How to Set up a Lan for Xbox

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Last Updated: October 4, 2024

A Local Area Network (LAN) connects computers or consoles in a close area, such as a house or dorm, to a single network. By connecting the computers to a common network, they can transfer files and make other devices more accessible. If you like to play video games in groups, then the Microsoft Xbox can be used with a LAN to play with large groups of people. This is called an Xbox "System Link." Creating a network for Xbox is valuable for parties and sleepovers because you can play with more than 4 controllers on multiple TVs. You can also hook a computer up to a LAN to share pictures and other data. Find out how to set up a LAN for Xbox.

1

Check your internet connection.

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Chances are, if you own an Xbox, which has sophisticated Internet capabilities, then you already have a fast connection.

2

Collect your Xbox(es).

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Decide how many Xboxes or computers you want to have in your system. You will need to have them all set up in the same geographic area, most likely within the house. If you plan to keep the Xboxes in separate rooms, you will need long Ethernet cables.
- This LAN connection can work with both Xbox and Xbox 360.

3

Plug in your Xbox.

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Hook each Xbox into the electrical outlet with a power cord. Then, hook each Xbox to a video cable so that it will play on the TV.
- You will need a TV and a copy of the video game you want to play for each Xbox you connect. Check on the back of the game jacket to see if the multi-player game supports Xbox system link.

4

Connect your LAN switch to power.

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You can also use a router or a hub instead of a switch, if that is what you have on hand. However, a LAN switch with automatic uplink detection will be the easiest device to use when creating an Xbox LAN. Simply plug in your LAN switch to an electrical outlet.

5

Get an Ethernet patch cable.

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Find an Ethernet cable for each Xbox you want to hook up to your LAN. Each Xbox comes with a LAN port already built into the box. It is the place where you will connect 1 end of the Ethernet cable.
- You can find Ethernet patch cables at computer, video game and hardware stores, as well as on the Internet. Some people have extra Ethernet cables that were used to connect to the Internet before wireless connectivity was widespread.
- Get an Ethernet patch cable for any other computer device that you want to connect to your LAN, too.

6

Connect 1 end of the Ethernet cable to your Xbox.

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You should hear a click when the plastic cable connects. Repeat this with a separate Ethernet patch cable for each device.

7

Connect the other end of the cable to the LAN switch.

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Plug the Ethernet cable into one of the 4-5 open ports on the back of the switch. Just ensure you do not connect the Ethernet patch cable to the uplink port in another area of your switch device, because a different type of cable is used for this link.
- Connect the other end of each Ethernet patch cable to the LAN link for each device you plan to connect. Use the other ports next to the one you just connected.

8

Wait for the devices to connect to your Xbox.

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They should automatically set up a system link that you can scroll through your Xbox dashboard.

9

Check that the LAN is set up.

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Access these devices or put an Xbox multiplayer game into each console and begin playing.

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Tips

Connecting 2 Xboxes together does not require the same LAN setup. You can do it using 1 Ethernet cross-over cable. Place 1 end of the cross-over cable in the Ethernet port in the back of each Xbox. Give the boxes time to send signals, and your Xbox should connect automatically. Ethernet cross-over cables are available in most computer and gaming stores, as well as online, and they are different from the Ethernet patch cables used to set up 3 or more Xboxes.

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The Xbox game may determine how many Xboxes you can hook up at 1 time. For example, the first Halo game will only support 4 Xboxes, while most recent versions can support 16 Xboxes playing the same game at the same time.

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