How to Connect Your Xbox One to the Internet

Co-authored by Luigi Oppido

Last Updated: September 11, 2024

Xbox One is the latest addition to Microsoft’s Xbox family. Even though it is more powerful than Xbox 360 – connecting to the Internet with this console is simple and technically basic.

Method 1

Method 1 of 2:

Wired Connection

Download Article

{"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/0\/0f\/Connect-Your-Xbox-One-to-the-Internet-Step-1.jpg\/v4-460px-Connect-Your-Xbox-One-to-the-Internet-Step-1.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/0\/0f\/Connect-Your-Xbox-One-to-the-Internet-Step-1.jpg\/aid3661116-v4-728px-Connect-Your-Xbox-One-to-the-Internet-Step-1.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/3.0\/\">Creative Commons<\/a><br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}

1
Get an Ethernet cable. You will need to have an Ethernet cable to connect your Xbox One to your Internet source. Consider the length of your cable and the distance of your console from your Internet source: you don't want to get one that is too short!
- Your Xbox may come with a cable included, but otherwise, you will need to purchase one. Currently, Xbox Ones do not ship with a cable.
{"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/8\/8b\/Connect-Your-Xbox-One-to-the-Internet-Step-2-Version-2.jpg\/v4-460px-Connect-Your-Xbox-One-to-the-Internet-Step-2-Version-2.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/8\/8b\/Connect-Your-Xbox-One-to-the-Internet-Step-2-Version-2.jpg\/aid3661116-v4-728px-Connect-Your-Xbox-One-to-the-Internet-Step-2-Version-2.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/3.0\/\">Creative Commons<\/a><br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}

At the back of the Xbox One, at the lower right corner beside the infrared output, you will find your console’s LAN port. This is where you’re going to connect your Ethernet cable.

Advertisement
{"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/3\/30\/Connect-Your-Xbox-One-to-the-Internet-Step-3.jpg\/v4-460px-Connect-Your-Xbox-One-to-the-Internet-Step-3.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/3\/30\/Connect-Your-Xbox-One-to-the-Internet-Step-3.jpg\/aid3661116-v4-728px-Connect-Your-Xbox-One-to-the-Internet-Step-3.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/3.0\/\">Creative Commons<\/a><br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}

3
Connect the Ethernet cable to your Internet source. The other end of the Ethernet cable goes directly to your internet source. Remember, your Internet source could be your router or your modem itself.
- It may also be an Ethernet wall jack.
{"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/d\/d6\/Connect-Your-Xbox-One-to-the-Internet-Step-4.jpg\/v4-460px-Connect-Your-Xbox-One-to-the-Internet-Step-4.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/d\/d6\/Connect-Your-Xbox-One-to-the-Internet-Step-4.jpg\/aid3661116-v4-728px-Connect-Your-Xbox-One-to-the-Internet-Step-4.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/3.0\/\">Creative Commons<\/a><br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}

4
Turn your console on. After setting up your wired connection, you can now turn on your Xbox One. The initial boot should already give you access to the Internet.
- You can turn on your console by pressing the Home button on your Xbox One controller. Xbox One added a voice recognition feature that wakes your console by just saying “Xbox On”. The Xbox One Kinect can also identify you through biometric scanning by which it automatically logs in a user via face recognition.

Method 2

Method 2 of 2:

Wireless Connection

Download Article

{"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/e\/e8\/Connect-Your-Xbox-One-to-the-Internet-Step-5.jpg\/v4-460px-Connect-Your-Xbox-One-to-the-Internet-Step-5.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/e\/e8\/Connect-Your-Xbox-One-to-the-Internet-Step-5.jpg\/aid3661116-v4-728px-Connect-Your-Xbox-One-to-the-Internet-Step-5.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/3.0\/\">Creative Commons<\/a><br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}

Just like the Xbox 360 Slim, Xbox One can easily access the Internet wirelessly in an instant! It has a built in Wi-Fi 802.11n Wi-Fi Direct that allows it to connect to your router automatically.
{"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/a\/ad\/Connect-Your-Xbox-One-to-the-Internet-Step-6.jpg\/v4-460px-Connect-Your-Xbox-One-to-the-Internet-Step-6.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/a\/ad\/Connect-Your-Xbox-One-to-the-Internet-Step-6.jpg\/aid3661116-v4-728px-Connect-Your-Xbox-One-to-the-Internet-Step-6.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/3.0\/\">Creative Commons<\/a><br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}

The first time you turn on your console, it will not yet automatically connect to the Internet since it hasn’t memorized your router’s access name and codes yet.
{"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/7\/72\/Connect-Your-Xbox-One-to-the-Internet-Step-7.jpg\/v4-460px-Connect-Your-Xbox-One-to-the-Internet-Step-7.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/7\/72\/Connect-Your-Xbox-One-to-the-Internet-Step-7.jpg\/aid3661116-v4-728px-Connect-Your-Xbox-One-to-the-Internet-Step-7.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/3.0\/\">Creative Commons<\/a><br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}

3
Choose your signal. In the Network menu, Xbox One will display all the Wi-Fi hotspots within its signal’s reach. Once the Xbox One detects your router in the Network, select it and you will be able to access the Internet. You may have to enter your router’s password first, depending on your router’s security settings. Xbox One will now remember this wireless setup and use it automatically on your following sessions.
- If you have an Ethernet cable connected to your console, it will automatically go into “wired” Internet connection mode. If you want to stay connected wirelessly just disconnect the Ethernet cable from your unit.
- You may need to adjust your console’s wireless configuration setting if your console fails to connect to the Internet. When in doubt, set everything to automatic or simply reset to default.

Community Q&A

Search

Add New Question

Question

What is faster: wireless or cable?

Community Answer

Wired Ethernet cables will always be faster, but WiFi is much more convenient. The choice is ultimately up to you.

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Yes No

Not Helpful 2 Helpful 57
Question

XBox 360 makes you purchase XBox Live cards. Does XBox One have free WiFi?

Community Answer

No. Your Xbox Live membership, however, will work on both Xbox One and Xbox 360.

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Yes No

Not Helpful 6 Helpful 18
Question

Are all Xbox One consoles WiFi ready?

Community Answer

Yes.

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Yes No

Not Helpful 11 Helpful 29

See more answers

Ask a Question

200 characters left

Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered.

Submit

Tips

Be a Gold Xbox Live Member to maximize your online experience.

Thanks
Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0

Submit a Tip

All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published

Name

Please provide your name and last initial

Submit

Thanks for submitting a tip for review!

Log in

How to Connect Your Xbox One to the Internet

Steps

Wired Connection

Wireless Connection

Community Q&A

Tips

You Might Also Like

About This Article

Reader Success Stories

Did this article help you?

Quizzes

You Might Also Like

Featured Articles

Trending Articles

Featured Articles

Featured Articles

Watch Articles

Trending Articles

Quizzes

Explore Categories