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This article is more than 45 days old. Given the speed at which the technology world moves, this post is probably somewhat out of date. Please keep this in mind when reading the post. If this is a tutorial, please check whether you are using the same versions mentioned in the article.

XBox Live disconnects with a Linksys router? [Answer: Downgrade the firmware]

I had some disconnect problems when connecting to XBox Live through through my Linksys wireless router (BEFSW11S4). It would be fine for awhile but eventually I would just get booted. (e.g., in a game of Madden, I usually didn't make it to the second half).

For those of you with similar issues, see the resolution here.

It turns out it was related to new firmware. The weird thing is that it worked initially and only started acting up a few weeks later. To fix the problem, I downgraded the firmware to 1.42.7. Linksys only includes the latest version on the website, but the older versions are available on their FTP site. (Here's a link).

Please note: This was written awhile back and is applicable only to the router mentioned above. Linksys may have also released updated firmware that works. I'm now using a Netgear 614 v5 router and I haven't had any issues

If you are having trouble connecting in the first place (or not using this router)...

The issue I described above is specific to this router and firmware version. If you are not using this router, or you're having trouble connecting to a game at all, you should consider setting your Xbox console as the DMZ host. That will also fix problems where you can't get into other games (e.g., if you get "Could not connect to all players" in Call of Duty 3).

If it still doesn't work, then the problem is either the connection or the modem, not the router. If that's the case, you should call your cable provider and ask them to look into it.

Only published comments... Oct 25 2004, 11:29 AM by Tim

Filed under: Technology, Gadgets, XBox 360, Gaming

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XBox Live disconnects with a Linksys router? [Answer: Downgrade the firmware]

