If your Xbox won’t connect to Wifi, you have nothing much to do with the console. Without a net connection, you are unable to explore copious features on the gaming console. Specifically, you will lose the ability to play Xbox live video games, stream videos, or install new games.
There could be many reasons behind the Wi-Fi connectivity failure. From Wi-Fi settings to Wi-Fi signal – anything can lead to the Wi-Fi connectivity issue of Xbox.
It may take a while to address the issue if you do not have proper guidelines. Go through the blog and explore all possibilities to fix your Xbox that won’t connect to WiFi.
Why Xbox Won’t Connect to WiFi?
When an Xbox One won’t connect to Wi-Fi, the issue may typically be jotted down to three factors:
1. Networking Equipment Issues:
Routers and modems are responsible for a large number of Wi-Fi connectivity issues. Typically, power cycling the networking equipment will resolve these issues.
2. Xbox One Issues:
There might be a software or hardware issue with your system. There isn’t much you can do if the Wi-Fi card fails. If it’s a software issue, rebooting your Xbox One generally solves the problem.
3. Distance and Interference:
The majority of Xbox One Wi-Fi issues are caused by the console being too far away from the wireless router or by too much congestion on the same frequency as the network. Shifting the console or router, eliminating the source of interruption, or switching to any other type of connection can all help with these issues.
How to Fix an Xbox That Won’t Connect to WiFi?
Xbox won’t connect to Wi-Fi – in order to mitigate the issue, you may need to check the WiFi connectivity, Wi-Fi setting, other network issues, and a few steps more. You have to start somewhere.
According to the Xbox support team, you may confront three typical errors; such as Can’t connect to your wireless network error, Your security protocol won’t work error and There’s a problem with network quality error.
In this article, we have summed up all the possibilities that may be leading to the issue and how to resolve it.
1. Check your Network connection
Network connection failure could be why your Xbox One fails to connect to Wi-Fi. You need to check if the network signal is good; however, the first thing that you may need to check is if your wireless router is broadcasting the network name.
Every few seconds, a wireless router transmits its network name (SSID). Your console may not be able to “see” the wireless network if the router is not transmitting the network name.
If no other Wi-Fi can discover your network, the issue is most likely with your router rather than your console. To resolve the problem, make sure the router is transmitting the right SSID. To learn how to set up and upgrade your unique network gear, it is recommended to consult your router manual or the manufacturer’s website.
2. Power Cycle Your Network Hardware
For 5 minutes, unplug the power wire from the router, modem, or gateway. Unplug the power cables from both the router and the modem.
You should restart the console. To access the Power Centre, press and hold the Xbox button in the center of your controller. Restart the console by selecting Restart and then Restart. (If the console seems to be frozen, it is suggested to press and hold the Xbox button for 10 seconds until it shuts off.) Touch the Xbox button on the console again and restart it after it has shut off.)
After 5 minutes, plug in the modem or gateway first and wait for all of the lights to turn back on.
If you’re using a router, connect it and wait for all of the lights to restore to their previous condition. Test your connection – Profile & system > Settings > General > Network settings > Test network connection. Continue to the next step if your Xbox won’t connect to wifi.
3. Disconnect Headsets
Because they transmit on the same frequency as Wi-Fi routers, third-party wireless headphones can cause active interference. Disconnect the power of the wireless headset’s base station to see if the headset is the source of the problem. Then check your connection: Profile & system > Settings > General > Network settings > Test network connection.
Your Xbox should now connect if the issue was caused by the wireless headset. Continue to the next step if the connectivity test is unsuccessful as the Xbox won’t connect to wifi.
4. Check MAC filtering
MAC filtering is a function that wireless routers may use to prevent unauthorized network access. MAC filtering, unfortunately, can also block your Xbox from connecting. If you have MAC filtering enabled, here is what to do:
Add the MAC address of your console to the router’s authorized list. Alternatively, briefly disable MAC filtering on your router to check if this is blocking your Xbox from connecting.
You’ll need to collect your console’s MAC address in order to put it on the router’s authorized list. Here’s how to do it:
- To access the instructions, press the Xbox button.
- Choose Profile & System> Settings > General > Network settings from the drop-down menu.
- Choose Advanced options.
- Make a note of your MAC address for wireless.
Then, add the MAC address of your console to your WiFi’s list of authorized MAC addresses. Refer to your router’s instructions to alter MAC filtering settings. Before attempting to connect, restart your router if the MAC filtering settings have been changed.
Then check your connection: Profile & system > Settings > General > Network settings > Test network connection. Continue to the next step if the connectivity test is unsuccessful.
5. Check Other Wireless Interference
Other wireless interference that you may confront:
Active interference: When other electronic equipment is transmitting a wireless signal or generating some other sort of electromagnetic interference, this is known as active interference. Microwaves, ovens, air conditioners, CRT TVs, wireless headphones, other wireless networks, baby monitors, cordless phones, and wireless speakers are some of the sources of active interference.
Passive interference: When a Wi-Fi signal travels through things, passive interference develops. The wireless signal gets attenuated and refracted as a result of this. Concrete, glass, lead and copper plumbing, insulation, gun safes, mirrors, file cabinets, tiling, and plaster are examples of passive interference materials.
