Keeping your gaming console running at its best can take a little work, but there’s one simple thing you can do to prevent any unnecessary issues – cleaning.

Yup, it’s not the best job in the world, but it makes a helluva lot of difference – especially if you keep your console sitting upright with a stand…
There used to be a time when consoles were meant to lie horizontally, but more and more gamers are choosing to save space by placing them vertically.
This can cause one major issue: dust.

A Reddit user by the name of 6TF_ORB1T4L recently posted on the r/xboxone subreddit, citing cleaning stopped the console from crashing.
The user writes: “If you’re using a vertical stand make sure to remove it at least once a month and clean all the dust from the intake, my X was crashing on BO4, RDR2 and Hollow Knight and after cleaning it’s all fine. Thermal throttling can be a b*tch 😐.”
If you’re using a vertical stand make sure to remove it at least once a month and clean all the dust from the intake, my X was crashing on BO4, RDR2 and Hollow Knight and after cleaning it’s all fine. Thermal throttling can be a b*tch 😐 from r/xboxone
The reason for the build-up comes down to the intake vents right next to the stand. With a vertical stand, it’s incredibly easy for these vents to become clogged with household dust, much and pet hair.

Other console gamers were quick to sympathise with the issue – and thank the user for the pro tip.
One comment reads: “Going to do this as soon as I get home after work. Have had mine on the stand since last year. Thanks man.”
Another added: “Thanks for the tip! I tend to clean my Xbox once a month but I forgot there were intake vents near the stand! That’s gonna save me a lot of hassle when summer comes.”

When was the last time you cleaned your console stand?