How to disable Xbox One, PlayStation 4, and Nintendo Switch standby modes for Earth Day
It’s Earth Day! So, we’re exploring how to improve the eco-friendliness of video game consoles by disabling standby mode. Here’s how to do that.
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As part of Earth Day, we’re exploring ways to be a bit more eco-friendly and less power-consuming. One very obvious way that sprang out to me was video game console standby modes, which continue to churn power and use data even when you’re not using them for long periods of time.
Disabling standby mode will prevent consoles from being able to charge accessories, and will prevent the downloading of games and updates in the background. If you’re a heavy console user, you may want to leave it on to that end, since you’ll have to leave it on to run those updates for potentially hours at a time otherwise anyway. If you are planning to go on vacation or spend a few days away from your console(s) though, or simply have some you use more regularly than others, disabling standby mode can save a decent amount of power.
Here’s how to turn each major console’s standby mode off, quickly and easily.
Disable standby mode on Xbox One
Disabling standby mode on Xbox One will save power, but just so you’re aware, it will also prevent games and the OS from updating in the process. It’ll also cause your console to take anywhere up to a minute to fully boot up, which may not be particularly economical if you’re using the console a lot. Disabling standby when you’re planning to leave it for an elongated period of time will save a lot of power though, and is something worth considering. Here’s how to turn it off.
Disable standby mode on PlayStation 4
PS4’s standby mode is a little bit easier to navigate since it gives you the option to fully turn off the console from the regular power setting. If you want to ensure that it never enters standby mode, there are a few settings you can tweak to that end.
Disable standby mode on Nintendo Switch
The Nintendo Switch doesn’t have very detailed standby mode features, but it’s probably the least power-hungry of the three major consoles in general. Still, if you want to make sure it’s fully turned off and not in a rest state, it’s pretty easy.
Embrace Earth Day with more tips to make your tech more efficient!
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Jez Corden is the Executive Editor at Windows Central, focusing primarily on all things Xbox and gaming. Jez is known for breaking exclusive news and analysis as relates to the Microsoft ecosystem while being powered by tea. Follow onTwitter (X)andThreads, and listen to hisXB2 Podcast, all about, you guessed it, Xbox!
