode reset sequence to get back to a safe state and configure for one of the two options above. To do this, follow the steps on this page here under “Your screen is blank after you turn on the console > Reset your display settings”.

For anyone eager to take EA’s new Play App for a spin on their new console is aware that its service is not supported on either the X or S consoles at the moment. There is no trusty workaround for this, but Microsoft claims to be diligently at work on a solution. To claim FIFA 21 or Madden 21 10-Hour trials, for now, a visit to the Microsoft Store is being offered as a redemption solution from Microsoft.

Microsoft is also acknowledging an issue with core system interactions such as HDR Game Captures appearing too dark when recorded. Again, no real solution here offered by Microsoft except that “a fix will be coming soon in a future console update.”

Another core component that needs to be cautiously reviewed by owners is the Quick Resume function Microsoft has been touting for the past few weeks. According to Microsoft, thousands of titles should support this on day one, but owners may experience issues with the handful of titles that aren’t yet optimized to take advantage of its existence. Ahead of complaints, Microsoft has proactively disabled the feature for those titles and is looking to put in a fix as soon as it can.

Lastly, there are some media-related issues that involve the BBC iPlayer app not launching or installing on the consoles on day one, DVD & Blue-ray playback glitching that can be resolved by reinserting discs, and NBC’s Peakcock TV app showing pixelated content out of the box with no immediate remedy.

Some of these issues are niche occurrences, but in totality, add up to a console in need of a hefty Day One or Month One update to sort out a number of user experiences that could begin to taint the launch of Microsoft’s next-gen console efforts, again.