For most gamers, a stable internet connection is everything — and there’s nothing worse than having your Xbox repeatedly disconnect from the WiFi while you’re in the middle of a game. So, why does your Xbox Series X/S disconnect from WiFi, and how can you resolve this problem?
Your Xbox may be disconnecting from WiFi because its WiFi range or because of interference from other devices. Swapping to a 5GHz WiFi band may fix this. Next, you can experimenting with restarting both the console and your router and moving them around so they’re closer together.
Let’s take a closer look at these possible fixes and a few others so that you can enjoy gaming on your Xbox without any interruptions. With a little troubleshooting, you’ll be back online in no time!
Why Does Your Xbox WiFi Keep Disconnecting?
If your Xbox Series X/S starts to disconnect from WiFi repeatedly, it could be due to an unstable internet connection, a faulty router, or a software issue. Sometimes, poor connectivity is caused by hardware problems, but this is rare.
These consoles are great, and so much fun to use, but they do start to fail over time, sometimes unexpectedly. You should also watch out for audio issues that could crop up, or if it just generally starts to run slower and download slower (which is probably related to your WiFi dropout issue), but for now, let’s focus on solving this problem.
Here are the most common causes of an Xbox Series X/S disconnecting from WiFi:
Router Problems
In many cases, the problem is with the router or internet connection rather than the console. If your Xbox repeatedly disconnects from WiFi, check whether the router is functioning properly. One of the first signs of a faulty router is that it won’t provide a stable connection. If your router is faulty, you may have to replace it.
Sometimes, there’s nothing wrong with the router, but its positioning may not be correct. Position your router close to the console for better WiFi connectivity. It’s best to connect the router to the Xbox via an ethernet cable (on Amazon) for more stable connection speeds.
Software Issues on Your Xbox Console
In some cases, a software glitch on the Xbox Series X/S is the cause behind WiFi problems. This is often the case when the WiFi settings are connected to a 5.0 GHz band.
While Microsoft claims to be working on this problem, the only solution for now is to change the WiFi settings on your PS5. We’ll discuss more on that later.
Server Issues
If you’re playing games that require an internet connection or ones that are connected to Xbox Live, your connection problems may be caused by the gaming servers.
If the gaming servers go down, you’ll get disconnected from the game. Server errors are rare, and most gaming companies will announce when their servers are going down for some time.
To know whether a server issue is causing you to get disconnected from a game, check the status of the Xbox Live server or other gaming servers. You can also check whether your Xbox is connected to WiFi. If the connection works fine on other games, it’s probably a server issue with a particular game.
Faulty Xbox Hardware
In rare cases, a hardware fault may cause your Xbox Series X/S to disconnect from WiFi. This could be a faulty network card, chip, or other issues, and you’ll have to send it in for repairs.
While it’s unlikely that a hardware problem will cause your Xbox’s connectivity issues, it is covered in the warranty, so there’s no need to worry.
How Do You Fix Xbox Series X/S Disconnecting From WiFi?
Depending on what’s causing the problem, there are several ways to fix an Xbox Series X/S that’s disconnecting from WiFi. We’ll start with the easiest fixes first and then move on to the more advanced ones.
Here are some fixes for your Xbox Series X/S disconnecting from WiFi:
1. Restart the Router
Whether you’re experiencing slow connection speeds, unstable WiFi, or other connection problems, the solution is often just to restart the router. Simply unplug the WiFi router and remove the cables.
Wait 30 seconds, restart the router and plug in the cables. You’ll be surprised at how often this is the solution to your problem.
2. Reboot the Xbox
If restarting the router doesn’t fix the connection problems, try restarting the Xbox. Power it off completely (not in sleep mode), wait for 30 seconds, and restart it.
This should solve most minor glitches and WiFi problems. If this, too, doesn’t solve the WiFi issue, then you’ll have to move on to more advanced solutions.
3. Use, OR Disable, the 5.0 GHz Band on Your Router (If You’re Not Using It)
First, if you have a 5GHz wireless band available, you should put your console on that and see if it helps. We have a separate article explaining why 5GHz bands are generally better for gaming that you can check out for more details on this. But, if you’re not going to use this band, then you may actually want to turn it off!
While 5.0 GHz provides better speeds and a wider range, some routers don’t provide the most stable 5.0 GHz bandwidth. Try disabling the 5.0 GHz band on your router for a more stable connection. To do so, you’ll have to access your router’s settings from the network provider’s website on the Xbox and disable the 5.0 GHz band from there.
If you want to continue using the 5.0 GHz band without WiFi problems, you may have to disable WPA-2 on your router. While this does expose your connection, it seems to work for some Xbox users.
4. Change the DNS Settings on Your Xbox
Sometimes, changing the DNS can improve your WiFi connection’s stability. The Xbox will use the router’s DNS, but if there’s an issue with that, then you can use a different DNS instead. To change the DNS settings on your Xbox, follow these steps:
- Go into the ‘General Settings‘ on your Xbox.
- Click on ‘Network Settings‘.
- Go to ‘Advanced Settings‘.
- Under IPv4 DNS Settings, select ‘Manual‘. Enter the DNS number of the channel you want to connect to. It’s best to use either Google’s DNS or Cloudflare’s since they are the most trusted.
While changing the DNS may improve your connection, it may also have the opposite effect, so choose your DNS carefully.
5. (Nuclear Option) Replace Your Router
If the issue is with your router, contact your network service provider and have it replaced. Before replacing the router, do a thorough network test to see whether the connection issues are general or only with your Xbox. If multiple devices are disconnecting from WiFi, have your router checked.
How Do You Make Your WiFi Stable for Gaming?
To make your WiFi stable for gaming, you’ll have to place the router in the optimal location, close background applications, play on local servers, or upgrade your connection. Here are some of the hacks you can use to improve your WiFi’s stability:
Place the Router Closer to the Xbox
While this won’t be a magical solution to your gaming problems, it will help improve the WiFi’s speed. The WiFi signal is more stable closer to the router since it’s within the optimal range. Try to place the router in the same room as the Xbox for a stable connection.
Play On a Local Server
If you’re playing an online game with different server options, try to connect to a server closer to your locality. You’ll get a smoother gaming experience and better ping. However, this isn’t available for all online games.
Close All Background Applications
If you have music or a download running in the background while playing on your Xbox, it will affect your internet connection’s stability. Close all background applications and reserve downloads for when you’re not gaming.
Connect the Router With an Ethernet Cable
If you can get the router close enough to the Xbox, connect an ethernet cable directly to the console. It’s the best way to resolve most WiFi issues and will take the strain of other devices’ WiFi off your Xbox.
Get a Better Internet Connection
If you’re experiencing major WiFi issues, it’s time to change your internet connection. Upgrade to a more stable network, and your internet worries will be resolved for good. Ideally, you should choose a network with low latency for better stability.