Steps to Fix Xbox Series X and S Not Connecting to Wired Internet
Fix 1: Restart Your Console
The first fix to try is to restart your console. This may sound like a basic solution, but it’s often effective in resolving connectivity issues. To restart your console:
- Press and hold onto the Xbox button on your controller to open the Power Centre.
- Then, select Restart console and choose Restart.
- If your console appears frozen, press and hold the Xbox button on it for ten seconds until it turns off.
- After the console shuts down, touch the Xbox button on it again to restart it.
This method is especially useful if your console has been in sleep mode for an extended period of time. Restarting your console clears its cache and resets its network connection, which can resolve any temporary connectivity issues.
If restarting doesn’t help or you can’t restart your Xbox, power cycling should help. Here’s how to power cycle your Xbox:
- Press and hold down the Power button for approximately 10 seconds.
- Wait until the console completely shuts down, then wait a minute before turning the console back on to check if the issue has been resolved.
- Alternatively, you can unplug all cables, wait for a minute, and then plug them back in before powering on the console again.
Fix 2: Run Network Diagnostic
The diagnostic test will examine your network connection and detect any problems affecting your Xbox One’s performance. These issues could include problems with your internet connection, network settings, or even the hardware of your Xbox One. Here’s how to run it:
- Press the Xbox button.
- Go to the System tab (gear icon) and click on Settings.
- Select Network and then Network settings.
- Click on Test network connection.
Fix 3: Unplug the Router, Modem or Gateway
Sometimes, network devices can encounter issues that prevent them from functioning properly. These issues can range from simple software glitches to more serious hardware problems. Unplugging your router, modem, or gateway for a few minutes can help reset these devices and clear any issues preventing your Xbox from connecting to the internet.
Unplugging your router, modem, or gateway is a relatively simple process. First, locate the power cable at the back of the device. This will typically be a thick cable with a plug at the end. Once you’ve located the power cable, pull it out of the device.
If you have both a router and a modem or gateway, be sure to unplug both devices. This will ensure that both devices are reset and any potential issues are cleared.
It’s recommended to leave your router, modem, or gateway unplugged for at least five minutes. This should give enough time for the devices to reset fully and any issues to be cleared.
After five minutes, plug your modem or gateway back in first. Wait for all the lights to return to normal before plugging your router back in. This will ensure that your devices are properly connected and communicating with each other.
Test your connection again by going to Profile & System > Settings > General > Network settings > Test network connection. If the connection test is not successful, continue to the next step.
Fix 4: Change the Network Cable
Unplug the Ethernet cable from the console and the networking device (your modem, router, or gateway). Use a different network cable to connect your console to the networking device. Test your connection again.
If you do not receive the same error, the network cable is the problem. Try using a cable that you know works.
Fix 5: Change the Port
If your computer is connected and working as expected, unplug the cable that connects your computer to your networking device. (Only unplug the cable from the networking device.) Take the cable connecting your console to your networking device and swap it from its current port on your networking device to the port being used for your computer. Leave the other end of this cable plugged into your console. Test your connection again.
If you do not receive the same error, the port on the networking device was the problem. Connect the network cable from your Xbox console to a different port on the networking device.
Fix 6: Change the Ethernet Port
If your computer is connected and working as expected, unplug the cable from the Ethernet port on your console. Take the cable that connects your computer to your networking device, unplug it from your computer, and plug it into the Ethernet port on your console. (Leave the other end connected to your networking device.) Test your connection again.
If you get the same error, there might be a problem with the Ethernet port on the console. For more information about repairing your console, see Device Service and Repair.
Fix 7: Connect Directly to the Modem
To identify the cause of the problem, you can temporarily connect your Xbox console directly to your modem instead of your router. Follow the steps below to perform this temporary solution:
First, unplug the network cable that connects your console to the router, leaving the other end of the cable connected to the console. Then, unplug the network cable that connects the modem to the router. At this point, neither the modem nor the console should be connected to the router.
Next, connect your console directly to the modem using the same cable that was connecting your console to the router. Turn off your console by pressing and holding the Xbox button for at least 5 seconds, then unplug the modem’s power cord.
Wait for one minute, then plug the modem back in and wait for all the lights to return to their normal state. Turn on your console and test your connection by going to Profile & System > Settings > General > Network settings > Test network connection.
If the connection test is successful, your console and modem are working correctly, and the issue may be with your router’s firmware or a hardware failure. You can try updating your router’s firmware, restoring it to factory defaults, or purchasing a new one.
If the connection test is still unsuccessful even with a direct-to-modem connection, proceed to the next step in troubleshooting.
Fix 8: Update your Xbox
Microsoft regularly releases updates for the Xbox consoles to improve the system’s performance and fix any bugs or issues. So, if you’re experiencing connectivity problems, it’s worth checking if your console is running on the latest software version.
To update your Xbox, follow these steps:
- Press the Xbox button on your controller to open the guide.
- Go to Profile & System > Settings > System.
- Select Updates & Downloads.
- It will appear under the Console update section if an update is available.
- Select the update and follow the on-screen instructions to download and install it.
- Once the update is complete, restart your console and check if the wired internet connection is working.
Fix 9: Reset MAC Address and Set a Static IP
One way to address connection issues on Xbox is to reset the MAC address and assign a static IP address. Although resetting the MAC address is not a guaranteed solution, it has been known to work in some cases.
If you encounter difficulty setting up a static IP address, a step-by-step guide is available for Windows 10. Once the IP address is set up on Windows, it will also apply to Xbox. This troubleshooting step is harmless and will not result in data loss.
To reset the MAC address on Xbox One, go to Settings > All settings > Network > Network settings > Advanced network settings > Alternate MAC address > Clear. The console will restart.
If the issue only affects the Ethernet connection, try using Wi-Fi IP and DNS and applying it to the wired connection. To avoid IP issues and allow port forwarding, use a static IP address instead of a dynamic one.
To set a static IP address on Xbox One, go to Settings > All settings > Network > Network settings > Advanced settings > IP settings > Manual and enter the required information.
Final Words
That’s how you fix internet issues on your Xbox X / S. Internet issues are extremely frustrating, especially when you can’t play your favourite game. Thankfully, we have provided nine easy fixes that you can try to fix this issue. Make sure you try all the solutions, and if the issue persists, contact Microsoft support. Lastly, let us know in the comments section below if you have further questions. We will try to help you out.
