Share this article

Improve this guide

Xbox Won’t Connect to WiFi: How to Fix It If Everything Else Does

Solve the connection issue in no time using our expert guide

7 min. read

Updated onFebruary 22, 2024

updated onFebruary 22, 2024

Share this article

Improve this guide

Read our disclosure page to find out how can you help Windows Report sustain the editorial teamRead more

Xbox consoles connect to Xbox Live service for features such asonline gaming, video streaming and others, but this happens only when the connection is working well.

Unfortunately, due to different technical issues, sometimes yourXbox won’t connect to Wi-Fior other internet connections you may be using, and these can prevent you from joining your console to a network, or to Xbox Live.

Usually, when Xbox won’t connect to Wi-Fi or to your wireless network, the error will appear on the Xbox screen recommending a power cycle for your router or gateway device to fix the issue.

But, if the administrator of the router changed the Wi-Fi password recently, then you’d have to update your console to avoid such failures in future.

Here’s a list of the solutions you can use when Xbox won’t connect to Wi-Fi.

What can I do if Xbox won’t connect to Wi-Fi but everything else does:

1. Rerun the Network Connection Test

Do this on your console to verify the specific error message you’re getting, by doing the following:

2. Power cycle your console and network hardware

Unplug the power cable from the back of therouter, modem, or gateway for a few minutes. If you have a router and a modem, unplug their power cables then restart your Xbox One console by doing this:

NoteIf you are prompted to update your console software, selectYes.

3. Disconnect third-party headsets

Theseheadsetscan cause active interference because they broadcast on the same frequency as wireless routers. To find the problematic headset, do this:

4. Make sure that the router is broadcasting the correct SSID

Verify that your console is connecting to the correct SSID, then test your Xbox Live connection again. If this solution worked, your console will connect to Xbox Live.

Otherwise, you might need to test your console in analternate location, check your router connectivity issues or look for a new one.

5. Confirm the Wi-Fi password

To confirm the password for a wireless network using a Windows 10 computer that is already connected to the network, do this:

NoteIf the option toShow Charactersis not available, you may not be logged in with the Administrator account on the computer.

Learn everything there is to know about the administrator account and how you can enable/disable itright here!

6. Check for other wireless interference

There are two types of interferences: active and passive. Active ones include electronic devices that broadcast a wireless signal or cause electromagnetic interference, while passive happens when a wireless signal passes through objects, causing the signal to be weak and refracted.

Remove devices such as microwaves, air conditioners, ovens, CRT televisions, baby monitors, other wireless networks, cordless phones, and wireless speakers, between your console and router, to minimize such interference.

Other objects like glass, lead, copper piping, concrete, insulation, mirrors, gun safes, filing cabinets, tile, and plaster should be discarded, however, the wireless signal also degrades over distance.

After you have determined the best line of sight configuration for your devices and have removed as many causes of interference as possible, test your Xbox Live connection.

7. Check for MAC filtering

Wireless routers can prevent unauthorized network access by using a feature called MAC filtering. However, MAC filtering can also prevent your console from connecting to Xbox Live.

If it is turned on, add your console’s MAC address to your router’s authorized list, or, turn off MAC filtering temporarily on your router to see if MAC filtering is preventing your console from connecting to Xbox Live.

To add your console’s MAC address to your router’s authorized list, do this:

You can also set analternate MAC address on Xboxto address this issue, so don’t hesitate to try that.

8. Change the wireless channel

A wireless router can broadcast on several different channels. If another nearby wireless network is broadcasting on the same channel, or if there is wireless interference from devices, you may experience poor signal strength from your wireless network.

To resolve this issue, try changing the channel on which your router broadcasts.

Note:Most wireless routers have a channel width of either 20 MHz or 40 MHz available as a configurable option. TheXbox Oneprefers a 20 MHz setting.

After you change your wireless channel, test your Xbox Live connection.

9. Check the wireless channel width

A wireless router can broadcast on differentchannel widths. Most wireless routers have a channel width of either 20 MHz or 40 MHz available as a configurable option. TheXbox Oneconsole prefers a 20 MHz setting.

To resolve your connection issue, first make sure that your wireless router is configured to broadcast on a 20 MHz setting. After you have verified your wireless router is set to a channel width of 20 MHz, test your Xbox Live connection.

10. Check for low wireless signal

A weak wireless signal can mean Xbox won’t connect to Wi-Fi. You can check your wireless signal strength on theXbox Oneconsole by doing this:

You can also try a wired connection to router, a direct-to-modem connection, or connect directly to your modem, then test your Xbox Live connection.

11. Test your connection in another location

In case your Xbox is connecting in a different location, you should considerreplacing your routerandfix network issues.

If Xbox won’t connect to Wi-Fi even after using the above solutions, there may be something wrong with the internalwireless adapter, or your console needs repair. You can submit an online repair request at theXbox Online Service Centerto get your console repaired.

Let us know if any of these solutions helped by leaving a comment in the section below.

Also, leave there any other questions or suggestions you may have and we’ll be sure to check them out.

Xbox Won’t Connect to WiFi: How to Fix It If Everything Else Does#

What can I do if Xbox won’t connect to Wi-Fi but everything else does:#

1. Rerun the Network Connection Test#

2. Power cycle your console and network hardware#

3. Disconnect third-party headsets#

4. Make sure that the router is broadcasting the correct SSID#

5. Confirm the Wi-Fi password#

6. Check for other wireless interference#

7. Check for MAC filtering#

8. Change the wireless channel#

9. Check the wireless channel width#

10. Check for low wireless signal#

11. Test your connection in another location#