Xbox Live connectivity FAQ
By GhostReconFan
This FAQ is dedicated outlining common connection problems on Xbox Live, and answers to frequently asked technical questions; all explained in plain english. This FAQ is constantly under revision. If you find something that is not done the exact way you need to, it may be added in the next update.
If you have something you would like to see in this FAQ please email it to me limpin57@yahoo.com, and include a detailed description of what you would like to see
Before I start I would like to say what some of the instructions mean before you attempt them. Click means hover over the object intended and press the left mouse button. Right click means hover over the object intended and press the right mouse button. Scroll means to move the selected page down. Select means to use your Xbox controller or mouse to hover on an item and either click it or press the A button on it.
What should I do if I am having trouble connecting to Xbox Live using a router?
The first thing you need to do to troubleshoot your connecting is to reset your router. This will solve you problem 90% of the time. The second thing you will need to do is connect your Xbox directly to your modem. Now you may be thinking that the Xbox is just a computer and your computer gets on just fine, but this just isn't true. I won't get into the technical specifications on this, but there are valid reasons. The third thing you need to do in trouble shooting your connection is to check out the list of Xbox Live compatible devices. If your router is listed on this page then you should be able to work around your trouble connecting to Xbox Live by ensuring that you have your router's firmware up to date. If your router is not labeled as Xbox Live compatible then you will need to workaround your connectivity issues with the information in this FAQ.
How do I upgrade the firmware on my device?
Firmware is basically the software that your router uses to run. Your computer may use Windows 98, Windows NT, or Windows 2000, while a router uses firmware. Firmware is just like a hardware device's operating system. Firmware for each brand of router is different, but they will still call it firmware. In some cases your firmware may be restricting your ability to connect to Xbox Live and/or host games on Xbox Live. This section will show you how to upgrade the firmware on the most commonly used Xbox Live compatible routers. If your router isn't Xbox Live compatible you do not need to worry, each brand of routers normally use the same method of upgrading firmware. The first step to upgrading the firmware on your router is to visit the manufacture’s website, search for your model number, and then download the firmware. Dlink, Linksys, and Microsoft.
You should note that the IP addresses of the devices listed are the defaults; if you changed them, then you will need to use the one you configured it to be.
Upgrading firmware on a Linksys brand router
1. Click Here 2. There is no username, and the password is "admin" without the quotes 3. Click the navigation bar on the top of that page that says status 4. Check the 'Firmware Version' if this is lower that the one you found on the Linksys website then you will need to continue upgrading 5. Download the file off of the manufacture’s website 6. Unzip the file you downloaded using an 'Unzipping' program such as Winzip. Windows XP includes its own unzipping program 7. Save the unzipped file to your desktop 8. Click the browse button on the Upgrade Firmware page 9. Select the firmware 10. Click the Upgrade button
Upgrading firmware on a Dlink brand router
1. Click Here 2. The username is "admin" without the quotes, there is no password 3. Check the 'Current Firmware Version' if this is lower that the one you found on the Dlink website then you will need to continue upgrading 4. Download the file off of the manufacter's website 5. Save the file to your desktop 6. Click the browse button on you desktop 7. Click Apply
Upgrading firmware on a Microsoft brand router or the Xbox Wireless adapter
All Xbox Live compatible Microsoft brand products provide a self install file available on the link posted previously.
What should I do if I still have connection trouble using a router?
If you still can not connect this would indicate that your router is not Xbox Live compatible, but you should still be able to work around your router.
Working around this problem with a non Xbox Live compatible router is a little more difficult then upgrading your firmware, but it is still possible.
The first thing you will need to do is find out the MAC address of the device you are trying to set in something called a Demilitarized Zone (DMZ). A DMZ is a router's capability to make your Xbox act as if it where connected directly to your modem, and it is quite easy to do.
Use this to find the MAC address of your Xbox 1. Turn on your Xbox without a disc in the drive, or turn it on with the large eject button 2. If you are not taken there already select Xbox Live, if you are automatically taken to the Xbox Live screen then press B until you are viewing the main Xbox dashboard, then select settings 3. Scroll down to network settings, and select it 4. On the middle right of the screen there will be a box that has your Xbox's MAC address on it
If you are using a wireless device such as the Xbox wireless adapter then you will need to look on and around the device or its packaging for a label that says 'MAC ID', 'MAC Address', or 'Physical Address'.
