How to Fix Xbox Live Issues on Xbox 360

Authored by: Support.com Tech Pro Team

1. Introduction

Xbox Live

2. What's next?

3. Verify Server Status

  1. On your computer, smartphone, or tablet, visit https://support.xbox.com/en-US/xbox-live-status.
Xbox Live Status web page.
  1. Under Services, make sure Xbox Live Core Services and Purchase and Content Usage show as Normal.
Xbox Live Status web page highlighting the current Service status.
  1. If you are having problem with a particular game or app, look under the Games and Apps section of the page, to be sure those parts of Xbox Live are not having problems.
Xbox Live Status web page highlighting the Games and Apps service statuses.

4. Check Account Standing

  1. On your computer, smartphone, or tablet, visit https://enforcement.xbox.com/Enforcement/ShowEnforcements.
  2. Sign in with the same username (usually your e-mail address) and password you used on your Xbox.
Xbox Live web site prompting for Sign-in.
  1. Make sure no warnings or other messages appear.
Xbox Live enforcements website.

5. Restart

Reboot with the controller

  1. Press the Xbox Guide button on your controller.
Xbox 360 controller with the Xbox guide button highlighted.
  1. Select Settings > Turn Off.
Xbox 360 settings menu with turn off highlighted.
  1. Select Yes to confirm.
  2. Wait 30 seconds.
  3. Push the Power Button on the front of your console to turn it back on.

If this doesn't work, then continue with the next method.

Reboot with the console

  1. Push and hold the Power Button on the front of your console for about 10 seconds.
Front of the Xbox 360 S console highlighting the power button.
  1. The console will turn off.
  2. Wait 30 seconds.
  3. Push the Power Button on the front of your console to turn it back on.

If this doesn't work, then continue with the next method.

System forced hard boot

  1. Push the Eject button next to the drive tray, and wait for the tray to open fully.
Front of Xbox 360 S console highlighting the eject button.
  1. Remove any discs from the Xbox.
  2. Leave the drive tray open.
  3. With the drive tray still open, unplug the power cable from the wall.
  4. Gently, push the drive tray half-way back in.
  5. Wait 30 seconds.
  6. Plug the power cable back in.
  7. Push the Power Button on the front of your console to turn it back on.

6. Test internet connection

  1. Go to Settings and select System.
Settings menu with System selected. Screenshot.
  1. Select Network Settings.
System Settings with Network Settings selected. Screenshot.
  1. Select your network from the list, it has a check mark in the corner.
Network Settings with example network selected. Screenshot.
  1. Select Test Xbox LIVE Connection.
Network Settings with Test Xbox LIVE Connection selected. Screenshot.

By testing your Xbox Live connection, your Xbox will automatically check for any system updates. If prompted, choose Yes to perform the update.

7. Check Free Space

  1. Go to Settings and select System.
Xbox 360 Settings menu highlighting the System icon.
  1. Select Storage.
Xbox 360 System Settings menu highlighting the Storage option.
  1. This will show you what storage is currently available.
Xbox 360 Storage Devices menu displaying all attached storage mediums your Xbox has available.

8. Try Download Again

Try downloading the game, app, or media you were having problems with again.

9. What's next?

10. Delete App

To uninstall apps or games:

  1. Open the Settings menu then select System.
Xbox 360 Settings menu highlighting the System icon.
  1. Open Storage.
Xbox 360 System Settings screen highlighting the Storage option.
  1. Select the hard drive that the app or game is installed on.
Xbox 360 Storage Devices screen displaying the available storage devices on your Xbox.
  1. Select Games and Apps.
Xbox 360 Hard Drive screen highlighting the Games and Apps option.
  1. Scroll up and down to choose. Select the app or game that you wish to remove.
  2. App data or game files will be shown. Scroll down until you see the item that has an "Installed Xbox 360 App/Game" description.
  3. Press A to open the operational commands, select Delete, then confirm.
Xbox 360 game properties menu highlighting the Delete option.
  1. The App or Game is now deleted.

11. What's next?

12. What's next?

13. Try Again Later

Try again later when the services are back up.

14. Verify Server Status

  1. On your computer, smartphone, or tablet, visit https://support.xbox.com/en-US/xbox-live-status.
Xbox Live Status web page.
  1. Under Services, make sure Xbox Live Core Services and Purchase and Content Usage show as Normal.
Xbox Live Status web page highlighting the current Service status.
  1. If you are having problem with a particular game or app, look under the Games and Apps section of the page, to be sure those parts of Xbox Live are not having problems.
Xbox Live Status web page highlighting the Games and Apps service statuses.

15. Check Account Standing

  1. On your computer, smartphone, or tablet, visit https://enforcement.xbox.com/Enforcement/ShowEnforcements.
  2. Sign in with the same username (usually your e-mail address) and password you used on your Xbox.
Xbox Live web site prompting for Sign-in.
  1. Make sure no warnings or other messages appear.
Xbox Live enforcements website.

16. Check Account Billing

  1. On your computer, smartphone, or tablet, visit https://account.xbox.com/.
  2. Sign in with the same username (usually your e-mail address) and password you used on your Xbox.
Xbox Live Website Signin
  1. Select your gamer icon in the top-right corner of the page, then select Microsoft Account.
  2. Select your payment option, or to add a payment option on the left.
  3. Verify all information shown, such as the card number, expiry date, and security code, are correct, and there are no warnings.

