FAQs

Wireless Gaming How to setup the Official Wireless Adapter

Details

Written by Administrator

There are a lot of questions about wireless gaming with the Xbox 360, of course wireless gaming was always possible on the Xbox 1, but now there is a USB wireless solution for the X360.

First of all, the actual set-up of the Xbox 1 and Xbox360 for system-link or Xbox live is no different. So if you've already got a wired set-up for live for your current Xbox, it will work with the X360. If you've already got a wireless set-up using a wireless router and an Ethernet based wireless gaming adapter/bridge that will work fine too.

Microsoft offer the ability to purchase a USB based Wireless gaming adapter

The pro's

The pro's for getting this are its a neat and tidy solution, you don't need a power supply to power an external wireless gaming adapter as this adapter gets its power from the Xbox itself.

It can cater for 802.11A which is the same speed as Wireless G (54mb) but sits in a less cluttered frequency, however, if you already have a wireless set-up the chances are your kit will not support wireless A anyway as its relatively new to the U.K. And as newer standards like "N" are already wireless A will never take off in the UK.

The con's

Its quite expensive. Twice as much as current USB wireless adapters that you can get for your PC (which will not work with the X360 by the way). Also, if you've already got a wireless set-up there's not much point in buying this.

* PLEASE NOTE * - PC USB Wireless adaptors do not work with the Xbox 360. Only the official adaptor by Microsoft and the Datel Max Wireless adaptor (which is the same price as the official adaptor) work on the 360. Other Ethernet based adapters will work. But the Official Microsoft one is the only one you can connect using USB.

Other Wireless Equipment

You need to use the Official adapter in conjunction with a Wireless router or Wireless bridge. Please see the Equipment section for my recommendations on such equipment.

Preparing your network for the Official Adapter

Before you start it is best to have everything you need upfront. If your wireless network is running wireless security (if not why not? See here) you are going to need to find the wireless security key.

The best thing to do is to download a manual for your router from your manufacturers website. Turn over your router and look for a sticker as it will show you the exact model of router your using. I appreciate some people are wary of configuring routers and that is fine, but you should try to become familiar with your routers settings and downloading the manual will explain how to access your routers settings via your web browser, if you can surf the net you can view your routers settings its very easy to do.

When you have downloaded your manual and accessed your router via the web browser, note down your wireless WEP or WPA key as you will need to enter this soon. Also some routers are configured to have "mac address lists" or "wireless station list" or "mac filtering" this is an added feature where you can control which devices have access to your wireless network based on the unique address of their network device. If you have this turned on you will need to find out the mac address of your Xbox 360, look here for details and enter the address into your routers list.

TIP Some routers have the wireless network key printed on a sticker underneath the router. DO NOT USE IT. Its only a sticker! Many times its wrong and also your settings could have been changed so the info on the sticker is worthless. ALWAYS check the router settings direct or you could be wasting your time inputting a code that doesn't work.

The Wireless Adapter LED and what the colours indicate

The adapter has an LED that indicates the current status of the adapter, below is a description of what they mean.

No light (unlit)

The adapter has no power so will not work, things to try:-

• Try unplugging the adapter and plugging it back in again (try a few times)
• Try plugging the adapter into one of the other USB ports, there is one at the rear and two at the front, try them all
• If you have tried them all try another USB device in one of the ports like an iPod or USB drive, this proves your 360 USB port(s) are working ok, put the adapter back in the Xbox, if the adapter is still not lit on the Xbox Dashboard choose My Xbox/System Settings/Network Settings, Select Edit Settings, Select the Wireless mode setting. If that option is greyed out it is very likely that the adapter is fautly and needs to be replaced

Red

The adapter is ready for configuration

Flashing Red 

The adapter has a fault please contact customer support/return to store.

Green

The adapter is connected to a wireless network

Installing the Official adapter

Plug the adapter into the rear USB port.

• If you are installing the Official Wireless N Adapter and your Xbox has never connected to Xbox Live before (and therefore doesn't have the latest updates) ensure you use the CD provided to install the correct drivers on the Xbox, see here for more help

Instructions for Older Dashboard

• On the Xbox Dashboard choose Settings/System/Network Settings
• Select Configure network
• On the basic settings select Wireless mode/Scan for networks
• On the Select Wireless Network Page select your wireless network (if more than one appear, check your router configuration for your SSID, that is the name of your network)
• At this stage, if you have wireless security configured, you will be required to enter a WEP or WPA key. Again, check your router configuration for these details
• You should now be able to connect to live, if not, see the troubleshooting section.

Instructions for Latest Dashboard

• On the Xbox Dashboard choose Settings/System/Network Settings
• On the Select Wireless Network Page select your wireless network (if more than one appear, check your router configuration for your SSID, that is the name of your network)
• At this stage, if you have wireless security configured, you will be required to enter a WEP or WPA key. Again, check your router configuration for these details
• You should now be able to connect to live, if not, see the troubleshooting section.

Troubleshooting the adapter

Some people are having trouble getting the official adapter working. Mainly people using WEP security.

The usual error to recieve is IP Address Failed if you receive this message it is usually down to wireless security, see our IP Address FAQ

You have either entered an incorrect WEP or WPA key. And/or you have MAC Address Filtering enabled on your router. If you have filtering enabled you must enter the mac address of your Xbox into the router for your connection to work.

I would recommended temporarily taking WEP off your router until you get the connection working correctly. Then re-apply WEP and use the Key 1 passcode for security and not the Key's 2 or 3 as these seem to cause problems. If Key 1 does not work. Try Key 4

The number one issue when setting up the Wireless adapter is wireless security. If your wireless router is running WEP or WPA-PSK. You need these details to setup the Wireless adaptor. Also, some routers will not let new wireless devices register unless you enter the "MAC Address" of the new device into the router. This is a very common problem people have when setting up the adaptor.

Look here for more help on troubleshooting wireless:- troubleshooting section.

Wireless Security

If you are setting up a Wireless network don't forget to secure your wireless network it is VERY important. This is covered in more detail in the Wireless Security FAQ

Any alternatives?

Yes, you can use virtually any ethernet wireless bridge/gaming adapter. But I would not recommend these if you are a novice to networking, as they are harder to configure than the Official adapter. The money you save buying a bridge can be lost be fiddling for days trying to get it working.

Some routers are not compatible with the Official Adapter

Please see this article for more information