SOLVED: How do you reset a passcode on an XBox?

[JonathanRyan]

An hour or so ago, I wanted to change a setting on my XBox Series X. I've forgotten the passcode. So now I need to reset it. Does anybody know how?

Microsoft are absolutely useless for this (apparently it's not a question I'm allowed to ask via live chat. Also, most of the links eventually take you to how to reset a code on an XBox 360 - which has a note saying they don't maintain that service any more....)

None of the links I can find in Google in the first hour help. Anybody know how to do it?

This is the 6 digit passkey for a Series X. Not my Microsoft password or my PC PIN.

To save you some time....there is no button on the MyDevices screen that helps. The get online help for an XBox only goes to the Surface help.

 

[JonathanRyan]

Cracked it.

"Simply" enter your passcode incorrectly several times (maybe 3 - I'd entered is incorrectly twice several times which didn't quite count). Then it will ask you to enter your Microsoft password. Once you enter that you get the option to delete your passkey and then have to enter a new one. Phew.

BTW if you've never tried entering an 18 character randomised password using an X-box controller, it's far more fun than you'd expect....

 

[Box Brownie]

No idea really but did you see this page in your searching?

Xbox Support

support.xbox.com

Edit
I was typing as you posted........the article mentions the 3 times any number step.

Glad you sorted it

 

[Nod]

Cracked it.

"Simply" enter your passcode incorrectly several times (maybe 3 - I'd entered is incorrectly twice several times which didn't quite count). Then it will ask you to enter your Microsoft password. Once you enter that you get the option to delete your passkey and then have to enter a new one. Phew.

BTW if you've never tried entering an 18 character randomised password using an X-box controller, it's far more fun than you'd expect....

Had to laugh at that - mainly because I have major problems remembering even 8 character passwords.

Glad you're sorted.

 

[JonathanRyan]

No idea really but did you see this page in your searching?

Xbox Support

support.xbox.com

Edit
I was typing as you posted........the article mentions the 3 times any number step.

Glad you sorted it

Yes, while trying to trick the chat system into letting me phone them I saw that page. From use it looks like the 3 count resets - I was entering the number I thought it was a couple of times then trying other numbers. It took a few goes before it said "hmm, you look like you might have forgotten this...."

Had to laugh at that - mainly because I have major problems remembering even 8 character passwords.

Glad you're sorted.

I have access to some reasonably important things via Microsoft. All I can say is a biometric locked password manager is IMO the best invention ever

 

[Nod]

Not got a lot of faith in biometrics - my phone has facial recognition which sometimes doesn't recognise me in plain view but sometimes does when I'm wearing shades and a mask...

 

[JonathanRyan]

Not got a lot of faith in biometrics - my phone has facial recognition which sometimes doesn't recognise me in plain view but sometimes does when I'm wearing shades and a mask...

Yeah I've never been sure about facial recognition. Mine is fingerprint / retina. Combined with actually having to get hold of my phone, it's good enough for me. I don't actually have nuclear launch codes

 

[Nod]

I don't do anything important on my phone - nothing financial or otherwise "sensitive".