Linksys brand router
Note: There are older Linksys routers, that do not use these instructions; if you have questions about configuring these routers email me limpin57@yahoo.com. There is also an issue envolving UPnP that can cause the Xbox to have connectivity problems
1. Turn on your Xbox without a disc in the drive 2. Press B twice, to ensure you are viewing the main menu 3. Open "Settings" 4. Open "Network Settings" 5. Select "IP Settings" 6. Enter this information: IP address = 192.168.1.110 Default Gateway = 192.168.1.1 Subnet Mask = 255.255.255.0
7. Apply those settings with the applicable button 8. Restart your Xbox, and try to connect to Xbox Live (even if it fails proceed) 9. Click Here 10. By default there is no username, and the password is "admin" 11. Select the "Applications and Gaming" tab 12. Select the "DMZ" tab 13. Click "Enable" 14. Enter 110 into the textbox 15. Click "Save Settings" 16. Unplug your router for 3 minutes, and plug it back in
UPnP issue
1. Click Here 2. There is no username, and by default the password is "admin" 3. Click the "Administration" tab at the top right of the screen 4. There should be an option to disable UPnP, disable it (if there isn't an option look around in the multiple navigation areas the administration section has to offer, i'm going by memory here so this may not be entirly accurate) 5. Try to connect to Xbox Live through your router 6. If it doesn't work, enable UPnP again 7. Try to connect to Xbox Live again
Dlink brand router 1. Click Here 2. The username is "admin" without the quotes, there is no password 3. Look for the device with the MAC address that you found 4. Copy the IP address for this device (i.e. 192.168.0.100) 5. Click the Advanced tab on the top middle of the screen 6. On the left side navigation bar click DMZ 7. Enter the last 3 digits of the IP address you copied earlier 8. Press the apply button
Netgear brand router
Netgear routers are product specific, you can find instructions how to setup a DMZ by looking in your product documentation or viewing the Netgear Xbox Live Troubleshooting page and the DMZ setup page.
Be aware that Netgear routers use a technology called SPI or Stateful Packet Inspection, which can cause unavoidable problems with your Xbox Live play.
What should I do if I am having trouble connecting to Xbox Live using a Windows Internet Connection Sharing?
The first step to troubleshooting your connection with Windows Internet Connection Sharing (ICS) is to ensure that all of the settings in your Xbox dashboard are set to "Automatic".
Use this to check the status of your settings and change them if necessary: 1. Turn on your Xbox without a disc in the drive, or turn it on with the large eject button 2. If you are not taken there already select Xbox Live, if you are automatically taken to the Xbox Live screen then press B until you are viewing the main Xbox dashboard, then select settings 3. Scroll down to network settings, and select it 4. Ensure each option is set to Automatic, if it is not press A on it then press A on the option to change it from Automatic to Manual
If your Xbox is failing at the 'Cables' step then you are likely using the wrong type of cable. You will need to purchase something called a CAT 5 crossover ethernet cable with Rj-45 connectors. Now don't let this terminology deceive you, it is really quite simple. The 'CAT 5' is the rating of the cable, and it signifies the speed that this cable can support. The 'Crossover' means that there are a few wires on the inside of the cable switched around. This is used for connecting a computer directly to another computer, and an Xbox to a computer. The final term 'Rj-45' is the type of plug on the end of the cable. This is basically just an enlarged phone line connector as a phone connector has connectors that are Rj-11. While purchasing the cable you may also see a label that is either 'UTP' or 'STP', which means that it is an 'Unshielded Twisted Pair' or 'Shielded Twisted Pair'. This is not important to you so there is no need to worry about it. If you seem to be having trouble with finding the cable you would like to use then you can just purchase an Xbox system link cable, which meets all of the requirements for connecting your Xbox to Xbox Live using Windows ICS.
