How to fix an Xbox Series X with slow internet and slow download speeds

If you're playing the waiting game instead of speeding across the Forza Horizon 5® landscape, it's probably because your Xbox Series X™ download speed is slow. Don't worry, we can walk you through some simple solutions.

At Asurion, we know gaming because many of us are gamers ourselves. Our experts can help with any issues that arise, from an Xbox that won't turn on to a controller that won't connect. Here's our guide to why your Xbox Series X is downloading frustratingly slow and how you can fix it. These steps will also work if your Xbox series S download speed is slow.

How to fix slow download speeds on Xbox Series X

When you're downloading a game or app on your Xbox Series X, you want to play right away. Here are some simple fixes to try to speed things up:

Restart your Xbox console

First, try restarting your console.

1. Press and hold the Xbox® button in the center of your controller.
2. Select Restart console > Restart.
3. If your console is frozen, press and hold the Xbox button on the console for 10 seconds, until the console turns off. Then, touch the Xbox button on the console to restart it.

This step will close all your apps and games, so after your console has restarted, make sure your downloads have started again:

1. On the Home screen, open My games & apps > See all > Manage.
2. Select Queue and highlight the game or app you're trying to download.
3. The status should say, “Installing." If it says Queued or Paused, select the game or app, press the Menu button > Resume installation.

Check your game's download speed

Next, see if your game is downloading at the speed it's meant to.

1. Scroll to Installing > [game title you are downloading] >.
2. Go to My games & apps > Manage > Queue and look for the download speed shown in the top-right corner of the game or app that's being installed. If you see a slow speed (less than one megabit per second), your game may take a long time to download.

Close or suspend any running games

Your bandwidth may be drained if you're downloading another game at the same time or if a different game is open in the background.

Here's how to suspend another game:

1. Go to My games & apps > Manage > Queue.
2. Select Suspend my game (this option will only appear if a game is running while you are installing another game or app).

Here's how to force another game to close:

1. On the Home screen, go to your most recently run game.
2. Highlight the game, then press the Menu button, and select Quit.

Cancel and reinstall your download

If you're still having issues, the next step is to cancel your game's installation.

1. On the Home screen, open My games & apps > See all > Manage.
2. Select Queue and highlight the game or app you're trying to download.
3. Press the Menu button on your controller, then select Cancel.

To reinstall the game:

Insert the game disc or download it again from the Microsoft Store.

Check your console's network connection

Still wondering why your Xbox Series X is downloading so slow? Check your console's network connection.

Start by pausing any downloads:

1. On the Home screen, open My games and apps > See all > Manage.
2. Select Queue and highlight any games or apps that are downloading or next to download.
3. Press the Menu button on your controller, then select Pause installation for each game or app that's downloading or next to download.

Next, close any running games:

1. On the Home screen, highlight your most recently run game.
2. Press and hold the Menu button, and select Quit.

Run a network test:

1. Press the Xbox button to open the guide.
2. Select Profile & system > Settings > General > Network settings.
3. Select Test network connection.

When the test reveals your console's download speed, compare it to your internet service provider (ISP) plan. If the download speed is lower than it should be (an ideal connection speed is at least 1.5 megabit per second), there are a few more fixes to try.

Use a wired connection instead of Wi-Fi

If you've connected your console to the internet wirelessly, try connecting it to your home router with an Ethernet cable. Other wireless devices or networks may be causing your Xbox Series X slow download speeds, so a wired connection could solve your issue.

Remove other devices from your Xbox network

You may speed up the slow download speed on your Xbox Series X by removing other devices, such as laptops and other mobile devices, from your Wi-Fi network. If your home router supports dual-band connections (2.4 GHz and 5-GHz connections), try moving your console to the 5-GHz router connection and the other wireless devices to the 2.4-GHz connection).

Download games during off-peak hours

Try downloading games or apps late in the evening or overnight to avoid competing with other devices during peak weekday morning and afternoon hours. This may speed up your downloads.

Check out our guide for how to connect your Bluetooth headphones to your Xbox.

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FAQ

Why is my Xbox Series X downloading so slow?

Slow downloads on Xbox Series X can be caused by Wi-Fi interference, network congestion, background apps, Xbox Live issues, or slow ISP speeds. Using an Ethernet cable, closing apps, and restarting your console can help.

How can I increase my Xbox download speed?

To speed up downloads, try using a wired connection, closing background apps, pausing other downloads, and changing your DNS settings.

Does playing a game slow down downloads on Xbox Series X?

Yes. If you’re playing an online game while downloading, your Xbox prioritizes the game’s performance over downloads, which can slow speeds.

Is Wi-Fi or Ethernet better for Xbox Series X downloads?

An Ethernet connection is always better than Wi-Fi because it provides a faster and more stable internet connection, reducing lag and improving download speeds.

Does changing DNS help Xbox downloads?

Yes. Using a faster DNS, like Google’s (8.8.8.8 / 8.8.4.4), can sometimes improve download speeds by optimizing how your Xbox connects to the internet.

To change DNS settings on Xbox:

1. Open Settings > General > Network settings.
2. Select Advanced settings > DNS settings > Manual.
3. Enter the following DNS servers:
   1. Primary DNS: 8.8.8.8
   2. Secondary DNS: 8.8.4.4
4. Save the settings and restart your Xbox.