	TrackBack said: October 25, 2004 11:29 AM
	Derick Bailey said: I would start with a different perspective... if possible, keep your cable modem near you when you are playing and as soon as you are disconnected, immediately check your cable modem to see if it has a connection... you may also want to check your computer to see if you have internet access at the point of disconnection. I'm also a TW cable modem user, and I had a similar thing happen to me a while back. My problem was due to the Cable Modem losing connection with the home office of TW Cable. It took a lot of phone calls, but I finally got a manager to come out to my apartment with a whole team of technicians because the connectors outside of my apartment building were going bad. October 25, 2004 1:44 PM
	Adam Weigert said: Did you see the commercial for Gamer-Oriented Road Runner? It offers much faster downloads and uploads apparently. Might want to check it out, though I doubt speed is the problem ... October 26, 2004 9:22 AM
	TrackBack said: November 29, 2004 8:17 AM
	TrackBack said: November 29, 2004 8:17 AM
	Jac said: Hi, I seem to be having the same problem. I set up Xbox live 1 week ago for the kid, and he keeps complaining his Halo2 disconnects when playing. I am using the BEFSW11S4 ver. 2 with firmware 1.45. I have tried connecing the Xbox directly on my DSL modem and not one did it disconnect. So I must assume it is my router. Either I change, or go back to a previous firmware??? but which one?? December 8, 2004 7:04 PM
	Tim Marman said: Try an older firmware. As I mentioned on the followup to this - http://blogs.slashstar.com/tim/archive/2004/11/29/1101.aspx - it turns out this was the problem. I'm now running 1.42.7 and having no problems whatsover. Save the money!! :) December 8, 2004 7:25 PM
	chad said: If you already installed the upgrade, how do you drop back to the previous? January 19, 2005 12:01 PM
	Tim Marman said: You should be able to flash the new firmware the same way you installed the newer version. It's not an upgrade in the way you would think of in terms of Windows, etc. January 21, 2005 5:53 PM
	David said: Hey I found this page from a Google search for "Xbox Live" and "Disconnected" (I had to simplify it alot as I too can not find much at all about being disconnected but instead just connection problems. I have the same problem as some of you guys here; I keep getting disconnected in the middle of Halo 2 games. I am using Telstra Bigpond Cable with a D-Link DI-624 router. The thing is, on the official Xbox website, this was suggested as the perfect router for people with Telstra Cable!! Why am I the only case I know of that has disconnection problems?! [I found an FAQ on the Xbox website that says that some people have disconnection problems with Telstra Cable, however the only suggested answer was to make sure that the router used is compatible... Of course it is, if it wasn't, I wouldn't even be connected in the first place!!] I don't know if many people can help me as I am Australian and it seems most here are American. But please can anyone help me?!?!?! April 29, 2005 1:24 AM
	Lisa said: My cousin is having the same problem, and I'm trying to figure out what's wrong. He's using a Linksys wireless G WRK54G router, but he is hard-wired to the router. He can play for awhile then it disconnects him. Any ideas what he needs to do to fix this? Thanks! January 20, 2006 7:33 PM
	Randy said: I also have the same problem with the WRK54G. Contacted Linsys tech support and after about an hour, they said it was faulty hardware so they sent me another WRK54g. Unfortuneatly, I went on vacation and did not send back the old one in time. Now I have two WRK54G's, both do the same thing. I've tried everything..... I hope someone has an answer. January 22, 2006 8:40 PM
	Tim said: What version of the firmware do you have? Have you tried DOWNGRADING it as I suggested? January 23, 2006 5:25 AM
	Scott said: I have similar problems with my xbox live disconnecting with Road Runner, but I have it connected directly to the modem and not via a router. I had no problems for months, but just recently began having this problem. Any suggestions? February 13, 2006 2:09 PM
	Mario said: I have a D-Link DI-604 router and keep getting disconnected in the middle of H2 games. I tried to direct connect but it keeps happening. I dunno wtf to do. February 20, 2006 12:12 PM
	Tim said: If you are still getting disconnected when directly connected to the modem, you can safely rule out the router. I would suggest calling up your cable provider - you may have a weak signal, need a new modem, etc. If a direct connection works, you can also try setting your machine as the DMZ host (each router will have different means to do this - consult your manual). For what it's worth, I'm using a Netgear 614 v5 router now with NO issues on either Xbox / Xbox 360 & Xbox Live. February 20, 2006 12:52 PM
	Daniel said: This doesn't just apply to XBOX Live. I found this site when running a search based on a problem I was having with a Linksys WRK54G router on my computer. I had the same problem with trying to network a DirecWay satellite connection. March 22, 2006 9:49 PM
	nick said: i have netgear router and i would really like to fix this problem can someone explain it to me it moe\re detailed way May 24, 2006 3:02 PM
	SolarPop said: "Disconnected from Xbox Live" is a recurrong problem on my system as well. My Internet connection is through Comcast cable. My Xbox360 is connected through a wireless adapter to my Orinoco Gateway 2000 wireless router. At times the disconnects occur every few minutes. At other times I can play Ghost Recon Advanced Warfighter (GRAW) for well over an hour without a disconnect. Other people on Xbox Live complain of getting disconnected. I've noticed that sometimes after reconnecting to Xbox Live, after a "disconnected from Xbox Live" event, the list of joinable games is much shorter than just before I was disconnected. This suggests that the Xbox Live servers may play a role in "disconnected from Xbox Live". August 15, 2006 8:37 PM
	polish premium said: I'm also having these problems. I'm using 10 Mbit straigh out of the wall. When gaming I usually play for about 5-10 min before I'm disconnected, but when browsing the Marketplace it only takes 30-40 seconds. No demo downloads for me this fall. No signup for Gold. Actually I think I might return the whole thing to the store. November 1, 2006 10:15 AM
	Gihad said: I'm from Brazil and I'm having problems too... after about 1min surfing marketplace I get disconnected! ARGH! Already tried everything imaginable to fix it. November 27, 2006 8:15 PM
	Gihad said: I'm from Brazil and I'm having problems too... after about 1min surfing marketplace I get disconnected! ARGH! Already tried everything imaginable to fix it. if you know what my problem is please send an email to gihadmurad@gmail.com November 27, 2006 8:16 PM
	bob smith said: My xbox live also keeps disconnecting. if i have the Linksys WRT54GS router how would i downgrade the firmware?(what are the steps?) December 10, 2006 3:16 PM
	John said: I just got road runner and every time i go and play h2 the conection is good but after a min or so it lags out. I have my 360 directly connected to my modem wich is the surf board. February 8, 2007 9:00 PM
	JUstin said: I have road runner conection speed is 5 mbps i have no problem with it no lag it runs smothly wuts ur guys speed and bye that i mean mbps? February 26, 2007 5:25 PM
	Toxic_Rino said: All I have to say about all this it thank you, I didn't look at the rest of your comments very much but the main part talking about the firmware helped alot, I think taking the time to help people with their problems is great, and appreciated. February 27, 2007 7:18 PM
	nick said: well im having trouble ... i dont even know where to plug things in .... first of all ... the place where the ethernet cable is supposed to go in my modem is taken up by a cord that is hooked from my modem to the computer so where does the ethernet cable go ? June 14, 2007 8:05 PM
	Ben said: If you have a linksys router and comcast and want to play xbox live, they don't mix. if any of you have comcast and want to play xbox live, use either a dlink router or a microsoft router and open up the ports for those routers. You will get a better experience with your connection. July 31, 2007 2:19 AM
	BEN said: hey guys im using a d-link502t modem and i keep getting disconnected from xbox live if anyone wonts to talk me thorugh something or anything please email me at corey_taylor668@hotmail.com July 31, 2007 10:03 PM
	Drew said: How do you exactly downgrade the router (link)? August 12, 2007 6:43 PM
	danny said: Can you please post the link to the firmware im having the same problem and cant find it September 26, 2007 7:06 PM
	kral oyun said: thanks : chad said: If you already installed the upgrade, how do you drop back to the previous? October 10, 2007 4:38 PM
	Chris said: I've been having the same problem. I've used xbox live for the 360 since April 2007, and have not had a problem. I use a Linksys WRT54G(L) router and a SpeedStream 512 dsl modem. The last couple of weeks XBL has disconnected very often, and the only thing I can get out of tech support is to powercycle everything, or that my modem is incompatible with XBL. I've hooked up the console directly into the modem and it still has problems. Cant say that it's the modem because it's worked perfectly up until the last couple of weeks. October 12, 2007 7:50 PM
	SolarPop said: Implementing port forwarding on my router resolved the frequent disconnect problem. support.microsoft.com/.../908874 The following ports must be available for Xbox Live to operate correctly: • UDP 88 • UDP 3074 • TCP 3074 January 5, 2008 1:38 PM
	Oyun said: thanks : chad said: If you already installed the upgrade, how do you drop back to the previous? February 13, 2008 7:19 PM
	Tim said: Oyun, the "downgrade" works the same way you upgrade. All you have to do it point the router at the "downgraded" firmware file. February 13, 2008 8:46 PM