If your Xbox is failing at the 'IP' or the 'DNS' steps then you should first try restarting your computer. If this is unsuccessful then you need to make sure you followed Xbox support's instructions on setting up Windows ICS:
Setup: Windows ME Windows 98 SE Windows 2000 Windows XP
If you have still not succeeded in setting up Windows ICS then you may have some personal firewall software on your computer. If this is so then, in most cases, your Xbox would fail at the absolute last step. Here are a few workaround for common personal firewall software:
Norton Internet Security and Norton Personal Firewall
1. Double click the Norton Icon on your desktop 2. Once NIS is loaded click on Personal Firewall 3. Click the configure button that appears in the bottom right hand corner 4. If you have set a password you will need to enter it here 5. On the top right of the screen click the Advanced tab 6. Click General Rules 7. Click Add 8. Select Permit (Click the Next button when applicable*) 9. Click connections to and from other computers* 10. Click Any Computer* 11. Under 'What protocols do you want to permit?' click TCP and UDP (For those of you that are concerned this will open up the port for the Kerberos protocol, which in no way can harm your computer) 12. Under 'What types of communications do you want to permit?' Click the only types of communications or ports listed below 13. Click Add 14. Click individually specified ports 15. You will need to repeat step 14 until the following ports are opened, and a rule is created for both 'Local' and 'Remote'*: 3074 88 16. Click Next 17. Name it 'Xbox Live'
Mcafee Firewall Plus
1. Right-click the McAfee icon by your system clock 2. Click Personal Firewall 3. Click Inbound Event 4. Right-click on the event that used the port 5. Click Allow Traffic on this Port 6. Modify the port and name, as needed 7. Click OK
ZoneAlarm Personal Firewall
1. Double click the ZoneAlarm tray icon 2. Click the Firewall tab on the left side of the screen 3. Click the Expert tab on the top of the screen 4. Click the Add button 5. Click the Modify button under Protocol 6. Click Add Protocol 7. Click Add Protocol 8. Name the first 'Xbox Live1', the second 'Xbox Live2', and the third 'Xbox Live3' 9. Repeat step 5-8 until you have 3 rules that use the following information: Protocol: TCP 3074 Protocol: UDP 3074 Protocol: UDP 88 10. Ensure that under general that the following settings are correct: Rank: 1 Name: Xbox Live workaround Comments: None State: Enabled Action: Allow Track: Which ever option you would like to use
What should I do if I am having trouble connecting to Xbox Live while connecting directly to my modem?
There are a few causes to this issue, but normally it has to do with your modem remembering something called a MAC address. When you connect your computer or other device to your modem your modem will remember its MAC address, and may cut off the internet connection to another device connected to it. It can cause three of the errors you get when trying to connect.
Use this to solve the DNS not resolved error: 1. Click the "Start" button on your desktop 2. Click "Run" 3. Type "cmd" if you are using Windows 2000 or Windows XP, otherwise use "command" 4. Type "ipconfig/all " if you are using Windows 2000 or Windows XP, otherwise use "winipcfg" 5. When you get to your default enabled connection copy down the letter/number sequence called the "Physical Address" or "MAC Address", and the "DNS Servers" 6. Unplug your modem 7. Turn on your Xbox without a disc in the drive 8. Go to "Settings" 9. Go to "Network Settings" 10. Go to "DNS settings" 11. Enter the DNS settings you copied down then apply the changes 12. Go to "Advanced" 13. Go to "MAC address" 14. Input that letter and number sequence 15. Press "ok" 16. Connect your Xbox to your modem
Use this to solve the IP not confirmed error: 1. Click the "Start" button on your desktop 2. Click "Run" 3. Type "cmd" if you are using Windows 2000 or Windows XP, otherwise use "command" 4. Type "ipconfig/all" if you are using Windows 2000 or Windows XP, otherwise use "winipcfg" 5. When you get to your default enabled connection copy down the letter/number sequence called the "Physical Address" or "MAC Address", and IP address 6. Unplug your modem 4. Turn on your Xbox without a disc in the drive 5. Go to "Settings" 6. Go to "Network Settings" 7. Go to "IP settings" 8. Enter the IP settings you copied down then apply apply the changes 9. Go to "Advanced" 10. Go to "MAC address" 11. Input the "Physical Address" or "MAC Address" you copied down 10. Connect your Xbox to your modem
If this does not work you may be using some sort of DSL service which likely requires something called PPPoE. In most cases you can't access this information from your computer. You will need to contact your internet service provider in order to obtain this information.
Why can't I host large games like other people can?
This section is going to get a little technical, but I will try to keep it as understandable as possible.
You may have tested your internet connection on websites such as DSL reports and received speeds that you feel would be adequate to host a game on Xbox Live. Well these tests use something called TCP (Transmission and Control Protocol), which is one of the many methods that computers use to communicate. Now you're thinking, why didn't they use TCP for Xbox Live?
Well this is because every time a TCP packet (Which is just another word for a message sent between clients/servers) is sent the sending machine expects to receive an acknowledgement packet in return. If this packet is not received guess what happens?
It sends yet another packet, and will continue until it received the acknowledgement packet. Then it will send a packet saying “I acknowledge your acknowledgement”. Now normal internet applications such as internet browsing, and internet relay chat will not be affected by the retransmission of packets, but online video games will be greatly affected by this.
Now Xbox Live and many other internet games use something called UDP (User Datagram Protocol). Now this packet will send a packet and then forget it. So there is no acknowledgement packet sent back to the client computer, which in turn decreases stress on the server/client Xboxes. So back to the issue of hosting, why can't I host large games because Xbox Live uses UDP communications?
