Ethernet Cable For Xbox One: How To Connect Your Xbox One To The Internet

FACTS CHECKED BY  Jose George​

About Ethernet Cable For Xbox One, There’s nothing more enjoyable than having a fast and reliable internet connection when gaming on your Xbox One. 

We all know nothing is more frustrating and annoying than an internet connection that can crash anytime. 

Lucky for you, there’s something you can do to improve your internet connection. 

To get the best connection, it’s best to go with a wired connection. All you need to set up a wired connection is an ethernet cable for Xbox One.

Table of Contents

How To Connect Your Xbox One To The Internet

Xbox One is the most modern addition to the Microsoft Xbox series. Although the Xbox One is much more powerful than the Xbox 360, connecting it to the internet is simple and straightforward.

Wired Connection

To connect your Xbox One to the internet using a wired connection, you’ll need to follow the steps below.

  1. The first thing is getting an ethernet cable to connect your device to an internet source. Keep in mind the distance from your console to the internet source in order to determine the right cable length. Although rare, some consoles come with an ethernet cable, and often you’ll need to buy one.
  2. The next step is connecting the ethernet cable to your Xbox. Check the backside of your console for an ethernet port which is normally beside the infrared output.
  3. Now connect the opposite end of your cable to an internet source. The internet source may be a modem, router, or even an ethernet wall jack.
  4. After successfully setting up the wired connection, turn on the console to finish setting up. The first boot should probably allow you to access the internet.

Wireless Connection

A wireless connection isn’t as fast and reliable compared to a wired connection. This is because the signal can be interrupted by noise in the network or walls. The best option for a stable and fast connection is a wired connection. Follow the steps below to help you connect your console to the internet via a wireless connection.

  1. Like the Xbox 360 Slim, your Xbox One accesses the internet wirelessly almost instantly. This is thanks to the inbuilt WiFi 802.11n WiFi direct that enables your console to connect automatically to your router.
  2. Once you turn it on, the console won’t automatically connect to your network because it hasn’t saved your router’s name and access code. 
  3. You will need to access the network menu that displays all WiFi signals within your device’s reach. Select your router’s signal and enter the password depending on your security settings. After connecting to your network, you won’t have to repeat this process, even if you turn off your console. You might need to change your network settings if your router fails to connect to the internet. If you’re not sure, it’s best to change all settings to automatic or restore all settings back to default.
Wireless Router

Caption: Wireless Router

Minimum Speed Requirement

Before you buy an ethernet cable, it’s important to understand its capabilities.

Determining the minimum speed requirement for the Xbox One depends on three important factors; ping, download speed, and upload speed.

It’s important to keep in mind not only the minimum online gaming speeds but also HD video streaming and SD video streaming when choosing the right ethernet cable for you.

The minimum speed requirements are as follows.

Online Gaming

In order to enjoy your online gaming experience, the recommended minimum download speed requirement is 3 Mbps.

With upload speed, the minimum requirement is 0.5 Mbps, and the ping should not be lower than 150 milliseconds.

HD Video Streaming

For HD video streaming, the minimum download speed requirement is 3.5 Mbps. However, for the minimum upload speed, there is no minimum requirement.

Then for the ping similar to online gaming, the minimum requirement is 150 milliseconds.

SD Video Streaming

For SD video streaming, the minimum download speed requirement is 1 Mbps, and the minimum upload speed is not included. For the ping, you’ll need at least 150 milliseconds.

What Type of Ethernet Cable For Xbox

Now let’s discuss the right type of ethernet cable for your Xbox One. Lucky for you, with all the available cable types today, most of them will fulfill the minimum speed requirements. 

Some of the most common cable types available are Cat 8, Cat 7a, Cat 6a, Cat 6, and Cat 5e. 

The Cat 5e cable will deliver gigabit speeds at a distance of up to 100 meters. This is enough for most case uses and gaming on your Xbox One. 

Therefore, with the Cat 5e cable having the lowest speeds among the types mentioned above, you’ll be safe getting any cable rated higher. 

Now that you know that the Cat 5e cable will deliver the performance you need, let’s get further into the details.

 It’s important to keep in mind whether to get an unshielded or shielded cable

When buying an ethernet cable for the sole purpose of your Xbox One, it’s best to go with an unshielded patch cable.

 This cable is perfect for open-area applications such as running from your gaming console to your router. 

Often for home use, having a shielded cable is not common however, you can still use one if you prefer.

Will Patch Cord Length Affect My Gaming Experience?

Most people find it difficult to believe that having a cable that’s too long isn’t beneficial. 

However, it’s very rare to have a cable that’s long at home. The ideal patch cord length is 100 meters for Cat 5e, Cat 6, Cat 6a, and Cat 7a cables.

 However, with the Cat 8 cable, it is different as the recommended cable length is 38 meters. 

The above cable lengths should be more than enough for home use, and you rarely have to worry about the cable being too short. 

However, it’s important to mention that with ethernet cables, the shorter the cable, the better. 

But remember to keep your cable under 100 meters, and you will for sure enjoy a fast and reliable internet connection for the best Xbox One gaming experience.

Conclusion

In order to enjoy a consistent and reliable Xbox One gaming experience, it’s best to have a Cat 5e or better ethernet cable. 

For seed, the minimum is a download speed of 3 Mbps, an upload speed of 0.5 Mbps and a ping of 150 milliseconds. 

Also, now you can successfully connect your Xbox One to the internet. For any inquiries, feel free to contact Cloom Tech.