An Xbox Series X or S that cannot get online is tested from Profile and system, Settings, General, Network settings, where the console shows Current Network Status and a NAT Type. Microsoft's wired fix is a five-minute power cycle of the modem and router, a different cable and port, then a direct-to-modem test; its wireless fix starts with confirming the router broadcasts your network name and the password is right. NAT type matters for multiplayer: Open is best, Moderate and Strict limit who you can play with, and Double NAT detected means a router and a gateway are both translating.
Differential
Likely causes of “Xbox Series X|S cannot connect online or has strict NAT”, and how to tell them apart
- 1
Network equipment that needs a power cycle
What separates it The connection test fails after an outage or the router has been on for weeks
How to confirm Unplug the modem, router or gateway for 5 minutes, restart the console, then plug in the modem first and the router after
- 2
A bad Ethernet cable or port
What separates it The wired test fails and another device works on the same router
How to confirm Swap the cable, then the port on the router, then test the console's Ethernet port with a cable from a working computer
- 3
The console cannot see or join the Wi-Fi network
What separates it It sees other networks but not yours, or says it cannot connect or the security protocol will not work
How to confirm Check the router broadcasts its network name and the password matches; another device can confirm both
- 4
A restrictive NAT type or Double NAT
What separates it You connect but cannot host or join multiplayer or hear party chat, and Network settings shows Strict, Unavailable or Double NAT detected
How to confirm Check NAT Type under Network settings; if Double NAT, put the gateway in bridge mode or make the router an access point
- 5
A slow or unstable connection
What separates it Games lag, streams degrade or downloads crawl even though it connects
How to confirm Run Test network speed and statistics and compare it with Microsoft's minimums: 3 Mbps down, 0.5 Mbps up and ping under 150 ms for online gaming
Before you touch a setting
Record this first — changing settings destroys the evidence
- The error or message shown by the connection test and the NAT Type field
- Whether the console is on Wi-Fi or a LAN cable, and the router and modem models
- The download speed, upload speed and ping from Test network speed and statistics
- Whether other devices work on the same network
Try in this order
0 of 8 completedOpen Network settings and test
ReversiblePress the Xbox button, choose Profile and system, Settings, General, Network settings and run Test network connection. Note the message, the NAT Type and any Double NAT or UPnP warning.
Power cycle the console and the network
ReversibleUnplug the power from the router, modem or gateway for 5 minutes and restart the console from the Power Center. After 5 minutes plug in the modem or gateway first, wait for its lights to settle, then the router.
Try a different cable and port
ReversibleUse another Ethernet cable, then move the cable to another port on the router. Microsoft also has you swap the computer's cable into the console's port to see if the console's port is at fault.
Try a direct-to-modem connection
ReversibleTemporarily plug the console straight into the modem. If it connects, the modem and console are fine and the router needs a setting changed.
Fix a wireless connection
ReversibleConfirm the router is broadcasting its SSID, then confirm the password from a device already on the network. Enter them again on the console under Network settings, Set up wireless network.
Check NAT and Double NAT
ReversibleUnder Current Network Status read the NAT Type. If Double NAT detected shows, put the gateway in bridge mode or set the router to work only as an access point, restart the devices and test again.
Run the speed test
ReversibleChoose Test network speed and statistics. Write down download, upload and ping. Microsoft's minimums for online gaming are 3 Mbps down, 0.5 Mbps up and ping under 150 ms.
Contact your provider with the results
ReversibleIf the problem survives every step, give your provider the console's test results, the NAT type and the steps tried, since the modem or the line may be the cause.
Model-specific
What is true of this model and not of its siblings
- Where to look on any Series console
- The path is Profile and system, Settings, General, Network settings, the same on the Series X, the Series X Digital and the Series S.
- Ports
- Both Series consoles have a Gigabit Ethernet port on the back and dual-band 802.11ac Wi-Fi, per Microsoft's specifications.
- Tools and supplies
- A spare Ethernet cable, a computer to test the port, the router's label or app and a phone for the provider.
- What to tell your provider
- The NAT type, the speed test results and the message from the connection test, with the console model number; not a part number.
- Other models this page answers
- These steps also fit the Xbox Series X Digital Edition, Xbox Series S (512GB and 1TB), Xbox Series S 512GB.
Stop boundary
When this stops being a self-service repair
- !If a direct-to-modem connection still fails, contact your internet provider
- !If the console's Ethernet port fails with a cable that works on a computer, request service through Device service and repair
- !If Double NAT persists after a bridge mode change, contact your provider
Evidence ledger
Sources behind this answer
Out-of-warranty service fee chart by device.
Power cycle, cable, port and direct-to-modem steps.
SSID, password and wireless troubleshooting.
NAT types and specific errors.
Exact questions
Common questions
How do I check my Xbox NAT type?+
Open the guide, choose Profile and system, Settings, General, Network settings. Under Current Network Status the NAT Type field shows Open, Moderate, Strict or Unavailable.
What does Double NAT detected mean?+
Two devices in your network are translating addresses, usually a router behind a gateway. Microsoft's fix is bridge mode on the gateway or setting the router to work only as an access point.
What speed does the Xbox need?+
For online gaming, Microsoft's minimums are 3 Mbps download, 0.5 Mbps upload and ping under 150 milliseconds; faster is better.
Why can I connect but not play with friends?+
It is usually NAT. Microsoft says Open NAT can play with anyone, Moderate may not play with some people and Strict only plays with Open.
Does the Series S or Series X change the network steps?+
No. The steps and the settings menus are the same on both.
Is wired better than wireless for diagnosing?+
Yes. A wired test removes Wi-Fi as a variable, and a direct-to-modem test removes the router.
When is it my provider's problem?+
When the console connects directly to the modem and still fails, or when Double NAT stays after you change how the gateway or router works.