Xbox Network cable

You can use Windows Internet Connection Sharing to share your Internet connection between your computer and your Xbox 360 console. If you do this, both the console and your computer can access the Internet at the same time.

To use Internet Connection Sharing, you must have the following:

A computer that has two network adaptors

Note Most laptop computers have two network adaptors, one for a wired connection and one for a wireless connection.

A USB modem that has at least one Ethernet connection Windows XP, Windows Vista, Windows 7 and Windows 8 (The Windows 7 Starter edition does not support this feature.) High-speed Internet access A standard Ethernet cable

Set up Windows Internet Connection Sharing

The following steps show Windows 7 and Windows 8 screen images. However, the steps are the same for earlier versions of Windows, unless otherwise indicated.

Click the Start button. In the Search programs and files box, type ncpa.cpl and then press ENTER.
For Windows XP: Click the Start button, click Run, type ncpa.cpl in the Open box, and then click OK.

Windows 7

Windows 8

Right-click the network connection that you want to share, and then click Properties. The appropriate network connection to share is the one between your computer and your modem, not the one between your computer and your Xbox 360 console.

Click the Sharing tab. If you are using Windows XP, select the Advanced tab.

Select Allow other network users to connect through this computer's Internet Connection, and then click OK. Wait for the network connection status to change to Shared.

Start your web browser and try to connect to the Internet. If you cannot connect to the Internet, make sure that you are sharing the primary Internet connection in step 3.
Plug one end of the Ethernet cable into the network port on your computer. Plug the other end of the network cable into the back of your Xbox 360 console.
On your Xbox 360 console, make sure that all network settings are set to Automatic.
Here’s how:
Note If you are connecting to a wireless network, or if you have PPPoE settings entered, note the settings because you might have to enter them later.
Press the Guide button on your controller, go to Settings and then select System Settings. Select Network Settings. Select Wired Network if you are prompted to do so. Select the Additional Settings tab. Select Restore to Factory defaults.


Press the Guide button on your controller, go to Settings and then select System Settings. Select Network Settings. Select Wired Network if you are prompted to do so. Select Test Xbox Live Connection.

Troubleshooting Internet Connection Sharing issues

Solution 1: Make Sure Windows Internet Connection Sharing is set up correctly

If the Sharing tab is not displayed or, in Windows XP, you do not see the option Allow other network users to connect through this computer's Internet connection, one of the following might be true:

Your computer does not have two network adaptors. To resolve this problem, install a second network adaptor in your computer or check to see if your existing network adaptors are functioning correctly. You might be trying to share the wrong network connection. To resolve this problem, repeat step 3 above, and select a different network connection.

Solution 2: Set your console's IP settings manually

If you receive either of the following error messages, try the steps below:

Can't obtain an IP address from your router or modem

Your DNS server can't resolve Xbox Live server names