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7 ways to fix the “DNS isn’t resolving Xbox server names” error

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When connecting your Xbox online, you may sometimes run into an error depending on your router’s configuration or your internet settings. In these situations, you’ll get the error message “DNS isn’t resolving Xbox server names” on your console. A DNS is a way for any device to access the internet by connecting to different IP addresses. If your Xbox’s DNS isn’t working as intended, this error will appear. Fortunately, you can try several methods to fix this problem.

7 ways to fix the “DNS isn’t resolving Xbox server names” error

Table of Contents

Table of Contents

Test your internet connection

First, check if your internet connection is working properly. Turning your router off and on can resolve a lot of connectivity issues that you may experience with your Xbox console. This process is known as “power cycling.” For this technique, you have to:

  1. Turn off your modem/router and unplug it from the socket.
  2. Wait for 15 to 30 seconds.
  3. Plug the modem/router back into the socket. Wait for another 1-2 minutes.
  4. Turn on the router and wait for all the indicator lights to turn green.
  5. Try connecting your Xbox to the internet again.

Power cycling refreshes the connection your router uses to allow your devices to go online, potentially allowing your Xbox to connect to a valid DNS address. It also refreshes the router itself, which can solve problems like a pending firmware update or outdated wireless settings. Alternatively, you can try other internet diagnostic tools to check your internet health.

Make sure your Xbox system is up to date

Software updates are crucial to ensuring that your devices run smoothly, and your Xbox console is no exception. Keeping your Xbox system updated can often solve many different connectivity errors.

To update your Xbox system, you need to do the following:

  1. Navigate to your Xbox menu by pressing the Xbox button on your controller.
  2. Open “Profile & system.”
  3. Click “Settings.”
  4. Go to “System,” then “Updates.”
  5. Under the “Updates” tab, check if you have a “Console update available” message. If you do, select this message to manually update your Xbox.
  6. Select “Keep my console up to date” and “Keep my games and apps up to date” to automatically update your Xbox console and games in the future.

Ensuring your Xbox automatically installs updates is also a good way to fix the “DNS isn’t resolving Xbox server names” error since Microsoft usually releases patches to help resolve common connectivity issues.

Manually configure the DNS settings

You can try configuring your DNS settings manually for a more direct approach. Most of the time, your Xbox will use your default DNS setting to connect online. However, if you’ve recently changed your internet connection in any way (like using a new router), you may have to set the DNS manually.

You can change your DNS settings in two ways: via the router’s DNS settings or by changing the DNS server on your Xbox.

Changing your router DNS settings

  1. Open your internet browser on your desktop or laptop, then type “http://192.168.1.1” into the address bar. This should bring you to your router’s settings.
  2. Log in using your credentials.
  3. Navigate to your DNS settings. In most routers, this is found under the “Setup” tab.
  4. Configure your primary DNS address to “8.8.8.8.”
  5. Configure your secondary DNS address to “8.4.4.4.”
  6. Try connecting your Xbox online again.

8.8.8.8 is Google’s public DNS, which lowers the risk of running into errors like “DNS isn’t resolving Xbox server names” because of its ease of use and connectivity.

Changing your Xbox DNS settings

  1. From your Xbox console, navigate to “Settings.”
  2. Navigate to “Network.” Click “Advanced settings.”
  3. Choose “DNS settings,” then “Manual.”
  4. Configure your primary DNS address to “8.8.8.8.”
  5. Configure your secondary DNS address to “8.4.4.4.”
  6. Select “B” on your controller when you navigate to “Wireless settings” to save your changes.

You may also select “Set DNS automatically” after manually changing your DNS settings to see if that resolves the issue.

Reset your router

If you’re getting the “DNS isn’t resolving Xbox server names” error regularly or your internet connection has intermittent problems, you can try resetting your router.

To do this, you have to:

  1. Locate the reset button on the back of your router. Some models may require you to use a pin to press it.
  2. Press and hold the reset button for 10 to 20 seconds or until all the lights on your router flash once.
  3. Alternatively, you can navigate to your router settings (via “http://192.168.1.1”) and then choose “Restore default settings.” This option is usually under “Tools” and/or “System commands.”

Resetting your router will clear most of its configuration settings, including your Wi-Fi name and password. If you don’t encounter any more problems with your Xbox after resetting your router, we recommend updating your router settings.

Clear your Xbox cache

Too much data in your Xbox cache can lead to system errors and slow down the console’s functions. Clearing your cache on Xbox resets this storage space, which can also help solve connectivity issues.

You can clear your Xbox cache using two methods:

Turning off your console

  1. Turn off your Xbox console and unplug the power.
  2. Wait two to three minutes, and plug the power cord back into the socket.
  3. Turn the console on and try connecting your Xbox to the internet again.

Clearing persistent storage

  1. Navigate to your console’s “Settings.”
  2. Select “Devices & connections.”
  3. Click “Blu-ray,” then “Persistent storage.”
  4. Click on the “Clear persistent storage” button.

Change your Wi-Fi channel

Changing your Wi-Fi channel is a potential solution if you’re trying to connect your Xbox online through a wireless connection. Routers will usually connect to a Wi-Fi channel that other routers in the area use. If your channel is too full, your internet connection will slow down.

Here’s how to change your Wi-Fi channel:

  1. From your desktop or laptop, open the “Run” command window. Enter “cmd.”
  2. Enter “ipconfig” in the window.
  3. Note the “Default gateway” number.
  4. Open your internet browser and enter the “Default gateway” number in the address bar.
  5. In your router’s configuration page, go to the wireless settings and choose “20Mhz” under “Channel width.”

20Mhz is the preferred channel for Xbox consoles, so setting your router to this channel can potentially resolve your connectivity issues and improve your console’s performance.

Factory reset your Xbox

If all else fails, you may have to factory reset your Xbox. This is the last resort if you’re still experiencing persistent connectivity issues. Factory resetting your Xbox will erase all data from your console and reset everything back to its default settings.

To do this, you should:

  1. Press the Xbox button and select “Profile and system.”
  2. Click “Settings,” then “Console info.”
  3. Tap on “Select console,” which will open the “Reset your console?” window.
  4. Choose “Reset and remove everything.”

The process above is also known as a hard factory reset, which can usually clear your DNS issue by setting the Xbox back to its default factory state. Alternatively, try “Reset and keep my games and apps” before resetting everything.

Conclusion

The “DNS isn’t resolving Xbox server names” error can be frustrating when first encountered, but the various fixes above can help resolve it. If you’ve tried everything on the list and your Xbox console still shows the same error, you may need to contact your internet provider or Microsoft support for more technical help.