17. Try Purchase Again

Try purchasing the game, app, or media you were having problems with again.

18. What's next?

19. Try Again Later

Try again later when the services are back up.

20. Verify Server Status

  1. On your computer, smartphone, or tablet, visit https://support.xbox.com/en-US/xbox-live-status.
Xbox Live Status web page.
  1. Under Services, make sure Xbox Live Core Services and Purchase and Content Usage show as Normal.
Xbox Live Status web page highlighting the current Service status.
  1. If you are having problem with a particular game or app, look under the Games and Apps section of the page, to be sure those parts of Xbox Live are not having problems.
Xbox Live Status web page highlighting the Games and Apps service statuses.

21. Check Account Standing

  1. On your computer, smartphone, or tablet, visit https://enforcement.xbox.com/Enforcement/ShowEnforcements.
  2. Sign in with the same username (usually your e-mail address) and password you used on your Xbox.
Xbox Live web site prompting for Sign-in.
  1. Make sure no warnings or other messages appear.
Xbox Live enforcements website.

22. Test internet connection

  1. Go to Settings and select System.
Settings menu with System selected. Screenshot.
  1. Select Network Settings.
System Settings with Network Settings selected. Screenshot.
  1. Select your network from the list, it has a check mark in the corner.
Network Settings with example network selected. Screenshot.
  1. Select Test Xbox LIVE Connection.
Network Settings with Test Xbox LIVE Connection selected. Screenshot.

By testing your Xbox Live connection, your Xbox will automatically check for any system updates. If prompted, choose Yes to perform the update.

23. Delete Profile

  1. Go to Settings and select System.
System option pointed out in Xbox 360 settings.
  1. Select Storage.
Storage option selected in Xbox 360 settings.
  1. If you don’t connect any external storage devices to your console, select Hard Drive. If you do use external storage, instead select All Devices.
Profile location selection in Xbox 360 settings.
  1. Select Profiles.
Profiles option selected in Xbox 360 settings.
  1. Select the profile that you want to delete.
Profile selection in Xbox 360 settings.
  1. Select Delete.
Delete option selected in Xbox 360 settings.
  1. Select one of the following:
  2. Delete Profile Only - This deletes the profile but leaves saved games and achievements.
  3. Delete Profile and Items - This deletes the profile and the associated saved games and achievements.
Profile delete prompt on Xbox 360.

24. Restart

Reboot with the controller

  1. Press the Xbox Guide button on your controller.
Xbox 360 controller with the Xbox guide button highlighted.
  1. Select Settings > Turn Off.
Xbox 360 settings menu with turn off highlighted.
  1. Select Yes to confirm.
  2. Wait 30 seconds.
  3. Push the Power Button on the front of your console to turn it back on.

If this doesn't work, then continue with the next method.

Reboot with the console

  1. Push and hold the Power Button on the front of your console for about 10 seconds.
Front of the Xbox 360 S console highlighting the power button.
  1. The console will turn off.
  2. Wait 30 seconds.
  3. Push the Power Button on the front of your console to turn it back on.

If this doesn't work, then continue with the next method.

System forced hard boot

  1. Push the Eject button next to the drive tray, and wait for the tray to open fully.
Front of Xbox 360 S console highlighting the eject button.
  1. Remove any discs from the Xbox.
  2. Leave the drive tray open.
  3. With the drive tray still open, unplug the power cable from the wall.
  4. Gently, push the drive tray half-way back in.
  5. Wait 30 seconds.
  6. Plug the power cable back in.
  7. Push the Power Button on the front of your console to turn it back on.

25. Download Profile

  1. Go to Social and select Sign In or Out.
Sign In or Out option pointed out in Social menu on Xbox 360.
  1. Select Download Profile.
Download Profile option highlighted in Social menu on Xbox 360.
  1. Select Download Profile at the bottom of the screen.
Download Profile option selected in Xbox 360 settings.
  1. Enter the email address and password associated with the Xbox account.
Xbox account email address entry prompt.
  1. Select the location where you want your profile to be downloaded, hard drive or external storage.
Device selection for Xbox profile storage.
  1. After your Xbox profile was downloaded, you’ll be asked if you want the console to remember your password. Only do this if you're the only one using the console. Otherwise anyone who uses your console can sign in as you and use your account information. Select Sign In to finish.
Sign In option selected after Xbox profile download.

26. Factory Reset

This will remove any and all data and settings from your console, and you will need to re-setup the device, as if you first purchased it.

Format Hard Drive

This clears the data, and makes sure the hard drive in your Xbox 360 is in good health.

The format can take a very long time, depending on the size and speed of your drive, as well as the type of format you choose.

  1. From the Xbox dashboard screen, choose Settings > System.
Xbox 360 Settings menu, highlighting the System icon.
  1. Choose Storage.
Xbox 360 System Settings menu highlighting the storage option.
  1. Highlight your Hard Drive or Memory Unit, then choose Device Options by pushing Y on your controller.
Xbox 360 Storage Devices screen, displaying the available storage mediums on your Xbox.
  1. Choose Format.
Xbox 360 Device Options menu, highlighting the Format option.
  1. You will receive a warning, reminding you that this erases all data on your device. Choose Yes.
Xbox 360 Format Device warning prompt, highlighting the yes option.
  1. Your Xbox 360 will reboot and format the hard drive.

27. What's next?

28. What's next?

29. Try Again Later

Try again later when the services are back up.