Attenuation: When a wireless signal travels a long distance, it attenuates. The broadcast range of routers is restricted, and it varies from machine to machine. When a device’s signal travels through solid things, its range is further restricted. The Xbox console should be kept between 5 and 50 feet away from the wireless router.
Line of sight: When dealing with interference, line of sight is crucial. Consider a straight line between your router and console, and aim to remove as many spots of interference as possible along that path. You can accomplish this by switching off or relocating any equipment that could produce interference along that line. To reduce interference, you can alternatively move the console or router. Wireless signals can typically be improved by moving devices away from entertainment cabinets or workstations.
Then check your connection: Profile & system > Settings > General > Network settings > Test network connection. Continue to the next step if your Xbox won’t connect to wifi.
6. Check Wireless Mode and Signal
When a wireless router is set to broadcast in “mixed” mode, it will constantly check for wireless devices before broadcasting a signal that is compliant with the network’s slowest device.
In densely populated locations with a high number of wireless devices, your router’s wireless signal may be constantly changed to ensure compliance with every gadget it detects. If your wifi re-configures itself regularly, this might result in connection or performance difficulties.
This problem may be solved by configuring your network to transmit in a specified manner. We recommend setting your Wi-Fi mode to “G only” mode since it has been shown to be the highest-performing mode across all Wi-Fi manufacturers.
On the other hand, slow game speed and connectivity troubles might be caused by a poor wifi signal. To check the strength of your wireless signal, go to:
- To access the instructions, press the Xbox button.
- Choose Profile & System> Settings > General > Network settings from the drop-down menu.
- Select Test network speed and statistics from the drop-down menu.
On the “Detailed network status” page, your wifi signal strength is displayed as a percentage. A signal strength of less than 20% is deemed poor and may contribute to Xbox won’t connect to wifi issue.
7. Improve Wi-Fi Signal Strength
You should check Detailed network statistics each time you use one of the following strategies to increase your signal strength to see whether it has improved. This will allow you to determine which solution(s) improved your signal the most, as well as which variables (interference, distance, and range), may have contributed to your connection problems:
- Remove your wifi off the floor and away from metal items and walls (like metal cabinets).
- Remove your Xbox system off the ground and keep it away from metal items and walls.
- Make the connection between your Xbox and your wifi router or gateway shorter.
- Look for active and passive wireless interference sources.
- Extend the range of your wireless network with a wireless repeater.
- Install a wireless bridge from the outside.
Once done, check your connection: Profile & system > Settings > General > Network settings > Test network connection. Continue to the next step if your Xbox still won’t connect to wifi.
8. Disable Wi-Fi Security
A wifi password aids in the security of your network. However, you may need to disable wifi security temporarily to figure out what’s causing your connection problems.
For help discovering precise information on how to set up your unique network hardware, see your router manuals or the manufacturer’s website. Test your connection after your wireless security is removed (Profile & system > Settings > General > Network settings > Test network connection).
If the connection test was successful, it means your router’s wireless security had to be completely disabled in order to connect. Despite the fact that your connection problem has been repaired, your connection is not secure and anybody may access it. You might wish to talk to your network administrator about resolving this security problem. You may try the following possibilities:
- Check with your router’s vendor to see if a firmware upgrade is available that you may try to install.
- Try resetting your router to its default settings. For assistance, you may need to examine your equipment manual or contact your wifi manufacturer.
- Purchase a new router.
Check if your Xbox still won’t connect to wifi. Proceed to the next step if the connectivity test is unsuccessful.
9. Try a Direct Modem Connection
Instead of connecting your console to your router, connect it straight to your modem. This is a workaround to assist you to figure out what’s preventing your Xbox to connect to wifi.
Your console and modem are both operating properly if you can connect via a direct-to-modem connection. You may need to alter a router configuration to reconnect using your router.
- Unplug the network connection linking your router to your Xbox console from your router.
- Unplug the network wire that links your modem to your Wi-Fi from the modem. Neither the Xbox nor the modem should be connected to a network at this time.
- Connect your Xbox to your modem straight now.
- To turn the console off, press and hold the Xbox button on the console for at least five seconds.
- Unplug the modem’s main connection from the rear.
- Reconnect the modem after one minute and wait for all of the lights to restore to normal.
Then check your connection: Profile & system > Settings > General > Network settings > Test network connection. Continue to the next step if the connectivity test is unsuccessful.
10. Try a Wired Connection to the Router
To test if the problem is with your router, connect to it through a cable connection and see if your Xbox connects to WiFi.
Connect your Xbox directly to your network hardware as the initial step. Here’s how to do it:
- Connect one end of a network cable to a router or gateway port. Depending on where your router is located, you may require a lengthy network cable.
- Connect the opposite end of the network connection to the console’s back.
- Test network connection.
Wrapping Up
Hope this step-by-step guide helped you to resolve the Wi-Fi connectivity issue of your Xbox One. Now that you are back online again, it is time to hit the game zone. Have more questions? Drop your queries in the comment box. Our experts are looking forward to guiding you through.
