Is Xbox Network Down ... or Is It Just You?

It's extremely frustrating when you want to sit down and play a game or watch your favorite shows, but your device won't connect to the internet. It can be even worse when you can't figure out if the service itself is down, or if something is wrong on your end.

If you're trying to sign in to your Xbox Network account and it's having trouble connecting to your Wi-Fi, here are the steps you should take to help determine if further action is needed on your end, or if you just need to wait it out.

Check If Your Other Devices Are Connecting to the Internet

If you have easy access to your router, check it to make sure no errors are occurring there. Check other devices that are connected to your home Wi-Fi, like a phone or tablet, and see if they're able to access the internet.

If your other devices are not able to connect, it's most likely a bigger problem than just Xbox Network being down.

Look for Specific Xbox Status Error Messages

If you are trying to connect to Xbox Network, check to see if any error messages are popping up. Like many error messages, some are generic and unhelpful; some are extremely specific about what's wrong.

If you see an error message on your screen, you can access the Xbox Error Status Code page to see if there's a solution to the specific error you're experiencing. Make sure to enter the error code exactly as shown, as capitalization matters.

Check Xbox Network Server Status

If your Wi-Fi appears to be working on your other devices, it's time to check to see if the Xbox Network service is actually down. There are a few ways to do so.

1. Go to the official Xbox Network Service Status website: It will indicate if the Xbox Network servers are working properly on several different fronts with a green checkmark. If you see a red exclamation point, there should be additional details about the outage and which platforms are suffering. You can also select Notify Me to receive an email when service is back online, provided the option is there.

2. Check a third-party outage website: there are plenty of other, reliable websites that let you check a variety of services for outages. One extremely thorough site is Down Detector. It keeps track of a variety of online services and provides in-depth statistics on those outages, including Xbox Network.

3. Search X (formerly Twitter): If Xbox Network is down, you can search for #XboxLiveDown. If it is, there will be others talking about it. @XboxSupport is another place to check.

Xbox Network Is Working, but I Still Can't Login

There are a few other options that might help you get logged back on.

1. Perform a Power cycle: Hold down the Xbox button on the front of the system for ten seconds. Press the Xbox button again on the controller or console to turn your system on; it will take a little longer than normal to start, but any issue will hopefully be resolved.

   Alternatively, while the Xbox is on, press the Xbox button, then select Settings > Restart > Yes.

2. Disconnect and reconnect the Xbox: When your system is powered down, unplug it and wait about 15 seconds. Plug it back in and power the console back on. You may need to sign back in to your Xbox Network account, but hopefully, the issue will be solved.

3. Xbox Customer Support: If neither of these solutions get you back on to Xbox Network, you may need to contact Xbox Network Customer Support. If there is not someone immediately available to help you, you can put in a ticket and they will contact you when they can.