The short answer
Back up your saves, remove your account and deregister the console, then factory reset it. Clean it, test it with every controller and cable you are selling, and gather the box and accessories. Identify the exact model and storage, check recent sold prices, and decide whether to sell it alone or as a bundle with games.
Step 1: back up, sign out and reset
Modern consoles are tied to your account, which may hold saved payment details and digital purchases.
- Back up your saves to the cloud or external storage, if your service supports it.
- Deregister or deactivate the console as your primary or home console. On PlayStation and Nintendo consoles this setting controls shared access to your digital games; Xbox has a similar home console setting. Do this before you sell so the slot is free for your next console.
- Sign out and remove your account and any other users' accounts from the console.
- Factory reset using the console's official option, which may be called initialize, reset or restore factory settings. Follow the maker's support steps for your model.
- Remove discs from the drive and any memory cards or external drives you are keeping.
Afterward, sign in to your account on the maker's website and check that the console no longer appears in your device list.
Step 2: clean it
Unplug it, then wipe the case with a dry or slightly damp microfiber cloth. Use a soft brush or short bursts of compressed air on the vents. Clean controller grips and buttons with a cloth and a little isopropyl alcohol. Do not open the case unless you know how; describe dust inside instead.
Step 3: test everything
- It powers on, reaches the home screen and runs a game.
- The disc drive reads and ejects discs, on models that have one.
- Every HDMI or video port, USB port and the network connection.
- Each controller: all buttons, triggers, sticks (watch for drift), vibration and charging.
- The fan and noise level after a while of play, and any overheating.
- Older consoles: cartridge slots, memory cards, power supplies and AV cables.
Step 4: gather accessories and paperwork
The power cable, video cable, controllers, charging cables, stands and the original box all add appeal. A receipt can help show the console is not stolen. Write down exactly what is included.
Step 5: photograph it
- The console from the front, back and sides, on a plain surface in soft light.
- The console turned on, showing the home screen or the system information page with the storage.
- The model label on the back or bottom, with the serial number blurred in public photos.
- Each controller and cable, and the box if included.
- Close-ups of scratches, yellowing or damage.
Step 6: research the value
Editions, storage sizes, digital-only versions and special colors can sell very differently. Scan the console with WorthAI to identify the exact model and see an estimated worth with a range, a suggested asking price, a reading of buyer demand and the marketplace listings it found. Add a photo of the model label if it asks, or tap Refine Result. Then check recent sold prices for the same model with the same contents. Price valuable games separately; our guide to old video games explains which ones matter.
Step 7: choose where to sell
- General marketplaces: the widest audience, good for complete or retro consoles that ship well.
- Local selling: fast for current consoles and no shipping risk.
- Game stores and trade-in programs: quick and simple, usually for less than a private sale.
- Retro gaming groups: knowledgeable buyers for older systems, boxed consoles and repairs.
Bundles with popular games can sell faster, but valuable games are often worth more listed on their own.
Step 8: write the listing
Put the brand, model, edition and storage in the title, plus "with games" or "boxed" if true. Our listing title builder helps. In the description, list every item included, what you tested, any controller drift or faults, and that the console has been reset.
Step 9: price it and count the fees
Price from recent sales of the same contents. Use the resale profit calculator to see what you keep after fees and shipping, which matters for heavy consoles.
Step 10: ship or meet safely
Use the original box inside a larger shipping box if you can, or pad the console on every side. Pack cables and controllers separately so they do not scratch it. Use tracking. For local sales, meet in a busy public place, let the buyer see it running if possible, and take payment before handing it over.
After the sale
Keep tracking and photos until the sale is final, and check again that the console is gone from your account's device list.
Frequently asked questions
What should I do before selling my console?
Back up your saves, deregister it as your primary or home console, remove your accounts, factory reset it with the official option and take out any discs or storage you are keeping.
Do I lose my digital games if I sell my console?
No. Digital games are tied to your account, not the console. After you sign in on a new console, you can usually download them again.
Should I sell my console with games?
A bundle with popular games can sell faster. Valuable or collectible games are often worth more listed on their own, so check them first.