Troubleshooting and Improving Wireless

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Parent Category: Frequently Asked Xbox Live Questions

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Are you having problems getting your Xbox 360 up and running with wireless? Read on

The Official Wireless N Adapter

Many people seem to be suffering similar issues when using the Official Wireless N Adapter, please read these tips if you are using yours for the first time 

• First ensure you read this FAQ first
• Ensure you have the very latest firmware for your router as many N routers were released pre-N meaning they release before the standards were fully agreed, ensure you have the latest firmware as any incompatiblity with the 360 N Adapter may have already been fixed
• If you still cannot connect in N mode (which is why you bought the adapter!) try the routers different wireless modes, some have a choice of options like (N Only) (N + G +B) (G Only). Try each mode and restart the router after each try and see which connects, if you can connect in G with no problems please inform your router vendors support team so they can fix the issue, if they don't know about it they can't fix it.
• If you still cannot connect in N mode and you are using WEP wireless security try changing this to WPA or WPA2 on the router, ensure all of your other wireless devices can support WPA and WPA2 first. WEP is not supported under Wireless N.

The Internal Wireless N Adapter for the Xbox 360 S 250GB

As well as all of the points above to consider you also need to be aware that some Wireless N routers can work at 2.4Ghz and 5Ghz or both. The new internal Wireless N adapter will only work at 2.4Ghz so ensure you have this enabled. It has also been found that in some cases it does not work with WEP and prefers WPA2-PSK (sometimes called Personal) with AES encryption (not TKIP) so in summary for the Internal wireless adapter these configurations seem to work best:-

• Encryption Settings:- WPA2-PSK (with AES) or (AES + TKIP) but NOT TKIP on its own
• Wireless N Frequency:- Wireless N set to 2.4Ghz as a minimum (allow both 2.4Ghz & 5Ghz if your router has the option but NOT 5Ghz only)
• Additional Security Features:- Wireless MAC Address Filtering, it is usually fine to have this option but if you still cannot connect and use this option and you are certain you have entered the correct mac address try turning the MAC Address Filtering off, it seems that some combinations of the new adapter and some routers don't like this option (if you think your router doesn't like mac filtering with the new adapter please let me know via e-mail or the forum it would be good to keep a list)
• Get up to date router firmware: Ensure your router firmware is up to date, don't rely on the routers internal "check for firmware updates" feature, go to the manufacturers website and check to see if there is a later version available. For example the Netgear WPN824v3 requires Firmware Version 1.0.8_1.0.7 (or above) for the Slim's Internal Wireless adapter to work.
• If you still cannot connect in N mode and you are using WEP wireless security try changing this to WPA or WPA2 on the router, ensure all of your other wireless devices can support WPA and WPA2 first. WEP is not supported under Wireless N.

Troubleshooting Wireless

There are a few things that can lead to people having trouble connecting to Xbox Live using Wireless or keeping a stable connection. Here's a list of the most common issues.

• Some routers do not work with the Official Wireless Adapter, look at the bottom of this FAQ for more details
  
• WPS (WiFi Protected Setup) - Does your router use this option? Is it expecting you to use it on your Xbox? The Xbox cannot utilise WPS so please turn off this function on your router
  
• Wireless Security - Incorrect entry of a WEP or WPA code will prevent you connecting the 360 to your Wireless Network, remember the key is case sensitive. If you have entered the key incorrectly this will usually lead to "IP Address Failed"
• Some routers are supplied with their wireless key/phrase printed on a sticker DONT assume its correct, access the router menu settings yourself to obtain the key/phrase it is the only way to be sure it is correct
• Wireless Protection Mode (WPS)  (see here) - Does your router use this feature? Is it turned on? Depending on the type of WPS set-up you have the Xbox may not be able to use it, some modes require you to enter a pin or hold a button and register the new device within a certain amount of time. If in doubt turn off WPS and set-up your wireless security and devices manually
• Remember when entering the WEP or WPA-Key into the 360 it is CaSe SeNsItIvE also don't confuse Zero's with the letter O
  
• If you are using WEP and your router gives you a possibility of keys 1 through 4 to use. Try key 1 or key 4, not 2 or 3.
• Wireless Security - If MAC Address filtering is enabled and the 360's MAC Address is not on the allowed list it will prevent you from connecting the 360 to your wireless network
• Incorrect SSID - Having a bad or default SSID can lead to problems staying connected to the Wireless Network, always change the SSID from its default setting and ensure that there are no spaces in the SSID. It MUST be one single word, not two words
• Are you using WPA2 security in your network? WPA2 is not supported by the Microsoft Official Xbox 360 Wireless adapter - (Update. WPA2 support was introduced 28/10/2009 via a System Update, ensure your Xbox is up to date to use WPA2)
• If your Official Xbox 360 Wireless Adapter LED remains red and you cannot access the wireless settings where you can enter the SSID etc (i.e. they remain greyed out/inaccessible) try using the adapter in one of the front USB ports instead. If you cannot access those settings in any of the 3 USB ports its highly likely the adapter is faulty
• Finally as a temporary measure trying turning off all wireless security on your router (WEP/WPA and Mac Address Access lists) reboot the router and then try to connect again as follows.
  • If you still cannot connect with no security there may be a compability issue between your router and the Official Adapter try a later version of firmware for your router if available.
  • If you can connect with no security you know the issue is down to a mis-type, try connecting again and ensure you turn security back on again!
• HDMI - Are you using a HDMI cable to connect to your TV? I have seen some HDMI cables affect wireless and cause disconnects, a test try using a composite or SCART cable instead, if the problem is solved it is your HDMI cable
• If you have tried using WPA2-PSK(AES) and that does not work try falling back to using other wireless security settings, so if WPA2-PSK(AES) does not work try WPA-PSK(AES) instead

Tip's for improving Wireless Signal Strength

Below are some tips that may help you increase the wireless signal strength for your Xbox, please bear in mind wireless conditions vary in each household and as such so will these tips

• Wireless Channel, some people experience poor connectivity if the default channel "auto" settings are left on the router. If you experience poor connectivity or disconnects, try changing the wireless channel manually to 11, ideally you want to ensure you are using a channel that no-one else close by is using, you can find out what other wireless networks are operating in your area and what channel they are using by using a Wi-fi Inspector like Xirrus or inSSIder. Find out what channels are in use close by and choose another channel that isn't being used (as many channel numbers away as possible) i.e if you neighbour is using Channel 1, try Channel 6.
• Check the aerial(s) of the router, always ensure that the aerial is screwed tight to the router itself, sometimes they come loose
• Check for obstructions if you are having poor connectivity, try moving the router to a different position
• Ensure there are no other wireless capable devices (not including clients like laptops) near the wireless router that could interfere with its signal. Especially Cordless Phones, they use the 2.4Ghz wireless band and can interfere if close to your Xbox or your router, try to relocate things if they are too close.
• Move your wireless adapter to a better position. If your Official Xbox 360 Wireless Adapter is in an enclosed space, consider buying a USB extension lead so you can move the adapter to a higher position, it really does work! All you need is a USB 2.0 EXTENSION CABLE LEAD A TO A Male 'A' to female 'A' socket (see picture below), don't go over 5metres in cable length though I recommend 3meters max which should be plenty to get it to a better elevated position, you can pick up a cable like this for just a few £'s

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