Xbox Live: FAQ about gaming online

By Alex Selth on 26 February 2009

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(Credit: Microsoft)

Why settle for beating your friends when you can take on the world?

With the huge variety of multiplayer games now available on the Xbox 360, as well as an extraordinary amount of game add-ons and Xbox Live Arcade games, you're missing out on hours of fun if you're not connected to Xbox Live and all the joy that it ensures. Luckily, CNET.com.au is here to help you with this handy guide to connecting and playing on Xbox Live.

This article should answer most questions you might have, but feel free to jump on our forums if there's anything else you'd like to know. Otherwise, try visiting the Microsoft's Xbox Live help page for more information. Have fun!

What do I need to connect to Xbox Live?
Before you even start thinking about playing online, make sure you have the following:

  1. An Xbox 360 console (obviously)
  2. A broadband internet connection
  3. An Ethernet cable or Xbox 360 Wireless Network Adapter

When you have these things, we can begin!


So, how do I start?
The fastest method is simply connecting your Xbox 360 console to your router or modem via an Ethernet cable. Plug in the cable to the back of your console, and away you go.

You'll need a high speed broadband cable or DSL connection to connect to Xbox Live, so forget it if you're on a dial-up, ISDN or satellite internet connection — Microsoft recommends a 256Kbps connection at minimum. Check with your service provider to find out how fast your connection is. At the minimum speed it should provide a fairly lag-free experience when gaming, but bear in mind if you're planning on hosting games as other people will connect to your session, so you'll need a faster connection for smooth gaming. There's nothing worse than the host's connection failing just before a grand victory!

The Ethernet port on the back of an Xbox 360 (Credit: CNET Australia)


Do I have to use a wired connection or can I go wireless?
Don't feel that you're restricted to having cables running all over your room. Microsoft sells an Xbox 360 Wireless Network Adapter for AU$149.95, and once you connect this to your wireless network, you should be good to go.

There are, however, some minor issues associated with connecting to Xbox Live with a wireless connector. The Wireless Network Adapter, which is the only adapter to work with your Xbox 360 console, works in the 2.4GHz frequency range. A lot of other electronics, including wireless phones and even your microwave, work at this frequency, so if you have any of these working near your Xbox, some interference could ensue. Wireless connections are also generally slightly slower than wired ones, with higher instances of drop outs, so if you're a very competitive gamer, a wired connection is the way to go. Though, for the vast majority of gamers there's no appreciable difference in speed or signal strength.

The Xbox 360 wireless network adapter (Credit: Microsoft)


I've plugged my Xbox 360 into my router, and nothing happens. Help!
If you're having trouble with your connection recognising your Xbox console, or your Xbox simply isn't acting as if it's connected, try using the Xbox 360 Connectivity Wizard located in the Settings blade of your Xbox 360 New Xbox Experience, which is the equivalent of a PC desktop. By following the on-screen prompts, your Xbox will check your IP address, network adapter or wireless connection; Network Address Translation settings; and whether the issue is with Xbox Live itself, amongst other things, to see if it can detect a problem in your settings. It will then advise you what to do to correct the problem and get you playing online faster.

Look for this page when troubleshooting (Credit: CNET Australia)


Topics: xbox, nxe, microsoft, 360, marketplace, live, connect, new, experience, points, online

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Comments (17)

  • CJ commented on 09/09/2009 15:38 Report abuse

    can u still use the internet on the computer at the same time playing live with an ethernet cable?

  • zeanantwerp commented on 07/09/2009 12:59 Report abuse

    sup liked the vid but it dosent help me at all. i have it all hooked up and ready to go but it keeps telling me you arent alowed to play on xbox live and i need to cange it some where>_> so can u help with that?

  • mr bob commented on 04/08/2009 18:48 Report abuse

    um... does anyone know how much of a download limit on average an xbox 360 on live uses? im trying to convince my mum to let me have it and she wont listen to me. she thinks that it uses all of the download limit. is this true?

  • john commented on 11/07/2009 11:54 Report abuse

    my modem has only one Ethernet connection on the back...what do I do do i need a new modem with two slots?

  • help me!!! commented on 06/07/2009 04:57 Report abuse

    My Xbox 360 is in my basement and my only an my only modem is about 45ft away, and I have no
    wi-fi. are there any cables that long? someone please help me

  • weejames28 commented on 03/07/2009 01:49 Report abuse

    which router is the cheapest and best to use for xbox 360 live??

  • Newbie commented on 24/06/2009 12:36 Report abuse

    Hi I am just getting a wi-fi modem from optus to run internet in the house? will this be sufficient for online gaming? not sure of the speed or any of that stuff can anyone help me?

  • whatchulookinatfool commented on 10/06/2009 18:02 Report abuse

    thanks so much, was having massive trouble with connecting it..btw 0o_ben_o0 idea of unplugging PC then back in again after was awesome idea, gonna do that now.

  • gettsy 320 commented on 28/05/2009 19:24 Report abuse

    every time i play gears of war 2 it wont connect to other players in co op i have a router { links } and the modem is unwerid is there a way to ficks this

  • Oo_ben_oO commented on 13/04/2009 08:36 Report abuse

    I have just gone wired after using the micro wireless rubbish. To tell you the truth leave wireless if you can and get wired like i have just gone into i have no more dissconncts from games it great. I run my cable into my wireless router and used a private ip address and used DMZ for the 360s ip and i have no issues with nat of having to port forward. I was thinking of going directly from my modem to xbox and just plug the ethernet cable into pc after finished play 360. so i can share ip address and i think this way is the best way to get top speeds rather than wired from router. At mo router way i got has been good so far. Playing gears of war 2 tho still dont get me host advantage from a 20mb connection but its alot smoother than wireless!!!

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