If you’re reading this, chances are your Xbox app on Windows is refusing to connect to the internet. You’re met with the frustrating message:
“You’re not connected to the internet. Check your network connection and try again.”
Yet, every other program on your computer—including Microsoft Store—connects just fine. You’ve likely tried every solution you could find online, including but not limited to:
Updating or downgrading Windows to different builds
Adjusting Windows Defender and Firewall settings
Removing and reinstalling third-party antivirus software
Checking Microsoft Windows Services for Game Services
Removing and reinstalling Microsoft apps, including the Xbox app
If none of these solutions have worked, don’t worry—there’s one more fix that is surprisingly simple yet easy to overlook.
The Surprisingly Simple Solution
The issue in this case was resolved in the most unexpected way: switching from Wi-Fi to a wired Ethernet connection.
Steps to Fix the Xbox App Connection Issue:
Disconnect from Wi-Fi and connect your computer to your router using an Ethernet cable.
Launch the Xbox app and sign in successfully.
Once logged in, disconnect the Ethernet cable and switch back to Wi-Fi.
The Xbox app should now work without any connection issues.
For some reason, the initial login process on Wi-Fi may fail due to network-related dependencies, but once successfully authenticated via Ethernet, the app continues to work on Wi-Fi without further issues.
Alternative Solutions if You Can’t Use an Ethernet Cable
If connecting via Ethernet isn’t an option, try these workarounds:
1. Use Your Phone’s USB Tethering
A mobile Wi-Fi hotspot won’t work, but you can try:
USB Tethering: Connect your phone to your PC via USB and enable internet sharing. This method simulates a wired connection.
Android Wi-Fi Dongle Mode: On some Android devices, you can connect to Wi-Fi and share the connection over USB to your PC.
2. Use a VPN
Some users have reported success by using a VPN to establish the first connection:
Download any free VPN software.
Connect to a server and try logging into the Xbox app.
If successful, you can disable the VPN and continue using your normal connection.
Final Thoughts
While the Xbox app should ideally function seamlessly, it relies on multiple Microsoft services, such as Game Services and Xbox Identity Provider, which sometimes don’t work well over Wi-Fi. If you’re stuck, try connecting with a wired connection just once—this may be the key to resolving the issue permanently.