There are three factors in this issue. The first is your modem's ability to transmit UDP packets. If your modem can't handle the increased upload traffic then you won't be able to host.
The second factor is your ISP's ability and restrictions to upload UDP packets, just like your modem, if it can't handle the traffic then you won't be able to host.
The final factors are your ping time and download speed. Now your ping time (otherwise known as latency) which is at what speed communications from your Xbox can get to another's Xbox. Your download is at what speed you can get information from other Xboxes. If your ping time is too high then you will not only be unable to host, but you will not be able to play without getting something called lag (lag is a performance decrease while playing Xbox Live; Try loading a few pages simultaneously on a computer while playing on Xbox Live and you will know what I mean exactly). If your download is too low then you will not be able to get information fast enough and you will get the same effect.
Why can't I use Xbox Live with satellite internet?
Two way satellite internet can obtain speeds comparable to cable or DSL, so why can't you use it with Xbox Live? Well satellite internet uses one geosynchronous satellite and two terrestrial satellite dishes. This can cause a large amount of latency, and as mentioned earlier the greater the latency the greater amount of 'lag' you will get. So you may be able to connect to Xbox Live but you will have game performance so poor that you will not enjoy it at all.
How do I setup a wireless connection to Xbox Live?
If you are tired of being restricted by cables, or need to have your Xbox somewhere other then it is now then wireless is for you. First you need to determine weather you will go with 802.11b or 802.11g. These are the two most common types of wireless equipment. 802.11b (Wireless B) operates at 11 mega bits per second, and 802.11g (Wireless G) operates at 54 mega bits per second. Well now you're thinking "Hey let's just go with Wireless G, because it's faster", but that is really not the case. Wireless G products are much more expensive then Wireless B products, but because they offer greater speeds they are less subjectable to speed loss at a greater distance. For example if you where using a Wireless B network, and you had 50% loss of the speed you would be at 5.5 mega bits per second; on a Wireless G network you would be getting 26 mega bits per second.
What causes the speed loss?
This loss can be caused by many things, which includes: The number of walls the signal must traval through, the number of floors the signal must travel through, the type of material the signal must travel through, and the amount of electro magnetic interference (which is caused by electronic devices). These are the major causes, but there are additional causes you may want to research.
So which one is right for me?
If your signal will only need to travel through one floor and wall made of wood or sheetrock then Wireless B would be the way to go. If you need to travel through more then two floors or three walls then you will definitely need to get Wireless G equipment. If you find Wireless G equipment that you would rather have, keep in mind it should be Xbox Live compatible. After that there becomes a point where wireless may not be a good option for you.
What equipment should I purchase?
Currently the only Xbox Live compatible wireless adapter would be the Microsoft MN-740, although there are companies that provide support for their products on Xbox Live as well as system link. These products are normally cheaper then the Microsoft made wireless adapter; however, these wireless adapters are not officially supported by Microsoft therefore you can not obtain official Xbox support for these products. Once you have your wireless adapter you will want to purchase the appropriate wireless router. If you are going with Wireless G then I would suggest the Microsoft MN-700, or the Dlink DI-614+ for Wireless B. Once you have done that you will need to configure your wireless adapter. If you are using the MN-740 you can connect it to the Xbox then use this procedure to access the wireless configuration portion of the Xbox Live dashboard:
1. Turn on your Xbox without a disc in the drive, or turn it on with the large eject button 2. If you are not taken there already select Xbox Live, if you are automatically taken to the Xbox Live screen then press B until you are viewing the main Xbox dashboard, then select settings 3. Scroll down to network settings, and select it 4. Select the Advanced option 5. Select the Wireless Menu
What should I do if my problem was not answered here? If your problem was not answered by this FAQ go to the Technical Issues Forum (if you're not there already), and click the "New Thread" button.
Write a descriptive topic title, and include this information in the body:
1. How are you connecting to Xbox Live? Direct connection to modem, router connection, or Windows Internet Connection sharing 2. If you are using a router what is the brand name, model number, and title (example: Dlink DI-614+ Wireless B Broadband router) 3. If you are using a router what firmware version do you have? If you can't answer this question keep proceeding 4. If you are using a router are you connecting wirelessly? 4. If you are using Windows Internet Connection Sharing what operating system are you using? 5. If you are using Windows Internet Connection Sharing what firewall software do you have installed on your computer? 6. What internet service provider are you using? 7. In the Xbox Live dashboard when trying to connect, at which trouble shooting step does your connection fail?