How to fix E203 system error message on Xbox One

Xbox One's system error E203 could be caused by a problem installing an update, use this guide to troubleshoot and fix the issue with your console.

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@Pureinfotech
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How to fix Xbox One E203 error message

If you see the system error E203 on your Xbox One while trying to install an update, don’t panic, this is an easy fix (sort of). Recently, during a system update rollout, my Xbox One couldn’t install the update, and the console simply kept rebooting into the “Something went wrong” screen.

When you see a system error E203 (in my case was error E203 0000080F 80073CF6, but your message can vary depending on the situation), it means that a software update didn’t install successfully.

You can try to resolve this issue in three different ways, you can try to do an offline system update or reset your Xbox One keeping you games and apps or removing everything.

In this guide, you’ll learn the steps to troubleshoot and the error E203 on your Xbox One console.

How to install Xbox One Offline System Update (OSU)

The Xbox One Offline System Update is a process that let you install a system update to the console without an internet connection using a USB flash drive. And to complete this task, you’ll need a PC and a USB flash drive with at least 4GB of storage formatted as NTFS.

1. Download the Offline System Update file (OSU1)

  1. Connect your NTFS formatted and empty USB flash drive to your Windows device.

  2. Download the Offline System Update file OSU1. 

  3. Click Save to save the update .zip file to your PC.

  4. Unzip the file by right-clicking on the file and selecting Extract all from the pop-up menu.

  5. Copy the $SystemUpdate file from the .zip file to the USB flash drive.

  6. Disconnect the USB flash drive from your PC.

2. Install Offline System Update using the Xbox Startup Troubleshooter

  1. Disconnect the network cable from the console (if applicable).

  2. Turn off the console.

  3. Unplug the power cord from the console to make sure it’s completely powered off.

  4. Wait around 30 seconds, and reconnect the power cord again.

  5. Press and hold the Bind button (the one on the left side) and the Eject button located in the front, and press the Xbox button on the console.

  6. Continue to hold the Bind and Eject buttons for around 15 seconds.

  7. When you listen to the power-up tones, release the Bind and Eject buttons, and the Xbox One Startup Troubleshooter will load.

  8. Connect the USB flash drive to your console.

  9. Using your Xbox One Wireless Controller select the Offline system update option from the Troubleshoot page and press A to begin the update process.

Once the update completes, the console will restart and automatically load the home screen. Keep in mind that the restart may take several minutes.

Also remember to reconnect the network cable, if you unplugged it while troubleshooting the console.

How to reset Xbox One if something went wrong

If you’re still getting the “Something went wrong” message when you start your Xbox One with the system error message E203, then your best path could be doing a system reset.

  1. Using your Xbox One Wireless Controller, select Troubleshoot from the “Something went wrong” screen, and press A.

  2. Select Reset this Xbox and press A.

  3. Select Keep games and apps and press A.

    Reset this Xbox option to fix system error E203

This option will reinstall the operating system (Windows 10) again from scratch on your console without deleting apps, games, or settings.

Once the console resets successfully, you’ll need to complete the setup as if you were turning on the console for the first time. This means that you’ll also be prompted to enter your Wi-Fi and Xbox Live account credentials (if applicable).

How to restore Xbox One to factory settings

Resetting your console should fix any problem in most scenarios, but if this isn’t your case, you’ll probably need to restore your console to factory settings.

Restoring your Xbox One to factory settings means that all the accounts, saved games, settings, and everything else will be deleted from your console. Anything that couldn’t be saved to your Xbox Live account will be lot. You shouldn’t use this option, unless you’re certain that it’s the last resort.

  1. Using your Xbox One Wireless Controller, select Troubleshoot from the “Something went wrong” screen, and press A.

  2. Select Reset this Xbox and press A.

  3. Select Remove everything and press A.

After your Xbox One restore to the factory default settings successfully, you’ll need to complete the setup as if you were turning on the console for the first time.

Wrapping things up

These troubleshooting instructions should work in most (if not all) E203 system error codes. In my case, trying to do an offline update didn’t work, but resetting the console while keeping games and apps worked perfectly.

If everything fails, you should contact Microsoft support to have your Xbox One or Xbox One S console repaired.

Did these instructions fix your Xbox One console? Tell us in the comments below.

About the author
Avatar for Mauro Huculak

Mauro Huculak is a Windows How-To Expert who started Pureinfotech in 2010 as an independent online publication. He has also been a Windows Central contributor for nearly a decade. Mauro has over 14 years of experience writing comprehensive guides and creating professional videos about Windows and software, including Android and Linux. Before becoming a technology writer, he was an IT administrator for seven years. In total, Mauro has over 20 years of combined experience in technology. Throughout his career, he achieved different professional certifications from Microsoft (MSCA), Cisco (CCNP), VMware (VCP), and CompTIA (A+ and Network+), and he has been recognized as a Microsoft MVP for many years. You can follow him on X (Twitter), YouTube, LinkedIn and About.me. Email him at [email protected].