How to Use an Xbox 360

Authored by: Support.com Tech Pro Team

1. Introduction

Your Xbox 360 is a great entertainment centerpiece for your living room.

This guide will give you the basic ins and outs of using your game console.

2. Play Disk Game

1. Press the Eject button to open the disk tray.
   

1. Place the disk in the tray.
2. Press the Eject button again to close the tray.

Games on disk will automatically start when inserted.

3. Quit Game

1. Press the Guide button on your Xbox controller.
   

1. Press the Y button to select Xbox Home.
   

1. You will be prompted if you wish to exit your game. Select Yes.

4. Eject Disk

Hardware Button

1. With the console on the Home screen, press the Eject button on your console.
   

Software Menu Choice

1. Select the Home menu.
   

1. Select the game tile.
   

1. Press the Y button on your controller.
   

Always store disks in their protective cases when not in use, to ensure they don't become scratched and unreadable by your console!

5. More Information

You can always review the full manual for your Xbox online. Visit support.xbox.com/en-US/browse/xbox-360 with your web browser.

6. Play Downloaded Game

1. Press the Guide button to return to the Xbox menu.
   

1. Select the Games menu.
   

1. Select the My Games tile.
   

1. Select the game you wish to play.

If this was originally a disk-based game that you copied to your Xbox hard drive for faster loading times, you will be required to have the disk in the drive. 

7. Quit Game

1. Press the Guide button on your Xbox controller.
   

1. Press the Y button to select Xbox Home.
   

1. You will be prompted if you wish to exit your game. Select Yes.

8. Connect Controller

1. Put batteries into your Xbox controller.
2. Push the latch for the battery compartment.
   

1. Place the batteries into the compartment, making note of their polarity indicated by the picture on the battery holder.
   

1. Clip your battery compartment back in.
2. Press and Hold the center Xbox Guide button until the controller turns on.
   

1. Push the Connect Button on your console.
   

1. Push the Connect Button on your controller.
   

1. The ring around the power button will flash, then stop when your controller is connected.
   

9. Connect Bluetooth Headset

Xbox 360 console does not support Bluetooth functionality. Headsets cannot connect to the console using Bluetooth and must be connected wirelessly.

Charge your headset:

1. Connect one end of the USB charging cable to your headset.
2. Connect the other end to your console.
   

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2. Turn on your console.
3. The lights on the headset flash green while charging in Xbox mode, and flash blue while charging in Bluetooth mode. Once charging is complete, the light will stop flashing.

Connecting your headset:

1. Turn on your console.
2. Move the mode switch to Xbox (Green) on your wireless headset.
   

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2. Press the power button on the headset for two seconds. The lights will flash green.
   

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2. After the headset plays the startup sound, press and hold the headset’s connect button for two seconds.
   

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2. Within 20 seconds of pressing the connect button, press and release connect button on your console.
   

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2. The lights flash green three times once your headset is connected to your console. Your headset will now automatically connect to your console whenever you turn on your headset in Xbox mode.

10. Play Media Disk

1. Press the Eject button to open the disk tray.
   

1. Place the disk in the tray.
2. Press the Eject button again to close the tray.

Movies on disk will automatically start when inserted.

11. Eject Disk

Hardware Button

1. With the console on the Home screen, press the Eject button on your console.
   

Software Menu Choice

1. Select the Home menu.
   

1. Select the game tile.
   

1. Press the Y button on your controller.
   

Always store disks in their protective cases when not in use, to ensure they don't become scratched and unreadable by your console!

12. Basic Setup for Your Xbox 360

We have a separate guide that will walk you through setting up your Xbox 360.

Show Me How

Clicking this button will open a new guide that will provide you with steps to resolve your issue.